This is the first time I have used Kool Stop on my road bike and have been impressed. They work well in wet conditions and have no rim chatter. I would definitely buy again.
Great all-around brake pads for mixed conditions riding. Can't speak to longevity on them yet.
Braking feel is nice, smooth, and progressive, no grabby feeling, confident stopping power.
I got the salmon pair for winter riding. They really make a difference and hold up a lot better than the regular brakes. Easy to install.
... but I have to say, these are excellent brake pads. I was talking to a bike mechanic and he recommended them. Then I did some research online and saw that reviews were uniformly positive. My first bike ride with the pads was on a rainy day on Mt. St. Helens in Washington state. I could not believe how well the (salmon) pads worked on the steep wet roads. The pads seem to wear a bit faster than some other pads I've used but for the extra stopping power and increased safety and performance I think any slight cost differences are nothing. Now I'd feel negligent buying any other pads.
These are great replacements for DuraAce pads on my touring bike. Grip is positive and no fading even with a moderate load on a downhill. They don't wear down as fast as the Shimano pads. Also using the wet & dry pads during the rainy season. Stopping power while touringcommuting are not as demanding compared to training on my road bike so these work perfectly!
I use these to replace the pads on my commuter bike. They seem to work pretty well in rain and wet riding conditions, plus its very easy to install these insert pads.
I use the salmon coloured variety as they work better as an
all round pad especially in the evergreen rainforest of the
Pacific North West. Don't pick up metal fragments like Shimano
and are real easy on your expensive rims!
We have all used our brakes when they are wet and thought where did my brakes go. The Salmon colored pads are softer and grip better than the black ones when wet. Only drawback is they wear quicker. This is a small price to pay for better stopping.
I use the brake pads on my racing bike they work great. Brake pads are responsive and dependable.
I don't know if wild caught or farmed is better, but in a brake pad the KoolStop Salmons are the way to go! I've tried most all of them and these are the best in wet. (YokozunaScott Mathause is equal.) They are excellent in the dry as well - nothing not to like. They do seem a little wide to me, so it's sometimes a little tricky getting them set up to not rub the tire or drop off the brake track.
Why buy anything else?
I bought the wet compound brake pads for the usually wet Portland weather. These work great in the dry and in the wet. I'm not entirely sold on the little water wipers at the end as they force you to back off your sensitivity on the brakes a little bit. I'm the type who likes the brakes as close to the rim as possible without side flex grazing. That said, they stop VERY well. Much better than the Dura Ace pads and an upgrade for some of the best brakes ever made!
