Bicycle Mechanics - Brake pad recommendation?

Apparently modern brake pads and old Mavic Open 4CD anodized rims aren't a good match because my braking is terrible. What kind of pads do I need?

I've got Mavic MA40 rims on my road bike (well, the front rim; the rear cracked and I replaced it with an Open Pro) and the old hard black-rubber Shimano pads work well on them. Same is true for some hard-anodized Wolber Super Champion rims on the Centurion that I recently bought and overhauled. The Shimano blacks work well, and after some rides in inclement weather, the hard-anodizing will wear off a bit.

That said, I've never heard anything bad about the Salmon-colored Kool Stop pads.

I think Kool Stop makes brake pads specifically for ceramic rims. I have regular Kool Stops (black) on my hybrid and they're much better than the stock brake pads.

Buy Kool Stop Salmon color and never look back. They are rim friendly and work well in wet weather.

Thanks, I'll surf around to find some.

i went looking for koolstops at LBS, they were out, and came home with new Dura Ace pads that are AWESOME compared to the pad that came stock on my Trek 1200. Tons more feel and modulation, seem grippier. Have not really had to panic stop on them yet, but should probably try a few to know what to expect. hope this helps.

I can't imagine a world without Kool-Stops...no little **** scrapers on my brake pads...how sad

Check these pads out from Swissstop. I like them better than kool stop:
http://www.njroadclub.com/docs/Swissstop.shtml

Check these pads out from Swissstop. I like them better than kool stop:
http://www.njroadclub.com/docs/Swissstop.shtml

Where can you get 'em?

Swisstop

Helvetia Sports Ltd.
1006 Birchview Crescent
Bridgenorth, ON
www.helvetiasports.com

Swisstop online
http://www.labicicletta.com/
http://www.wildrock.net/gear/biking.asp

Wow....nearly $30 for brake pads. I think I can hold out with my Ultegras a bit longer....

I think Kool Stop makes brake pads specifically for ceramic rims. I have regular Kool Stops (black) on my hybrid and they're much better than the stock brake pads.
Mavic "CD" rims aren't ceramic; "SUP" is the code for ceramic on Mavic rims.
Don't use pads designed for ceramic rims on non-ceramic rims; they'll eat up your rim's sidewall pretty quickly.

"SUP" is the code for ceramic on Mavic rims.


Are you sure about that? As far as I knew, "SUP" referred only to the manner in which the seam was welded.

By the way, I vote for Kool Stop black pads. Even rim-friendlier than the salmons and still good in bad weather.

Mavic "CD" rims aren't ceramic; "SUP" is the code for ceramic on Mavic rims.
Don't use pads designed for ceramic rims on non-ceramic rims; they'll eat up your rim's sidewall pretty quickly.


Are you sure about that? As far as I knew, "SUP" referred only to the manner in which the seam was welded.

Mavic speak:

CD = hard anodized
Ceramic = ceramic coated
SUP = welded rim seam

Yes, the CD designation is "hard anodized" which is strictly a cosmetic treatment and, thankfully, wears off of the brake tracks pretty quickly. I had Open 4CD rims on my '96 Litespeed for a few years and the anodizing was gone from the brake tracks within 1000 miles. I sure didn't miss it and braking improved when it was gone. They worked fine with then current Ultegra pads.

Hard anodizing, despite the advertising claims, does nothing for rim strength, rigidity or longevity. In fact, it can hurt rim life as the brittle surface can act a stress raiser when (not if) it cracks. My rear Open 4CD rim cracked through the sidewall at 12,000 miles. It was the shortest lived rim I've ever had.