Brakes

curlyrobert

I have 2006 Trek Madone 5.2, with Ultegra through.

I am buying some new brake pads and had not thought much about it. I was just going to replace the pads, but then started reading up about the new Dura Ace kit and reading of 20% improved breaking ability yada yada yada.

So I have 2 questions that need answering:

1. If replacing pads only are Shimano Ultegra the best options or are an aftermarket alternative such as Kool Stop (or other suggestions welcomed) delivering better performance?

2. Is it worth upgrading entire brake calliper to a newer Dura Ace/SRAM/Campag alternative, or is the braking performance not noticeable 'enough' to warrant an expensive upgrade?

Pirahna

I'd just replace the pads with Koolstop salmons. The only reason I'd swap the calipers out is for weight saving.

Monty Dog

In practically all riding situations, absolute power isn't a great deal of help otherwise you'll just lock the wheels. Just as important is modulation and 'feel' such that you can apply the brake progressively without sliding. As long as you fit a decent quality pad, you shouldn't have any problems - the Koolstop Salmons are softer and so give more 'bite' but do wear out quicker. I'd stick to your existing calipers - as an upgrade, leave them until you've done virtually everything else.

dennisn

Both Shimano and Koolstop pads work just fine. As for claims of 20% better this or that
I think your yada, yada, yada is right on target. Also using Campy brakes on Shimano
levers will work but Campy uses a different system of opening the brakes for wheel
removal and that part won't work. Not a good idea. Sram brakes will work well, however
I agree with Pirahna about shelling out a bunch of money for really high end brakes when
the only advantage is a few grams of weight savings. Then again if that money is burning
a hole in your pocket.

Dennis Noward

nic_77

There is another alternative...

I recently invested in a set of Bontrager Speed Limit brakes, as my Ultegra calipers needed replacing.

I am very happy with my purchase. They operate very smoothly and have plenty of stopping power (as put to the test on the long descents in the Marmotte a few weeks ago!)

John C.

Fitted Koolstop pads earlier this year and they are a great, cheap upgrade, they are better brakes and will save your hands on long tricky decents. Also meant to be kinder to your rims,

N0bodyOfTheGoat

nic_77 wrote:

There is another alternative...

I recently invested in a set of Bontrager Speed Limit brakes, as my Ultegra calipers needed replacing.

I am very happy with my purchase. They operate very smoothly and have plenty of stopping power (as put to the test on the long descents in the Marmotte a few weeks ago!)

That's a nice thing to read, as I have a set of these on the way from Julies Cycles... Should be a noticeable functionality and looks upgrade over the default Shimano SLRs that came with my Felt!

dazzawazza

Also check your cables and replace if there's any corrosion.

curlyrobert

Bontys look great for the price, use a couple of wheels so not sure about the lack of on the fly variables but nice calipers that I had not considered. anyways, thanks for the comments on pads, I think that is the direction I will head, 1 more question:

The Salmon Kootstops are said to be for extreme conditions, are they still suitable for nice weather too ?

and if they are for extreme weather then is there a high possibility that they will be quite soft and last a very short time?