I know this subject has probably been beaten to death, but here goes any way. The salmon pads get rave reviews here on BF. Kool Stop has a new shtick with a triple compound pad now-red, gray, black. Their claim to fame is "controlled braking", what ever that is. Has any one got first-hand experience with them? Thay're about half again as much as the salmon pads. So, the BIG question--should I get the triple compound pads or just get the salmon pads and call it a day? I'm a fair-weather rider so wet stopping efficiency isn't an issue. My c&v bike has alloy rims.
Thanks for your input.
Jon

I don't notice any difference between good quality black pads from various makers and Kool Stop salmon pads. The main advantage to Kool Stop is the pad design for some, not all, pads -- the wedge or plow-tip on some Kool Stop pads makes toe-in easier and helps scrape rims clean in wet and muddy conditions.

My Univega has cantilever brakes. I started out with Kool Stop Eagle 2 (formerly Eagle Claw) salmon. Great pad design. The wedge makes it easy to set toe-in, and scrapes the rims clean in muddy conditions. But it wouldn't clear the fork enough to drop/install an inflated tire. The Eagle 2 pads are really thick.

So I switched the front to Jagwire black 70mm long mountain canti thin line pads, curved to match the rim. And they brake just as well as the Kool Stop salmon, dry, wet or muddy. Cost less too. But like most pads toe-in is a little more trouble -- a zip tie, rubber band, etc., helps set the toe-in angle.

My comfort hybrid errand bike has V-brakes. Kool Stop holders with black pads up front, generic black pads in the rear. They work just as well.

Second on Kool Stop salmons working well on wet rims. The other benefit is that they don't pick up grit like most pads.

I ran through a pair of the funky black/salmon some years back. Bike shop carried them, and I didn't want to wait for mail order. They worked, but no better (for me) than the straight salmon pads. Save your money.

I have Koolstop dual compound (black/salmon) on two bikes, a modern Roubaix, and a vintage Raleigh. I did a 50 mile Solvang ride last year in pouring rain on the Roubaix, and the dual compound worked great. I also found them very quiet on both bikes. I bought a vintage Peugeot which had black Koolstops already mounted on Mafac Racer centerpulls. I find them less effective, but my Roubaix has fairly new rims, and the Peugeot brakes are probably a few years old, and have gotten harder. Thumbs up for the dual compound, never heard of triple compound.

why not try the 3 or 2 compound first then the all red, and find out, for yourself?


My C&V Campag single pivot brakes have a black compound pad Kool Stop Produced.. that slips right in..

It's a fair weather bike now.. lack of mudguards ..those with mudguards , have salmon compound pads..




...

I've used the dual compound pads. They are very good in both wet and dry and not quite as aggressive in terms of picking up debris and rim wear.


-Tim-

I would hope that all braking is controlled braking.

Cool Stop Continentals in gray on my vintage Team Fuji. Much better than the crappy Dia Compe pads I tried out trying to keep the vintage look.