Brake Pads

[Prince]

I have a set of brake pads for my aluminium braking surface wheels and a specific set for my full carbon wheels but swopping brake pads is a hassle. Can you use the the carbon pads on the aluminium wheels as well?

 

 

 

What about the issue of tiny aluminium piece getting into the pads which will then damage the carbon wheels or is that not an issue?

[Bike Mob]

You can but they will wear quickly! They wont be hard enough to uplift alu material from the brake tracks.

 

From my experience the softer pads wont do that.

 

 

 

[Johan Bornman]

No, it is not a non-issue. Those alu shavings make a huge noise and do considerable damage. They are only present in poor quality pads though. This includes pads from top manufacturers such as S and C.

 

What you need are Koolstop Salmon pads. These won't damage either wheel, give you better wet stopping and last much longer.

 

However, you may have an issue with them melting on the carbon wheels at very high speed descents. The only such descent I know of in Gauteng is in Suikerbosrand. If you're not riding there, don't worry, the pads will be fine.

 

What happens when pads melt? The melting is sudden and scary. Your brakes suddenly stop working (as the pads reach melting point) and you feel little gritty things on the inside of your thighs. This is molten rubber, shot off the front brake pads, which then instantly solidify as they depart and then hit your thighs. The combination of smoke, a fast-approaching corner, the feeling of ice-skating towards that corner and, the sensation of fleas invating your thighs usually makes people nervous. I can't understand why.

 

[Prince]

So best option is to swop pads when i swop wheels.

[Mudsimus]

I use the cork pads on carbon and alloy rims. Never had issues.