Review of Kool Stop Bicycle Brake Pads with X Pad (Dura-Ace/Ultegra)

Kool Stop Bicycle Brake Pads with X Pad (Dura-Ace/Ultegra)
By: Kool Stop Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 5
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Worth the price

On: 2010-04-22

I installed this set of brakes to the front wheel of my bike. I have to say that it is so much more superior to the stock brakes that I replaced with these. It helps me decelerate much quicker so that I am less hesitant to ride fast around busy city streets where cars can suddenly appear. Good brakes for the price.

Good pads

On: 2009-08-21

These plus my cheapo dual pivot calipers gave me surprisingly good stopping power.
However the salmon part of the pad wears down fast, so keep an eye on them, especially cautious fixed riders.

Infinitely better than Shimano pads, and cheaper as well!

On: 2009-05-11

My first Kool Stop brake pads were the Eagle 2, which replaced the stock Shimano pads on my MTB, and were a huge improvement, especially in wet weather (as well as putting an end to the destruction that Shimano was causing to my rims). Now I have a road bike, and after searching for a compatible set of replacement brakes, I chose these.

The performance is much better, especially in terms of modulation and consistency, and I can actually stop in the rain, though it does take a few rotations of the rims before the water is cleared off by the pads. I had to clean off the old Shimano brake residue from my rims by shoving a dampened, folded paper towel between each of the pads and the rim, and then riding for a few minutes while applying the brake (steel wool was not necessary in this case). I also had to buy four #12 washers to "widen" my Royal Gran Compe brake mounts as they were not quite wide enough for these holders.

The pads do not capture small rocks and road grit like the Shimanos, so I rarely hear a grinding noise from particles embedded in the pads. I have had the dual-compound pads mounted on the front for 2500 miles, and it looks like they are almost halfway worn, so Id say they could make it to 5000 (Im tempted to put the included salmon pads on afterward to get more value from my purchase, well see how that goes).

If you already have Shimano holders (Dura-Ace or Ultegra), then I recommend just buying the Kool Stop cartridges Kool Stop Bicycle Brake Pads, as the holders are virtually the same. Youll be glad you did!

KOOL STOP DUAL COMPOUND BRAKE PADS

On: 2008-01-14

WORK WEEL IN RAIN OR DRY CONDITIONS. MUCH BETTER THAN THE STOCK DURA ACE PADS.

Solid Brakes

On: 2007-12-28

These are a solid replacement for old or stock caliper brake pad holders. They are more adjustable than the cheaper holders that came with several replacement brakes that I have purchased, making it easier to ensure that the pad makes good contact with the rim. The included pads are good for general purpose riding.