Kool Stop Thinline V-Brake Pads

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

...in the wet, and while there is a drop off in performance, it is nowhere near as much as with other brands that I have tried. In mud these pads really do come into their own. They are the only v-brake pad that I have tried that provide any braking at all when covered in mud. Mud is extremely abrasive, and every time you apply the brakes you are applying a grinding paste to your delicate aluminium rims. Before I changed over to the Kool Stops, my Avid Rim Wranglers lasted as little as 2 months, and also managed to wear my rear rim past the wear markers in under 9 months. With the Kool Stops, not only is the braking vastly improved, but my rims show significantly less wear. The other small advantage you get is the cartridge pads are a bit easier than the blocks to replace - pull out circlip, press out old pad, push in new pad, replace circlip... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: They Stop The Bike
Disadvantages: Not Disk Breaks

...Shimano LX M600 M-system V brake blocks (not pads but they are the same thing) are the brakes my bike uses. They consist of two rubber blocks with a screw comming out of them, for easy fixing to your bike. Fixing them is easy anyone who can use a spanner can do it, and at around about 6-99 a pair then they are a lot more resonable than brakes for cars. (Yet another reaon to ditch the motor around town) One of the most important things brakes do is stop your bike and it is vitaly important that they do it quickly. When new and properly adjusted these babies are bloody good at doing that task, and if you have been used to a dodgy old worn pair then it is not a good idea to hit the front brakes too hard. Unless a mate has a camcorder handy then you could earn a quick 200 quid from Youve been Framed. The next most important thing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good breaking power
Disadvantages: nothing

...I recently bought a set of replacement pads for my AVID Juicy 3 brakes. These came in at £15 for a pair for the front. They seem to vary in price by a few pounds, thi was from a well known online MTB shop in the lakes. Being a disc brake novice I didn't have a clue how to fit them so rather than break them or waste time finding out I got a mate to do it for me. Other than the actual fitting the one thing I did do was to lightly rub down the pads before fitting them. I was told this is a good idea as it reduces the chances of the pads glazing over and gives you better breaking power earlier on, guess this is like I used to do with my standard V-Brake pads. I think that is roughly 1000 miles of use on my old pads. I tend to change them early as I did with V-brakes, not sure that is necessary with discs though (not at this price... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful