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Brake pads for Carbon rims

AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
edited January 2015 in Road buying advice
Just delving into the world of carbon rims (clinchers) and wondering which pads to go for. Wheels predominantly ridden in dry only, but obviously may get caught out in an unforeseen deluge.

Swisstop yellow?
Black Prince?
Reynolds blue ones?

Thanks
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Posts

  • GrillGrill Posts: 5,610
    These: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-carbon-road-brake-inserts-pack-of-4/
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    How come they're so cheap!? Swisstop are about 40 quid by comparison!
  • GrillGrill Posts: 5,610
    They're not name brand although they're made by the same people that do Reynolds Cryo Blues.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    ideal. Thanks grill. Have the ones which came with the wheels for the time being. Will see how they get on.
  • earthearth Posts: 934
    Grill, how do they compare to Reynolds pads and have you tried the cyro blue power pads - the ones that cost a small fortune?
  • GrillGrill Posts: 5,610
    I can't really notice any difference between them and Reynolds Cryo Blue. Reviews suggest that they don't last as long, but for a fiver that's not a big issue. Haven't tried the Reynolds Cryo Power Pads as I'm happy with current pad performance so there's no need for me to shell out.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • jordan_217jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    Grill wrote:
    These: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-carbon-road-brake-inserts-pack-of-4/

    +1. There's no difference between these and Swissstops in terms of braking performance IME; though they do seem to wear quicker (which is kind of irrelevant when you factor in their price!)
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • Bar ShakerBar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    Another vote for the Lifeline pads. They perform wheel and are very kind to the rims.

    They seem to wear quickly on new rims, but the wear rate settles down nicely once you have a film of pad material on the braking zone.

    I have bought 5 sets for just over £20... which should last me a good couple of years.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • LegendLustLegendLust Posts: 1,022
    jordan_217 wrote:
    Grill wrote:
    These: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-carbon-road-brake-inserts-pack-of-4/

    +1. There's no difference between these and Swissstops in terms of braking performance IME; though they do seem to wear quicker (which is kind of irrelevant when you factor in their price!)

    Is that in comparison with Swiss Stop Yellows or the Black Prince's?
    Selling my Legend frame
    http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/
  • backobacko Posts: 167
    do they leave blue marks on the rims?

    as the swisstop yellow pads I have haveleft yellow marks all over the brake surface. Was planning on buying black versions next time but these are a lot cheaper!
  • GrillGrill Posts: 5,610
    No marks.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • backobacko Posts: 167
    brill...thanks Grill...will invest in a few sets
  • Bar ShakerBar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    Grill wrote:
    No marks.

    I have some pad residue marks from using my wheels in the Cotswolds. I got them pretty hot on a few descents (such as north into Withington). People behind me could smell burning rubber and cork type smells :shock:

    It is barely noticeable and is easily removed, but the braking performance is even better with it there, so I have left it.

    In normal use, the pads leave no residue at all.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • neal1984neal1984 Posts: 240
    backo wrote:
    do they leave blue marks on the rims?

    as the swisstop yellow pads I have haveleft yellow marks all over the brake surface. Was planning on buying black versions next time but these are a lot cheaper!

    I've found they do leave a slight blue residue but it doesn't bother me. For the price and braking performance the are superb.

    Life is like riding a bicycle: you don't fall off unless you stop pedaling.


    Scott Foil Team Issue HMX Di2
    Boardman Team Carbon LTD
  • cyclecliniccycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    The one's I'm sticking too are Campagnolo carbon insert, available in shimano format too. They even work in the wet.

    All the other pads I have tried evaporate quickly especially when braking in the wet. The campagnolo pads don't, they also do not seem to be wearing the rims which is good.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • GrillGrill Posts: 5,610
    My cryo blues last about 3000 miles a set which is pretty decent.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • jordan_217jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    LegendLust wrote:
    jordan_217 wrote:
    Grill wrote:
    These: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-carbon-road-brake-inserts-pack-of-4/

    +1. There's no difference between these and Swissstops in terms of braking performance IME; though they do seem to wear quicker (which is kind of irrelevant when you factor in their price!)

    Is that in comparison with Swiss Stop Yellows or the Black Prince's?

    Black Princes (I think :oops: ) The OEM pads that should of come with my wheels went missing so the seller sent me a pair of SwissStops instead. I actually found the Planet X ones better too but they wear out very quickly indeed.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • LegendLustLegendLust Posts: 1,022
    jordan_217 wrote:
    LegendLust wrote:
    jordan_217 wrote:
    Grill wrote:
    These: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-carbon-road-brake-inserts-pack-of-4/

    +1. There's no difference between these and Swissstops in terms of braking performance IME; though they do seem to wear quicker (which is kind of irrelevant when you factor in their price!)

    Is that in comparison with Swiss Stop Yellows or the Black Prince's?

    Black Princes (I think :oops: ) The OEM pads that should have come with my wheels went missing so the seller sent me a pair of SwissStops instead. I actually found the Planet X ones better too but they wear out very quickly indeed.

    That's good to know - cos it's a massive price difference!
    Selling my Legend frame
    http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    Anyone know where I can get some of these in Shimano flavour (other than wiggle) as they are out until Feb?

    Will stock up next time!

    Which are the P-X ones? I don't mind about wear - if the pads are being obliterated, hopefully it means that the rims aren't!
  • jordan_217jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    coriordan wrote:
    Anyone know where I can get some of these in Shimano flavour (other than wiggle) as they are out until Feb?

    Will stock up next time!

    Which are the P-X ones? I don't mind about wear - if the pads are being obliterated, hopefully it means that the rims aren't!

    The ones I had are currently out of stock. Though I did find these as a possible alternative:

    http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BSSFRCBP/s ... brake-pads

    The blue ones look suspiciously like the LL ones that I got from Wiggle…..
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    Good call. Have emailed them asking if they're the same.
    Any other good, inexpensive pairs also considered. Don't mind if they wear fast. May even keep a set in my saddle bag!
  • jordan_217jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    coriordan wrote:
    Good call. Have emailed them asking if they're the same.
    Any other good, inexpensive pairs also considered. Don't mind if they wear fast. May even keep a set in my saddle bag!

    Can you please update once you get a response/buy them. I'll be ready to stock up soon.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    P-X reply was this

    "They seem to be very similar.

    I can imagine these come from the same manufacturer then"

    Will give them a go and see.
  • jordan_217jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    coriordan wrote:
    P-X reply was this

    "They seem to be very similar.

    I can imagine these come from the same manufacturer then"

    Will give them a go and see.

    Nice one. I'm going to check if I have spares before ordering them, I'm sure I bought two sets as they were quite cheap.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    Bought 4 pairs, for the same price could have got 6 pairs from wiggle.

    Just realised that I am an UTTER muppet and my wheels came with some 'unidentified' blue pads so have also asked them
  • norvernrobnorvernrob Posts: 1,447
    I have Swissstop black prince on my Red calipers and the braking is superb. I did a 60 mile Peak District ride in December, it was wet and there was obviously a lot of descending (7000+ft of climbing). The sheer stopping power feels every bit as good as it did when I had alloy rims and Swissstop green pads, though the modulation is slightly poorer I would say.

    I wouldn't use anything else now, I'm happy to take the bike out in any conditions and not be worried about braking.
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    amphoops who sold me my wheels pointed me here (these are very soft, but grippy, light blue ones which also look like the Wiggle and P-X ones)

    http://amphoops.com/products/carbon-brake-pads-pair/

    4.99 per pair (i.e 2 pads) + free postage
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,667
    edited January 2015
    Well the P-X pair aren't the same as the ones I had before. Feel different (I think, maybe need bedding in, but seem much less stoppy than before) and different at the back.

    Old and New - note the cutout for the little screw is different
    16340824675_6b9a506ae8.jpg

    Edit: old one at the top, new at the bottom.

    These also wore through VERY (sub 1000 miles) quickly, but for 5 quid a pair delivered, that's not bad. (from the amphoops link above). I am hoping they are the same as the wiggle ones (5 quid for 4) but I need to wait until they are in stock.

    Hoping Grill sticks his nose in and lets me know what the wiggle ones look like.
  • DeVlaeminckDeVlaeminck Posts: 8,683
    Only used Swisstop yellow and black prince - and on different wheels - but I found the black prince noticeably better (although that could be the wheels) but they wear very quickly so maybe not an option for those who train with their carbon wheels in.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 28,020
    coriordan wrote:
    Hoping Grill sticks his nose in and lets me know what the wiggle ones look like.

    Grill always recommended the Reynolds ones... where is Grill by the way? :shock:
    left the forum March 2023
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