Tiagra Brake Blocks

Pross
Pross Posts: 43,718
edited May 2010 in Workshop
I've got Tiagra brakes on my new bike which I have ridden about 300 miles and the rear blocks are already fully worn. Is this normal for Tiagra? I know that the weather has probably contributed to some extent with the grit and the need to brake more frequently plus I'm a bit heavier than when I cycled in the past but this still seems a ridiculously short life. Any suggestions for replacements blocks? I'm probably going to get some Koolstops as they always get good reviews but does anyone have an alternative suggestion?

Comments

  • the_prophet
    the_prophet Posts: 426
    i'm planning on the koolstops for mine, i've probably done about 200 or so on existing tiagra pads and theyve plenty of life left in them yet. the weather does play a big part though and the standard shimano items are suppose to be quite poor.
    my canyon slx

    http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy19 ... AG0298.jpg
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,718
    Always used 105 blocks in the past and they lasted me much longer but that is going back 15 years so quality may have dropped.
  • GrantTaylor
    GrantTaylor Posts: 17
    I did away with the Tiagra blocks just because their braking performance was so poor. I use Koolstops and for the money I am very please with them. However 300mile sounds a ridiculously short time for them to wear, unless you are descending alpine passes on a daily basis?
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,718
    That's what I thought, I've used them more than usual as some the country road descents have been to poor to risk going above 20mph but 300 miles (and that's being generous)!
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,718
    Can you get Kool Stops as the whole shoe and pad or do they only do the inserts? I can't find the whole thing for road calipers and I don't think the Tiagra brakes use inserts :?
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    You can get them here: http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP5993.aspx?utm_source%3dinternal%26utm_medium%3dsite%26utm_campaign%3dDFR 8)

    You get two pairs of pads with each set - salmon + salmon/black, so if you order two sets (for front & rear), you will have a full set of four pads spare.
    Cycling weakly
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I'm not sure what pads I have in my Shimano long drop brakes, but they are hardly worn after 18 months / 2 winters. Mind you, all my riding is rural, and lumpy rather than hilly, so I try not to brake at all if I can help it.

    They are the all-in-one jobs like Tiagra though
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,718
    Thanks all, Kool Stops above ordered. I did fancy the Swissstops but they were too pricey.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,718
    Got the new blocks and fitted them yesterday - think I've worked out which way around they should be :lol: Thanks for the advice, will test them on Sunday. Great service from Dotbike, it's a new company for me - ordered Wednesday about 3pm and they arrived yesterday morning, can't ask for better than that!
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    If you've left the dual-compound pads in the blocks as supplied, the open part of the holders should be towards the rear of the bike (salmon colour part of pad) the closed part of the holders (with the black pad end) towards the front of the bike.

    Tip - don't grab a fistfull of front brake when you first test them, feather them gently! :wink:

    You may also like to read this article on brake technique; http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html
    Cycling weakly
  • Hugh A
    Hugh A Posts: 1,189
    I'm sure you will find the Koolstops better. I think Swiss pads are the best but it's hard to tell much difference most of the time - they fade slightly less on long descents.

    If your pads are wearing out that fast you may be getting a lot of grit or dirt on the rims and pads in which case both will be wearing fast. It's a pain but worth digging out any nasties from the pads now and then.
    I\'m sure I had one of those here somewhere
  • rally200
    rally200 Posts: 646
    Hugh A wrote:
    I

    If your pads are wearing out that fast you may be getting a lot of grit or dirt on the rims and pads in which case both will be wearing fast. It's a pain but worth digging out any nasties from the pads now and then.

    +1

    I've done 2000 miles on a set of Tiagra pads and they're not showing any significant wear - I have kept them clean though
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Nice link, skyd0g, I was looking for the salmon pads, but thought it would be alittle more flexible for me to have an extra set of holders!...
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,718
    skyd0g wrote:
    If you've left the dual-compound pads in the blocks as supplied, the open part of the holders should be towards the rear of the bike (salmon colour part of pad) the closed part of the holders (with the black pad end) towards the front of the bike.

    Tip - don't grab a fistfull of front brake when you first test them, feather them gently! :wink:

    You may also like to read this article on brake technique; http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

    I got it right then - I assumed open part / grub screw at rear as there's be a risk of the pad get pushed out under braking the other way. Used them yesterday and found them great. Quite a two stage braking effect on them with a gentle slow down from a light touch but very solid grip if needed!


    If your pads are wearing out that fast you may be getting a lot of grit or dirt on the rims and pads in which case both will be wearing fast. It's a pain but worth digging out any nasties from the pads now and then.

    I think this was one of the main problems. The first few rides on the bike were in terrible weather. I cleaned the rims after every use but not the pads. Plus the conditions meant they were getting far more use than normal.

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