Brake pads....confused newbie needs help...

Simon1890
Simon1890 Posts: 117
edited October 2009 in Road beginners
Hi guys,

Quick one for you.
My brakes on my Boardman Comp have become not as responsive as i'd like. I've tried adjusting them so they're closer to the rims but there not stopping like i'd like. On closer inspection the pads are getting low so want to replace them.

Have looked online, but don't understand what i need to buy to replace the pads on the tektro calipers on my Boardman comp.

Does anyone have any reccomendations what pads to buy and what i need to purchase to replace my current pads (ie do i just buy pads or do i buy 'inserts'?)

Was looking at these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/SRAM_Rival_Pair_of_Brake_Pads_and_Holders/5360044072/

But only because i don't understand whether i can get something like this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Swissstop_Yellow_%28High_Power%29_Brake_Pads/5360031476/

Can someone offer some advice and reccomend something?

Cheers

Comments

  • cjw
    cjw Posts: 1,889
    Surely you only need pads, not the holder. SRAM / Shimano are the same fit.

    How about Kool Stop
    £6.29
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kool_ ... 300005952/

    Everyone raves about them. I've just got a set but haven't put them in my SRAM Red yet.
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  • gtitim
    gtitim Posts: 225
    Personally, I love the Swisstop brakes - they perform really well, and don't squeak at all. They are hard wearing and even come in different colours!

    Give em a try, they're awesome
  • bice
    bice Posts: 772
    Salmon Koolstops have made a huge difference to the braking on my older, smoother wheels.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    bice wrote:
    Salmon Koolstops have made a huge difference to the braking on my older, smoother wheels.

    agreed - some of the best money you will spend!
  • Simon1890
    Simon1890 Posts: 117
    Cheers for the recomendations but i'm still not sure on the answer...can i go and buy Swisstop brake pads and replace the current pads on my Tektro brakes?
  • sicknote
    sicknote Posts: 901
    Simon1890 wrote:
    Cheers for the recomendations but i'm still not sure on the answer...can i go and buy Swisstop brake pads and replace the current pads on my Tektro brakes?

    Yes they will fit fine.
  • pintoo
    pintoo Posts: 145
    Just one thing worth trying before you replace them, though - check your original pads and see how far they have worn. If they have worn to, or are near the "replace" line, then just change them. If they still have a long way to go, you chould 1. sand them down a little and wipe them clean then 2. re-attach them, only ever-so slightly toed-in.

    Whether you're changing them or just cleaning them, make sure you wipe your wheel rims clean. That can have quite an effect on stopping ability.
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    I have a Boardman Comp 08, so am speaking from experience.
    I didn't wait for the Tektro pads to wear down, as they were, well... poo. Instead I replaced the pads and holders (as the original Tektro ones are one-piece units) with these:
    P5993_250.jpg
    Kool Stops.
    from Dot Bike:
    http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP5993.aspx?utm_source%3dinternal%26utm_medium%3d3%26utm_campaign%3dDDI

    The holders are far better than the original Tektros and allow more accurate alignment, and the pads are a 100% improvement over the originals. Plus they come with one set of dual-compound pads plus a spare set of Salmon pads.

    Simply the best £30-odd quid I've spent on my bike so-far. 8)
    Cycling weakly
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,439
    cjw wrote:
    Surely you only need pads, not the holder. SRAM / Shimano are the same fit.

    How about Kool Stop
    £6.29
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kool_ ... 300005952/

    Everyone raves about them. I've just got a set but haven't put them in my SRAM Red yet.

    Just got these for my Boardman, amazing although you'll need to get some shoes first unless the 09 ones come with them. I got some Aztec ones for £13 for 2 sets but you might as well chuck the aztec pads away or keep them for an emergency cuz they are a bit cack in the wet.

    I couldn't belive how good the salmons are and they're lasting really well too.

    Edit: Any shimano pads/holders will fit tektro brakes, I spent a while agonising over this too.
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  • bice
    bice Posts: 772
    Simply the best £30-odd quid I've spent on my bike so-far.
    I got some Aztec ones for £13 for 2 sets but you might as well chuck the aztec pads away or keep them for an emergency cuz they are a bit cack in the wet.

    £30??? I fitted the Koolstop pads to my Aztecs, which aren't that bad. I just use Koolstops on the fronts.
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    bice wrote:
    Simply the best £30-odd quid I've spent on my bike so-far.
    I got some Aztec ones for £13 for 2 sets but you might as well chuck the aztec pads away or keep them for an emergency cuz they are a bit cack in the wet.

    £30??? I fitted the Koolstop pads to my Aztecs, which aren't that bad. I just use Koolstops on the fronts.

    So, that's £13 on the Aztecs (just for the holders) PLUS a decent set of pads...?

    I just got the Kool Stops - Two sets, comprising Holders and TWO SETS of Kool Stop pads complete for a total of about £30. Sorted. :wink:
    Cycling weakly

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