rkrossi

I'm disappointed with the stock brakes on my Cannondale. Before I go to the extreme and replace the calipers, I thought I would change to Kool Stop pads and see what happens. Most of my riding is in the dry. Riding in the wet is rare.

Kool Stop makes three componds. I've read great comments about the Salmon compound (including Sheldon), but they are labeled for wet conditions. Not that it wouldn't still be suitable for dry. Their black compound is listed for dry conditions.

What really is the best Kool Stop compound for mostly dry conditions then, black or salmon?

FlatFender

I love the salmon pads, however they wear a little fast.

HillRider

Kool Stop's Salmon are recommended for wet conditions but also work very well in dry so they are the usually choice as they cover everything. They aren't quite as durable as the black but the differences is minor.

BTW, Kool Stop also makes pads that are half Salmon/half Black for those who really can't make up their mind.

bkaapcke

Forget Kool Stops, unless you like brake squeal. bk

HillRider

That's interesting. I have Kool Stop pads on six different bikes, five with various model caliper brakes and one with Shimano cantilevers, and not one of them squeals. I must be doing something wrong.

BCRider

I've had squeal on a couple of bikes one I was able to fix with a swap to another pad style and one that didn't make any difference and squealed with anything I had. So there may be issues in some cases. But to just toss out a blanket statement that ALL salmon pads squeal is just inaccurate by a landslide.

The salmon pads do generate a little more friction for the same grip compared to the other KS options from what I found. But I haven't actually tried the black for years now so YMMV. I actually went with the salmons for my old touring and single speed that used long reach single pivot calipers to work with 700c's on frames originally equipped with 27's. The braking performance was terrible before and tolerable with the salmons.

I recently bought Tektro dual pivot long reach calipers for both and could not be happier. The touring bike STILL squeals like an opera singer though.

thedips

ok.. im not one to buy into hype... and when i was in need of brake pads ( my stock ones were causing GALLING on my wheels) i said why not and lets see what these brake pads are about... i went with KOOLSTOP (full salmon) and (HALF salmon/half black) ... ive been on the half and halfs and after riding many miles you can really feel the difference ... i found them quieter on my rims... and very very solid for braking....

operator

Thanks for the worthless post.

Go learn how to adjust brake pads and then come back.

operator

I'm still wondering what the F good brake pads like the koolstops have ANYTHING to do with brake squeal. It's and adjustment issue.

BCRider

Oh trust me, I wish it was.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a staunch fan of the KS like and the salmon pads in particular as I think my other posts show. But this one bike is a real beast for this issue and only on the rear caliper. The issue also followed me after a swap to my new dual pivot caliper and for a short time all was well. But then the rain squeegee lip on the leading edge of the new pads wore off and the pad wore to a flat face to the rim and the squeal was back. Adding on some new toe in to replace the wear didn't help at all.

I'm going to try some other options but for now it's like the worst opera singer on the planet....

Sturmcrow

BCRider, have you tried scouring the rim with steel wool or sandpaper? There has to be some way to get that booger to stop squealing. Judging from this article of Jobst Brandt's, I wonder if flexible brake arms or seat stays could be to blame in your case. Perhaps a brake stiffener/booster could help?

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/brake-squeal.html

https://www.abundantadventures.com/quads.html (scroll down to Gorilla Brake Beefers)

Edit: I'm assuming that you're running canti's or v-brakes since its your touring bike.

tellyho

Salmon

Pragmatik

I've had both and had better dry stopping power with the salmon, though it could have been in my head. The salmon works in the snow/ice also, in my experience. They are both superior to the crap that came on my bike and stopped my galling issues

Panthers007

I outfitted my hybrid (v-brakes) with Kool Stop Thinline dual-compound. Salmon in the front half - black in back. They work great! But do be sure to toe them in. And a bit of squealing is to be expected for the first few miles. As long as you toed them in, this will solve itself in short order.

monk

My vote is for salmon too . . .