On my LHT I have the stock pads that came with my Avid brakes. They've been on there for three tours so it might be time to replace them. Plus, on my just-completed tour on the Lewis and Clark trail I felt that they weren't stopping me as well as I would have liked. I weigh 200 lbs. and carry a big load, so I need strong brakes.

I've heard lots of people recommend Kool Stop pads on this forum. I did a search and discovered there are lots of different Kool Stops. My question is which one would be best for me?

Thanks in advance!

I guess i dont really know either. So i bought the dual ones with the built in little scrapers(about a third black,rest orange) for my LHT. Figure they are probably a compromise. They are a definite improvement, but will squeal slightly if you only apply lightly even with them toed in.

With touring bikes such as the LHT, it's more a question of what won't work rather than what will work. I have a Nashbar frame with Avid Shorty brakes and 700c wheels, but I went with Kool-Stop V-type cartridge pads. The pads fit under the fork and the seatstays with plenty of clearance, and when it comes time to change pads, just pull out the pin, swap pads, and put the new pin in. Other "mountain" or "cantilever" pads with threaded hardware should work too.

As for pad color, for regular aluminum rims, the salmon or black/salmon dual compound pads should be fine. Either one works fine for me.

I switched to salmon Koolstops and have not looked back! Good stopping power, and less pad detritus on my rims. I had to take a green scotchbrite pad to the rims to remove all the cr@p the Shimano pads had put there!

+1 for the salmon koolstops pads

My experience with smooth post Kool Stops is different. I've used the black and salmon, both ended up squealing., but the do work nonetheless. Yes, I know how to set up canti's..... as I have for decades. When I replace the Kool Stops with original vintage Suntour and Shimano pads, no more squeal. It's frustrating, but the truth is the truth.

Velo Orange's Squeal Free pads and holders may be better .... I don't know.

Salmon version for me. Work well in all conditions that I encounter.

Never use the cool stop, but normally squeaking is a result of improper toe in. Sure it could happen more with one pad or another, but once they are adjusted they should all work.

on my paul canti's i replaced the pads that came with then (cool stop black) for salmon so far there really noisy as in squealing and not much stopping power when it's raining ,but i'll give them time to build a bit of rubber on the rim's hopefully they will improve in time.

I use the dual compound pads

I use 3-compound Kool-Stop Tectonics. It's the standard black, then salmon, then the fancy ceramic pads. They feel great and work even better. I use the same bike for touring as I do for commuting, so I like having the nicer pads. Salmons would probably be enough, but when it comes to touring, I would rather not have ****ty brakes a few undred miles from home.