V pads - what to buy?

[jax13]

Ive currently got a basic set of avid V pads on a pair of arch rivals (new sd7 levers) but the performance isn't great. are these notorious for poor braking performance or do i need to tweek my setup slightly? for the record, i've used the brake set & pads on 3 bikes with the same results each time so i am leaning towards it being the pads & not me.

with this said, what half decent pads are there that won't break the bank? in the spirit of the build they can't be shimano but anything else goes.

 

[poweredbypies]

I use those clarks jobbies with the swapable pads, bang on stopping with them and not a bad price either.

 

[Mark90]

I've always found Kool Stop to be good. Can get either cartridge or full pads.

 

[dbmtb]

My personal favourites are the triple compound BBB pads. Available as cartridge or normal.

 

[hamster]

Ashima 4-fun or Aztec work well for me.

 

[bm0p700f]

Clarks pads (the triple colour ones) are good and so are Aztec charcol. I use those and they really stop.

 

[jimo746]

I don't recall Avid pads as being particulary poor, but it has been a while.
I currently use Swisstop V-pads on modern XT V's and they are very good, if a little pricey.
I've used Fibrax pads before and found them to be pretty good and a more reasonable price too.

 

[Anthony]

More likely play in the lever than the pads being no good, Avids are overpriced but ok performance-wise IME.

 

[gdb2b]

Serfas BP330 work well for me. A bit more coin than the Kool Stop. Either will work...