swimbikerun_boy

I now have a 2005 Cannondale R700 and I keep hearing about the crappy barkes. So before the snow melts i have decided to fix this problem. I don't have the money to upgrade the actual brake calpiers but i was hoping some new brake pads could help fix the problem. So what im asking is, what are the best brake pads out there, and could this help solve my problem??

Thanks
Tyler

ngweimin

Koolstop.

swimbikerun_boy

any specific kind of kool stop?

Tyler

swimbikerun_boy

and after checking their website i found that the brake pads were specifically designed for campy brakes. So will they fit on ny Cannodale ones?

Thanks
Tyler

demoncyclist

They have many models available for most brands of brakes. The Shimano compatible model will probably fit your calipers. You will probably need the whole setup- pads and holders. After that, you can just buy refill pads for the existing holders. If you ride in mostly dry conditions, the black compound is best. If you ride in wet and dry, go with the salmon color, and if you have ceramic rims, they make a green colored compound specifically for them.

jazzy_cyclist

"hearing about crappy brakes"? Does this mean that you think they're crappy, or does this mean that someone else told you that *they* think they're crappy? I have an '03 R600 and the brakes are fine.

swimbikerun_boy

i've only ridden my R700 once and that was for the test ride (stupid snow) but even then they felt a little mushy and not to my liking. And the fact that sooo many other people don't seem to like them, well i decided to just fix it and get it over with. I'll probably ride it a couple more times (when the weather permits it) just to make sure that im positive about my desicion, then i'll make a purchase.

One last question, how much do the kool stop brake pads and holders cost if im replacing both my front and rear wheel brakes? (in Canadian $$$ if possible)

Thanx
Tyler

Bolo Grubb

What kind of brakes do you have?

I have Tektro on my bike and they were pretty crappy to begin with but once I got them adjusted they work much better. I also replaced the original brake pad with Ultegra pads and that improved them a bit more.

The original pads started to squel badly and no amount of adjutment seem to solve that so that is the reason for the new pads.

I am very happy with they way my brakes work now. Tektro calipers with Ultegra pads.

Tektro is a pretty low end caliper, but they can work if adjusted properly.

swimbikerun_boy

i have Cannondale Theta brakes(came stock with my R700). And all that i am hoping to replace are the pads. I will adjust them when i get my bike on the road but until then im just looking at other options

Tyler

BlazingPedals

I like the Kool Stops and always replace what I presume are shi**y stock pads immediately, before the first road test.

bubber

I got a new Specialized Allez Elite a few months ago. I kept reading in this forum how other owners of the same bike did not like the brakes and recommended a switch to Kool-stop brake pads. Well, I did so last week and I must admit, $50 later, that the original brake pads stopped the bike faster (dry conditions). I guess there are some other criteria (like noise), but my vote goes with the brakes that stop me the fastest.

Phatman

If you get the cartidges as well as the pads, I think its something like 20 bucks for the front and another 20 for the rear...steep, eh? if you have cartridge holders already, you can just buy the rubber part, and thats like 7.99 or something cheap.

as for which ones to get, get the salmon ones.

oh, and dont get the dura-ace 7700 pads. they have really good stopping power for like 200 miles, then they start to kill yourt rims. they literally wore ruts into my rim. the most abrasive pad I've ever used.

ivan_yulaev

Are you sure it is not because of the calipers? My stock brakes on the Trek 1000 were kind of mushy, and getting good power out of them required LOTS of force on the levers. When I upgraded to 105 Calipers ($60), they were a lot better.

jbhowat

I have Sora brake calipers, but I threw on a Dura-Ace style (with softer pad) holder and pad system. They are *almost* as good as my old DA9 brakes. I have Tiagra levers, btw.

jeff williams

Jagwire make good pads.

Road versions:
https://www.jagwire.com.tw/js471af.htm
https://www.jagwire.com.tw/js453a.htm

bluejack

Why not wait until the crappy pads wear out? They'll still *stop* you, they just don't last very long. Unless I missed some particular symptom of brake crappiness that you are experiencing.

sorebutt

Koolstop! use the salmon (pink) if you ride in wet weather.. otherwise the black..

Benman

I just got my R700 and worried about the same problem as you. The brakes/pads it comes with are good enough, just a little noisy. I plan on upgrading to better brakes before upgrading the pads .

sorebutt

Just as an FYI, there was a problem with Shimano brake pads in the past few years. Those bad pads where very noisy and bad for your rims. I was unlucky to have a set like that on my old bike, and I almost got killed as those pads will lose their effectiveness as they got hot..

here is a good writeup about the problem pad, how to identify them, and how to fix..

https://www.chainreaction.com/brakeshoes.htm








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swimbikerun_boy

cool thanks everyone. very informitive. When the spring roles around i will probably go with the Kool Stop holders and black pads.

Tanks again

Tyler

Dutchy

I have used the yellow Koolstops before and they were brilliant, however the black ones are driving me mad, they make so much noise. I assumed the only difference was the colour?

CHEERS.

Mark

sorebutt

In the road bike category (Shimano and Campagnolo) the colors are, pink, black and some kind of green. The green are for ceramic rims, the pink are for wet, and black are for general use.
In the Mtn and BMX category they have other colors...

https://www.koolstop.com/brakes/index.html

jeff williams

Black have more carbon, harder. Color (red) usually are a wet (softer) condition pad.

On my mtb I run a softer pad front, harder rear, as I feather my rear brakes and stop hard w\ the front.

swimbikerun_boy

cool thanks for the advice

Tyler