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Kool-Stop
Thin Line Threaded
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Submitted by
BIRD
a Racer
from NC
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | ????????? | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | THESE ARE GREAT PADS, I USE THE SALMON ONES, DONT ERODE YOUR EXPENSIVE WHEELS, WET OR DRY. OUTSTANDING VALUE. | | Weaknesses: | I GET SOME SQUEAK IN THE FRONT, BIG DEAL,SCARES HELL OUT OF OBSTRUCTIONIST DEER AND SQUIRRELS. | | Similar Products Used: | ALL KINDS OF SANDBLASTERS | | Bike Setup: | TREK 110 FUEL WITH A FEW TOYS | | Bottom Line: | I CANT IMMAGINE A BETTER PAD, I SAVED YEARS FOR MY DAVE THOMAS CUSTOM WHEELS, WHY WOULD I WANT TO GRIND THE PI$$ OUT OFUM WITH SOME OF THE OTHER GARBAGE OUT THERE. I ONLY POST THIS REVIEW CAUSE I WOULDNT LIKE TO SEE MY FELLOW RIDERS TRASH THERE GEAR UNNECESSARILY. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Tourangeau
a Cross Country Rider
from Gatineau
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Equipment Coop | | Strengths: | Very strong braking power, quiet pads, many pad spacing adjustments possible | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano pads | | Bottom Line: | Due to some strange wobbling from my front brake, I took the pads off the brake, and noticed that the pad and post of both front and rear brakes were wobbly. I looked around for a replacement and these were suggested. Seemed very solid and well designed. I inquired into the amount of wear these pads caused on rims, and was told that the wear was comparable to standard Shimano pads.
Took a little while to break in, but these pads provide tremendous stopping power, so much so that it took a little getting used to, and a few minor adjustments in pad / rim spacing. Now, I wouldn't trade them in, as they are very quiet, modulate very well and stop my ride in a shorter distance than the originals. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Poya Musa
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | east coast | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Purchased At: | Mamashop | | Strengths: | Strong...smooth And KOOL!!! | | Weaknesses: | You gotta be joking!!! IF you ever find one call me!!! | | Bottom Line: | You got to buy it!!! Saved my life a couple of times!!! the best part is mine works better on a rainy day!!! Think about that!!! No brake pad comes close to it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrik Skolling Möller
a Cross Country Rider
from Stockholm,Sweden
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | www.cyclecomponents.com | | Strengths: | Smooth,silent and has a huge breakpower at all speeds!i actually maneged to lock my front wheel today at 35 km/h on a trail. Just for test. These pads are just awesome! | | Weaknesses: | There are always more power when you need it. | | Similar Products Used: | Different Shimanos and Ritchey REDs... These are the best I´ve ever had ! | | Bike Setup: | Scott Expert Racing 2003.Lx/deore,Pazzaz stem and barends.
Marzocchi MX COMP ETA. Shimano PD-M420. | | Bottom Line: | Most bang for the buck ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Eckardt
a Racer
from Markle, IN
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anyplace on Dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | -Brand Name
-Similar to Avid threaded pads
-Inside grooves for crud removal while braking | | Weaknesses: | -Thin | | Similar Products Used: | Avid threaded brake pads - Kool Stop cantilever brake pads | | Bike Setup: | Giant alum ht - Manitou - SRAM 9.0 - Race Face - Sun Ringle - Avid SD3 brakes | | Bottom Line: | Overall I would say a good set of pads that have so far (for ~ 1 month) performed very well. I have always had good experiences with Kool Stop pads, so I expect the same from these. When I switched to these from the worn out Avid pads, I found these pads to be so thin I had to add extra shims to get the correct spacing between the brake "arms". The thin pads are also a blessing when it comes time to remove tires that are still aired up. Other than adding shims, I have no complaints. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, Indiana
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Nebo Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | They look pretty cool. | | Weaknesses: | They did not stop the bike after quite a bit of set up time spent on them. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid SD3 Brakes and pads | | Bike Setup: | 2001 GF Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | I am not sure what everyone did to get these pads to work correctly. I spent a lot of time messing with the set up and they just never stopped. I cleaned my rims with steel wool but no dice.
I gave them one ride thinking they would break in and finally start to work. Several times I thought that I was going to snap the brake levers off trying to stop. I rode the entire time using my front stock breaks. Oh yea, it was dry out as well. I would hate to have been going down hill with these things wet. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dane Benjaminson
a Racer
from Bloomington,MN
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | single track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Erik's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Well I have not had these brake pads for a long time by any standard. But I can say, I have used these things for long a nuff time in dry condtions (only) to know you will stop and... stop when you want to. | | Weaknesses: | I have had a tough time getting the pads not to rub and the guys at the shop said. "These things are too long." I dont really mind the length, but it is a little annoying to know you could be going a little faster than you are going. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano XTR ceramic cartridge brake pads. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F1000SL (xc race setup) | | Bottom Line: | I love that I have found a brake pad that performs great and is not much $money$
I am not giving it 5 out of 5 because I feel I have not used the pads for a long enough time to give it the full 5 but dont worry they work really good for the time I have used them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug bailey
a
from riverside
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | just as long as im riding | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | stops the bike, has a nice feel, much improvment over shimano. | | Weaknesses: | what? | | Similar Products Used: | shimano, avid cartridge type pads. | | Bike Setup: | fisher hookooekoo made into single speed, gt lts 2000 all decked out for freeriding. | | Bottom Line: | I just happened to stumble across them because my shimano pads sucked so bad that i figured anything would have to be better. after applying them to my single speed and doing a couple rides i came to the conclusion that these have to be the best pads ever. they have soft grippy feel, but also feel firm when you really apply the death grip. after the luck ive had with them on single speed i put them on to my freeride bike, replacing the high end xtr cartridge pads that would heat up and fade on long decents. bottom line is get these pads. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$13.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | -Very good power
-Plows away mud and water
-Soft compound is nice on rims
-Good in wet weather | | Weaknesses: | -None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Eagle 2, Stock Shimano pads | | Bottom Line: | These are great!!!
The power is way up there. These perform so much better than the Shimano pads. Whenever I got into the wet, the Shimano's would sorta "dissolve" and wear out REALLY fast. Also, the Shimano's would lose almost all braking power in wet or muddy conditions. But not the Thinlines. They have good grip on rims in all conditions. Plus, they clean the brake surface, too. Worth the extra few bucks. Get some of these, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
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Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Pa
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Local ATV trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | After being broken in, they have great stopping power, even when caked with mud. They are also very quiet compared to my old pads. | | Weaknesses: | None thus far, will have to see how they hold up over time | | Similar Products Used: | ProMax | | Bike Setup: | Trek 820, shimano V-brakes w/ kool-stop pads, INSYNC exceed 288 front shock(nothing spectacular),shimano M858 pedals,Panaracer fire xc-pro tires... WHY DOES ALL THIS REALLY MATTER??? | | Bottom Line: | These work much better than my old brake pads. They have awsome stopping power, only second to disc brakes. I may have paid a couple dollars more at the bike shop, but hey...i figure support the local places before they all close. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Fraser
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$13.00 | | Purchased At: | Sporting Life | | Strengths: | These brakepads definitely are better than shimano, they don't collect grit, they will not scratch your rims and have a smoother softer feel. | | Weaknesses: | They don't have the stopping power that a harder brake pad would. Brake wear happens really fast and the little plough dissolves in one week. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Giant Boulder, campanello road crank, lx everything except deore levers. | | Bottom Line: | I have been using last years thin blue line brakes. This years have a dual composition. Since 60% of one's stopping power is in the front brakes, I rely on a hard brake in the front. (I do alot of city riding) However, when offroading weather conditions apply using the front brake is a useless proposition. These brakes clean the rim in one wheel rotation. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
weather expert
a Weekend Warrior
from iowa
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | very good stopping power
never scratches rims
mud-ploughing!!! actually cleans up your rims
price (for which i got them)
very clear instructions on package
silent (w/ proper setup) | | Weaknesses: | what's this box for? | | Similar Products Used: | lx...POS | | Bike Setup: | xcaliber, lx brakes | | Bottom Line: | excellent pads. the angled tip works great--they actually helps you cleaning up mud-covered rims. they don't scratch rims whatsoever. awesome stopping power, wet or dry.
bottom line--all bikers should remember to get a pair when they order shimano brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Woodsman
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fireroads | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Silent
No wear so far...
Secure (if not easy) setup
Do not score rim breaking surfaces
Stop you in short distance
Fair price ($10.00/ pr.), although could be a little cheaper
Come with all hardware and installation diagrams on package
Made in USA
Look good
Not Shimano
Soft and grippy | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Big "S" stock '98 LX pads (crap) | | Bike Setup: | Cdale f1000 | | Bottom Line: | "Ricksom" (a few reviews down) from the esteemed city of Toronto has read my mind on this issue. What seems like noise from these pads (on the front brake, at least) is a result of slop in the cheap bronze bearing in the '98 LX calipers, NOT the Koolstop pads. These things are just excellent. Before I had read Ricksom's review I had already decided to lose the LX calipers and go with the new SRAM top-of-the-line calipers when they become available. Should be winners. And SRAMs come stock with Koolstops, like he said. Go, Ricksom!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Weirdo
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with lots of MUD | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stop well, easy set-up, light(for all you weight freaks), less black crap on rims | | Weaknesses: | The noise (but I don't care, they still work) | | Similar Products Used: | Sh*tmano | | Bike Setup: | GT HT, LX/XT, Scott Hot Rod 145gram handlebar, Syncros Ti Q/Rs, Titec, Club Roost | | Bottom Line: | These pads are the best I've ever tried. The adjusters stay tight, they stop incredibly fast, and they look cool. They feel mushy and crappy at first, but after a few rides, they feel stiff and confident. They don't wear much, I have taken them through numerous rides where I was hub-deep in mud, and they still show no signs of wear, even though I couldn't even see them after the ride. I don't care about the noise that they make when wet, unlike others. And, yes, they still stop well in mud, just reach your other finger out to the lever, and give it a nice, firm squeeze. Who cares if it sounds like you're taking a butcher knife to a chalk board? I challenge you to find a brake pad that performs better in mud. 5 flamin' craps, which I would like to throw in the faces of all those too lazy to simply put a little effort into braking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Douggie
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bruce Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Quick stopping. Wear is good but I haven't ridden them that long. | | Weaknesses: | Wear is slightly uneven. Don't work as well in lots of mud and rain as others. | | Similar Products Used: | Many. | | Bike Setup: | GT Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | These are very good pads if you aren't into lots of mud and rain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricksom
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Work Well
Cheap
Last Long Time
Improve Modulation | | Weaknesses: | Not so good when wet, but then most brake pads don't perform well in wet. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Vertex, XT, Marz Atom Bomb, Grip Shift, Mavic | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my 10/26/98 review below.
Well, it's hard to believe I have had these brake pads almost 2 years. I still have my original LX V brakes too, although the rest of my bike has been upgraded. My original Shimano pads wore out after 2-3 months. These pads are still good for another season. They are truly set up and forget! I ride my bike 3 times a week, race, and do 2 hour hammer rides every weekend on mainly gnarly forest single track (so I use my brakes a lot!). It is just too hard to believe. Granted, it has been mainly dry in southern Ontario these days, so I don't ride frequently in soaking wet and mud.
These pads seem soft and grippy, yet hardly wear out, and leave your rim alone. The Shimano pads seemed to scour my rims with all sort of embedded crud.
Those of you who don't like the front brake performance of Kool Stop pads; it's your crappy LX V brakes, not the pad with the problem. LX V brakes have so much play and slop (the 98's anyway) and don't have linear motion. My LX V brakes will disappear next year and be replaced with the new high end SRAM brakes (yeh baby!).
SRAM does their homework before they make anything now, and they use Kool Stop pads. Enough said... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Narrowneck Blue Mountains | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Easy setup and excellent stoping power. Don't chew up rims no matter how wet or muddy it gets. | | Weaknesses: | Wear quickly in muddy conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | Dia compe stockpads. Aztecs | | Bike Setup: | specialised FSR LX running gear Dia compe brakes. Mavic 222 rims. Balance hardtail Mavic 138 rims, rest as duelly. | | Bottom Line: | The best brake pad I have ever used. These pads are so easy to set up and work extremly well strait out of the pack. Been using these pads on both my bikes and the rims (when clean) look just like new. The only thing I could fault is how quickly they wear in wet muddy weather, however the work so well in the wet all is forgiven. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Jolly
a Cross Country Rider
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | "The luge" Mount Wellington | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Work great in most conditions. No build up of crap when they heat up. Relatively easy to set up. | | Weaknesses: | What, no beige? A little slow to work in wet conditions | | Similar Products Used: | Crappy shimano LX's | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 870. LX groupo, Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | For great all round performance, get these pads to replace whatever existing crap (e.g. shimanos) you currently rely on to pull you up on suicide descents. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very nice in the dry | | Weaknesses: | extreamly useless in the wet, and have a mushy lever feel | | Similar Products Used: | only simanos | | Bike Setup: | ATX 800 | | Bottom Line: | I dwell in wet and muddy conditions, and rely on my brakes to stop me in a hurry. There is only one speed for me and that is full. But not any more, These brakes have nearly cost me my life and I've had to change my riding style. Once wet I cant even lock my back wheel, and the front is worse. I have red and yellow ones and there seems to be no difference in the performance. With my origional shimanos fitted to my 99 LX parrallel push v brakes I had none of these problems. Please If you ever plan to ride hard down hills in possibly wet conditions then PLEASE DONT BUY THESE PADS for your safety. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ScottW
a
from SF Bay Area
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Cost, cool color. | | Weaknesses: | Noise | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano crap, Ritcheys | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager rigid single speed with LX V's | | Bottom Line: | The reviews I've read on these seem to fall into two camps: these are wonderful, and these are maybe okay. I must agree with a few others who seem to have specific problems with front wheel screaming when using LX V's. On my rear wheel, these were dialed from day one, and have performed exceptionally well. The front wheel, however, has been a nightmare. Now, none of those "well, you must not be adjusting the pads correctly" sanctimonious statements. I build bikes from the bearings up, and I know how to adjust brakes. I've tried every combination of moving these around, cleaning the rims repeatedly and with different methods, even switched out the front wheel TWICE, and still the same result - the front brake sounds like I'm torturing cats when I touch it. I don't feel I should have to change the type of brake I'm using to get proper performance. So, I recommend these, but recognize that you may have some perplexing problems that, to me, seem irreconcilable with a reputation as a top-notch pad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Silliman
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiger Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | great stopping power
lasted a long time
don't bark much | | Weaknesses: | does leave black residue on rims, especially in wet riding | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX pads | | Bike Setup: | XT levers, LX V-calipers | | Bottom Line: | I replaced my old LX pads with these a year ago and was amazed how much better they are than the LX. The LX used to get all kinds of junk like rock dust embedded in them and I'd have to pick it out to keep it from wearing at the rim. None of those problems with thinlines.
Thinlines stop well. Even in really wet weather I can stop with two fingers on the lever. They do leave a black residue on the rim after a wet ride that I have to clean off. Otherwise the brakes will bark like a hyper dog.
I guess all I need to say is that the pads lasted almost a year, the winter mud here in Seattle took its too on their last few months, and I've replaced them with an identical pair. By the way, I use the black ones, not red like the ones pictured above. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wan
a Racer
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: November 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tempines | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Great stopping power!
Kool | | Weaknesses: |
ATE UP MY UB CONTROL RIMS | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano LX pads | | Bike Setup: |
I used a Trek BMX bike !
Mavic Xx rims.
Kool-Stop brake pads (blue) | | Bottom Line: | It has a REALLY great stoppin' time but the bad thing about it is that it makes black stains on my rims even after i've clean it and it ate up my UB CONTROL Rims (can anyone out ther help me?) I'm sufferin' ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Le Lin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sainte-Foy, Quebec
Date Reviewed: November 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Sainte-Anne or Bromont | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Thin... | | Weaknesses: |
A bit too Thin... | | Similar Products Used: |
Ritcheys and no-name products | | Bike Setup: |
Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | From May to the end of September I used the same two pairs of pads. I worn them down to the metal. I was impressed with these pads so I bought another two sets which I`ve been riding with for about a month and 1/2. Now I am not so impressed. It looks like they wear off a lot faster in the cold weather we`re getting here in Quebec at this time of the year. I don`t ride as often as I used to ride in the summer and yet they`re already worn down to the metal!! I don`t know if the cold has any adverse effect on pads in general. Anyway, I am getting rid of the slim ones and go back to much thicker pads. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SUMANCHU
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: October 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Better than any Shimano pad | | Weaknesses: |
None yet | | Similar Products Used: |
Stock Shimano pads | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized Hardrock AX
LX everything
Azonic stem, riser bar
Jett XC | | Bottom Line: | Shimano LX v brakes are the best brakes V for the money hands down.
The stock pads sucked. They made all types of noise, scraped the s--t
out of my rims and left tons of black residue. I finally switched to Kool
Stops and will never go back. They really increases my breaking power.
I didn't think they would work as well as everyone says but they do.
Made a little noise up front but went away after a week.
My LX V's and Kool Stop pads are a very powerful combination that allow me to
stop on a dime. I will never use Shimano rim eaters again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Eastwood
a Weekend Warrior
from Prince Rupert BC
Date Reviewed: October 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Works great. | | Weaknesses: |
None so far | | Bike Setup: |
Who cares??? | | Bottom Line: | These brake pads have done a great job so far, much better then the norco ones i had on. The front one does make a bit of noise, i just have to toe it in place, Plus no black rim lines anymore. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross-Country Rider
from Albuquerque
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Finger Lakes Trail - Mt Morris, NY | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Much Better than my old LX pads | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
LX pads | | Bike Setup: |
GT Avalance w/Z-2
Crosslinks w/ Kore Skewers
Ti-Race Saddle
Thudbuster Seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I replaced the rear pads long ago due to excessive noise, the front shortly thereafter began to do the same thing. So now I have them front and rear on LX V's. I will not upgrade the brakes on my bike until disks are flawless and somone puts them on a diet, or until Kool-Stop quits making these replacement pads. My old LX's (w/o parallel push) are light and well designed, and with the Kool-Stop pads can actually be considered amazing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Whiteley
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
See earlier review | | Weaknesses: |
see earlier review | | Bottom Line: | Got a definitive answer from Kool-Stop on what the different colurs are for - I quote 'Just for show' - so let your eyes decide!! Having looked at their other products, certainly some ranges have different functions by colour, but not these. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Heffalump
a Weekend Warrior
from Rutland, VT
Date Reviewed: September 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Snake Mountain | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
way WAY better than Shimano pads! No dog infuriating howling, excellent power | | Weaknesses: |
A bit thin, but -hey wow- they ARE thinline pads!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Ritchey, LX pads (old brake setup, no real comparison) and XT cartridge setup, I even tried some XTR | | Bike Setup: |
Iron Horse, Manitou fork, XT drivetrain, handlebars, a seat, and alotta insanity | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line....hm.....well, I don't toe in my pads, since that really does nothing for V-type brakes but wear down the front of your pads...I use the black compound for all around braking, since Vermont can change its weather in five minutes or less.....in case you didn't know, as I can see from some of the reviews, the colors are to indicate different softness or hardness of the pads, not just for show.....if you buy green pads cause they match your bike, they wont work well on your aluminum rims cause theyre made for ceramic, and the red will wear alot faster, cause theyre softer for wet conditions. Go with the black ones, and screw fashion sense! I've got a metallic brown frame with blue lettering, an orange fork, blue glitter seat, red pedals, black risers, eggplant stem, and flaming yellow grips...just go for the rainbow look, and use what works! And, these darn things work! Now....anyone want to buy a couple of sets of XT cartridge pads? Cheap? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Whiteley
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Effective braking in all conditions, easy to fit, don't mark your rims. What more could you want? Cool colours - got it! | | Weaknesses: |
Package doesn't tell you which way round they go - they are not symmetrical like Shimano ones. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano LX Pads | | Bike Setup: |
Raleigh RSP 250 with LX brakes, Mavic X138 rims. | | Bottom Line: | I bought these after reading reviews here. They are just as good as everyone said they were. I had to clean up my rims after the mess the Shimanos made and it took a couple of weeks for the Kool Stops to bed in and stop squeaking on the front brakes - I think that was Shimano's fault. Faultless. And mine are RED!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SK
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Excellent braking power
Very progressive braking | | Weaknesses: |
A bit too thin | | Similar Products Used: |
DiaCompe S pad
LX pad | | Bike Setup: |
Avanti Hammer
Jett XC
Full LX | | Bottom Line: | Very powerful brakes, very progressive and no like others where initial braking is strong. Out of all the pads I have used, this one loses the least power in the wet (well loses a reasonable amount). The only thing i am not sure about this pad is the thickness and whether it lasts of not. Anyway, if money is no matter to you, go a head and buy them. I give it 5 chillies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Adrenaline@Bromont | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
-Cool looks
-cool colors
-brakes well
easy toe-in | | Weaknesses: |
-small brake surface
-a bit too thin | | Similar Products Used: |
-Aztec
-shimano M65T
-Dia Compe S-pads | | Bike Setup: |
-Giant Atx-980
on '99 LX Vs | | Bottom Line: | These are very good pads, I did not experience any brake squeaks, stops really well, under the rain it's ok but wears a lot faster. Shimano hard compound pads are very performant but in 1 year it ate all my UB control on the rims so I went for softer compound. I fell on the aztecs which squeaks like ccrazy, even with perfect toe-in. Dia Compe S-pads were satisfying but its make's a low pitch sqeak, that doesn't really matter. Stragely enough, in Canada Aztec pads are cheaper than cool-stops... They're just good pads. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Diego
a Weekend Warrior
from Cali, Colombia
Date Reviewed: June 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
antennas | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Cheap, excelent braking in all weather, long lasting, cool colors. | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano STX RC, Tektro. | | Bike Setup: |
´96 Raleigh M200, Judy T2. | | Bottom Line: | The best you can get for the price, ideal for extreme freeriders. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Snake
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Poldarse Valley | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
On a pair of Lx v cantis these pads worked just as good as my Racelines and this made me have to say something about them. | | Weaknesses: |
Just like there rival v's lose lots of power in the wet. | | Bottom Line: | For a couple of quid your powerful v's can be made into a deadly set of disc wannabes and believe me there not far off. So five chillis is a understatement! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deadly Tedly
a Cross-Country Rider
from Atlanta, Georgia
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Pisgah N.F. in NC | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
price, stopping power, looks, shape | | Weaknesses: |
durability in wet conditions | | Similar Products Used: |
LX, XT canti and v-brake pads, Ritchey | | Bike Setup: |
Bontrager Race with XT/217 on front, XT/Mustang on the rear | | Bottom Line: | These things work and they're reasonably priced. The little point on the end is nice for clearing mud away although it wears off pretty quickly with a few rides and you have to toe them in like any other pad. They're red, which matches my frame so I gotta say they win in looks too. My only problem with them is that they wear down quickly in the wet, but then so do any brake pads. They last longer than LX or Ritcheys and keep their stopping power to the bitter end, when the Shimano pads seemed to glaze over and lose friction. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitch
a Weekend Warrior
from Bedford, IN
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Competitive price | | Weaknesses: |
Squeal | | Similar Products Used: |
LX, Aztec and XT pads | | Bike Setup: |
Airborne Ti, Judy XL, XT and XTR, Rolf Propel ceramic wheels | | Bottom Line: | Could not get these to stop squealing on the front wheel. The back was fine. I'm using the green compound for ceramic wheels. I went back to the XT pads on the front and left these on the back. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross-Country Rider
from Rock City
Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
The last much longer than the stock lx pads which they replaced. | | Weaknesses: |
They use a very hard compound, I would've rather preferred something a bit softer. | | Similar Products Used: |
lx v-brake pads (They stink!!) | | Bike Setup: |
Used with: lx v-brakes, Mavic 221 rims. | | Bottom Line: | Generally I've been pleased with these pads so far. They are a HUGE improvement over the stock lx pads. Like others have said I have noticed that there is very little modulation with these pads, but they can stop you on a dime at any time. The 'plow' on the leading edge of the pad really helps to clean all that nasty mud off your rims while you're braking as well. Gotta give 'em 4 chilis. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j
a cross-country rider
from Tha big O
Date Reviewed: February 26, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought these because I thought a harder compound would really stop me fast. Oops, guess you really should have ceramic rims with these. Even with the pad practically on the rim, toed in, and verrrry little cable pull, I almost died trying to stop. Make sure you have ceramic before attempting to break these brakes in during the rainy season! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a weekend warrior
from Clarkston
Date Reviewed: February 22, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I finally replaced my stock LX pads with a set of the Kool-Stop Thin Lines. This is the only other set of pads I've tried and they are great. Much better stoppin power and I've noticed that the angled part infront pad actually does it's job. Didn't get as much sand etc. between pads and brakes., even when the terrain was damp and there were spots of that thick mud that likes to load your tires, | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spinner
a cross-country rider
from arizona
Date Reviewed: February 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Really interesting reviews. Some say they are great some say no way. Hard to believe that it's all the same product. I wonder if there are quality control problems at Kool stop? I put some of these on my mavic x138's and while they do offer very powerful braking and appear to wear very well They are kinda a like a switch in that they are either on or off with very little modulation in between. No matter how I adjust the pads on the rims I always get some squealing especially after they heat up under hard braking. No fun, Blacchh. At least they will stop you in a hurry and don't grind up your rim like other pads. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a cross-country rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: December 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been using and recommending these pads since they were introduced a few years ago for V-brakes. They are quite simply the best you can get for replacement pads. All I can say to those who have had problems is that there may be something else going on with your brake setup. When set up properly, you simply can't beat these puppies. For overall performance and value- 5 chi-chi's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
machfive
a weekend warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i bought these pads 6 months ago and i think they are kick-az. they dont squeel! my pads that came stock sucked the big D. i ride all sorts of trails and these thinlines slow me down quick. i have total contol over my braking. theyre great. i want to get some yellow ones to match my black and yellow 97 C'dale super V1000. piddy da fool! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ERIC HAGAN
a racer
from Sarasota FL
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These puppies are the best threaded pads on the market, period. If anyone has a problem with them then they are not setting them up right. Thats my opinion,but I'm not a brake happy freak that wears pads out once a week. The size of thinlines make them adaptable to any rim surface. I've used these pads in Seattle area where it is wet, Moab where it is dry,Colorado where it is moutainous and Florida where it is flat. All I can say is No Complaint. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nutek
a weekend warrior
from singapore
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i have the koolstops thinlines on the rear on my tektro Vs and they stop great! easy to adjust and luckily comes with a whole net set of nuts and spacers (mine were disfigured from the pevious set of meddling). one of the cheaper pads around too. At first it may look thin and scrawny, but Force=Pressure/Area. If area=small, force is larger (provided applied pressure is the same)! therefore, they really brake good, esp in the dry. In the wet, they require additional feathering on the brakes first before they can grip properly. available in many cool colours too, although mine is black cos the black compound supposedly creates the least dirt. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl
a cross-country rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
An OK to good pad... Better than some of the more expensive pads out there... No squeal.. Modulates OK... They will stop the bike - but seems to have a tendancy to lock more than some other pads... Wear is better than average... Ok in the wet..The Extra bonus -> Price... They're cheap... Can't really go wrong with em' but they are not a high performance pad... 3 and 3/4 stars.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricksom
a weekend warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought these as a replacement for my Shimano LX V pads.
So far so good.They don't squeal.
They seem to add more modulation to your brake system.
They don't have the same grinding noise you get with the Shimano's when go through mud or wet soil.
And I think they may be softer than my ex Shimano pads, making them stop better.
(My shimano pads seemed to be grinding my rims down, and had a hard time stopping when wet)I would say they are an improvement over my old LX V pads. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought these pads in an attempt to get some pads that didn't ware out after just 5 rides. The guy at my LBS told me they had harder compounds than most pads. However they do not grip the rims all that well and yet there is so little rubber on them that they ware down nearly as quickly as the other brands I've tried (which at least had awsome stopping power) | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
UNgasha
a racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have these pads, and they're merely OK. They do stop the bike, but not well. They have a really hard compund that doesn't wear out easily, and I guess that's why they don't stop well. I'd like to see a softer compound used. I'll try them again if that happens. | | Overall Rating: |
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