KoolStop - fun fact…
09-22-21, 06:03 PM
#26
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After the tour I decided I'll never buy another set of rim brake pads again unless they're from Koolstop! They do everything in house - machine molds, mix their proprietary rubber, even packaging and shipping. The few things they outsource are local. Chinese spies have tried to act as tourists to see how they do things. American and proud of it. They will do very short runs of rare pads to fill a need if necessary. Shimano may discontinue a brake, but Koolstop still has the pads.
Tim gave us a wonderful tour, no pictures allowed, of course.
Tim gave us a wonderful tour, no pictures allowed, of course.
09-22-21, 06:12 PM
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I got to meet the owner/founder of Kool Stop at their Interbike booth years ago, such a nice guy, and he shared a couple of stories from the early days with me that reinforced my belief that Kool Stop is THE brand for rim brake pads. Definitely an awesome company. 
09-23-21, 09:45 AM
#30
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Gugie nailed it. Kool stop is the way to go. I was impressed by the testing they do onsite as well as their clear commitment to making pads for what the majors ( looking at you Shimano) consider obsolete product.
What I did not expect from the tour is that I may give up my self imposed ban on Amazon shopping, at least for Koolstop products. The reason for that ban is a long rant that is not relevant here. What is relevant is that Tim at Koolstop clearly pays attention to what comes in from his Amazon orders and bases some of his production based on those orders. I got the sense that he gets more direct and immediate feedback for those orders than what he might ship to wholesalers. I might be willing to deal with Amazon if it means I can continue to reliably buy some of the more obscure pads that I i use.
What I did not expect from the tour is that I may give up my self imposed ban on Amazon shopping, at least for Koolstop products. The reason for that ban is a long rant that is not relevant here. What is relevant is that Tim at Koolstop clearly pays attention to what comes in from his Amazon orders and bases some of his production based on those orders. I got the sense that he gets more direct and immediate feedback for those orders than what he might ship to wholesalers. I might be willing to deal with Amazon if it means I can continue to reliably buy some of the more obscure pads that I i use.
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09-23-21, 10:09 AM
#31
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I dunno, including front office maybe football field? Maybe? gugie? Mr. Spadoni?
What hasn't been mentioned are the several vintage machines they have, especially hot presses that are used to mold preforms into product. If they don't have something in stock, they'll literally make up a small batch to cover one customer - if you're looking for odd or rare brake pads, check out Amazon. As @Mr. Spadoni already mentioned, they do Amazon sales for that purpose - email Tim directly if you can't find what you're looking for (email address in picture on the OP's first post this thread.)
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09-23-21, 10:13 AM
#32
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Gugie nailed it. Kool stop is the way to go. I was impressed by the testing they do onsite as well as their clear commitment to making pads for what the majors ( looking at you Shimano) consider obsolete product.
What I did not expect from the tour is that I may give up my self imposed ban on Amazon shopping, at least for Koolstop products. The reason for that ban is a long rant that is not relevant here. What is relevant is that Tim at Koolstop clearly pays attention to what comes in from his Amazon orders and bases some of his production based on those orders. I got the sense that he gets more direct and immediate feedback for those orders than what he might ship to wholesalers. I might be willing to deal with Amazon if it means I can continue to reliably buy some of the more obscure pads that I i use.
What I did not expect from the tour is that I may give up my self imposed ban on Amazon shopping, at least for Koolstop products. The reason for that ban is a long rant that is not relevant here. What is relevant is that Tim at Koolstop clearly pays attention to what comes in from his Amazon orders and bases some of his production based on those orders. I got the sense that he gets more direct and immediate feedback for those orders than what he might ship to wholesalers. I might be willing to deal with Amazon if it means I can continue to reliably buy some of the more obscure pads that I i use.
09-23-21, 10:44 AM
#33
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I was thinking of starting a separate thread about our visit but what gugie and Mr. Spadoni have said covers a lot of that ground. KoolStop’s extensive in house testing, complete fabrication (rubber pellets go in one door and brake pads go out the other door) AND, something that I think is very important, they make a product that is very highly regarded for a very reasonable price.
One thing not mentioned is that when the recent bike boom happened KoolStop didn’t need to ramp up and start outsourcing. They had product on the shelf, ready to go. All in all, a very efficient organization consistently making a high quality product.
Go buy their stuff!! Their bead Jack is sweet!
One thing not mentioned is that when the recent bike boom happened KoolStop didn’t need to ramp up and start outsourcing. They had product on the shelf, ready to go. All in all, a very efficient organization consistently making a high quality product.
Go buy their stuff!! Their bead Jack is sweet!
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09-23-21, 12:10 PM
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I am ordering brake pads from Modern Bike today. Using their filters, they list 235 Kool Stop products. Now I just have to find the right one out of all those options. 
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09-23-21, 05:29 PM
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That's really cool. I don't need any brake pads currently, but might buy some now.
09-24-21, 09:33 AM
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Thanks for the update to your tour and this only re-confirms the warm place that Kool Stop has in my C&V heart: these guys really go the extra mile to support us with high quality products that would otherwise be completely unobtanium! Major kudos to them!
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09-24-21, 08:25 PM
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I've used and luv their Mafac Racer, Suntour, Diacompe, and Campy SR replacement pads. I just wish they made a more authentic replacement for all the 80s Shimano 105 and 600 brakes. Since they are nearby and you guys are now buds, make it happen.
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09-24-21, 08:29 PM
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Give ‘em a call and see what they have to say. Tim is a very sensible business guy and if there is a need he will definitely accommodate.
09-24-21, 08:56 PM
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I'm not from Portland but over the years have been surprised to find out how much bike part and bike manufacturing has come from west side bike commercial district.
09-24-21, 09:17 PM
#42
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We are kind of spoiled. Aluminum, CF, Ti, steel, bamboo framebuilders can be found around town. Kind of crazy for a place that is gray and damp most of the year.
