Kool Stop Rim Brake Pads thumbs up
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 702
Bikes: '23 Poseidon Redwood, '07 Specialized Roubaix Comp Triple, '12 Gravity Fixie, '21 Liv Rove 4, '06? Giant EB Spirit
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 345 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
151 Posts
Kool Stop Rim Brake Pads thumbs up
Just installed the Kool Stop blacks to replace the pads in my 105 rim brakes. Better modulation and stopping power. I'm impressed. They aren't as thick as I expected but have a profile that allows for better modulation (back side contacts first). This likely will wear over time though. Not sure about longevity obviously
Likes For Symox:
#2
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 286
Bikes: Tcr advanced sl & Protos
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 116 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
33 Posts
Yeah, after 8 years back into cycling, and only using Shimano pads, I switched to some Swissstop BXB and they are much much better in dry and wet.
Wonder why I waited so long.
Wonder why I waited so long.
#3
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
Why doesn't someone like GCN do tests along these lines.. actual product/brand side-by-sides? SStop vs KoolStop vs Shimano etc.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,214
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18397 Post(s)
Liked 15,493 Times
in
7,316 Posts
I use their Kool Stop Mountain Salmon pads on my touring bike's canti brakes. Love them.
#5
I’m a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,422
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 699 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
647 Posts
Kool Stop salmons on my DD, they work far better than the pads SRAM put in originally
#6
The dropped
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
The simplest test I can think of would be to test off of a bike, say on a fork. You'd want to use the same wheel to control for differences in bearing drag and braking surface finish. You'd want to accelerate the wheel to the same rpm, so maybe have a cycling computer or other way to measure that. Then you'd want to use a precise and repeatable cable pull, maybe a weight on the cable, used for all tests.
Then test, test, test... average the times, and see which pad brings the wheel to a complete stop soonest, on average? Even installation differences can materially affect testing performance. Then, what does the test tell you?
I don't think anyone besides pad manufacturers are interested in rubber compound characteristics like Shore hardness, which affects wear life, durability, and rim wear. They all work well when installed properly, with the downside being that the majority of Shimano's pads are likely engineered for adequacy as OEM equipment, rather than performance.
#7
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
Though I don't consider GCN to be the pinnacle of third party testing, it might be that testing multiple pads can be too time consuming on a complex system like a bike.
The simplest test I can think of would be to test off of a bike, say on a fork. You'd want to use the same wheel to control for differences in bearing drag and braking surface finish. You'd want to accelerate the wheel to the same rpm, so maybe have a cycling computer or other way to measure that. Then you'd want to use a precise and repeatable cable pull, maybe a weight on the cable, used for all tests.
Then test, test, test... average the times, and see which pad brings the wheel to a complete stop soonest, on average? Even installation differences can materially affect testing performance. Then, what does the test tell you?
I don't think anyone besides pad manufacturers are interested in rubber compound characteristics like Shore hardness, which affects wear life, durability, and rim wear. They all work well when installed properly, with the downside being that the majority of Shimano's pads are likely engineered for adequacy as OEM equipment, rather than performance.
The simplest test I can think of would be to test off of a bike, say on a fork. You'd want to use the same wheel to control for differences in bearing drag and braking surface finish. You'd want to accelerate the wheel to the same rpm, so maybe have a cycling computer or other way to measure that. Then you'd want to use a precise and repeatable cable pull, maybe a weight on the cable, used for all tests.
Then test, test, test... average the times, and see which pad brings the wheel to a complete stop soonest, on average? Even installation differences can materially affect testing performance. Then, what does the test tell you?
I don't think anyone besides pad manufacturers are interested in rubber compound characteristics like Shore hardness, which affects wear life, durability, and rim wear. They all work well when installed properly, with the downside being that the majority of Shimano's pads are likely engineered for adequacy as OEM equipment, rather than performance.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 598
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 389 Post(s)
Liked 255 Times
in
165 Posts
Just installed the Kool Stop blacks to replace the pads in my 105 rim brakes. Better modulation and stopping power. I'm impressed. They aren't as thick as I expected but have a profile that allows for better modulation (back side contacts first). This likely will wear over time though. Not sure about longevity obviously
#9
The dropped
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
Yes, toe-in is great for braking modulation and reducing squeal. Kool Stop mountain type pads have patented(?) angled tips that face the back of the bike, supposedly to clear debris and water from the braking surface and make braking more predictable. These tips are also proud of the rest of the pad, again, supposedly to help set toe-in when installing them. Properly installed, the angled tip makes contact at the back around the same time as the front edge of the pads.
#10
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,527
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3885 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
Swisstop BXP are even better.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
Likes For Carbonfiberboy:
Likes For Clipped_in:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,891
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4790 Post(s)
Liked 3,918 Times
in
2,548 Posts
#13
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
#15
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
#16
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
Note that kool stop salmon stop working when it is over ~108F.
The black compound ones don't have that problem.
The black compound ones don't have that problem.
#17
The dropped
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
#18
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
Yeah, 108 doesn't sound that high really, especially if in sun, with blacktop, and heat generated from braking itself.
#19
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
This is 108F+ ambient in the shade. Add in full direct sun and radiant heat from 160F blacktop, plus braking heat. They get real squishy and slick, worse than a regular pad in rain. This is all my experience over multiple trials, not verified by others or kool-stop.
#20
The dropped
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
This seems like something Kool Stop would want to know about. Frankly, they're probably the only ones who can answer as well.
#21
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
It rains in the winter (cold showers) and fall (hot monsoon thunderstorms) and I have had many rainy rides including a couple of centuries- one of the reasons I tried salmon kool stops. Many years ago I contacted Kool Stop about it and they hadn't heard of it. I've duplicated the result multiple times across three different bikes and pads including cleaning rims and resurfacing pads.
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 702
Bikes: '23 Poseidon Redwood, '07 Specialized Roubaix Comp Triple, '12 Gravity Fixie, '21 Liv Rove 4, '06? Giant EB Spirit
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 345 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
151 Posts
Did some more riding, even more impressed. Seem to be less messy than the Shimano pads. Less muck on the rims after a ride.
Very happy with my purchase
Very happy with my purchase
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Whatever. I removed my brake pads, it saved me 30 grams.
Likes For Seattle Forrest:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 752
Bikes: 2019 CAAD12, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 559 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times
in
45 Posts
I inserted Swissstop BXPs in my Ultegra R8000 brakes and found the improvement to be fleeting. At first, they reallly grabbed. But after a few hundred milestThere was no discernible improvement and I eventually went back to Shimano. And along the way, I replaced all brake housing and cables, checked pad toe, sanded both the pads and the rims, and even took it to my LBS.
Sorry, I saw no improvement with Swissstop.
Sorry, I saw no improvement with Swissstop.
#25
Senior Member
I love my Kool Stop Salmon pads and leave them on my bike full time. Modulation and stopping power is great and they don't seem to collect grit and metal shards like the stock Shimano pads so hopefully rim life is extended. I'm not riding in 108º weather with any pads so I'm not concerned about their supposed, broiler level, heat performance.
Likes For Jazzguitar: