- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Cross country mountain bikes
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
forum
Is there such thing as very bad v-Brake pads for bikes?
I'm not sure if this makes sense, however, my cheapo mtb has got just terrible rear brakes and I have no idea why, there is plenty of meat still left on the brake pads (mind you they are the age of the bike, at least 8years old and I doubt their sale value when new has ever been more than 50p)
I have changed the cables on the bike, adjusted the brakes at least 3x , there is a very very good pressure grab and action ,however they just barely stop you. The front brakes are fine and stop good.
Is this a thing or I have something else wrong?
I tried searching for replacement pads,however all I can find in the 55mm size I have are some very cheap poundshop quality ones,seems like the standard are 70mm? But I guess I need the 55mm size If I already have that,or is it possible to use larger size as well? Also what's a good brand I should be looking at?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
Latest Forum Topics
Latest Comments
- HoarseMann 12 min 17 sec ago
DIY options too... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_deob4L4AEY
- Hirsute 1 hour 14 min ago
You've missed the bit where it's going to court.
- chrisonabike 1 hour 15 min ago
I wonder if it's just (uncomfortable) evidence that people "drive" themselves about the place "autopilot" - on memory and some (pretty flaky)...
- froze 1 hour 39 min ago
The Silca is not that great, if you go online to Silca and look at the scale they use it is very poorly designed with the readings far to close...
- froze 1 hour 51 min ago
I gurantee you this is happening to millions of products sold all over the world.
- chrisonabike 2 hours 15 min ago
Yeah ... although if you're too triggered by the latter then much of the internet will not a safe space for you!
- froze 2 hours 25 min ago
Roughly about 66% to 75% of the flats that I get I can repair the tube without ever removing the wheel from the bike! This is an old trick I was...
- Secret_squirrel 4 hours 21 min ago
Surely Pog has souplesse in spades?
- chrisonabike 6 hours 8 min ago
It offers some left-hook prevention (good) and they have put some physical dividers in at the entrances / exits (also good) - but not everywhere. ...
- Oldfatgit 6 hours 15 min ago
Brexit is also why a lot of EU police forces issue on the spot fines.
Add new comment
8 comments
Got the Clarks pads, fitted in under 5mins and Hoooly FUUK! Stops on a dime now, I have to be careful not to engage them too much or I send my rear wheel drifting.
Awesome,changed my bike totally!
Have you checked the rim/pads for oil contamination from lubing the chain?
I bought a bike for a lady friend this September, a 10 +year old Raleigh Pioneer in decent nick but came with the standard fit one piece pads. These actually worked better on the rims than a set of brand new Fibrax. Sometimes rims and pads don't match up for no apparent reason, setting them up properly helps a lot.
I can't say I've ever had 'bad' pads, even ones which my friend bought from wilkinsons, just that there are pads that will stop you quicker but in turn you ride quicker and leave braking later or think you can brake at x speed at x point away, it just changes your perception of what is good or bad.
Most 'bad' v brake pads would seem absolutely incredible (in a good way) compared to brakes of 30-40 years ago on similar priced bikes.
You ride according to the stopping power you have, better stopping pads/braking system don't necessarily increase your safety.
As Straelguy says, stock pads are usually rubbish. I've tried a number of brands and Fibrax ASH104 (ebay link) are excellent value and made in the UK. Kool-Stop's salmon or salmon&black are great if you don't mind paying more. IIRC a 70mm pad simply provides a larger contact area.
You need to align the pads so the front part touches the rim first so it doesn't squeal (or does that only apply to canti brakes? I can't remember now). There are lots of videos & tutorials online.
They're very good, I have the same on my vintage mountain bike.
The stock pads in most budget brakes are appallingly poor. My Tektro brakes (now upgraded) came with terrible pads. Stock Shimano ones aren't much better. You can't go far wrong buying replacements from kool Stop.
Whilst I am no Shimano apologist, I'm a fan of a certain Italian company, I can't let the above comment go unchallenged. Every 'Big S' brake system I've ever used, and there have been many, has been fine. Of course the cheaper variants can always be improved, perhaps by using cartridge blocks, but I've never thought they were poor. And without doubt the upper end stuff like Ultegra and Dura-Ace is simply superb.
Thanks Son ,so I ordered some ''CLARKS ELITE TRIPLE CONTOUR brakes '' for £2.95 from fleabay
At that price, I think you can just stick a new pair on instead of faffing with the old ones if I have already wasted some time with them,
Wish my Car brake pads were £2.95 and some 10mins to fit