Brake blocks for CSS Grizzly Rims in the wet

[Rockymountain]

I've got CSS rims on my new Nomad and Swisstop Blue brake pads.  This combination doesn't work well in the wet, unfortunately.  Has anyone got any suggestions for alternative pads that will work better in the rain?

Thanks

[Danneaux]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

The one criticism that sometimes arises with Rigida's CSS rims (besides squeal) is poor braking in extremely wet conditions. A quick scan of the Forum's search function (for tips on using it, see: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4390.0 ) for "CSS" brought up several references to the problem.

Here's the custom "CSS" scan results:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=search2;params=YWR2YW5jZWR8J3wwfCJ8YnJkfCd8MSwyLDQsNSw2LDcsOCw5LDEwLDExLDEzLDE0LDE1LDE2LDE3LDE4LDIzLDI0LDI1LDI2LDMwLDMyfCJ8c2hvd19jb21wbGV0ZXwnfHwifHN1YmplY3Rfb25seXwnfHwifHNvcnR8J3xyZWxldmFuY2V8Inxzb3J0X2RpcnwnfGRlc2N8InxzZWFyY2h8J3xjc3M=

Some people have had good luck switching to Kool-Stop's complete pads, as Brummie mentioned...

I've been testing some Koolstop (complete pads - not inserts ) for sjs - as I found the SwissStop blue pads weren't too great in VERY WET conditions on my rims. I've found the Koolstop to be better performing so far ( in VERY WET conditons ) & perform equally as well as SwissStop at all other times. They're also showing very little wear after 1000 + miles too.

( http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3122.msg14297#msg14297 )
JulianK has been there as well, saying...

found the braking with CSS Blue SwissStop pads incredibly good in the dry to very poor in heavy rain. I changed to CSS Black KoolStop which have a more even performance for me.

( http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4409.msg20865#msg20865 )
IlPadrone said...

Braking is very good with the Swisstop pads and their cost is disappearing all the time, unlike the pads. They are a bit too light on the braking power in wet rainy conditions and I'm a little wary about this. Sometime I will switch to the Koolstop green pads that are also suited to carbide rims - they might give better wet braking I hope.

( http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4409.msg20866#msg20866 )

I hope this helps.

Best,

Dan.

[il padrone]

(Listening)

I have also got the Koolstop Green pads - designed for carbide rims. I am yet to try them out as the Swisstops have been OK most of the time. It is only in quite heavy rain and wet conditions that they loose the grip. I've been told that the Koolstops are a bit better grip, but maybe not such a long life.

[Rockymountain]

Thanks for those suggestions.......I'll try some green pads when it gets really wet. I'll let you all know how I get on.

[brummie]

I`m still experiencing some braking defficiencies in the wet with both the Koolstop & Swissstop pads, however I put this down to the īglazedībraking surface that has developed over the 1000īs of miles Iīve covered. Iīve not found an effective way to remove this `glaze` as yet ! Swissstop rim cleaning block ( aimed at standard alloy rims ?? ) & Finishline Speed degreaser all tried with no noticeable improvement in the wet. I previously ditched some Mavic Ceramic rims once they lost wet weather braking performance & became smooth & glazed - Iīm beginning to think my Grizzley CSS rims are past their best too...

[Andybg]

I hope you find a solution to the "glazing" as it seems the occurance would sort of defeat the main purpose of CSS rims as in prolonging the life of the rim.

Andy

[brummie]

I hope you find a solution to the "glazing" as it seems the occurance would sort of defeat the main purpose of CSS rims as in prolonging the life of the rim.

Andy

I still think the rims represent good value - I live in a hilly area & CSS rims offer better braking performance & outlast standard rims.