Replacing Brake Blocks?

chrism_scotland
chrism_scotland Posts: 221
edited June 2010 in Road beginners
Recently bought my first road bike a Giant Defy 2 and it somes with Sora Brakes, these are fairly awful but I was wondering if replacing the brake blocks would be a fairly cheap way to improve their performance and if so, which ones should I be buying?

Comments

  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    It may well improve it. I ssume you've only ridden MTBs recently

    Road bike brakes are nowhere near as sharp as MTB ones. You don't usually need a quick stop or lock up the rear like you do off road.

    Anticipation and gentler braking is the way I ride my roadie.
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    I have a Defy - get the KoolStop pads and holders (not cheap)

    Black for this time of year, and then you can buy the salmon blocks on there own when the weather gets wetter.
    Cannondale Synapse 105, Giant Defy 3, Giant Omnium, Giant Trance X2, EMC R1.0, Ridgeback Platinum, On One Il Pompino...
  • chrism_scotland
    chrism_scotland Posts: 221
    Cheers mate, yeah the brakes are nothing like the hydralic discs that were on my MTB and those were fairly poor Hydralic Brakes.
  • skellator3
    skellator3 Posts: 200
    even upgrade to 105 cartridge blocks, more expensive at first but then you just need to buy the inserts, you can buy what you want after that i use red dura ace blocks and they do me fine
    dont only ride a bike
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Rich Hcp wrote:
    It may well improve it. I ssume you've only ridden MTBs recently

    Road bike brakes are nowhere near as sharp as MTB ones. You don't usually need a quick stop or lock up the rear like you do off road.

    In the dry, if you have decent road brakes, that isn't true. I did a comparative test (posted in commuting forum) and there was little difference in stopping distance between my MTB (Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic discs) and my road bike (Campag Centaur - nearly new).

    Bike weight would have something to do with it but both need some modulation to avoid trips over the handlebars.

    The story would probably be a bit different in the wet.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    I recently did just that and the difference between Kool Stop Salmon and Campagnolo pads is unbelieveable.
    I nearly went over the bars on my first stop.

    Do it! :P

    You live in Scotland. It rains. A lot. Get the Salmon ones. No point in compromising.
    If they wear out they are not that expensive to replace.
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • gregster10217
    gregster10217 Posts: 469
    +1 for Koolstops. Not only do they stop you on a 10p piece, but they don't rip up your wheel rims like most other brake blocks I used. They were not that expensive, £12 for a pair (front and back) from Wiggle. Really made a big difference and gave me much more confidence.
    Limited Edition Boardman Team Carbon No. 448
    Boardman MTB Team
  • paul64
    paul64 Posts: 278
    Rolf F wrote:
    Rich Hcp wrote:
    It may well improve it. I ssume you've only ridden MTBs recently

    Road bike brakes are nowhere near as sharp as MTB ones. You don't usually need a quick stop or lock up the rear like you do off road.

    In the dry, if you have decent road brakes, that isn't true. I did a comparative test (posted in commuting forum) and there was little difference in stopping distance between my MTB (Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic discs) and my road bike (Campag Centaur - nearly new).

    Bike weight would have something to do with it but both need some modulation to avoid trips over the handlebars.

    The story would probably be a bit different in the wet.
    Rolf, my SRAM Rival are the better of my road bikes when it comes to braking but I'm surprised by your comments as my Avi Elixir 5 equipped mountain bike is incredible at stopping and the road bikes just can't compete, whatever the weather. The higher the speed, the wider the gap.
  • The good doctor
    The good doctor Posts: 307
    Are the Kool stop pads completely compatible with my Campagnolo Centaur brakes, can you just buy the pads or do I need the shoes as well.

    Thanks

    John
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    I have 2008 Centaur and recently replaced the pads with these

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kool_ ... 300003402/

    the salmon version, obviously. Other retailers are available :wink:

    The old ones were hard to slide out so I ended up using a small screw driver and gently prising them out.
    The replacements slid in quite nicely.

    Possibly the best value for money upgrade I have ever done :P
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    As above - they do sets for Shimano and for Campagnolo - if you're current brakes have blocks and holders, then these will work - if you're current brakes only have the block with a bolt on the back, then you need to buy the holders too.
    Cannondale Synapse 105, Giant Defy 3, Giant Omnium, Giant Trance X2, EMC R1.0, Ridgeback Platinum, On One Il Pompino...
  • The good doctor
    The good doctor Posts: 307
    Thnaks for the replies an order is on its way.

    John

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