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WTB Gripmaster Pads

MSRP $ 54.00
# of Reviews 32
Average Rating 4.13/5
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Description: WTB Gripmaster Pads



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    Submitted by someguy1 a from Mission Viejo, CA
    Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $25.00
    Strengths:abrasive and soft compounds
    immediate increase in stopping power
    works better in wet conditions that my avid oems
    cartridge--allow for easy pad exchange when they wear out

    Weaknesses:cost
    you forget how well they stop until you use someone else's v's
    wear out rim faster?
    Similar Products Used:98 shimano lx
    Bike Setup:'00 avid arch rival 40's
    Bottom Line:This review is for the WTB DUAL COMPOUND brake pads. I have been using them exclusively for about 6 months and have not looked back once. They surprised me initially with their immediate improvement in stopping power. I forgot how well they worked until I rode another friend's bike. The abrasive compound on half of the pad does the job. One thing that I'm worried about with these pads is the possibility that they abrasive half will wear out my rims quicker. Regardless, the abrasive side really serves to stop better. Try em for yourself if you can afford them.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by BS a Cross Country Rider from Silver Spring, MD
    Date Reviewed: February 27, 2000
    Favorite Trail:Shaffer Farm
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:Stop well wet or dry
    Weaknesses:Squeal when wet even after toe-in.
    Similar Products Used:Shimano pads
    Bike Setup:VooDoo Zobop c 99 XT Vbrakes
    Bottom Line:Still looking for pads that won't squeal when wet.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by e-one a Racer from Singapore
    Date Reviewed: November 24, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Tampines
    Duration Product Used:
    less than 1 month
    Strengths:
    GREAT Stopping Power in dry and even wet !
    Cool loking !
    Weaknesses:
    Makes black stains on my rims both in the wet and dry !
    Ate up my UB Control thing on my rims !
    Similar Products Used:
    Blue Kool - stop
    LX Pads
    Bike Setup:
    1998 Trek BMX bike
    Mavic Xx rims
    LX Brake caliper
    Shimano Deore XT V-Brake Cartridge Brake Shoe with WTB.
    Bottom Line:First I have LX Pads and they sucks. Then, I change them to Blue Kool-stops.
    The kool-stops ate up my UB Control thing on my rims and make blake stains.
    Then, I changed them to WTB brake pads. These pads are powerful but the tend to ate up my UB Control thing on my rims and make unnecessary black stains.
    -1 for eating up my UB Control and -1 for making black stains.
    Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Morten Trige a Cross-Country Rider from Arhus
    Date Reviewed: September 28, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Danish championship trail 99
    Duration Product Used:
    6 months
    Strengths:
    Durability. Stop ok when dry.
    Weaknesses:
    Don't stop at all when they are wet.
    They cost twice the price of kool stop and don't work as well
    Similar Products Used:
    Kool stop
    Shimano XT LX
    Bike Setup:
    GT Zaskar
    Bottom Line:They are good in dry conditions but when they get wet the stopping power i 1/3 of kool stops. I have the combined WTB brake pads.
    Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by Matt a Cross-Country Rider from Atlanta, GA
    Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999
    Duration Product Used:
    1 Year
    Strengths:
    - Long lasting
    - No break squeal
    - Good stopping power
    Weaknesses:
    - Pricey
    Similar Products Used:
    - Koolstops
    - Shimano XTR
    Bike Setup:
    - Kona Ku Custom
    - XTR breaks
    - Salsa break booster
    - Sun 0D Lite rims
    Bottom Line:These pads are great. I recently changed rims, so I thought I would change break pads as well. I could not find the WTB pads (dual compound) locally, so I went with the Koolstops. This is when I realized the WTB are much better. The Koolstops are OK, but the WTB dual compound performance much better.The WTB pads last, provide very good breaking, and no squeal (even in wet/muddly conditions).My only complaint is they are pricey, but, you get what you pay for. Spend the extra $.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by voodoo-1 a Cross-Country Rider from DC
    Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    No favorite
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Strengths:
    These seem to be the best pads out there, or of the ones I've used. Stop fast, don't appear to be wearing very fast, and no squeal!
    Weaknesses:
    bit more expensive, but not that bad.
    Similar Products Used:
    Shimano XTR, Kool Stop something or another, and Avid Rim Wranglers.
    Bike Setup:
    Not necessary for this review.
    Bottom Line:Great pads. Not much more can be said. Stop when wet, stop when dry, stop when dusty/sandy.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Mark Fernee a Weekend Warrior from Columbus OH
    Date Reviewed: May 24, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Channel 9 DH Brisbane Australia
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Bottom Line:I wore out the shimano XTR pads in a single wet ride. Obviously I wasn't too amused. I went in search of WTB Razor Blades Dual compound. These things work great. They stop as good as the S pads in the dry and after many wet rides, they show very little wear. I've bombed down a ski slope and the brakes only just started to fade, but not too much to be a concern. Basically these pads have been ridden hard and they still have a lot more to go. Brilliant, they have save me the expense of fitting disks.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by jeff a Cross-Country Rider from Knoxville, TN
    Date Reviewed: April 1, 1999
    Duration Product Used:
    less than 1 month
    Strengths:
    modulation, grip, power, and feel
    Weaknesses:
    none
    Similar Products Used:
    xt, ritchie
    Bike Setup:
    gt alum, xt group, judy
    Bottom Line:Only pads worth dealing with. No squeal, great feel. Dual-compound is worth the price. Try these before any other braking mods.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Randy a Weekend Warrior from GF, North Dakota
    Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999
    Duration Product Used:
    1 Year
    Strengths:
    Pad life!!!!
    Weaknesses:
    ???None, really
    Similar Products Used:
    Stock XT/XTR pads
    Bike Setup:
    XC hardtail, Judy & rigid forks
    Bottom Line:WTB Dual Compound V pads
    I installed these pads in December 1998, and have used them through two winters and one season now on ceramic rims. They are still far from replacement, and going strong. I ride in mud, rain, snow, dust, and heat, and these are the best pad/rim/brake combo I've ever used (XTR Vs, WTB dual compound pads, and Mavic 517 ceramics). For compariseon, the stock XTR pads I use on my single speed with Ritchey rims & XT Vs have all but disappeared within a dozen 2 mile commutes to work this spring. UGGH!Other highlights are:
    recyclable packaging
    fairly decent price
    ease of sanding (due to flat profile)Lowlights:
    lots of brake dust all over rims, brakes, & frame
    tendency to squeal if not aligned perfectly
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by eddie kryk a cross-country rider from euless (dall/ft.worth)
    Date Reviewed: January 22, 1999
    Bottom Line:

    i am running the standard pad with xtr brakes that stop the 99 sun 0 degree rim.
    this is a very good mix for strong stopping power. this pad blows shimano's pad
    to hell and back.when these wear down, more of the same will be used. eddie.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by JustinTime a racer from Orlando, FL
    Date Reviewed: December 24, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    After reading favorable reviews, I retired my Koolstops prematurely. After riding several weeks in variable weather and terrain, I simply prefer the Kool's. As for rim wear, I can not say... but dry weather performance is below that of the Kool's, but better than Shimano. In the wet, they work better than others I have tried.
    Decent pads by a good company.
    Justin
    Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Precious Roy a cross-country rider from Santa Cruz
    Date Reviewed: December 10, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    If you have ceramic rims the abrasive compound is the way to go. I couldnt find some at first, so I went with the duals. Those worked okay but wore down pretty quickly. Cant say the abrasives will last much longer, but so far the braking efficiency is noticeably better.
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Jean Paul King a weekend warrior from France
    Date Reviewed: December 5, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I can make these pads play a tune when I break. They're awful. the power is good but the noise is almost ultrasonic. Everyone looks at me when I brake. Rubbish. Ka-put.
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Ben L. a weekend warrior from Maryland
    Date Reviewed: October 29, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    These pads are great, the XTR pads that came with my Vs wre out fast and made scratching noises. These pads are virtually silent and stop really well in dry conditions. They have also lasted me a long time which is fairly uncommon among V brake pads. They are awesome, WTB is also a great company that backs their products. If you dont have these pads you need to get them its worth it!!!!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Bill Weller a cross-country rider from San Jose, CA
    Date Reviewed: October 15, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I was going through a couple pair of the Shimano v brake pads a season. Someone turned me onto these WTB's with the dual compound. Oh my! Right out of the box these things work and feel great. No or little noise. No more squealing! I used to feel the shimano pads lose ability to brake on long decents, the WTB's keep gripping!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Brett a cross-country rider from Sheboygan, WI
    Date Reviewed: September 2, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I spec'd these pads out along with standard Mavic 217 rims and XT brakes when I had my shop build up a bike for me in April '97.. I had never used V-brakes before, so I don't have a comparison to other V-brake pads.. but all I can say is they have never failed me and have never squealed.. the pads are still going strong after about a thousand miles.. my friends all use XT pads and most of them squeal like hell.. I always thought I was a better rider/mechanic, but maybe it's just the WTBs.. damn.. we'll never know tho, cuz I have no intention of using Shimano pads
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by John Thomas a cross-country rider from Arlington, VA
    Date Reviewed: August 23, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I bought these pads (dual compound) about a week ago after wearing through a few sets of shimano's on my XT rear brake. Feel and braking performance? A more mushy feeling than the shimanos, but no glazing and they keep the rims cleaner. Actually, I loved these pads in the week that they worked, until BOTH BROKE. At the top of a steep downhill I noticed that my rear brake was suddenly disconnected or something. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the place where the pads have a groove to fit the pin that holds the pads in place was torn, so the pads were coming out backwards. The left pad managed to come out a few mm while the right pad was almost all the way out. I'm glad that I noticed this before I went down the descent, or I could have been screwed. Both pads were installed correctly.I'm sad that WTB makes such a wonderful brake pad with very bad durability. I'm upset that I have to go back to the yucky Shimano pads. 5 stars for performance, but -5 stars for durability. You can't justify pads that break by the way they brake (haha) in a week.2 chilis - the only thing that keeps me from 1 chili is the fact that I do lots of trials (not serious trials though) on my bike. This constant rear and back motion that these pads have to grip the rim on could lead to problems - but it hasn't happened with stock pads.
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by ROB a weekend warrior from SB
    Date Reviewed: August 17, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    DUAL COMPOUND, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, TRUST ME RAIN , SNOW
    SOFT DIRT,SAND ,MUD ,GRAVEL, ROCKS, STREAM CROSSINGS, DESSERT, GIVE THEM ALL THE ABUSE AND CRAPPY CONDITIONS YOU CAN FIND. IN CALI IT RAINED PLENTY THIS YEAR ESPECIALLY FOR A COMMUTER TRYING TO USE XTR PADS, THAT LASTED TWO DAYS BEFORE I HIT METAL. GOOD THING SHIMANO ISN'T THE ONLY PAD OPTION.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by dom a racer from NY
    Date Reviewed: August 11, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I have been running WTB Dual compound pads since December 97 and am still on one set in Aug 98! Great in the mud, no squeal, just pure power. For the past 3 months I have even been using them on ceramic rims. Nothing grabs better! Well worth the money...they last forever.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Kurt B a cross-country rider from Vancouver BC
    Date Reviewed: July 3, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    Great pads! Screech-free (unlike Shimano), great in wet/mud, good durability. A bit more expensive, but well worth it (like other WTB products). Note: I use the dual-compound for the 'variable' conditions here in the Northwest, which varies from dry to muddy. Hills tend to be steep, and good stopping power is essential. The WTB's do the trick.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Stephen Maeder a cross-country rider from UCLA
    Date Reviewed: April 29, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    WTB dual compounds are awesome... I run xtr v-brakes, and wasted the original shimanos in 2 weeks. The shimano pads wear way too fast, and fade too much (the pads actually had kinks in it, I suppose from rocks?). These dual compounds have more feel to them (they're thicker), and if you keep your rims clean, they brake awesome... Get some, they're worth it!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Dewey a weekend warrior from somewhere in drying-out-Orygun
    Date Reviewed: April 28, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I have now ridden with these pads in wet, dry, and extreme mud conditions and I can honestly say that they are great pads. I have not heard so much as a peap out of them and they stop great every time. I got these on sale (see review below) and they were well worth the $20. If you can get these that cheap, do it. You won't regret it! Five flamin' rats for the WTB dual compounds.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jeffery a weekend warrior from Wet-n-Wild Oregon
    Date Reviewed: April 18, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I got a pair of these on sale for $20 and I was really hoping they'd be worth it. I haven't been disappointed. I mounted them on the front because they were well recommended by my LBS. I have only ridden twice but they have yet to squeal. They have always stopped great and I couldn't ask for more. Five flamin' rats for WTB.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Matt Heer a weekend warrior from Coquitlam b.c. Canada
    Date Reviewed: April 15, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I just purchased a Specialized FSR Elite. It came with those crappy specialized seat that is hard on your ass, so I switched to a WTB seat and my ride has been more comfortable since. I also changed the tires to WTB Primal Raptors and the tread lasts forever, these tires are the best i've ever ridden. Good job WTB!!!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Scott a cross-country rider from Lexington, KY
    Date Reviewed: April 9, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I switched from the stock XT V-Brake pads to the dual compound WTB pads and they work tons better. Squealing has virtually disappeared and they grip the rim like a vise. I also am running the WTB Velociraptor tires f/r and they perform better than any I've used in the past, mainly IRC and Conti's.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Dewey a weekend warrior from somewhere in rain drenched ORYGUN
    Date Reviewed: April 3, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I just got a set of the dual-compound type pads on sale for $20. Haven't gotten a chance to ride 'em yet, but I give 'em 5 flaming rats for looks (they actually fit the shape of the rim). I will post a review of their wet and muddy (typical Orygun) performance soon.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Garen Meguerian a cross-country rider from Wayne, PA
    Date Reviewed: March 28, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    After four muddy rides in Eastern Pennsylvania, the stock XTR V-Brake pads that were on my bike
    disintegrated into dust. When I approached the mechanic with that dumbstruck look that I usually
    adopt when a real expensive piece of equipment fails to live up to expectations, he commented that I
    was lucky to have gotten four good rides out of the stock pads. Of course, having enjoyed the
    performance of the XTR V-Brakes but in need of something with a bit more longevity, I immediately
    began to look for an alternative. The mechanic suggested the WTB pads, and after a year's worth of
    muddy riding, these puppies are still going strong. The dual compounds perform well in both wet and
    dry conditions, and rarely squeal. WTB has yet to dissapoint me in any of the products they put out.
    Five smokin' bullets for the boys at WTB.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Derek a weekend warrior from Berkeley
    Date Reviewed: March 23, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    Thought these pads were nice on my XT V-brakes (no booster plate) until it started raining. They have NO wet traction under hard braking; the lever goes to the bar. I'm using stock XT canti levers with the V's which give increased leverage, but less pad travel. The pads might work well on other setups, but not on this setup.
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Buzz a weekend warrior from Palo Alto, CA
    Date Reviewed: November 5, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    This review is for the dual-compound Razor Blades, which I pay about $12 a pair for. Expensive, but well worth it. Stop on a dime, utterly silent, fairly easy on the rim, and last a long time. They easily beat every other V-brake pad I've used.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Chris Lowe a from San Francisco
    Date Reviewed: November 9, 1996
    Bottom Line:

    They aren't cheap but they work great in all conditions. They never squeeled and have held up better than most pads. A nice thing is that they can be rebuilt which helps reduce the long term cost.
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Khanh a from San Jose, Ca
    Date Reviewed: March 28, 1996
    Bottom Line:




    The Gripmasters have worked very well for me. they do tend to wear fast in gritty mud, but all pads do.
    they do a really good job of keeping the rims clean.
    as to the person who's rims blew up, that may well be a mavic problem, not a gripmaster problem.
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Francis a from Campbell, CA
    Date Reviewed: February 29, 1996
    Bottom Line:




    I tried the WTB dual compound pads pictured above. This product is expensive $60 a set so it ought to be good right? Well
    it sucks! It wore out after 2 months and it ate up my front and back
    Mavic rims. My new mavic rim blew up at the sidewall 15 miles into a
    trail! I inquired about a brake pad refill and it costs about $32 for a
    set. RIPOFF!!!
    Overall Rating:1





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