EBC Hope 2 Piston Caliper Sport Disc Brake Pads

Advantages: Stops well, works in mud, doesn't fade
Disadvantages: Can be a little trying to get fitted correctly, can be noisy at times

...a lot better if you read the manual first. My front disc took ages to get bled correctly, my rear brake which I bought some time after was bled in minutes with the benefit of hindsight. Firtting the brake is a little tricky as you'll need to fit spacers to the caliper mounting bolts to make sure that the disc runs central. For the forks that I originally had it fitted to, the spacers supplied with the brake weren't enough and more had to be purchased from that unlikely bike accessory shop, B&Q. Apart from that, unless you need to change the hose length, you can just bolt the disc, caliper and lever to the bike. With the earlier batches of the Mini, Hope were supplying a manual written for their other brakes with only a passing mention of the Mini, which was new for 2001. The newer batches (thankfully) come with a more complete manual... Read review

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

...This review is for the dual compound cartridge pads. They are black/salmon in colour. A bit of History 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 they contain iron oxide (i.e. rust), and work on the same principle as sintering does for disc brake pads. They dramatically improve wet weather braking performance as well as wear. Features of the Kool Stop Pads Along with the salmon compound, the pads also feature... Read review

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Advantages: Last for ages and easy to fit
Disadvantages: None

...I've used the Avid BB7 mechanical for over three years now & have been satisfied using these sintered (Gold) pads. The setup was both the stock 160mm rotor & 185mm rotor. Even in pouring rain the 160mm plus these Avid pads stop the bike with great modulation. Now I have one installed for the front for my XC bike which stops like a dream. Occasionally dirt and oil may require you to clean them by either soaking the pads in alcohol & sanding a thin layer. In either case, the pads last a long time and the break-in period is fast! (Just pour water on the rotor, go down the hill and brake hard couple times) These brake pads can vary from dealer to dealer but mainly the retail for around £15, there are various online stores that they can pe purchased from including "Evanscycles.com" and "chainreactioncycles.com"... Read review

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