Folding Bikes - Brompton Fibrax brake pad performance

I've got salmon Kool Stop pads on one Dahon bike which are quite new and so far they show no signs of living up to the hype. I've got some Clarks pads on another bike that are excellent (unexpectedly). Looking through older forum threads it used to be the case that those in the know always recommended Brompton users to upgrade the brake pads to Kool Stop, but I'm wondering if that's still the case since Fibrax pads came as standard? Given that my experience with Kool Stop hasn't been overwhelming I'm thinking the Fibrax pads may well be better (I have a pre-2008 Brompton and haven't changed the crappy stock pads yet).

I've got salmon Kool Stop pads on one Dahon bike which are quite new and so far they show no signs of living up to the hype. I've got some Clarks pads on another bike that are excellent (unexpectedly). Looking through older forum threads it used to be the case that those in the know always recommended Brompton users to upgrade the brake pads to Kool Stop, but I'm wondering if that's still the case since Fibrax pads came as standard? Given that my experience with Kool Stop hasn't been overwhelming I'm thinking the Fibrax pads may well be better (I have a pre-2008 Brompton and haven't changed the crappy stock pads yet).
Mine is a 2009 model. Not sure if it has the Fibrax pads but it certainly stops better than i have read about Bromptons. And i found when i switched to Jagwire Ripcord kevlar brake lines it seemed to even improve more so.
I had to put new longer lines on when i installed the Aber Halo on it. Im more than happy with the way it stops,i could quite easily put myself over the bars if i wanted to. Hope this helps with your decision.

I put Kool Stop Salmon-red Continental pads on my used Brompton purchase,
a Mk2 bike, CLB sidepulls.

They worked fine, even better when I moved to the flatlands, and off the Hilltop.


Fibrax is a UK company,, as is Clark's, KS is in Oregon, FWIW.
so what's in UK shops will be a bias.

want to burn paint? V brake bosses and Magura HS33 brakes are excellent.
I have them on my Trekking bike.. [26'' wheel]
Kool Stop makes one of their replacement shoe sets..

Brompton did comparative brake pad tests with a range of manufacturers and found that Koolstop salmon were 1st in the dry and second in the wet. The Fibrax pads were the opposite and were chosen on the basis of wet weather performance.

I am extremely happy with my 2010 Brompton standard braking system. It offers me braking power in all conditions so far, from dry to wet and severe downhill scenarios.

I am extremely happy with my 2010 Brompton standard braking system. It offers me braking power in all conditions so far, from dry to wet and severe downhill scenarios.
Hey 14R
Wheres that twin too mine you were getting? S2E if i remember correctly. Ive been away for awhile so maybe i missed the pics.

I sold my S2E in mid march and recently purchased an S6-L (currently configured as a S12-E due to the dual front chainring and no fenders/rack). You can read more about this new bike at my blogo (http://14r.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html)

I swtiched from the Fibrax to the KoolStop for one reason only - durability. With the Fibrax pads, they only last 6-8weeks in winter biking - I have never seen anything so soft. The Koolstops last an entire year before replacement is necessary.