Bicycle Mechanics - Is longer better?

I always assumed that the longer v-brake pads work better since the larger surface of the pad is in contact with the rim. Am I rite or wrong? What are some other factors of the braking pads that affect braking power?

The material of the pad can be important also. A hard material might last longer, but might chew up the rims/not provide as much braking power. A softer pad might provide better braking power but wear more quickly. The colors of pads that you see from companies like Kool-Stop for severe/wet/dry conditions are variations in the softness/hardness of the pad, and therefore grippiness. Many companies claim that the unique grooves cut into the pads help to direct water away for better braking. A strong set of V-brakes that are equally tensioned and properly set up levers are the two biggest factors in strong braking, though. Most of the brake pads that I used on my old bike were from Kool-Stop and happened to be long and skinny. My XTR's use a set of cartridge pads. You will probably find that most brake pads on MTB's with V's today tend to be longer and skinnier. I tend to notice the wide "Block" pads on lower end bikes.

-Moab


This was my assumption based on experience. Please let me know if you disagree.

Brake pads are cheap; rims and crashes are not. Insist on soft, grippy pads, such as Kool-Stops.

The toe-in affects the bite of the brakes. (see Sheldon Brown site).

Store-bought bikes (kmart etc) have the pads adjusted on V-brakes so that they toe out , so that people don't go flying over the bars.

Oh, we're talking about brakes.:rolleyes:

:D

she told me it's the width that matters

I don't think the length of brake pads really make a difference. Wider pads help, because the friction is distributed over a wider surface on the pad and on the rim (less wear overall).

Narrow pads may be better in some types of mud, as they would cut through it more easily, but maybe I'm wrong here.

In terms of durability, the Kool Stop Salmon (or dual) use a harder compound than the Shimano brake pads. The Kool Stop are more effective, but also last longer. But more importantly, the Kool Stop are easier on the rims than the Shimano because pieces of rock and sand tend to be embedded in the soft material of Shimano brake pads.

Regards,

I am using what I think is Avenir?? maybe another brand and the pads are called Sticky Fingers and the are for shimano V brakes but I use them on my road bike. This is because I lost brake power due to heat one day going down out of the hills here down the wild west coast, and the mechanic reckoned the longer length of the pad might help disperse the heat? What's the best type of pad for geting rid of heat.... soft or hard? short or long? So far I have'nt been back to that very descent but I will in the next week. I haven't really noticed a difference in braking power though. Smoother action perhaps?

Brendon
:beer:

I tried my new pads tooday. I got Logic LP for extreme conditions, so far so good. The grip is pritty good, but not so good when wet