Slackerprince

First off, Happy 4th. of July! We, pretty much, got rained-out here in Tampa. Oh, well.


Just got a C'Dale Synapse with Tektro R539 brakes on it, and the pads are terrible.
All flat riding in Florida, so I don't need anything too expensive, just better than the OEM pads, which are terrible.

These are the brakes:

https://www.tektro.com/_english/01_pr...e&sort=1&fid=2

These are the pads I'm looking at:

https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Brak...top+brake+pads

I know everyone recommends the Salmon color, but I'll probably go for the Black or Graphite, to work better with the color scheme of the brakes and bike, which is this:

https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...mpact-crankset

I'm wondering if these will drop right into the brakes I have.
I don't see a set-screw hole in the pads. Looks like the screw might seat into the pad arch?
Also, are these pads sold in pairs, or 4's, or what?
Open to other pad suggestions. Don't need any super-duper mega braking on the Florida flats, just need to be able to stop.
Thanks for any helpful suggestions.

S

Myosmith

Any of the Kool Stop pads will perform quite well. I needed new pads a while back and my LBS had some Ultegra pads he gave me a deal on. Also impressive with quiet, smooth and quick stops. Once you get away from the low end pads, your braking will likely be limited more by your tires than your brake pads.

If your bike is new, clean the rims well and scuff the pads with sandpaper. Make sure the adjustment is proper with adequate toe-in. Maybe it's the pads, but there is also a good chance that these remedies will improve the braking as new rims often have some residue from the manufacturing process and new pads often need a bit of break in or scuffing before they perform at their best.

enjoi07

If those are the same Tektro's that I have, you can not slide out the brake pad...you have to replace the whole shoe, it's stupid. I ended up buying these and throwing them on the Tektro calipers...and from there I think you can throw on Kool Stop pads...but just stick with the ones that come with Shimano until they wear out because they work great.

I hate you Tektro.

https://www.sportchalet.com/product/3...FWKCQgodFm4AwQ

unionmade

If you need the whole shoe, I'd recommend the kook stop advertised on the page you linked, https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Bicy...135149-1110832
comes with an extra set of salmon pads.

Slackerprince

So, those are sold in pairs.
Don't know if I would even need the extra pads, but couldn't hurt to have them.
Thinking of just getting a set of 105 brakes and calling it a day.
Everything else is 105. Can't believe they cheaped on the brakes. Well, I guess I can...
By the time I buy a couple of pairs of shoes and pads, I'm 1/3 rd of the way to a set of 105 brakes off e-bay.
I think I'll just do that.
Thanks for all the posts and the quick replies.

S

gsa103

It looks like the pads should slide right out on the R539.
https://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/01_prodetail.php?pid=65&sortname=Brake&sort=1&fid=2

You must have a different model or something.

Slackerprince

They do look like they have a channel and set-screw design.

S

enjoi07

Ah, you're right, I did not notice the area from them to slide.

gregbj8

I have the same brakes and replaced the pads with Kool Stop Salmon (Dura Ace style) which are much softer than the OEM pads and I can now brake much better from the hoods. I cleaned the rims as well.

sreten

Hi,

Just replace the front brake pads. Keep as spares for the rear.
With a good front brake you actually want the rear to be worse.

rgds, sreten.