Brake Pads > Hayes Pads Brake Pads

Advantages: Excellent performance in wet/muddy conditions, rim friendly, good wear rates
Disadvantages: Pricier than the competition

...The real secret of the Kool Stop's superior braking power is the salmon compound. Originally it was developed by Scott-Mathauser, and was recognised as the finest brake pads available, both for it's superior stopping power and durable compound. Kool Stop was under contract to Scott-Mathauser to manufacture their pads.Kool Stop obtained the rights to manufacture the salmon pads when Scott-Mathauser went out of business. The secret of the pads is that ...
...Features of the Kool Stop Pads Along with the salmon compound, the pads also feature Kool Stops patented plough tip. On the leading edge of the pad (i.e. the part that contacts the rim first), the pad has a raised edge. Its job is to act like a squeegee, cleaning muck of rim surface, allowing the brake pad behind to grip onto a clean rim. This feature also helps reduce rim wear by cleaning off grit and other abrasive particles. To further ... Read review

Advantages: Longlasting, made by a great British company
Disadvantages: Can be a tad fiddly to fit.

I've had Hope brakes on my mountain bikes for longer than I care to remember, and I've currently got two full suspention bikes set up with Hope M4 brakes, I love the brakes, and have never had a problem with the Hope pads, so I've always stuck with them. I live and ride in South Wales, where it's wet, rocky and more gritty than muddy. I always stick to the sintered pads, and make sure I bed them in properly before I take them out on their first ...
...got a loop I use to specifically bed my pads in (how sad am I?). But it's worth it, as when bedded in properly, the pads last for many, many months before they need changing. Which is good, as although changing the pads isn't difficult, I more often than not, find it a bit of a faff. The pads aren't cheap, coming in around the £12 mark for a pair. But that's not bad for a few months riding. I keep thinking that I should give another make of pads ... Read review

Advantages: Durability
Disadvantages: none

I bought these brake pads two weeks ago. So far they have lasted and they work quite well. USES ***** I would suggest these type of pads for light use, as I do some serious mountain biking they weren’t really up to the job, of speeding down a hill at some very high speeds on a bike. Wear ***** I had a look at them yesterday and they haven’t worn much at all so I would say, they are quite good on the durability side of things. Where I’d use them ... Read review

Advantages: quality and value
Disadvantages: none really!

Obviously with the high amounts of pressure and heat which travel through brake pads and the almost implicit faith which you have to place in them when cycling you need to trust your brake pads and know that if you need to stop they’re going to have the performance there to help you slow down as quickly as you need. I've used the Kool Stop's for many years and have never been disappointed once by the value or quality and would even admit to sometimes ... Read review

Advantages: great stopping power
Disadvantages: none!

I have had several Hope brakes in my time including the Enduro, DH4 and mini, can't say I've ever been disappointed by any of them; easy to set up, control and maintain (not that they need it very often). Nevertheless, the brake pads are obviously crucial to the stopping power too and its only right that in my opinion Hope who make the best brakes in the world also make pads which are amongst the best available too... I sincerely believe that given ...
...else as the power, longevity and relative value for money that these represent is excellent. The only problem I have had with these in the past is that a set glazed over a little which meant I lost a little performance. No problem there, just removes the pads, rough them up a little and push them back in. Very easy to replace and maintain, long lasting and top quality. Highly recommended... ... Read review