Road bike brake pads for carbon and aluminum rims

“Carbon” brake pads are designed for carbon brake tracks (heat management, progressive braking, noise), whereas “aluminium” brake pads are optimised for aluminium. On carbon rims, it is recommended to follow the instructions for the wheels (compatibility + safety + warranty).

In practice, it is best to avoid this. A brake pad used on an aluminium rim can become coated with metal particles (or grit); if then reused on a carbon rim, it can mark or damage the braking surface. The correct approach: a set of carbon-specific brake pads and a set of aluminium-specific brake pads.

Three simple rules:

• The brake pad must be aligned with the braking surface (neither too high nor too low).
• It must never touch the tyre.
• It must be parallel to the track (with a slight “toe-in” possible, see next question).

For fitting/replacement, the instructions for  “rim brakes” are detailed (procedure + adjustments).

The most effective adjustment is toe-in: the front edge of the brake pad touches the rim slightly before the rear edge, which reduces vibrations and therefore noise. When adjusting, use a plastic card such as a credit card placed on the rear third of the skate, which will allow for a slight forward tilt.

Next: clean the track, check the tightness of the fastenings and check for any icy or contaminated skates (no greasy products).

?

Many skates have wear indicators: when these disappear (or the rubber becomes too thin), they need replacing. Never skate down to the baseplate: you risk damaging the rim and compromising safety. (Note: the brake track on the rim may also have a wear indicator.)

Yes, you need to remove them: a lodged grain or shavings acts as an abrasive and wears down the rim as well as impairing braking performance. Remove the particles, then sand the brake pad surface very lightly (using fine-grit paper) if necessary, and clean the braking surface (do not use oily products).

Avoid “dragging” the brakes (continuous, light braking), as this causes the temperature to rise. Opt for intermittent braking (slow down, release, repeat), and distribute the braking force between the front and rear. For carbon wheels, it is important to follow the correct technique to limit heating and prevent the temperature from rising too high.

In the rain, the rim takes a moment to “dry out” under the brake pad: anticipate this and apply a brief initial braking action to clear the water before braking harder.

On carbon rims, the feel can be more gradual than on aluminium: anticipate more and maintain steady pressure rather than applying sudden, sharp braking.

Yes: after fitting, perform a few gradual braking manoeuvres (at moderate speed) to stabilise the brake pad/rim contact, check the alignment and ensure there are no noises or leaks from the adjustment. And after your first few rides, re-check the alignment: a brake pad may settle slightly relative to its braking surface.