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
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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. |
Why doesn't someone like GCN do tests along these lines.. actual product/brand side-by-sides? SStop vs KoolStop vs Shimano etc.
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I use their Kool Stop Mountain Salmon pads on my touring bike's canti brakes. Love them.
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Kool Stop salmons on my DD, they work far better than the pads SRAM put in originally
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
(Post 21626240)
Why doesn't someone like GCN do tests along these lines.. actual product/brand side-by-sides? SStop vs KoolStop vs Shimano etc.
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. |
Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
(Post 21626472)
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. |
Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21625820)
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
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Originally Posted by Jack Tone
(Post 21626687)
If anything, shouldn't the front side contact first? I set mine up so they contact evenly since they will anyway after several miles of use, and newer, more rigid calipers don't flex.
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Swisstop BXP are even better.
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OP, I'm a big fan of the Kool Stop dual compound Dura 2's for alloy rims.
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
(Post 21626240)
Why doesn't someone like GCN do tests along these lines.. actual product/brand side-by-sides? SStop vs KoolStop vs Shimano etc.
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
(Post 21627167)
Or,you can just listen to posters who say that KoolStops are very good pads. Over and over again. Who knows. They might be on to something.
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Isn't GCN British , not stateside based, and so their views are defined by their location?
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
(Post 21627191)
Isn't GCN British , not stateside based, and so their views are defined by their location?
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Note that kool stop salmon stop working when it is over ~108F.
The black compound ones don't have that problem. |
Originally Posted by noisebeam
(Post 21628493)
Note that kool stop salmon stop working when it is over ~108F.
The black compound ones don't have that problem. |
Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
(Post 21628521)
While I don't typically ride in the vicinity of the Devil's *******, I'm curious about why and how the salmon pads stop working at such unholy temperatures.
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
(Post 21628524)
Yeah, 108 doesn't sound that high really, especially if in sun, with blacktop, and heat generated from braking itself.
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Originally Posted by noisebeam
(Post 21628574)
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.
This seems like something Kool Stop would want to know about. Frankly, they're probably the only ones who can answer as well. |
Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
(Post 21628712)
Wait, how do you know about braking in the rain? :D
This seems like something Kool Stop would want to know about. Frankly, they're probably the only ones who can answer as well. |
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 |
Whatever. I removed my brake pads, it saved me 30 grams.
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Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy
(Post 21626773)
Swisstop BXP are even better.
Sorry, I saw no improvement with Swissstop. |
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.
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