- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
forum
Carbon braking
Hi there. Another wheel post unfortunately. I'd like to know what braking is like on carbon rim brake wheels in the dry. How does it compare to Alu rim brakes? All I seem to find online is how they compare in the wet. Not interested how bad they are in the wet. My best bike doesn't go out in the wet. Any experiences gratefully received.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
Latest Forum Topics
Latest Comments
- eburtthebike 14 min 37 sec ago
Nash also told us that he kept the video up following the vociferous backlash from the cycling community because he felt it was the “right thing to...
- Boopop 1 hour 40 min ago
This feels a bit like chopping down trees to make way for a cycle track, I can't tell what to make of it. As we've seen on this site, house owners...
- IanMK 1 hour 53 min ago
Do they look like bicycles? I think they mostly look like Mopeds. Think 50cc 70s Puch. I think the average person can distinguish between the...
- chrisonabike 2 hours 51 min ago
Luckily we know both "how the alternative could look" / "what we could win" (NL - perhaps)...
- stonojnr 3 hours 48 min ago
surprised they didnt blame the council for not gritting the road
- chrisonabike 4 hours 38 min ago
EDIT - I wonder if this is coming from the realisation of "we can't drive through quickly now - because of those *other drivers*"? If so is it...
- RayG 10 hours 12 min ago
I've got the 900 lumen version of the front light. Even when the cam lever is closed properly, it doesn't grip the light well. The first one let...
- Freddy56 16 hours 6 min ago
the Rapha's Excess Collection is bullshite. MAAP did the exact same. It is sold like there is a left arm of a jacket lying on the floor, We will...
Add new comment
3 comments
Modern carbon rims are fine in the dry, but still not as good as ordinary aluminium.
Depends on the pads. Those cork style pads are pretty average, but Campag red (carbon) pads and Swissstop yellow (carbon) pads work very well indeed on modern carbon rims. Indeed, compared to alloy rims you might find them a bit 'grabby' or 'on/off' than an alloy rim. I find them brilliant - absolutely no problem stopping. Just don't ever drag them, so you don't overheat the rims.
It depends on the rims. I have older wheelsets with smooth carbon brake tracks, they’re a bit reluctant compared to alloy but never unsafe feeling in the dry. I also have several sets of Bora wheels with the newer 3Diamant braking surface, these are easily as good as an alloy brake track in both wet and dry conditions with the correct pads. Carbon rims are also more durable than alloy, they don't wear down anywhere near as quickly in use.