Kool Stop Mountain Pads - Threaded

Salmon compound is the way to go. These proved to be a vast improvement over the stock pads on a CX bike. A bit finicky to adjust for the uninitiated, but at least all new shims are included. Pads are curved with a taper to help prevent squeal.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 10, 2013
Reviewed by: Robbo, Oregon

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The salmon pads will exceed just about any stock pad in performance. I used these on a Surly Crosscheck.

Pros: Nicely made, high-performance pads.

Cons: It would be nice to have a 700c-specific pad (less curve).

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 13, 2013
Reviewed by: Brad M., Washington

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Super impressive stopping power. Wish that came in 700C arch but the 26" does the job.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 18, 2013
Reviewed by: Daniel R., Washington

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Best brake pads!

These pads are great, just switched over to using them on my most recent swap and love them! Next best thing to disc brakes I'd have to say.

If you live in the NW pick up the Salmon or combo ones, they're perfect for rainy rides.

Pros: Great stopping, quiet, reasonably priced

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: December 27, 2012
Reviewed by: Ian G., Oregon

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Not just for mountain bikes!

If your bike has reasonable clearance, these work really well on road calipers, too! My winter/rain bike is not complete without the salmon version.

Pros: Lots of pad and curved profile for more rim contact
Orbital hardware makes them easy to toe-in properly


Cons: Won't fit every brake/frame setup(try the Thinline pads if these are too chunky!).

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 10, 2012
Reviewed by: cabbagepatchelvis, PDX, Oregon

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I picked up a pair of the salmon for the front of my mountain bike. I liked them enough that I ordered a pair for the rear as well.
The taper at the leading edge makes them easier to align. The curved shape gives more contact area on the rim. Best rim brakes I've used.


Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 19, 2012
Reviewed by: Anthony F., Iowa

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Salmon Kool Stop is the best in wet Northwest accept no substitutes.

Pros: Stops when wet

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 30, 2012
Reviewed by: Robert E., Oregon

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I've got pairs of these labelled at BMX and MTB, and really can't tell the difference between them. In either case, they go onto the cantilever brakes on my experimental rando bike, and they perform as you'd expect Kool Stop pads to perform -- they STOP the bicycle when you need to stop.

Do note that if your brakes squealed before you buy these pads they'll still squeal afterwards; brake pads cannot compensate for brake adjustment!

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 20, 2012
Reviewed by: David P., Oregon

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I bought the salmon pads because I was told they wouldn't make any squealing sound when wet. I was hqappy to learn that that was the truth. They provided excellent stopping power while producing no noise at all. Worked great in wet and dry conditions. I've sinced switched to disc brakes, but if I were ever to use rim brakes again, I'd use these pads again for sure.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 27, 2011
Reviewed by: Chad M., Portland

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These are my go-to pads for cyclocross bikes. The Salmon/Black gives you the benefits of both (dry and wet conditions apparently). The spacers allow you to set up the brakes in a lot of different positions, so setting them up perfectly is a pain, but there's really no getting around that.
I still sometimes get squealing but I attribute that more to the canti brakes and maybe unclean braking rim surface.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 30, 2011
Reviewed by: Kenneth, California

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good stopping power, a little scrapy

fit cantis well, shape helps to clean rims

Pros: excellent stopping power, easy setup, cleans rims

Cons: can sound a bit scrappy

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 09, 2011
Reviewed by: Adrian F., Philly

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Stop great

I commute daily year-round. I was disappointed with the wet braking and considering trading in the bike for one with disc brakes. A friend suggested upgrading to these pads. They solved the problem! Wet or dry, they stop great. They do need to be replaced regularly, however. After 18 months, I found myself thinking the same thing ; "boy, this bike doesn't stop all that well." I replaced the pads and the difference was very noticeable.

Pros: Stop great.

Cons: Squeal a bit at times.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 17, 2010
Reviewed by: Ken D., Oregon

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Good upgrade pad set

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: James H., Mississippi

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Brake of Brakes

Best rim brakes I've used. They work great summer, spring, fall, & winter... easy to install and line up. Great stopping power with no noise.

Pros: They don't seem to get hard and brittle like other pads I've used before.

Cons: None

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: James S., Washington

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