Simple question about brake pads...

Finlaz22
Finlaz22 Posts: 169
edited December 2012 in Road beginners
Currently got this bike with a few upgrades, however... I find the brakes really naff and with the wet roads at the moment I feel I could really do with the extra braking power.

I've currently got the standard brakes fitted (specified in the spec in this link)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... 5#features

What I'm thinking of doing is simply replacing the pads for better quality ones, thinking 2 pairs of these
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=38999

1. Is it possible to fit these pads onto those brakes?
2. Am I right in saying that brake pads are universal? (apart from Campag)

Thanks, just wanted to clarify as the brakes aren't branded! :D
http://www.strava.com/athletes/3928202

Comments

  • simon_masterson
    simon_masterson Posts: 2,740
    A) Are you sure that they are adjusted properly and/or the existing pads aren't simply worn? I ask this only because my favourite bike has inexpensive (comparatively) Tektro brakes and (soon to be replaced due to wear) stock pads. They are absolutely fine in wet and dry. My other bike not only has Weinmann brakes (truly second-rate :lol:) but steel rims, which do not make for good braking in the wet; yet I can still stop.

    B) I'll let someone else confirm, but I think that some Shimano pads are cross compatible, whilst others are not; the packaging should state which they will fit.

    C) Don't buy Shimano; buy something like KoolStop (Their 'Salmon' pads are designed for the wet) or SwissStop. There's only a pound or two difference.
    Retro(ish) TT 2017-
    Fixed TT 2015-2016
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Your brakes are likely to have one-piece blocks and shoes - you'd need to upgrade them to cartridge-style blocks with slide-in replaceable pads. This makes replacement easier and cheaper in the long run. You can buy cheap cartridge-style pads on ebay from bike fridge for £5/pr and go for a soft compound pad like Koolstop salmons.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Finlaz22
    Finlaz22 Posts: 169
    Ok cheers, I'll look into some cartidge-style blocks and look to get some SwissStop pads. Funnily enough didn't click that the SwissStop are being sold as 4s whereas the Shimanos that I linked were only 2! Explains the price difference
    http://www.strava.com/athletes/3928202
  • Finlaz22
    Finlaz22 Posts: 169
    So just to confirm, is this the cartridges you mentioned? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBB-Roadstop- ... 20c26f8219

    Then I guess once they're worn out I can get some SwissStops perhaps! Anyway, we'll see :)
    http://www.strava.com/athletes/3928202
  • dai_t75
    dai_t75 Posts: 189
    Finlaz22 wrote:
    So just to confirm, is this the cartridges you mentioned? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBB-Roadstop- ... 20c26f8219

    Then I guess once they're worn out I can get some SwissStops perhaps! Anyway, we'll see :)

    Did you end up going for those? I am also in a similar position as you. Did they fit ok?
  • andyrr
    andyrr Posts: 1,823
    I recently switched from std Tekro pads that came with the calipers on the bike to the Salmon pads many seems to recommend.
    My own feedback having used these for a week or so is that in the wet they actually seem slightly WORSE ! Not massively and maybe it's more the initial 'bite' but I think it is because they are a harder compound, however because of that difference they seem to pick up far less grit and they also do not seem to grind the rims down and I'm seeing hardly any bits of metal embedded.
  • NickintheLakes
    NickintheLakes Posts: 258
    Get these either Black or for extended wet use Green - job done.

    http://www.swissstop.ch/Road.aspx

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