Which brake pad should I get
 

I have Dura Ace pads and they work just fine with my MAVIC COSMIC CARBONE, that have a metal braking surface, they are starting to wear out do I replace with Dura Ace or another brand?

Some people swear by Kool Stop salmon pads. I personally don't have any experience with them. The latest Dura Ace pads work great for me and are easier and cheaper for me to get, so that's what I use on rims with aluminum brake tracks. I'm only 135 pounds so YMMV.

I have salmon pads on my cross bike (canti brake) and DA pads on my road bikes, mostly because I already had sets available. Both stop, salmon pads stop better, and if there's any dampness on the road it's no contest salmon works better. It bites slightly faster, which is the main advantage.

I'm happy with swisstop BXP pads. Just replaced old set of campy record pads. Ymmv

Yep! +1 for SwissStop pads. I found that the pads don't eat my aluminum brake tracks. I also like their biting power.

I am happy with my existing Dura Ace, what makes Swiss better?

Just replaced my pads with Kool Stop salmon on my bike last week and I was impressed. Way better pads than what ever pads came with my bike.

I thought your DA pads were worn out? Besides, the BXP pads are blue, which everyone knows is the fastest stopping color imaginable.

With aluminum brake tracks I would stick with Dura Ace Pads. I had Ultegra brakes on my bike for a year and a half and they stopped my 225lb butt every time and they still have 50% meat left on them. I switched to carbon wheels so now its the Reynolds Power Blue Pads for warranty reasons, they stop pretty good too.

I don't know the answer to your question but I was always under the impression that Swiss Stop pads were the gold standard.

Yes, I switched to SwissStop a long time ago. In my experience, they bite the rims better than Ultegra and Dura-Ace pads, and another reason I really like them is the fact that their compound composition do not eat up your aluminum rims. I am currently using SwissStop BXP (blue) pads.

Just replace with new dura ace pads.

Got me a set of Kool Stop Dura Type dual compound which also came with a pair of Salmon. Good deal on Amazon and night/day compared with my stock pads.
I don't have experience with Swiss Stop, but I'm sure you can't go wrong either way.

probably not worth mentioning, because nobody is all that interested in saving 10 or 12 bucks these days, but i ride a lot and use caliper brakes on my alloy surfaced rims and when the pads wear out i just buy the old black rubber pads like those used on old Schwinn Varsities and the like. my LBS has a fish bowl full of them on the counter for 2 dollars a pair.

it's very possible i do it just because i get a kick out of looking at the face of the salesperson when i walk in with my 11 pound carbon SS road bike with a 30 year old single pivot front brake and lay those rubber pads on the counter... or it could be that i'm just a cheap old SOB. could be both i suppose. :lol:

I've had good luck with all of the following:

• Dura-Ace replacements
• Kool-Stop triple compound
• Yokozuna salmon
• SwissStop blue

I would go through so many rims with pads like that. I NEED Kool Stop just so I can use my rims for multiple seasons.

Kool Stop Salmon - dosent' get any better. Great price also!