Kool Stop International C89 Series

Price Paid:  $7.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anything on Hawaii

Bike Setup:
Trek Pilot 5.2

Summary:
I bought these to quiet brake chatter and scratrching of my AL rims. I considered the KOOL and Swiss Stop pads, and went with the KOOL stops for being locally available, and cheaper. Upon installation, I noticed an immediate improvement in braking from the Ultegra pads I replaced. That improvement has remained constant, and did not drop off with age. Plus, no more metallic bits in the pads ripping up my wheels.

Strengths:
Better than Shimano braking feel and power
Excellent Price
Easy to replace

Weaknesses:
Might be wearing quicker than Shimano (that's okay--I'll take that)

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Ultegra

Price Paid:  $5.00 at Harris Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
North Shore Hills

Bike Setup:
Columbus SL road bike with 9 speed Dura-Ace/Ultegra mix.

Summary:
I switched from Shimano to Kool Stop Salmon pads two years ago and couldn't believe the improvement.

Get any version of the "salmon" colored Kool Stop pads. (The salmon color comes from the iron oxide in the pad material.) They have fantastic stopping power, and they will NOT pick up bits of grit or aluminum from your rims. Your rims will stay nice and clean (no black gunk).

The salmon pads come in many different styles including "refills" for Campy and Shimano, as well as "Thinline" and "Eagle 2." There are models for Road and MTB.

The "Continental" version of these pads are only $4.95/pair and will last a very long time. I ordered mine from Harris Cyclery in MA. Their website has all the details:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakeshoes.html

Strengths:
Great braking power, keeps your rims clean, won't get embedded with grit.

Weaknesses:
Some folks won't like the salmon color.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano.