Brake pad recommendations

nafuk said:

I have a tourer which I use for commuting. There are 2 steep hills on
the commute and I'm getting through brake blocks quickley - both
decents require hard braking to a standstill from +30 mph. Bought some
from eBay (£5 incl del for 2 sets) in September and they already need
replacing.

Please can someone recommend some better pads?

I've just seen the cartridge systems. Are these any good.

Yes, they provide more angle-adjustment and also save you having to set the
position every time the pads are changed.

Quoted message said:

Look better
environmentally. Looked at Wiggle/Evans but can only see the
replacement pads. Are the holders available also? Anyone recommend
some of these and where to buy some?

Kool stop blocks/pads are great but there's some problem with the importer
now. Some of the replacement pads fit some other holders as well as Kool
Stop's, though, including Shimano and Tektro.

What type of brakes have you got? Caliper, cantilever?, v-brake?

~PB

nafuk said:

I've just seen the cartridge systems. Are these any good. Look better
environmentally. Looked at Wiggle/Evans but can only see the
replacement pads. Are the holders available also? Anyone recommend some
of these and where to buy some?

The pads that came with my bike wore out after only about 6 weeks. I
replaced them with an Aztec cartridge system and one year on I've only
replaced the rear pads once, the front ones are still OK. Search for
Aztec on Evans' web site.

POHB said:

nafuk said:

I've just seen the cartridge systems. Are these any good. Look better
environmentally. Looked at Wiggle/Evans but can only see the
replacement pads. Are the holders available also? Anyone recommend some
of these and where to buy some?

The pads that came with my bike wore out after only about 6 weeks. I
replaced them with an Aztec cartridge system and one year on I've only
replaced the rear pads once, the front ones are still OK. Search for
Aztec on Evans' web site.

Thank you for the replies.
I have tectronic cantilever brakes (not V-brakes). I've looked at the
Evans site and see the Aztec V-type cartridge system. Are these
suitable for my brakes. Also, the pads are not symmetrical whereas the
ones I have been using are. Why is this? Are these for MTB's?
Thank you

nafuk said:

I have tectronic cantilever brakes (not V-brakes). I've looked at the
Evans site and see the Aztec V-type cartridge system.

I have tektro oryx cantis and changed to Kool Stop pads a few
months ago (Tectonic pad system on the back where the is lots
of room and threaded thin-line v-brake type on the front where the
isn't). (I got these through wiggle.)

The braking is much improved over the pads that came with the
tektro brakes, and the Aztec ones I fitted after after that.

stephen

nafuk said:

I have tectronic cantilever brakes (not V-brakes). I've looked at the
Evans site and see the Aztec V-type cartridge system. Are these
suitable for my brakes.

Ahh, Mmm, dunno

Quoted message said:

Also, the pads are not symmetrical whereas the
ones I have been using are. Why is this? Are these for MTB's?

The cartridge brakes have a distinct front and back, if you put them
the wrong way round the pads can slide out of the holders, although
there's a little pin to stop them just falling out if you're just using
your brakes to stop you rolling back on a hill.

nafuk said:

I have tectronic cantilever brakes (not V-brakes). I've looked at the
Evans site and see the Aztec V-type cartridge system. Are these
suitable for my brakes.

Probably not, though I think some v-brake blocks suit some canti brakes.

Quoted message said:

Also, the pads are not symmetrical whereas the
ones I have been using are. Why is this?

It's supposed to make them work better, something to do with flex.

Quoted message said:

Are these for MTB's?

V-brakes are indeed more usually found on MTBs than tourers.

See www.sheldonbrown.com for various interesting info on brakes.

~PB