Originally Posted by
Heathpack
Two different bikes. The sparrow, with the carbon Bontrager wheels, is a Trek. The magic bike is the BMC. Bontrager/Trek is very clear in their owners manual that cork pads are the only recommended pads? Of course they specify Bontrager brand pads. From the manual:
"Use Only Bontrager Carbon Stop Cork Brake PadsBontrager carbon rims require special brake pads to prevent heat fade and to work properly in wet conditions. Heat fade is a loss of braking performance after long, hard brake application. In addition, incorrect pads can create excessive heat on the rim, which can cause delamination of the carbon fiber. Carbon fiber rims also can be extremely abrasive in wet conditions, causing standard brake pads to wear prematurely. Only use Bontrager Carbon Stop Cork Brake Pads with Bontrager carbon fiber rims."
So I just need to find out how true this is, I don't want to damage the wheels. But I'd also like to be able to stop the bike.
Forgive my asking, but what exactly is a sparrow (in this context)?
On the wheels/pads question, you will not get a straight answer from Bontrager. This is not conspiracy theory BS or corporation hating. I worked for Big Oil for 30 years and know how corporate culture goes. I can tell you Trek is lawyered up on this question. They will refer you right back to the printed disclaimer. Swiss Stop knows what it is doing and their BP pads are the best I have ever used, especially developed for high performance braking and conservation of the rims as well. They are in use on carbon rims of all makes and models. I agree you should try to corner Bontrager on this if you can, but let's hear from others on the forum about it too. Bontrager carbon rims have to be within the normal range of heat and abrasion resistance suggesting that high performance after-market pads would be appropriate to use with them.