Shimano brake pads, which one?

Lighttower

My apologies for this very basic question, but I am not sure which brake shoes I should buy?
I have aluminium rims, on a road bike with 28" wheels.

My last set of brake shoes were Shimano BR-6403,
http://www.bike-discount.de/media/org/o ... 661933.jpg

but I don't see why I couldn't use a Shimano R55C3 or R55C4?
http://www.bike-discount.de/media/org/o ... 501068.jpg

I could buy the pads for the R55C3 and R55C4 which is half the price of the "full" brake shoe set of the BR-6403.

What is the difference? What am I missing here? Can I use the R55C3/R55C4?
Thanks for your reply.

Sportiveman

The BR-6403 are a one piece unit the others are 105 and above cartridge holders and pads when the pads wear down you just replace the pads which can be had for £3 a pair it depends which brakes/pads you currently have ?

Lighttower

I have the BR-6403 and would like to switch to the 105 can I?

Sportiveman

Yes you can but you will need to buy the cartridge holders and pads then after that you can just replace the pads when they wear out . You can just do one set at a time to save money also you can upgrade the pads in the future if you want more stopping power.

DKay

If I were you, I'd avoid Shimano brake pads at all costs, simply due to the fact that they tear alloy rims to shreds in wet, gritty conditions, while offering very little stopping power. I used them on a wet, 70miler last year and by the time I got back, there was an actual clump of aluminium swarf collected around the rear brake caliper, from where grit lodged in the pads had effectively milled the braking surface off my rims. I now use Swisstop Greens.

curlybloke1

So Shimano 105 brakes with Swisstop pads is a good set up?
Have 2 road bikes both as bought (stock wheels, brakes, etc) so interested in upgrade advice