Brake pad performance in cold weather
12-03-18, 01:50 PM
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Brake pad performance in cold weather
Bought some new pads about 2 months ago. for front brakes. Sharply! decreased performance below say 45 degrees out!! cheap pads or a function of the brand or is this common? recommendations for better brake pads? thanks much
12-07-18, 07:43 AM
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might have better luck in the mechanics forum & can you share the brand & model of the pads?
12-07-18, 02:38 PM
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12-08-18, 06:32 PM
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Disc vs rim makes a huge difference.
Harder brake shoes (usually the cheap sub-$5 sets) are bad when it's warm, and worse when it gets cold.
If you're talking about disc brakes, sintered metal pads perform poorly until they heat up, better to stick to 'organic' resin pads until it gets warmer.
Harder brake shoes (usually the cheap sub-$5 sets) are bad when it's warm, and worse when it gets cold.
If you're talking about disc brakes, sintered metal pads perform poorly until they heat up, better to stick to 'organic' resin pads until it gets warmer.
12-10-18, 03:10 PM
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Brake pad performance in cold weather?
Noted a marked deterioration in my brake pad performance, I dunno which brand but I might be able to find from my LBS which one I bought, What is the likely cause of this, cold weather and rubber that is too hard? I tried cleaning w hot soapy water. shall I try a better, more expensive brand? thanks
12-10-18, 03:15 PM
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I haven't heard problems with KoolStop pads. I've used them to a little below 20 degrees and have no reason to believe they wouldn't be just fine in a lot colder. I never had issues with the old Mafac pads either and I used them down to -5F. (I wouldn't use them now just because the rubber would have to be 30 years old and probably quite hard from age.)
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12-10-18, 03:16 PM
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brake pad performance in cold weather
Noted a marked deterioration in my brake pad performance, I dunno which brand but I might be able to find from my LBS which one I bought, What is the likely cause of this, cold weather and rubber that is too hard? I tried cleaning w hot soapy water. shall I try a better, more expensive brand? thanks
12-10-18, 04:17 PM
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moved from OP's redundant post.. of same question
do as you choose..
.
..
do as you choose..
yes a cold thing is harder than a warm thing, rubber is not immune to that.
(@ 0 Kelvin every molecule is motionless)
if you read some of the tire threads ..
Continental has a un studded winter tire, that uses a rubber compound just to gain that advantage.
its way too soft when warm out.
(@ 0 Kelvin every molecule is motionless)
if you read some of the tire threads ..
Continental has a un studded winter tire, that uses a rubber compound just to gain that advantage.
its way too soft when warm out.
..
12-10-18, 05:24 PM
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Merged duplicate threads.
12-11-18, 06:25 PM
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For the small cost of new and "better" pads (like Kool Stops) the answer can be had. The answer that the OP really needs, the one for his conditions (which I mean to be more then just temp. ) Andy
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12-12-18, 12:28 PM
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The KoolStops on my commuter bike have worked as well at -20 F as at civilized temperatures. But, TBH, the random no-name pads that came on the bike also worked in those low temperatures. And 45 degrees isn't that cold. There may be another explanation for the poor performance.
12-12-18, 12:55 PM
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I have to wonder if OP (who, I note, posted the question thrice and hasn't reappeared) might not be mentioning some comfounding factor. Examples might include, it rained when the temperature dropped below 45 degrees, or the singletrack went through wet leaves or grass, or (s)he'd put cheap grease on the brake cables which hardened and made braking more difficult.
12-12-18, 01:36 PM
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I have to wonder if OP (who, I note, posted the question thrice and hasn't reappeared) might not be mentioning some comfounding factor. Examples might include, it rained when the temperature dropped below 45 degrees, or the singletrack went through wet leaves or grass, or (s)he'd put cheap grease on the brake cables which hardened and made braking more difficult.
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12-14-18, 08:26 AM
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My experience with Kool Stop salmons and Weinmann 500 brakes have a similar performance curve, just far greater of a change. I can lift the rear wheel ONLY when I have good modern cables (teflon inner and outer), when my rims are clean and dry, when the pads are properly adjusted, and most importantly, when it is above 85 degrees outside. Performance below 50 degrees is "pull to the bars" (easy to do because of the monstrous flex) to get decent braking. Doesn't get worse though. So yes, brake performance degrades in the cold. As long as you can safely deal with it, don't worry too much about it.
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12-14-18, 06:42 PM
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All brake pads have a glass transition temperature that they will be sensitive to. Above the Tglass temperature they will be the familiar rubbery pads with high friction, below the Tglass temperature will be a hard, almost glass-like material with substantially less friction. It sounds like your pads have relatively high Tglass temperature.
FWIW I use the Kool Stop Salmons and rarely have issues with them even on the coldest of rides (10degF.) Certain tires, on the other hand, become hard slippery things at those temperatures. For cold temp riding I change to one of the "all-season" tires that are available but leave the brake pads alone since they haven't proven to be an issue.
FWIW I use the Kool Stop Salmons and rarely have issues with them even on the coldest of rides (10degF.) Certain tires, on the other hand, become hard slippery things at those temperatures. For cold temp riding I change to one of the "all-season" tires that are available but leave the brake pads alone since they haven't proven to be an issue.
