If your current pads are worn out, any pads will improve your braking.
I would just stay away from cheap noname Chinese pads that can damage your rims.
TryingNot2BLazy on
what I remember from wheel building lessons is that good performing rim braking has more to do with heat dissipation at the contact point. ie: steel rims succcckkkkkkk and aluminum is pretty much the best you can get and why they’re almost a standard for the price point. I would assume that as long as you’re using a soft rubber brake pad, that’s all you can do without “upgrading” to disc brakes, which are just the same thing with a little extra leverage. i will get flack for saying this though. fight me, whoever you are.
porkmarkets on
Not those, they look like cheap Chinese tat from Amazon.
Pads by a real manufacturer like SwissStop or Koolstop, definitely – but you’ll wear through them a bit quicker. OEM Shimano isn’t bad either.
Just_Dank on
I’d stay away from aliexpress for buying brake pads. Not worth the safety concern. I recommend ones from name brands, like Shimano, SwissStop, Kool-stop, etc. It’s more expensive but it’ll still be cheaper then hospital bills.
TarugoKing on
aliexpress brakes are recycled from flip flops. 🙂
Brightandbig on
The price is right. Give it a shot.
chester405 on
Highly recommend salmon pads from KoolStop
buck_cram on
Never cheap out on components that regulate speed and contact the ground. A few extra bucks in these areas help ensure safety and deliver substantial value in ride quality. When in doubt, go name brand on tires, pads, rotors, etc.
MantraProAttitude on
Avoid cheap safety equipment.
Left_Concentrate_752 on
Red stops faster. Everyone knows that!
shan_icp on
I have used these before. They are actually very good and I find them as good as my previous koolstops. They chinese are making decent stuff these days.
princs21 on
I use the bottom ones and they are significantly better than cheap decathlon brake pads. I’m 115kg on a old road bike with flat bar (and) brake levers, and they stop sufficiently good for me, I never liked (old school) drop bar brake levers, because they don’t have enough leverage, so maybe they aren’t that great in that situation. The same pairs I had before lasted over a year, and the current pairs seem to be holding better.
Personally I’ve found only a few things matter. If the pads are longer you have more contact surface. That alone is often better than a lot if factory pads. The only other thing that seems to matter is grip. More grabby pads stop better, but wear out more quickly. Lower friction pads stop worse, but ladt longer. Stripes, treads, and whatnot are a gimmick. Of course fresh pads will always be better than worn out pads.
fishbrine on
I bought new, expensive brake rubbers once and the next day, carrying a heavy package in one hand, had to stop suddenly …with only one hand on, it threw me over the handlebars …. shattered both my elbows. Too good is not necessarily the best.
JAFO- on
Been using Kool Stops for 20 something years, last a long time don’t score the rim and are reasonable on price.
EmilyBlackXxx on
Can upgrading brake pads improve performance? Absolutely! I absolutely DESPISE the stock pads that come with Tektro brakes. Upgrading to Shimano, SwissStop or KoolStop can be a big upgrade over pads you hate.
But – considering how cheap good, brand-name pads like KoolStop are, I don’t think I’d risk getting some dodgy AliExpress pads. Like – the savings are so small on such an important part, why try to cheap out here?
You probably won’t get hurt, but their performance is an unknown as is the wear rate on both the pads and on your rims. Upgrading is fun, but I’d avoid these.
negativeyoda on
Dual compound pads can be more prone to squeak and shudder since the different materials grip differently.
18 Comments
No
If your current pads are worn out, any pads will improve your braking.
I would just stay away from cheap noname Chinese pads that can damage your rims.
what I remember from wheel building lessons is that good performing rim braking has more to do with heat dissipation at the contact point. ie: steel rims succcckkkkkkk and aluminum is pretty much the best you can get and why they’re almost a standard for the price point. I would assume that as long as you’re using a soft rubber brake pad, that’s all you can do without “upgrading” to disc brakes, which are just the same thing with a little extra leverage. i will get flack for saying this though. fight me, whoever you are.
Not those, they look like cheap Chinese tat from Amazon.
Pads by a real manufacturer like SwissStop or Koolstop, definitely – but you’ll wear through them a bit quicker. OEM Shimano isn’t bad either.
I’d stay away from aliexpress for buying brake pads. Not worth the safety concern. I recommend ones from name brands, like Shimano, SwissStop, Kool-stop, etc. It’s more expensive but it’ll still be cheaper then hospital bills.
aliexpress brakes are recycled from flip flops. 🙂
The price is right. Give it a shot.
Highly recommend salmon pads from KoolStop
Never cheap out on components that regulate speed and contact the ground. A few extra bucks in these areas help ensure safety and deliver substantial value in ride quality. When in doubt, go name brand on tires, pads, rotors, etc.
Avoid cheap safety equipment.
Red stops faster. Everyone knows that!
I have used these before. They are actually very good and I find them as good as my previous koolstops. They chinese are making decent stuff these days.
I use the bottom ones and they are significantly better than cheap decathlon brake pads. I’m 115kg on a old road bike with flat bar (and) brake levers, and they stop sufficiently good for me, I never liked (old school) drop bar brake levers, because they don’t have enough leverage, so maybe they aren’t that great in that situation. The same pairs I had before lasted over a year, and the current pairs seem to be holding better.
I’m using these
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQUs2Mu
Personally I’ve found only a few things matter. If the pads are longer you have more contact surface. That alone is often better than a lot if factory pads. The only other thing that seems to matter is grip. More grabby pads stop better, but wear out more quickly. Lower friction pads stop worse, but ladt longer. Stripes, treads, and whatnot are a gimmick. Of course fresh pads will always be better than worn out pads.
I bought new, expensive brake rubbers once and the next day, carrying a heavy package in one hand, had to stop suddenly …with only one hand on, it threw me over the handlebars …. shattered both my elbows. Too good is not necessarily the best.
Been using Kool Stops for 20 something years, last a long time don’t score the rim and are reasonable on price.
Can upgrading brake pads improve performance? Absolutely! I absolutely DESPISE the stock pads that come with Tektro brakes. Upgrading to Shimano, SwissStop or KoolStop can be a big upgrade over pads you hate.
But – considering how cheap good, brand-name pads like KoolStop are, I don’t think I’d risk getting some dodgy AliExpress pads. Like – the savings are so small on such an important part, why try to cheap out here?
You probably won’t get hurt, but their performance is an unknown as is the wear rate on both the pads and on your rims. Upgrading is fun, but I’d avoid these.
Dual compound pads can be more prone to squeak and shudder since the different materials grip differently.
Also, stick with Kool Stops. They’re $5 more