Bike brake pads Black Friday: V-Brake discounts

When to replace your brake pads, and how many to get?

A brake pad wears out at varying speeds depending on the weather, terrain, and rim: when the grooves disappear or braking weakens, it’s time to replace it. This operation allows you to plan ahead for two pairs for a bike, or even those of the whole family. However, you need to buy the right model: a pad is chosen based on the brake that carries it, and then based on the rim it fits.

Identifying the right pad in three questions

• What type of brake? A V-Brake uses a threaded pad, a cantilever usually requires a smooth-stem pad, a road caliper uses a cartridge or a screw-on pad, and the hydraulic rim brakes Magura HS11 and HS33 have their own pads.
• What rim? A carbon rim requires a specific rubber, distinct from aluminium rims; Shimano thus sells its R55C4 cartridge in a version for carbon rims.
• Which direction? Some pads are asymmetrical or directional: an arrow or a note indicating left and right shows the way to mount them, with the front of the pad facing the wheel's direction of rotation.

Cartridge or monobloc, pair or box: understanding the discounts

A cartridge pad keeps its metal holder on the caliper: only the rubber is replaced, slid into its housing and secured by a pin or screw. The monobloc pad is changed entirely, including the stem. To evaluate a discount, relate the original price and the promotional price to the number of pads actually provided: a pair fits one wheel, a set of four fits one bike, a box of 25 or 50 pairs fits a workshop. Finally, check the product sheet to see if nuts and washers are included, and the type of rubber offered, for wet or dry conditions.

Brakes, cables and related pages

All year round, the page for bike brake pads details installation and adjustment. New pads on a worn-out brake won't help: check out the calipers in Black Friday and the cables and housings for the operation. For precise use, check out the selections for road and MTB. The clearance section features end-of-line products and new arrivals for the latest pads.

The brands of pads collected for the operation

Shimano codes each pad according to its brake references: R55C4 and R50T for road calipers, S65T, M70T3, and M70R2, the latter for difficult conditions, for V-Brake, in packs of two to fifty pairs.

Elvedes packages most of its pads in boxes of 25 pairs and offers its V-Type in symmetrical, asymmetrical, wet, and carbon rim versions.

XLC categorises its pads under readable codes: BS-V for V-Brake, BS-C for cantilever, BS-R for road, BS-X06 for Magura HS hydraulic brakes, in sets of four or in boxes of 25.

Jagwire offers its road cartridge Road Pro S and its Mountain Sport pads for V-Brake and cantilever, in packets or in workshop boxes of 50 pairs.

Frequently asked questions

When should I buy brake pads on promotion?

Thanksgiving sets the date: Black Friday is the day after, a Friday. Vélo-Store, however, keeps its discounts on brake pads active throughout November. This means you can plan for four pads per bike, one pair at the front and one at the back, as a single pair only replaces one brake.

Can you keep spare pads for a long time?

Yes, as long as you store them in a dry place, away from heat and light, which can harden the rubber. A new pad that has become hard and smooth brakes less effectively: it’s better to buy for a few seasons than for ten years.

Do carbon rim pads work on aluminium rims?

Avoid switching from one rim to another with the same pads: aluminium particles embedded in the rubber would scratch a carbon surface. Keep a dedicated set for each type of rim.

Where can I find pads for a hydraulic Magura HS brake?

These rim brakes have their own pads, supplied by Magura and several aftermarket brands, such as XLC with its BS-X06 or Elvedes with its HS11 and HS33 pads.

Do I need to change the pad holder with the cartridge?

No, the pad holder can be kept as long as it is neither bent nor corroded; only the cartridge wears out. Replace it if it has been damaged or if you switch to a different caliper brand, as Shimano and Campagnolo formats differ.