Carbon rims - which pads?

[Some Gump]

Hi forum,

Just bought some nice deep chinesse carbon goodness (farsport 50's). I realise they won't make me much faster up a decent hill, but they'll look and sound awesome and that's effectively the same thing.

In order to respect their epic chineese unknown build quality, and relatively high price compared to my bike - what is the best option for pads? I want to be able to stop, but also want to be able to manage heat / not wear the rim out in 3 months.

Swisstop do yellow or black. Black is apparently better modulation, but yellow better power. I hear carbon power can be an issue?
Neither say which is better for not killing rims, but Bontrager only warranty their own or blacks.

Anyone got advice?

[gazza285]

I'm using Reynolds Blue on my Chinese rims, braking is excellent, and I've not noticed any wear yet.

Not for wet days though, because braking goes from excellent to non-existing.

[SoliD]

Swissstop Flash Pro Black Prince. Done.

[Banana Boy]

If they're not a million pounds a set why not try both and see which you prefer. Braking is a very personal operation, personally I like a super sharp on/off braking action but features that give you confidence might scare me!

In terms of wear, I haven't run carbon yet but I'd be tempted to try different pads to achieve the feel I want and see what happens... Regardless of materials and compounds your own braking ability/style will deeply affect pad and rim wear and one or another both will wear out!

[ALawson]

I use the pads Malcolm advises for Alu rims and his advice was spot on.

This is what he supplies with his rims (probably same factory and resin as yours).

http://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collections/brake-pads...

[AyBee]

gazza285 said:

I'm using Reynolds Blue on my Chinese rims, braking is excellent, and I've not noticed any wear yet.

Not for wet days though, because braking goes from excellent to non-existing.

Echo what this guy says, although I've not tried anything other than Reynolds Blue to be honest. But yes, winter is not the best time to be trying out new carbon rims

[Eddh]

I use the wiggle £4 ones, they seem fine!

[Usget]

I also use the wiggle ones and they melted on a single (long) descent. And no I wasn't dragging the brakes. I am fat though.

[Eddh]

For clarity, I am not fat.

[SoliD]

Oh my Swissstops have been used on Sa Calobre descent with Chinese Carbon Rims and Basalt Braking surface with no issues, but not used them really in the wet.

[Some Gump]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll try those swiss black mamba ones. Don't fancy "useless in the wet" - I'm in the north west, it rains a lot!

[andyeds1234]

Whichever pads you go for, don't use them on your alloy rims as well as your carbon.

[jrb43]

Some Gump said:

Thanks everyone - I think I'll try those swiss black mamba ones. Don't fancy "useless in the wet" - I'm in the north west, it rains a lot!

In my experience, no pad stops a carbon rim in the wet. So you definitely will be going faster with your new wheels

[gazza285]

I put my alloy rims on if it's going to be wet.

[Some Gump]

If I know it'll be wet, I'd use my mudguard bike =)

[gazza285]

Some Gump said:

If I know it'll be wet, I'd use my mudguard bike =)

No mudguards on my cyclocross bike.

[anonymous-user]

My Rolf prime carbon rim wheels came with Swisstop yellow king flash pro pads included

They do the job well