Koolstop has been making the Mafac replacements in black for a while now — my replacements are about two years old now, I think. I've also got a pair in Salmon and I don't think I can tell a difference (different bikes, different mileage, etc.) The Salmon don't appear to be wearing faster, but neither bike is getting everyday miles either. Mafacs, as pointed out, have a reputation for shrieking like a banshee... is it just part of the French charm? Dunno, but it sure wakes up the neighbors! When I felt I couldn't take it any longer, I took the PX10 out to a really long hill and rode the brakes hard and consistently the entire way down. The screamed the entire way, of course, but by the bottom seemed to have "seated" pretty well, and are less noisy than before. Or maybe I'm just deaf now after enduring the racket. YMMV.