New brakes or better blocks? (road)

[CoolC]

I'm sure this has been covered before but couldn't find a thread.

After a wonderful weekend in Yorkshire for Le Tour it quickly became apparent that the brakes on my road bike are not fully up to scratch on them there hilly roads.

They're boggo Shimano caliper brakes with the original blocks.

As much as I'd like an excuse to upgrade to 105 brakes to match the rest of the groupset, is it just better blocks I need?

Do better [read higher in the hierarchy] brakes make more difference than better blocks?

[Rocksteadyeddie]

What pads are you currently using? And what rims?

[Steve vRS]

I saw a marked improvement when I went from the generic pads my bike came with to Swisstop green pads.

I also saw an improvement Shen rims and the pad surfaces were clean!

I nearly pressed the button on some Ultegra callipers a month ago when they were on special offer with Wiggle but wasn't convinced they would improve much over the better pads.

Steve

[CoolC]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

What pads are you currently using? And what rims?

Just the standard ones that came with them, no branding.

Shimano R501 wheels, so ali rim.

[Zippee]

Change the pads first.

[CoolC]

Zippee said:

Change the pads first.

I hear Swisstop Green quoted a lot in regards to blocks.

A quick look suggests Evans are even cheaper than Ebay at the moment for those.

[jamiebae]

Try better pads, then decide if you need to upgrade. I found new pads made a huge difference and have stuck with the Tektro calipers since as they seem to do the job well enough, and there are other upgrades which deliver more benefit for the same money.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

As above - change the pads first. Swissstop Greens are a cost effective upgrade. You'll certainly notice the difference.

[richardxjr]

In some test or other, 1st place went to the Swisstop, fine, but 2nd went to Clarks Elite. CRC are usually £6.99 for a pair of Shimano holders, 2 pairs of pads, and some replacement screws.

Quite a few of my (tight) friends use these, they are great!

[Justin S]

Not really noticed any difference between Greens, blacks in the Swisstop range and cheaper Uberbike pads. Running them on Ultegra brakes and RS81 wheels. They do disappear quicker in the wet though !

[MadDad]

I went from stock Shimano blocks to Swisstop greens on my winter bike and the difference was night and day! I rate them highly regardless of cost, I want to be able to stop in the wet!!

[JQ]

Steve vRS said:

I also saw an improvement Shen rims and the pad surfaces were clean!

Might be a stupid but what should be used to clean the rim and pad?

[jamiebae]

JQ said:

Might be a stupid but what should be used to clean the rim and pad?

WD40

[Mr Will]

Don't forget to check your cables - if they are getting sticky they can hamper your braking power.

[Bobley]

I built my lad a road bike but due to a parts shortage I let him use my standard Shimano 105 brakes (5700). I then got hold of some FSA SLK brakes and swapped him onto them. The FSA's are much more powerful. Meanwhile on his CX bike he runs TRP froglegs and I switched the pads to swisstop greens. Marginally batter I'd say, but still rubbish.

[Jimbo.]

JQ said:

Might be a stupid but what should be used to clean the rim and pad?

Clean the rims with one of these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-abrasive-...

A bit steep for a fag-packed sized lump of rubber, but it lasts for ages and makes a massive difference. Don't use it on the pads, however. Just wipe them clean and pick out any aluminium shards, stones etc. Once they're shagged, switch to Swisstop green pads and live with the (shorter) pad life, as they too work very well.

[yellowjack]

Jimbo. said:

Clean the rims with one of these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-abrasive-...

A bit steep for a fag-packed sized lump of rubber, but it lasts for ages and makes a massive difference. Don't use it on the pads, however. Just wipe them clean and pick out any aluminium shards, stones etc. Once they're shagged, switch to Swisstop green pads and live with the (shorter) pad life, as they too work very well.

Abrasive 'rubber'??? Try your friendly local model railway emporium, and ask for a "track rubber". It'll be pretty much the same thing

(available from the 'bay too: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/151333458105?limghl... )

[bakerstreet]

If you can stretch to a set of Ultegra brakes an some swissstop pads, you should see a noticeable improvement.

You should be able to get a deal on the previous model brakes. MayBe £70 for a set?