CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Shimano R55C4 Brake Blocks lifespan

(9 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by deckard112
  • Latest reply from deckard112
  • This topic is resolved

  1. deckard112
    Member

    I upgraded my commuter back end of last year and it has Ultegra direct mount brakes, the rear one being mounted underneath the chain stays. I seem to be going through rear brake blocks at an alarming rate just now, last set I fitted have lasted only three weeks. I ride about 100 miles per week with this bike and the weather has been brutal with the bike usually caked in road crud so not sure how much of a factor this is.

    I use Ultegra on one of my other bikes and haven't noticed anywhere near the same level of wear although it's usually only used in the summer.

    Is this a general problem with Shimano blocks? Any suggestions for an alternative brand that will fit?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. Cyclops
    Member

    Switch to KoolStop or SwissStop. They last longer, stop you better and are kinder on your rims.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. steveo
    Member

    It's been my experience that all shimano brake blocks are made of cheese and only succeed in caking the bike in brake dust.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    +1 for KoolStop

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. earthowned
    Member

    +1 for Green SwissStop (if you have alloy rims)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Scrub the rims regularly as well.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. wingpig
    Member

    Visually inspect your pads regularly, too. The rubberiness of pink KoolStop makes them susceptible to accumulating abrasive foreign matter, including packed-together scraping of wheel rim material.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. earthowned
    Member

    +1 for scrubbing rims and cleaning pads.If you don't you'll get bits of rim embedded in the pad like this:

    https://twitter.com/earthowned/status/514515959361859584

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. deckard112
    Member

    Thanks folks, couple of other folk have also suggested the Koolstops too so will give them a go. Cheers.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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