I'm a daily commuter here in nyc and i need to buy break pads. a bit of research reveals that some swear by kool-stops. Maybe I'll give them a try....dry or wet? I have to make a choice about my break pads regarding the weather?? I do both! Then again, maybe the kool-stops are just hype.

i have dura type holders on my road bike.

(oh, and suggest WHERE to buy the pads, not sure why the big mail order places don't stock kool-stop)

Salmon pads work very well in wet. Wear a little quick, but if you use a cartridge style you don't spend much.

Different bikes like different pads, kool stops squeal on some bikes, while on others they're silent. Same goes with other pads. Give them a try, if they're no good replace them in a few months once they're worn.

LBS's carry them (and can order them,) Amazon.com does too. Google lists dozens more sites stocking them.

+1 for the KoolStop Salmon pads, especially when urban commuting in rain - that grimy oil film gets on everything; the Salmon pads seem to be especially effective stopping in those conditions.

I put dura ace pads on my trek 7.5fx and they work fine. I ride year round in snow, rain etc.....

No one sells break pads

I'm using KoolStop mountain dual compound pads on the front set of Tektro Oryx canti's and right now they can really shudder to a stop, especially in the morning. I thought I was "toe-ing" them in properly. Oh yes, they are also squealing like a banshee. I'm thinking of moving them to the back or now, just Salmon all the way.

i really don't ride in the rain that often so perhaps dura ace pads would be better. any reason to avoid them? ooor....should i go for the dry kool-stops?

What are these "break" pads?

Yup, Salmon KoolStops, seriosuly, I've rode with those for years. Next step from that is disc brakes

A.

C'mon guys, give the guy a "brake".

Koolstop Salmons are the next best thing to switching to discs.

As has been noted, they work well wet or dry though they wear a little fast.

Personally I have pretty good luck with Nashbar's replacable pad shoes, they work OK when wet, perhaps not quite as well as Koolstop salmons. I switched to disc primarily due to ice buildup in the winter which not even koolstops will fix.

I think the Nashbars are pretty much identical to the low end Shimano shoes. I buy new pads when they go on sale.

Koolstop Salmon pads are the way to go. We don't have rain here all that often, but it's a great all around brake pad. As a plus, it doesn't get my rim all black and nasty.

Another vote for K-S Salmon pads ... I use those on all my bikes.

I was thinking a small chunk of foam might make a good break pad... or one of those exercise mats. Perhaps a folding chair might be a good break pad. Certainly not an item you see often.

You mean, like a sleeping pad?

The KS pads also larger than stock pads (I had Shimano 105) so that also adds to the increase in stopping power. When I put the KS pads on it was like day and night difference compared to the stock Shimano pads.

Adam

A.

Count me among the Salmon Kool Stop users. They squeal like crazy on wet days but I figure it's a small price to pay for the ability to stop on slick, wet roads.

Maybe OP is referring to the iPad?

apple, duhhhh.