What's rhyme best brake pads for Cantis?

[TheLoner]

Just dipping my toe back into MTB after a decade out, bought a nearly mint '96 Kona to get fit on and the brakes are awful. Just totally ineffective. They're cantis. What's the best pads still available for them? Any help appreciated!

 

[juice]

Kool Stop Eagle Claws would be my personal answer to your question.
Of course the right adjustment of the brakes is the most important step to get the highest braking power.
Have a look at The Sheldon Brown website:
http://sheldonbrown.com/canti-trad.html

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Get some vbrake style holder but with studs
http://www.fibrax.com/rim-pads/mtb/hold ... ack-xtreme

Fit any modern pad you like then and you'll not have to FAFF aligning again once you have it right.

I use discobrakes.co uk pads, triple style as they are thicker than others and work well for me. But normal thinner pads can work just as well.

 

[ted andkilde]

I'm a fan of the Cool Stop "salmon" pads. All of them get nasty and hard when they're old, for a quick spruce up, you could try sanding off the 'glazed' face of your existing pads and cleaning off your rim faces with some acetone or alcohol (be careful, the solvents will damage tires quite severely.

Cheers, Ted

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Swisstop pads work very well, a little pricey though.

For good cost/performance the KoolStop pads are a good bet, either the "salmon" ones or the "salmon/black MTB" ones.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

I personally find no benefit from the coolstops, save your money and get the Vbrake style.

And baby wipes, are cheap and clean rims nicely. Give them a while down with a cloth after.

 

[Minifreak]

I have been totally amazed at the Scott Mathauser pads I put on one of my builds. Not readily available or cheap but very good!

 

[marc two tone]

Re:

Try these, not many about cheaper. they do work well, the blue wear out quick but at that price...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RITCHEY-LP-LO ... 35d9ac7435

Don't be put off by the 'factory seconds' thing. you need a monocle to see the flaws. unless you race pro, or a big head show off..don't be lured by the bigger guns.

 

[jimo746]

Re: Re:

Try these, not many about cheaper. they do work well, the blue wear out quick but at that price...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RITCHEY-LP-LO ... 35d9ac7435

Don't be put off by the 'factory seconds' thing. you need a monocle to see the flaws. unless you race pro, or a big head show off..don't be lured by the bigger guns.

I've seen them, and after your comment I've just purchased some, if you buy 3 sets you get 50% off a set, so that's 3 sets of "Ritchey" canti pads delivered for £4

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Koolstop used to make them, no idea if they still do.