Why don't my ceramic rims stop me anymore?

[peteb]

My ceramic rims with LX v brakes used to be great, but now they are hopeless!

I have tried changing the cables, and numerous pads, including cool stop, shimano ceramic specific pads, and soft gecko pads. Nothing seems to work anymore, even in the dry. I can't fit a disc, as I'm riding rohloff.

I've noticed a deposit on the ceramic surface. Could the rims be polished?The ceramic coating still looks fine. How do I get rid of the rim deposit?

[brummie]

Mavic do a rim cleaning block which may help... I had some 717 ceramics which over a few years 'worn smooth' which resulted in very poor braking in the wet.. I ended up replacing them !

[peteb]

Thanks for the advice. I kind of thought that I might have to do this. Do you know Which Mavic rim gets a good balance between light and strong?

[brummie]

That would depend on what weight you need to support on the bike ( Rider & luggage ) XC717 are at the lighter end of the Mavic rim range but they wouldn't be the best choice if you're carrying big loads... There's plenty of wheel advice in the Thorn brochures.