Brake pads for both Ali and carbon

Si C

Is it possible to run the same brake blocks for both an Ali (Ksyrium SL) and Carbon (Gigantex) rim?

I wanted to run both on my new BMC, SL's for trainning rides and the carbon tubs for racing, but don't want the hassle of changing brake blocks.

cjw

I'm just trying some Swisstop Yellows for same reason (They are the carbon version). Only put on yesterday and have been out once on Ali rims. Seemed OK but bit soon to tell - rims got a little wet due to spray.

mostly harmless

No, pads used on alloy rims will pick up small particles of alloy which will form an excellent abrasive that will grind your carbon rims down very quickly

cjw

mostly harmless wrote:

No, pads used on alloy rims will pick up small particles of alloy which will form an excellent abrasive that will grind your carbon rims down very quickly

Thanks for that :shock:

karlmoreton

+1 for swiss stop yellow have used these on planet x carbon 50's and mavic ksyrium SL all season wet and dry, alway give a quick clean P180 sandpaper and check/remove any aluminium deposits during any wheel switches. these will wreck any rims if not removed, be they carbon or ally.
They perform very well on both sets of wheels although on wet carbon rims initial bite isn't quite the standard of ally rims.

Si C

karlmoreton wrote:

+1 for swiss stop yellow have used these on planet x carbon 50's and mavic ksyrium SL all season wet and dry, alway give a quick clean P180 sandpaper and check/remove any aluminium deposits during any wheel switches. these will wreck any rims if not removed, be they carbon or ally.
They perform very well on both sets of wheels although on wet carbon rims initial bite isn't quite the standard of ally rims.

That makes sense, and solves the problem. A quick surface clean won't take long, changing blocks everytime would be a right royal PITA.