Killer Salmon

Mark Thompson said:

A few questions. Easy one first.

1. What are brake blocks for dual pivot caliper brakes generally
called. Bolt on, threaded...?

"Blocks for calipers"? Threaded blocks are required.

Quoted message said:

2. Does anyone know of somewhere that sells Kool Stop Eagle II salmon
brake pads? (or something just as good) for dual pivot brakes. All I
could find after far too long searching were the dual compound ones.

V-Brake blocks can work if there's room on your bike (re fork clearance,
etc), but I like Kool Stop Dura holders: caliper shoes with replacable
inserts or cartridges. They're supplied with one set of Salmon refills
and one set of Dual, and Salmon replacements are available.

http://tinyurl.com/chgle

Quoted message said:

3. Which makes me add a third question. Why dual compound? Can't be
because the salmon stuff rips up rims, 'cos it's marketed as "rim
friendly". Does it not work as well as the normal stuff in the dry?
Suffer more from overheating? Animal cruelty issues?

I think they're /supposed/ to be better in the dry and they can be quieter
(salmons can /sometimes/ squeal, depending on bike, etc).

The only difference I've noticed is slightly more/blacker black stuff on
rims after braking in heavy rain, that's all. Performance in wet & dry is
the same with both varieties, perhaps it's the back half of the pad that
does most of the work anyway.

Quoted message said:

4. Are these a gimmick?
<URL:http://www.withingtoncycles.co.uk/product.php?
id=2554&node_id=196> All the benefits(?) of dual compound, but with
a weird anti-squealing section taking up 1/3rd of the pad.
Presumably this section isn't good at braking or they'd use it on the
whole pad. Does this reduce its effectiveness for braking, or is
that largely unrelated to the length of the pad? I s'pose I could
find out for myself if I win the lottery (£19 a pair).

I dunno about that product.

~PB

I said:

Quoted message said:

3. Which makes me add a third question. Why dual compound? Can't be
because the salmon stuff rips up rims, 'cos it's marketed as "rim
friendly". Does it not work as well as the normal stuff in the dry?
Suffer more from overheating? Animal cruelty issues?

I think they're /supposed/ to be better in the dry and they can be
quieter (salmons can /sometimes/ squeal, depending on bike, etc).

The only difference I've noticed is slightly more/blacker black stuff
on rims after braking in heavy rain, that's all. Performance in wet
& dry is the same with both varieties, perhaps it's the back half of
the pad that does most of the work anyway.

Note: I was thinking there of my road caliper experience. Squeal's more
of an issue with larger V-brake blocks.

~PB

Mark Thompson said:

A few questions. Easy one first.

1. What are brake blocks for dual pivot caliper brakes generally called.
Bolt on, threaded...?

2. Does anyone know of somewhere that sells Kool Stop Eagle II salmon brake
pads? (or something just as good) for dual pivot brakes. All I could find
after far too long searching were the dual compound ones.

3. Which makes me add a third question. Why dual compound? Can't be
because the salmon stuff rips up rims, 'cos it's marketed as "rim
friendly". Does it not work as well as the normal stuff in the dry?
Suffer more from overheating? Animal cruelty issues?

4. Are these a gimmick? <URL:http://www.withingtoncycles.co.uk/product.php?
id=2554&node_id=196> All the benefits(?) of dual compound, but with a
weird anti-squealing section taking up 1/3rd of the pad. Presumably this
section isn't good at braking or they'd use it on the whole pad. Does this
reduce its effectiveness for braking, or is that largely unrelated to the
length of the pad? I s'pose I could find out for myself if I win the
lottery (£19 a pair).

Having replaced standard Deore V-brake pads with Kool Stop salmon pads
today, my observations are:

1) The coefficient of friction is MUCH higher - very little lever force
needed.
2) The flipside is that they squeal like pigs unless there is some
toe-in. The pads have a slightly protruding rear "plow" (sic) which
helps with this.

Hopefully, like most brakes, a wet ride will bed them in properly and
stop any residual squealing.

Zog The Undeniable said:

2) The flipside is that they squeal like pigs unless there is some
toe-in. The pads have a slightly protruding rear "plow" (sic) which
helps with this.

I think the rear "plow" is intended to deflect water and improve braking
if the rim is wet.

--
Dave...

Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the
future of the human race. - H. G. Wells