Recommend some brake blocks

guttertrash
guttertrash Posts: 147
edited April 2010 in Road buying advice
Intending on buying some better brake blocks sometime soon, as my daily ride involves a couple of pretty steep descents, and I have little confidence in the OEM blocks on my bike as it stands.

I've checked the spec of the bike, and they are unbranded calipers, so no idea where to aim for replacement blocks. The bike is a Specialized Secteur Sport. I don't think I can just replace the rubber, it looks like a one-piece block.

The spec is here if it helps http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45855&eid=4951&menuItemId=9336
Ribble New Sportive
Specialized Pitch Pro

Comments

  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    I would use the money more wisely and save for a better pair of calipers.
    Shimano 105s Sram rival are certainly worth a look.
    Or keep an eye on the classifieds thread.
  • blackhawkbikes.com
    blackhawkbikes.com Posts: 49
    save for a better pair of calipers, if you can get sram as they use swiss stop brakes, which have unreal stopping power...
  • guttertrash
    guttertrash Posts: 147
    Thats all very well, but im sure I can stretch to spending a few quid on some replacement pads in the meantime :)
    Ribble New Sportive
    Specialized Pitch Pro
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    I've got a Secteur Elite and these are a pretty good swap:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kool_ ... 300005952/

    To be fair, the original set aren't that bad either. I just bought some spare blocks and got curious!
  • storck
    storck Posts: 64
    Go for Swiss stop fantastic pads bit more expensive but well worth it i have the yellow ones and wouidnt use anything else there so good.have had Shimno and Campag pads in the past they just not as good.
  • SteveR_100Milers
    SteveR_100Milers Posts: 5,987
    storck wrote:
    Go for Swiss stop fantastic pads bit more expensive but well worth it i have the yellow ones and wouidnt use anything else there so good.have had Shimno and Campag pads in the past they just not as good.

    do they work in shimano calipers? as in fit in them?
    http://www.pontypoolrcc.co.uk/
    www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44397853765
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Personally I like the shimano pads.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • guttertrash
    guttertrash Posts: 147
    Well, thanks for the comments all.

    Still don't know which pads to buy in the meantime, but I might try out those new Apex calipers that are being sold at CRC soon. Don't want to go mad with expensive upgrades right now, just want some better brakes than the OEM ones.
    Ribble New Sportive
    Specialized Pitch Pro
  • RickTChemist
    RickTChemist Posts: 90
    Koolstop pads (salmon colour) are the business...

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kool_ ... 300005952/

    Although they seem to be out of stock at the moment...

    The black ones are pretty damn good too mind you
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    +1 Kool Stops
    Cycling weakly
  • chronyx
    chronyx Posts: 455
    Yup - fitted a pair to the rear brakes on my SCR2 and they are a massive improvement over the stock pads.
    2007 Giant SCR2 - 'BFG'

    Gone but not forgotten!:
    2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport - 'Red Rocket'
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Take one pad off and head for your local bike shop. They will get you what you need.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    "Take one pad off and head for your local bike shop. They will get you what you need"

    ....don't go on the bike you just took the brake block off, otherwise what you need when you get there might just be the first-aid kit
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    keef66 wrote:
    "Take one pad off and head for your local bike shop. They will get you what you need"

    ....don't go on the bike you just took the brake block off, otherwise what you need when you get there might just be the first-aid kit

    Hmmmmmmmmm. Good point.

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