Gentlest, softest (to anodized rims) brake pads?

[Max P]

Anyone - any suggestions please to preserve the sidewall anodizing as much as possible?

I've seen conflicting info - maybe Salmon Pink, maybe the green for ceramics?

 

[jimo746]

Just don't ride the bike?
Don't use the brakes?

What brakes are you using?

 

[was8v]

eh?

You could make your own out of cardboard, or cut up bits of microfibre cloth.

Just use another wheelset for actual riding?

 

[pete_mcc]

Salmon and ceramic pads are high friction, high abrasion pads. You want a pad that is neither. I would suggest old school leather pads soaked in oil. They won’t work but they won’t scratch your rims.

 

[mdvineng]

2nd wheelset is the only answer

 

[hamster]

Avoid Shimano which are very abrasive. I like the Aztec grey ones.

 

[Tsundere]

I always use the old bmx trick of placing my foot on top of the rear tyre when riding a bike without brakes, this method could work for you too.

 

[Takingabreak]

convert to disc brakes

 

[Frankenorange]

swissstop bxp blue. Brilliant braking without high wear rates or ripping rims to bits. expensive but work and you can get short or long pads. cartridges are required.

 

[frkl]

Anything but Shimano. Those pads eat rims.

I have had good experience with Kool Stop black compound. Salmon is more aggressive.

But it's not the pads really that grind through anodizing, it's the road grime, and that's unavoidable.