Brake pads for retrofitting are often cheaper than the original pads from the big three - Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM. And when it comes to wearing parts, the temptation to go for the cheaper product is particularly great. The component manufacturers recommend using original pads without exception. Is it mainly about money - or also about safety? After all, a life can sometimes hang on these inconspicuous little blocks.
Our test should provide clarity. We invited 14 aftermarket brake pads for aluminium rims from various suppliers to the brake test bench for the TOUR test and compared them with the original pads of the most popular brakes. From rock-hard, black briquettes to bright red soft rubber and three-colour triple compound pads, everything is included. As with tyres, the brake pad depends on the right rubber compound: The required properties are contradictory, and the combination of high braking power in dry and wet conditions and low wear on the rim sidewall and pad is like squaring the circle.
SHORT & SHORT
Only a few of the replacement pads are really convincing: only two products achieve the braking power of Shimano's reference pads. In the wet, soft special pads have advantages, but this is usually at the expense of brake modulation or leads to increased pad wear.
The test results of these models and installation tips can be found below as a PDF download:
BBB TechStop
BBB TechStop HP
Contec CBS-150
Contec BS-170
Contec BS-180
Jagwire Basic Comp
Jagwire Sleek Pro
Kool-Stop Triple Compound
Kool-Stop Dual Compound
Kool-Stop Salmon
Downloads:
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