Reliable source for Dia Compe grey matter pads?
12-04-18, 12:14 PM
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Reliable source for Dia Compe grey matter pads?
I would get koolstops, but I'm being extra frugal to keep my bike budget honest. Anyways, I was looking up reviews of the dia compe replacements on Amazon and there were quite a few people who had gotten burned by their purchase - they had been sent low quality fakes. Has anyone recently purchased a pair from another source and got what they paid for? I suppose ebay would be safest as you can get a refund so easily.
Last edited by Piff; 12-04-18 at 12:18 PM.
12-04-18, 12:19 PM
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I used to buy them often from Universal Cycles. They have online & brick & mortar stores (just a couple of locations). Nice, inexpensive pads.
12-04-18, 02:03 PM
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The Grey Matter pads I bought recently have all-steel, goldish-tinted hardware and no "wear" line markings, but they do work perfectly on my Peugeot's alloy rims where most of the anodizing looks to have worn away.
I would try to dig up a set of the alloy nuts from older brake pads like the originals.
I also recently bought some very cheap, generic black rubber pads (with steel holders and serrated-flange nuts) recently from Amazon/China and those actually melted onto the rim the first time out. The vendor had the nerve to try negotiating repayment of only a small fraction of the price paid, only agreeing to a fuller compensation after several incremental offers!
I would try to dig up a set of the alloy nuts from older brake pads like the originals.
I also recently bought some very cheap, generic black rubber pads (with steel holders and serrated-flange nuts) recently from Amazon/China and those actually melted onto the rim the first time out. The vendor had the nerve to try negotiating repayment of only a small fraction of the price paid, only agreeing to a fuller compensation after several incremental offers!
12-04-18, 03:20 PM
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I would get koolstops, but I'm being extra frugal to keep my bike budget honest. Anyways, I was looking up reviews of the dia compe replacements on Amazon and there were quite a few people who had gotten burned by their purchase - they had been sent low quality fakes. Has anyone recently purchased a pair from another source and got what they paid for? I suppose ebay would be safest as you can get a refund so easily.
12-04-18, 07:15 PM
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I'd check Porkchop BMX:
site: porkchopbmx.com dia-compe brake pads
https://porkchopbmx.com/dia-compe-reissue-old-school-bmx-bicycle-brake-pads-pair-white-ucp-silver-holders/
site: porkchopbmx.com dia-compe brake pads
https://porkchopbmx.com/dia-compe-reissue-old-school-bmx-bicycle-brake-pads-pair-white-ucp-silver-holders/
12-04-18, 08:55 PM
#7
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I've bought them from Amazon twice in the last year and both times are authentic - no issues. There are a ton of sellers on Amazon - you need to select a reliable seller and they may not be the absolute lowest price. Of my orders, one seller (most recent) was Amazon and the other was Tanaka Power Sport. Just click on "other Sellers" - don't just assume that it picks the best one for you.
When I read those kinds of reviews, my guess is that a few of the sellers are less than reputable. I always make sure that my order is from Amazon or at least another seller I've heard of. Sometimes it costs a few pennies more but I have made hundreds of purchases of stuff like this on Amazon and never had a problem.
When I read those kinds of reviews, my guess is that a few of the sellers are less than reputable. I always make sure that my order is from Amazon or at least another seller I've heard of. Sometimes it costs a few pennies more but I have made hundreds of purchases of stuff like this on Amazon and never had a problem.
12-05-18, 07:59 AM
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I purchased a pair of the gray matter pads recently, and was disappointed. Seemed like cheap knock-offs. These were better - Alligator brand - and still quite inexpensive. 
Last edited by kross57; 12-05-18 at 08:59 AM.
12-05-18, 06:57 PM
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Thanks all, I decided to give a try for the grey matter pads on amazon with a reputable(?) seller, we'll see once they arrive.
