So I bought a set of brakes that supposedly came with Kool Stops. The pads don't say Kool Stop anywhere and don't look like any of the models shown on the Kool Stop website.

However, I don't have much experience with Kool Stops so I was hoping I could a couple of other opinions before discussing this with the seller.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks!



(Click on thumbnails for full size view)

Those are not Kool-Stops.
The company has a website: https://www.koolstop.com/brakes/index.php

Thanks for the feedback. I'm aware of the website and had checked it out prior to posting. The pads don't look like those on the website but before I jumped to any conclusions wanted to get some input from the BF community.

Kool-Stop also makes pads for other brands, so who knows. Why is it so important? Do the pads work well?

I haven't used them so I don't know if they work. When I buy something and have concerns I about the purchase generally don't use the item until concerns have been resolved... makes returns, resolutions tricky.

Do Kool Stops work better than generic pads? Many people seem to think so. Do Kool Stops command a price premium to generic brands? Yes. So, if these are not Kool Stops (1) I paid more than I should have and (2) got a product that according to many does not work as well. I think it is reasonable to expect to receive the item that was advertised and paid for... not a substitute.

The seller's actions also seem to suggest that he thinks it is important. If not he would not have felt that need to mention the Kool Stop name in the listing title and body.

Holy cow, news flash a scambay seller lied about an item for sale!

Sorry, I had to do it. Been getting royally screwed on ebay recently with some of the stuff I have "won" .

These were pads that came with new factory brakes of what make and model?

no way those are koolstops.
koolstops do sell black compound brake pads, but they are shaped like the ones on the website.

those look generic.

No, not new factory brakes. I'm fixing up a bike on the cheap so I bought a set of used brakes. If you look closely you can see they have a very minor amount of wear on the pads. If it's important, they came with Tektro V brakes.

Those are pretty much the cheapest, crappiest pads you can get. They probably came stock with the original tektros

You're worried about the quality of the pads? How much $ are we talking here for all this drama?

Doesn't matter, if the OP payed a premium for koolstops he should get koolstops and those arn't them, talk tothe seller, they should make this right, even if only a matter of a couple bucks

+1 Unfortunately, lots of stuff misrepresented on ebay. To be fair to ebay, Craigs List is even worse. Its really a buyer beware world out there. Ask for a refund through paypal, you should get it. Then leave negative feedback so that the next buyer doesn't get scammed.

Thanks to those that weighed in.

I emailed seller earlier today stating my concerns and looking for a resolution. Seller just sent two messages in response:

I am skeptical of the sellers explanation... does anyone think these could be an older (circa 2003) Kool Stop model?

I also noticed in the pic he linked to (which btw sucks in terms of showing the brake pads... not sure what similarities I'm supposed to see other than they're black and they're brake pads) that the pads on the left side have the pin that allows you to change the pad only. I know Kool Stop makes some models with replaceable pads but the ones the seller provided do not have this feature.

They do not look like Kool Stop pads to me. I say no. Maybe back when he bought them, he was told they were Kool Stop. IIRC, all Kool Stop pads I have used had "Kool Stop" on them.

Your next email should be to Kool Stop asking them for clarification. I'm skeptical also, but until you get absolutely positive confirmation, you have to error on the side of caution. Calling him a liar or demanding a refund without having proof beyond merely circumstantial evidence has the potential to make you look real real bad.