|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
rogerzilla
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2010 | | Favorite Trail: | Road | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | This is for the V-brake/canti pads as pictured, NOT disc pads. Cheap(ish), easier to find than Kool-Stop, much less squealy than Kool-Stop salmons, really excellent wet braking (they even work well in snow), reasonably rim-friendly because they don't embed chips of aluminium or grit as easily as some. | | Weaknesses: | Wear out quickly in the wet compared to Kool-Stop salmons. They make plenty of mess (pad material and aluminium sludge from the rims), so avoid if you have amber-walled tyres. | | Similar Products Used: | Kool-Stop, Clarks, Tektro, Shimano. | | Bike Setup: | Fixed-gear MTB for all-weather commuting. | | Bottom Line: | I've tried most pads (except the overpriced Swisstop) and settled on these. Kool-Stop salmons have some advantages but squeal like pigs on honeymoon. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jarred
a Racer
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | cheap, work fine | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes, one other brand of generics | | Bike Setup: | hayes hfx-9 hydros | | Bottom Line: | I am reviewing the Aztec disc pads. I don't know what to make of the reviews. I think they're fricking great. Half the price of the Hayes replacements. I am halfway through a season of about 30 mtb races. These pads, and other brands I have tried, have seen all kinds of conditions. In the mud and wet it's typical to go through a set in a single race. These don't wear any slower or faster than others. Break in was quick and howl free, they don't howl at all in any conditions, they don't fade as bad as others I have tried. No complaints. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a
from seattle
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | disc brake pad glossed over because of heat and did not stop. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes | | Bike Setup: | Liquid | | Bottom Line: | dangerous | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan S
a Cross Country Rider
from Saskatoon, SK
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | South of Diefenbaker | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | They wore out in 3 months of primarily commuting! Man do they howl! They have been noisy since the start despite adjustments. It doesn't seem to matter - wet, dry, dirty, or clean - they howl. We're not talking a little squeak either but an air-horn blast howl. They have little stopping power when dry let alone wet. | | Similar Products Used: | Koolstop, various others, Norco | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale cyclocross for cross country singletrack, 100+ km road rides, daily commute. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes were presented by the LBS as a cost-effective alternative to some of the more expensive options. I put up with them for 3 months of poor performance until they were sufficiently worn out to warrant replacing them. In retrospect, I should've taken them back ASAP but I thought they would get better somehow. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tscheezy
a
from Kodiak, AK
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Nothing. These things are very dangerous. Bed them in very carefully to see if they suffer catastrophic failure. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot withstand normal braking heat. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid ACP, UCP, B3, B4, C4, and EBC Gold | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE and 5-Spot, Avid Mechs and Juicys | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Aztec (Delta) pads for Avid Mechs and Juicys (part #PB8300). They suffered total failure during bedding in. Almost all the material scraped off the metal carrier within 1 mile. Check the brakes board on this site for pics and a description (paste address into browser if it does not show as a link): http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=160259#post160259
Aztec had better pray that no lawyer buys these pads. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$13.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bike | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | I rode one run with brand new pads at mammoth when they gave way. Half way down the first run they were gone and I was going about 50mph down kamikazi run into a turn. The pads were down to metal on metal. I have nothing good to say about them. DO NOT BUY THESE PADS, THEY WILL KILL YOU! | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes stock pads came with the bike and they lasted two years of the same punishment. | | Bike Setup: | Haro X3 with freeride set-up | | Bottom Line: | Your risking your life with these pads. DO NOT BUY THEM! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Carey
a
from denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | lots of them probably porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came with a tune-up for free. | | Strengths: | brakes well in good condition | | Weaknesses: | If it is muddy or wet they really suck | | Similar Products Used: | ride my brothers hydraulic disks some times | | Bike Setup: | specialized hardrock with rhyno lite rims, deore derauilers, shimano hubs, judy tt, crappy pedals. | | Bottom Line: | these brakes are normal, nothing special but for free they are great. wouldn't pay for these though. a lot of work when downhilling. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Similar Products Used: | kool stop e2, kool stop thinline | | Bottom Line: | Here's the deal. I bought these along with a pair of Eagle 2's. I put the Aztec's on the back, and after less than 10 miles of aggressive trail riding in wet, muddy conditions they were gone! Warn past the wear bars! The smell of burning rubber was discuraging. Then I was without rear breaks for the last 5 miles! I am a 200lb rider that values the ablity to stop within a reasonable distance. And I am tipically much harder on the front break than the rear. But at least I had the Eagle's up front. They showed only minimal wear and did most of the work. So if you are trying to save a few bucks like I was, forget it! Buy the Kool Stop Eagle's. They are a much better value. I wish I could give the Aztec's less than 1. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RICARDO ORTEGON
a Cross Country Rider
from BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | LA VIGA ( NEAR THE CITY ) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$7.00 | | Purchased At: | CICLO CROSS | | Strengths: | SILENT BRAKE, DURABLE. | | Weaknesses: | WEIGTH AS A ROCK, DOESN'T BRAKE AS KOOL STOP, IN WET CONDITIONS THEY'RE CRAPT 'CAUSE ONLY BRAKE AFTER 30" ( I GET A HORRIBLE PAIN IN MY HAND BECAUSE OF THE FORCE ), BUT DRY THE WORK GEAT. | | Similar Products Used: | KOOL STOP, SHIMANO ORIGINAL PADS | | Bike Setup: | SMITH FRAME, R/S JUDY XC, RITCHEY BAR, STEM, GRIPS. DEORE CRANKSET, R/D, CASS; XT F/D, LX HUBS AND MEGA 9 SHIFTERS.
SUCH A BIG SALAD ISN'T IT? | | Bottom Line: | THEY BRAKE GOOD ENOUGH IN GOOD CONDITIONS, DURABLES AND LOK NICE. DON' TRUST WHAT THE COMPARISON CHART SAYS. IT'S CRAP. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew K.
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, NE USA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar | | Strengths: | cheap, stop ok, no squealing | | Weaknesses: | not a good grip when wet | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | pacific kodiak | | Bottom Line: | a good cheap pad if you are just a bike around town person, but be careful when they get wet. they do not seem to stop as well, especially down a hill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Hampden,ME
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | they will probably stop you eventully | | Weaknesses: | schreeech, suck in wet and dry conditions | | Similar Products Used: | avid rim wrangler | | Bottom Line: | dont waste wour money on these | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a
from Port Angeles
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$9.00 | | Strengths: | GOOD FIRESTARTER | | Weaknesses: | TERRIBLEE IN WET CONDITIONS, COMPLETELY WORN OUT AFTER 3 SHORT RIDES. I SUPPOSE THEY WOULD BE OK IN THE SUMMER FOR ROAD RIDES, WHEN WHO USES BRAKES ANYWAY. | | Similar Products Used: | SHIMANO , CHEAP PYRAMID LASTING BETTER | | Bottom Line: | WORTHLESS IN THE WET | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pavel
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA, US
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | two local bicycle shops | | Strengths: | Smooth, cheap | | Weaknesses: | Noisy in the beginning | | Similar Products Used: | Factory pads | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7500, mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | I've replaced worn factory pads on my 99 Trek 7500 with Aztec x2 pads and the difference is quite nice. Breaking distance is shorter and overall breaking is smoother. There was a lot of noice during the first few days from the rear pads, but it was gone soon. I've sanded the front pads a little with fine sandpaper and I haven't noticed any sounds from them.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Lasted 2 rides and one race..for 12 bucks that's bull
Really harsh on rims
No perceived increase in stopping power
Wear limit markings difficult to see
| | Similar Products Used: | XT,XTR, Avid Rim Wrangler, MEC generic | | Bike Setup: | some metal, rubber, plastic, and oil | | Bottom Line: | These pads (v-replacement) are a waste of money and pure garbage. Go with Avid Rim Wrangler's...about to try el cheapo MEC pads...we'll see. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen
a Cross Country Rider
from Conway, AR
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | butterfield - Devil's Den | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$6.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar.com | | Strengths: | Aztec II pads
Great braking
quiet
Gentle on Rim | | Weaknesses: | n/a | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX pads | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Mesa GS LX, XT, MARS | | Bottom Line: | these pads are great. They stop great, don't produce black dust like shimano pads, and don't scratch rims. They are quiet. I have never heard them squeel, even when wet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Geortler
a Racer
from NJ
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the ones i ride on | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$7.00 | | Purchased At: | action wheels | | Strengths: | they were pretty strong | | Weaknesses: | VERY LOUD | | Similar Products Used: | avid rim wranglers | | Bike Setup: | cannondale | | Bottom Line: | they were strong but they are very loud they sound kind of like a wolf howling!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ccruz
a Weekend Warrior
from bergen county, NJ
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | campmor | | Strengths: | my review is on Super-V pads with holders and inserts that i strongly feel is better than the XT V pads. this stoppers are smoother, powerful and cheaper than the the XT pads. holders, spacers and bolts are strong and fairly light too. no gritty feeling like the one i feel on shimano v pads. | | Weaknesses: | pads wears out a bit faster..........but this i dont consider a weakness.........brake pads are designed to wear. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano xt pads & ritchey logic pads. | | Bike Setup: | SS Kona Kaboom | | Bottom Line: | this is a cheap aftermarket product that performs pretty
much like the big brands - but better.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bill hambone
a Cross Country Rider
from slc ut
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | great western trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | wild rose | | Strengths: | quiet | | Weaknesses: | less that 60 miles and these crappy piece of junk pads are no good | | Bike Setup: | fisher y frame long travel front shock, | | Bottom Line: | dont waste your money. your better off to by a 2x4 and use that to stop | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Dedrickson
a Weekend Warrior
from Roeland Park, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Amasa Back | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$8.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike shop | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Work like they are cheap with poor stopping power. Didn't realize until I grabbed my biddies bike (same brakes, rims) and felt how bad these are. | | Similar Products Used: | Kool Stop | | Bike Setup: | FSR Elite | | Bottom Line: | Throw them away | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rocky Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Absolutely silent
More powerful than XT V-brake pads
The proce is right | | Bottom Line: | These pads are very good for the price. I have them on 3 bikes (both cantilever and V-brake versions) and they work like a champ. XT v-brake pads squealed so badly, I replaced them with Fibrax pads (same cartridge format), got better but still noisy. Theze aztecs are silent and more powerful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron
a Cross Country Rider
from Burke, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bust-a-Nut Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Similar Products Used: | XT Stock Pads | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Marlin, with Judy Sl, XT Front/ Rear/ Crank, SRAM Plasma Gripshifts, XT V Brakes | | Bottom Line: | I dont understand everyones problems with theese pads. They aren't nearly as squeaky as the stock XT pads, they stop damn fast, and mine are great in the rain. Maybe im just lucky. I dont know, but i love theese pads. 5 Flaming $hits | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. D.
a Cross Country Rider
from West Virginia
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Works well in dry conditions | | Weaknesses: | Pads are destroyed by wet weather | | Similar Products Used: | Avid | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7000 | | Bottom Line: | Snowshoe 24 Hours course caused complete destruction of relatively new pads - front and rear. Pads wore so quickly that the brake arms began contacting the tire and caused the arms to wear. 4 mounds o' fire dry conditions - 0 mounds o' fire wet - Average 2. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sketchy
a Weekend Warrior
from DC
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Wear fast, don't stop. | | Similar Products Used: | All pads 'cept WTB. | | Bike Setup: | DBR X-10 | | Bottom Line: | The red pads disintergrated in one wet downhill run. Actually felt pads disappear while braking. I know the pads are supposed to wear fast under severe conditions, but no pads I've used were near this bad, plus they didn't stop well. Tried the black pads, and they didn't stop at all.
Don't believe the graphs on the package, these pads really suck! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Spacehopper
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | fast | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | These last forever, 4years and counting being riden 2-3 times a week over gravel, mud and sand. Don't squeal as long as they're set up right, and stop you in all weathers just what your after from a bit of stoppin' type rubber | | Weaknesses: | errrr, I hate settin' up brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Kool stops, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Rigid, canti's | | Bottom Line: | If you lookin' for a pad that stops you and lasts buy this one, simple! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | cheap, durable, work better wet than dry | | Weaknesses: | can be difficult to set up | | Similar Products Used: | '94 STX-RC stock pads, '91 XT canti pads | | Bike Setup: | '94 Performance M304 with STX-RC cantilevers | | Bottom Line: | I bought these pads to get better stopping power in wet conditions on my cantilevers, and boy do they work. I did, however, spend the first month trying to get rid of the damn squeal. I finally figured out that I had to take a rough grit sandpaper (like 50 grit) and agitate the entire surface. After that, I just toed them in correctly and off I went. Although I only use them 3 or 4 times a week for trips around town and the occasional trip to work, I've got the same pads, 4 1/2 years later. They did pick up some aluminum on my Sun rims (ca. '96) from time to time, but nothing big. They've got at least another year of life in them: best canti pads I've ever owned. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan truesdale
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chicago IL
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I bought them And they didn't fit my damn brakes!!! Shimano STXRC V'sI give these a negitive rating if I could AAARRRGGGHHHH | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Fitzp
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
pretty cheap | | Weaknesses: |
don't last | | Similar Products Used: |
Kool Stop | | Bike Setup: |
755 w/LX Vs | | Bottom Line: | lasted only 4 months of dry-season riding; one trip thru puddles and the rear pads were gone. A waste of money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve woodward
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Quantocks | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Durable, cheap good in wet. | | Similar Products Used: |
eagle claw (Cool stops),
shimano, fibrex, richey,
etc. | | Bike Setup: |
Team LTS, Orange P7 | | Bottom Line: | These work fine. I've used all types of pads in the passed Canti and V-brake fittings and the only
ones I would never buy again are the cool stops as
they didn't work in the rain (and as it does that alot in Britian this means they were useless). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Rixon
a Downhiller
from Oxford UK
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Aston Hill, Wendover, UK | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
They stop really well on my bike, I use Mavic X221 and LX Vs and they are a really good pad | | Weaknesses: |
They squeak a bit, but which brakes don't | | Similar Products Used: |
Kool Stop,
Shimano LX | | Bike Setup: |
GT LTS2000
Bomber Z1 | | Bottom Line: | I regulary do the Dual Slalom at Aston Hill and they stop me enough. I also do trials so I can quite easily pull Endos or Backhop with them on. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
frank the goat
a Weekend Warrior
from city, state
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
45 x | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
bikers can hear you from 50 miles around and i guess you cant bolt a turd to your breakset...so it works better than turds. i think.... | | Weaknesses: |
turds are possibly better. | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano, huffy regular breaks work better. | | Bike Setup: |
specialized hardrock | | Bottom Line: | that dude is right, they sound like piglets in boric acid. i mean i have heard better noises when i stick the fork in the garbage disposal. these pads, sound like a constipated cat that just ate razorblades. i cant give these negative ratings, so ill give it 1 constipated kitty. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Antioch, CA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ridge Trail, Black Diamond Regional Park | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Low cost, easy to set up, no scraping sound, don't pick up bits of Al from your rim (like the stock LX pads did), thicker than other pads. They stop just fine. | | Weaknesses: |
None yet that I can see. | | Similar Products Used: |
LX stock V pads, Diacompe V brake pads. | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale Killer V-HT with Shimano LX V's and Avid Ultimate V-chip levers and Diacompe cables. | | Bottom Line: | These pads seem to work for me, although I haven't run them under wet conditions. I didn't even set them up with any toe-in. They don't make that annoying scraping sound (like sandpaper on your rims) like the stock LX V and Diacompe V pads did, and they don't pick up bits of aluminum, which is a good thing. They don't squeal (at least for me). I've got a set of Kool Stop pads and a set of XT pads with holders waiting to be installed when these wear out. However, the Aztec pads seem to be thicker so I think they should wear longer; only time will tell. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Columbus, OH
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
all of them | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Cheap | | Weaknesses: |
squeal
no stopping power | | Bike Setup: |
rigid Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | Other than the price, these pads suck. I've adusted them to get them quiet as possible, but they still whine a little if they get wet. My advice: Spring the extra $$ for better pads if you can. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raymond Cox
a Cross-Country Rider
from Elk Grove, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Cost | | Weaknesses: |
Spongy stopping power - Noisy | | Similar Products Used: |
Stock LX-V brake pads | | Bike Setup: |
Marin Pine mountain | | Bottom Line: | I'm buying another brand - quick! I've been unable to get these pads to stop screaching; dry or wet; toed in, doesn't make much difference. Heck, the old stock worn out LX-V brake pads were better, no noise and spongy feeling when squeeze the brake lever hard. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Crowell
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bartonsville PA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Camelback sout trail | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
None (well they didn't fall apart on the first ride) | | Weaknesses: |
These pads wear out way too quick, and they don't work well. Don't buy them. | | Similar Products Used: |
Kool stop, Ritchey | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized stumpjumper hardtail '97 | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy them they wear out way too fast and don't stop well. Kool stop pads are the best (and cheapest)I've used, and I've been through at least 6 sets of pads on this bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a racer
from Barberton OH
Date Reviewed: March 13, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Ok. I take my previoous rating of 4 chillis back. THESE PADS SUCK!!!!! I have to constantly adjust them because the slightest bit of water on them or the rims will make them wear down very quickly. And you better bring tools along on a ride with lots of decents, because after a while if it's wet at all you'll be wearing down the break pads so fast that the lever will probably bottom out at the handlebar before the pads touch the rim.These pads get 1 chilli, because that's the lowest you can give them. These pads have only one feature: They convinced me to get Maguras. (after I replace my freekin' bb) These belong in the hall of shame!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a cross-country rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Aztec pads for about 6 months. No complaints at all. I see quite a few reviews complaining about noise. Mine were extremely noisy at first, but adjusting them a couple of times took care of that. I have a couple of questions for young from Australia who said, I wouldn't use them to plug a dog's arse. PLUG A DOG'S ARSE???!!!!! What in the hell are you guys doing out there in the outback?!! What do you normally plug a dog's ass with? And, why would you want to plug your dog's ass anyway?! Do I really want to know the answers to these questions? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a racer
from OH
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I was riding today and noticed one of my rear break pads fell off. I went home(on the way there was a steep descent with a 3 foot drop off, which my cyclocomputer said I went off of at 26.5 mph) and ran to my LBS. So I just got the Azrec v-brake pades today. They were $9 at my LBS. I forgot to weigh them before I put them on. But that doesn't MATTER!!!! They feel and stop great and they are better than the other ones I had. I think I still might need to adjust them but they are great. One thing though:Just like any other v brake pads, they are hard to install.(don't let that stop you from buying them)It's not the brakes that matter, it's the pads. As long as you have v-brakes buy these pads or kool stops. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon
a weekend warrior
from liverpool england
Date Reviewed: November 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
work well on plain mavic 517's if you keep the rim clean. wear very well, bot only at the expense of rim wear. Dont stop as well as M600 blocks in the wet, work better in they dry (do we have dry weather in england?). Don't know if I'll carry on using them because of rim wear, but the shape is perfect for 517's. Only 3 chillis because of rim wear and wet weather braking | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
young
a weekend warrior
from australia
Date Reviewed: November 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have them on my giant 990 and they suck.They don't stop for shit, they squek to the shit, I wouldn't use them to plug a dog's arse. Don't bother | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a cross-country rider
from T.O. CA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have replaced the LX v-brake pads that were OEM on my Joshua X/O with the Aztec pads and have had no problem with them. No squeal, no glazing, nothing. They are the only other pads I have used besides the original LX pads which really SUCK big time, so I don't have any other comparison to make. I recently added a booster to my front v, and with the way I installed the Aztecs, I get good 1 finger stopping power. I.e., no complaint so far. I will give them 4 chilis mainly because of the little comparison factor. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitch
a weekend warrior
from Indiana
Date Reviewed: September 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great pads except for one thing. THEY ARE NOISY. They squeal badly now matter how you adjust them. You can get them to stop making noise for about 15 minutes at the most. Great stoping power though and a great price. Mine were the threaded ones for Shimano LX V-Brakes. Stupid 50 word minimum. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Spiro
a cross-country rider
from Toronto,Canada
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The stopping power is probably slightly below average, because they are hard pads and you have to squeeze the brake levers harder to stop. However, the worst thing I found about them is that they seem to be highly abrasive, and were causing a lot of scoring and wear on my rims. I took them off and stopped using them after a couple of months. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thom
a cross-country rider
from WA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had high hopes for these pads. Curve seemed to match the rim while being thin enough in profile. Compound seems tough and stop on a dime. Price is certainly right for my limited budget.Unfortunately they squeal worse than the old legendary MAFAC brake pads. Dry or wet weather, sanded or not, toe in varying from flat to so much toe-in, I can barely get the V-brakes to grab. Not even minor squeal. This makes amplified fingernails on the blackboard seem mellow. Of course they don't squeal on steel Huffy rims with wimpy Huffy brakes. There are so many probs with that commentary, I won't even go there.I will probably not ride with them long enough to determine wear. If it weren't for the noise, I would probably give them a 5.Soooo, if you want an early warning system for trail riding, that is loud enough to wake the dead, you can save some good cash, and the weight of carrying a horn and go for these. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from South Carolina
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a review of the Aztec threaded V brake pads...I hate to rag on a product, but I've had bad luck w/ the 3 pairs that I bought. Some have been pleased w/ the curved shape of the pad, but I find the pads to be too large to properly align on the rims. My first pair slipped below the rim, and part of the pad didn't wear properly due to my inability to keep the pad from ripping into the tire or sliding below the rim. this caused the pads to stick to the rim and drag badly. My second and third pairs I spent extra time to align thme, but they wore quickly (it's been very wet, and my trail is sandy which eats pads) as they wore metal began to rub metal on my rims!!! not a good situation. I knew they pads were wearing, but Good God! I don't wanna ruin My rims over a cheap pad! I think I'll be sticking with Kool Stops, I have had no trouble w them sliping down below the rim ( the skinny pads are easier for me to align) and I've never worn a pair down to metal! they just quit working letting me know to change em! and they last a bit longer! guess that worth an extra $2 bucks to me! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Als
a downhiller
from Swansea, Wales
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had pairs of Aztec blocks on my M600 brakes for months now and I can safely say that they wee all over the Shimano pads. They stop on a sixpence (or a 'dime' as you say over there) and mine have worn down slowly and evenly. They also (prepare to gasp) work in the rain! I know, I couldn't believe it either! Anyway, I can't give them anything less than 5. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Orjan
a cross-country rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: June 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Alright, I´ve used ´em on my old LX brakes and they were just great. Now I have put on a pair on my XT V´s and , like Josh says, they kick the shit out of Shimano. I tried XTR pads; they wore out in three months and cost almost twice as much. The feel is a bit softer than Shimano though. I guess you can get any pad to work lousy if you can´t set them up right... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh
a weekend warrior
from SLO
Date Reviewed: May 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great Pads, I have used 2 pairs on cantis, 1 pair on LX V s and 2 Pairs on XT vs, and they kick the shit out of shimano. For those of you who have problems in the wet, I havent seen them, and I wiegh 220 lbs, so it aint easy to stop me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from England
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've got Aztec brake pads on my winter bike which has 1995 STX RC cantilevers. After replacing the worn out original Shimano pads, there was a noticeable improvement in braking performance. This could have just been down to the fact I had replaced the old 'worn-down-at-odd-angles' pads with new ones or it could be because Aztec pads are actually quite good. Whether they are the best I'm not sure; but they work fine on my bike and they seem good value when compared with more expensive brands. As for squealing brakes, I have heard that certain rim and pad combinations will always squeal so perhaps its just a matter of trial and error to find some blocks that slow you down quietly.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
biker returns
a cross-country rider
from north carolina
Date Reviewed: May 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Owwwww!!!! That hurt, Dewey!!! My gonads are in such pain!!! However, I am glad to hear that you have been doing your own maintenance since you were 8. Does that mean you have been working on your bike for 2 years... or 3? Your mommy should be soooo proud!As I have stated pal, these pads DO NOT squeal on my huffy, which is a great bike by the way. Especially with my chrome-plated WTB rims. Why is that? you ask. It is because I have the patience and INTELLIGENCE to install brake pads CORRECTLY. Moreover, every other pad I have used over the past 10 years has squealed until they were PROPERLY installed.However Dewey, with all your worldly bike experience you should know better than I. I will keep that in mind this evening when I go riding on my huffy, squeeze the brakes, and hear... NOTHING!!I am additionally grateful for your spelling corrections. However, Mr. Dewey Phonic-Boy, it is aZtec NOT aStec. You also need to decide whether it is TOW-in or TOE-in? Are you DAIN-BREAD or BRAIN-DEAD? See you at the circus, Doody!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dewey
a weekend warrior
from Orygun
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
For the clown right below me who didn't have the gonads to sign his name, I do know how to install/setup pads properly. I have been doing my own mechanical work since I was 8 years old and I know crappy parts when I see them. Yes, MANY pads do squeal when set up improperly, that is not the case with Aztecs. They squeal no matter how much or little tow-in you use. My LBS mechanic said that these pads are notorious for this problem and recommended sanding them down a touch. Unfortunately it didn't help. These pads are simply inferior. Also, the WTB GRIPMASTER pads I installed don't squeal one bit. So much for the theory that I don't know how to set the toe-in. Perhaps the reason the Aztecs don't squeal for the guy below is because the chrome-plated wheels on his HUFFY work great with Astecs.
By the way pal, it's worthwhile NOT worthwild and criticism NOT critism. Maybe you should spend your money on a good Phonics program instead of bike parts. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrik G
a weekend warrior
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: May 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Ok, so they're cheap but this time you really get what you are paying for. I got these pads about 5 months ago and now they're worn out. During these 5 months I used the brakes at two(!) occassions in the woods (wintertime makes bikers go lazy), the rest of the time they've only been used on ordinary roads. So don't be to tempted to get them because of the price, because if you have to change them 3 times a year they're pretty expensive. Good buy if you're not a serious rider, bad buy otherwise. And about the squeal, it's pretty good when you want people to jump of the road when you sneak up behind them, otherwise it's not that big a deal. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
biker
a cross-country rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: May 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just bought a pair so I cannot speak of durability. As far as squeaking, mine do not because I set them up properly. Maybe you guys complaining of the noise should learn how to toe-in your pads. I have used pads from many companies. They ALL squeak unless they are installed correctly.
I will admit that they don't stop as well as KOOLSTOPs, but they are quite efficient and DO NOT squeak.So stop your squeaking, pissing, and moaning. This site should only be for worthwild reviews. Not for people who do not have a valid critism (positive or negative). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dewey
a weekend warrior
from somewhere in rain drenched Orygun
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAK!!!!!! These pads stink! My first ride was primarily dry with some DEEP mud in the middle. These pads squealed until they were coated in mud, then they were nice and quiet. My second ride was totally dry so these babies squealed all the way. I don't know why they call them Aztecs. They should call 'em Piglets. Piglets in a Blender. Piglets in Boric Acid. Anything that will let the potential buyer know that these things SQUEAL!!! Do NOT buy these pads unless you just want a way of letting everybody know that yuo are coming down the trail. Better yet, buy some good pads and drag a real piglet behind you by the tail so everyone within 50 miles will hear you coming. At least then you won't feel stupid for having such crappy pads.One Flamin' Piglet for the Aztec pads (only 'cuz they stop better than my foot in the front wheel). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K.F.T.
a weekend warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: April 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes came stock on my Team Saracen bike so I thought that they would be alright, but they really do suck(they do however match my bike =). Anyway, these brake pads barely slowed me down while I was riding. My cousin's bike has DiaCompe brakes on his, and his will throw you over the handle bars if you pull on them even slightly tightly. Anyway, these brakes REALLY perform poorly in semi-wet conditions. I was mountain biking after a light rain, and I was going down this ridged hill, but the damn things barely even stopped me at all. I winded up speeding up too much and went air-born when I hit one of the ridges. These brakes suck - spend a dollar or two more and get something else. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A
a cross-country rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
my LBS was out of the threaded Ritcheys that I usually run so I bought a pair of these and was i surprised! The first time out they felt pretty good on a 12 mile ride,not great but O.K. The next one was in the current muddy conditions and near the end they were completely trashed.Im glad i kept the packaging because they offer a money back offer. what a pair of crap pads,weve all ridden with stock,or other mediocre products but these are unbeleivably poor. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dewey
a weekend warrior
from somewhere in rain-drenched Orygun
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got a set of these pads on sale for 6 bucks. I hope they perform better than everyone seems to think. Hopefully they will work well on the back with my WTB Gripmasters up front. I will post an honest wet-weather performance evaluation in a few weeks. For now I gie 'em 3 flamin' rats just 'cause they are curved to fit the rim. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip von Tell
a racer
from Stockholm,Sweden
Date Reviewed: March 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have just mounted the Aztec v-pads to my XT-v brakes and all I can say is, these are the worst pads that I have ever tried and used. Braking power is nil, nada! I would rather stick my fingers in my wheels to brake than using these so-called brake pads. The only people that I would recommend these brakepads to are the ones being afraid of going more than 5mph, the same people that usually never leaves their driveway.
Minus five billion flaming dead horses or what ever those red things are supposed to look like. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from dahlgren, va, 22448
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The reliability/durability of these pads are terrible. These pads constantly sqeak, and I would rather have my original shimano pads back. Plain and simple buy another BRAND! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guillermo Power
a weekend warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: June 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I love these pads. Although they get a bit crapy in the rain/wet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a cross-country rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Squeak, spueak, squeak...
No braking power. I'd rather drag my feet on the ground like Fred Flintstone than use these things !
Want to give them a zero.
Junk ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: December 21, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes are okay in dry condition. Though I still like Koolstop over
the aztec. I would recommend Koolstop rather than aztec. Cheaper, stop
better
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted
a cross-country rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I had a set of these pads a couple of years ago and
thought they were pretty good...at least they
were better than Shimano pads.They work fine in dry weather. The only thing
they do in wet weather is leave black sludge on
your rims. I just can't recommend Aztecs to
anyone who ever rides in wet weather. They
supply NO braking power when wet.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Gittleson
a weekend warrior
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
These pads work o.k. They are definitely better than Shimano, but I don't think
they are as good as koolstops. I only used these on my u-brake. They performed
adequately, but wore out quickly. They are pretty inexpensive though. Use them
if you want, but I'd get Koolstops.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Baum
a cross-country rider
from State College
Date Reviewed: June 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I set up a new bike and spec'ed the Aztecs front and rear, and after
several rides felt I had them dialed in. Hoewever, I never really got
good braking power, and in wet, I'd almost rather stick my foot on the
front tire rather than rely on the pads. I had to replace them within one
month of owning them because of the lack of pucker power. I would not
recommend them to anyone in the northeast that rides down anything other
than foothills, molehills and anthills.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ski
a weekend warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Decent pads. Low squeal when adjusted right, medium wearing. Not too good when wet or muddy, but not dangerous. Price is ok.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Fang
a cross-country rider
from La Jolla, CA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
These pads work O.K in dry conditions, but not that well in wet conditions.
Other than that, these are all around good/O.K. pads. The posts on the pads are
not as long as other pads on the market, so it may be more difficult to set
the pads up correctly, especially if you use the Shimano straddle wire.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a cross-country rider
from Masachusettes
Date Reviewed: May 20, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I replaced my Shimano pads with Aztecs. Although they perform a little
better in dry conditions, it seemed that they were not as good in the
wet and muddy
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a cross-country rider
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
These brake pads are much better than Shimano in wet and gritty conditions. They have less of a tendency to pick up and hold grit, and wear about 4 times longer in wet and snowy conditions. Great pads.
| | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
|
$ 11.00
