Bicycle Mechanics - Brakes

My pads are nearing replacement time and I was wondering what people recommended. The brakes take standard v-brake pegged blocks.

Last time I tried Fibrak low-profile pads which worked well in the dry but didn't seem to have the power the original pads had in the wet.

Can you get cartridge systems that will fit as a direct replacement for standard v- brakes?

Richard

KOOL STOP red are supposed to work in all weather. Whether their cartridge pads are interchangeable with yours, I don't know.

Experience tells me KoolStops are the best. (They at least move my single-pivot Campy sidepulls up a notch from worthless to marginal, and they perform very well with all of my other brake calipers.)

Sheldonbrown.com is pushing KoolStop's new Matthauser-compound shoes.

I put Kool-Stops on my old MTB too. Worked much better and quieter than the original pads.

Do the Kool-Stops increase stopping power? I've got some Shimano pads right now and I get pooty stopping power. I've tried sanding them, and I checked to make sure they aren't meant for ceramic rims.

I tried Shimano pads on my single-pivot Campy sidepulls and was almost unable to stop on a 15-percent descent. To avoid killing myself, I changed to KoolStops. Based on personal experience, I cannot recommend any Shimano brake pad.

I am switching to KoolStops this week.

Shimano brake pads do last a long time (Koool stops last me about 3 weeks), but they need to be properly adjusted at all times. My hands are fairly strong, so I've never been left unable to stop with either Ultegra or 105 pads on my center-pivot calipers. I use Shimano road pads on the canti's on my C'Dale Tourer as well, no problems.

The new Avid pads worked better for me than the Kool stops and for mixed conditions WTB dual compound pads were outstanding.
The Kool stops are the least expensive.

kool stops are nice pads, but any pad can go to the crap if u dont clean it correctly. making sure to keep your rim clean and brake pads clean of crud will help. also when you get any pad you should boil them. This gets all oil out of the rubber, and re-hydrates them to prevent cracking. Also keeping your cables lubed, and your brakes well adjusted will help alot too.

Modolo Sinterized... :roflmao:
actually they are still available if you
look for em.
I've used Mathauser in the past and really
liked them.

Marty

the only really strong brake pads are Magura HS33 pads. You can get a conversion kit for use with normal catelevr brake systems.....they are the best and only pads I would invest in. Might be hard to find but if you do, you will be stoked.