Brakes and rain

[Valiant]

I use Clarkes triple compound pads on my bike with CXP33s on my bike. Which has been a great combo until I changed the rims for new ones and since then I have little or no braking power in the wet.

Is this because the new surfaces are too smooth? Will better pads work? Recommendations?

[Valiant]

Apparently the Swissstop Blue is the new top of the range, how do they compare to Koolstop Salmons?

Also has anyone compared the Discobrakes verson to Koolstop Salmons? Though I can't seem to find them anymore.

[tatanab]

Blue is for ceramic rims http://www.swissstop.ch/Compounds.aspx  I use Green since my rims are plain aluminium and like them a lot.  I'd say better than Koolstop Salmon but not everybody agrees == of course.

[marcusjb]

They have rejigged their models/colours slightly:

http://www.swissstop.ch/Road.aspx

The blue BXP is their top pad for aluminium rims now.

I haven't used the blues yet. I have run greens for around 3 years now - no issues, they work, they last forever and I trust them in all conditions. Bike with me on top will weigh less than 75Kg, so I don't stress braking components as much as some.

I assume that the blues will be a little softer than the greens and may not last as long.

[Hot Flatus]

They even changed the green colour to a very dark green that looks almost black. Got me very confused.

But, they are excellent. Ridiculously expensive, but they work much better in the wet than anything else I've used.

[rogerzilla]

Swisstop sky blue on ceramic rims only work when the water has been scraped off the surface (takes a couple of wheel rotations).  the only brake that works instantly in the wet is a coaster brake 

[Valiant]

I've decided to give the Koolstop Salmons ago as they managed to come in at half the price of the Swissstops, so I'll see how they go.

[Pickled Onion]

They even changed the green colour to a very dark green that looks almost black. Got me very confused.

But, they are excellent. Ridiculously expensive, but they work much better in the wet than anything else I've used.

Agree, they are better than koolstop salmon, and last a lot longer. The price seems a lot for what looks like just a small piece of rubber, but given how long they last it's not a lot of money compared to other consumables like tyres, chains, etc.

[Valiant]

I've had the green in the past, it was great but squealed like a pig in heat in both wet and dry, I then changed over to the Clarke which worked almost as well but no noise.

[marcusjb]

I've decided to give the Koolstop Salmons ago as they managed to come in at half the price of the Swissstops, so I'll see how they go.

I assume you noticed this, but Swiss stop generally come in packs of 4, so from memory they are really not much more than others (I.e. Still very expensive for some rubbery stuff).

I am sure salmons are just fine though.

[Valiant]

Yip I did.

[Kim]

If the rims are new, could it be that the pads just need a bit of bedding in?

Ride through a few muddy puddles, or something?

[Valiant]

They've done about 200 miles wet and dry.

[Squarewheels]

Swisstop sky blue on ceramic rims only work when the water has been scraped off the surface (takes a couple of wheel rotations).  the only brake that works instantly in the wet is a coaster brake 

Or a wall - though its not technically a brake, more of a break...

[Crumbling Nick]

Swisstop sky blue on ceramic rims only work when the water has been scraped off the surface (takes a couple of wheel rotations).  the only brake that works instantly in the wet is a coaster brake 

[pedant] Leg braking works instantly as well, unless you have a freewheel. [/pedant]