Ted Bennett wrote:
> Jim Higson <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Michael Press wrote:
>>
>> > Jim Higson <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> >> BTW, I live in a land of 12-25% gradients, so I like my brakes to be
>> >> good and the pads durable!
>> >
>> > Do you ride in wet conditions?
>>
>> Little but at the moment - just got in from a downpour!
>>
>> > `Durable' pads cause
>> > non-durable wheel rims. The orange Kool-Stop pads are
>> > worth having. How do you like the pads you are
>> > replacing. Any untoward rim wear?
>>
>> The standard Campag pads I have seem OK. In the rain though they
>> sometimes take a while to kick in, but I don't have much to compare with,
>> other than the V-brakes on my mountain bike, which isn't really a fair
>> comparison.
>>
>> I've ordered the Kool Stop, by the way. The cost of ordering from the
>> states isn't so great that it isn't worth finding out.
>
> Would you elaborate on why it isn't a fair comparison between the pads
> by Campy and those on your mountain bike?
A few differences came to mind that I imagine *might* make a difference:
* Direct pull cantilevers vs side-pull dual-pivot, so different mechanical
advantage
* Smaller wheels rotate faster at the same speed
* Mountain bike wheels lock up easier (on the road) due to having less grip
* V-brake Pads are larger
* My left hand is very weak after a rock climbing accident!
* Road bike rims are new and "machined", MTB aren't (or have worn off).
* MTB is heavier
I don't know how many of these things really affect braking power, but I
couldn't say with any confidence that a comparison between pads is fair
with so many potential differences.
> Despite having a different mechanism between your hand and the pads,
> either system works the same way from the pads' perspective.
I hadn't looked at it that way. Interesting.
> Assuming,
> of course, that it has been set up properly, any good brake can stop
> hard enough to cause pitchover or skidding. Some do need more hand
> strength.
So, would you say all reasonably designed pads are equally good?
In the rain my current brakes can stop me very hard, easily enough to cause
skidding, but only after a few rotations of the rim have wiped the water
off. I'd imagine that's somewhere the Kool Stop could be better.
--
Jim