Price Paid:  $10.00 at ExcelSports

Favorite Ride:
Hunterdon County, NJ

Bike Setup:
1999 Litespeed Classic, Look carbon fork, Cinelli bar & stem, Turbomatic saddle, 9 speed Dura Ace group (except for 7 speed DA brakes), hand built tubulars

Summary:
Why Shimano ever changed their brake shoe rubber compound from this material to what they were foisting on their customers with the subsequent 9-speed brakes is one of life's great mysteries. Everything bad that you read about the first-generation 9 speed Dura Ace and Ultegra pads is true. Worthless garbage that will not stop the bike, but will score the rims in dry weather, and melt into black goo in the wet.
I have upgraded everything on my various bikes over the years, excepting my Chris King headsets and my Dura Ace 7402 brakes. The BR-7402 (7 speed/single-pivot) and BR-7403 (8 speed/dual pivot) Dura Ace brakes were equipped with these shoes. They stop very well with both anodized and non-anodized rims. Modulation is excellent. These 7400 pads never mark up the rims, and they last a long, long, time. It took me years to wear down a pair even halfway.
Their wet performance is pretty good as well. The oversized, grey Aztec aftermarket pads and the Kool-Stop salmons work a little better in the wet, but can also lock up the wheels more easily, which is not what you want to do on a fast descent in the rain. These 7400 pads never mark up the rims, and they last a long, long, time. It took me years to wear down a pair even halfway. Even though these are still available, I stocked up on several extra sets, which is essentially a lifetime supply.

Strengths:
Do what they are supposed to do-slow the bike without locking up the wheels, or damaging the rims. Amazing durability.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Aztec, Kool-Stop, old Ultegra 6400