BBB Techstop Brake pads

Their name might not grab your attention but BBB’s Techstop pads are certainly wolves in sheep’s clothing when it comes to stopping lightweight road bikes on the proverbial sixpence, and they’re better suited to the rigours of winter than most thanks to medium compounds and unique design.

Techstops come in a choice of flavour ours were the Triple compound version compatible with SRAM and Shimano pattern callipers or we presume anything else that isn't Campagnolo - there's also a Campag version for a quid less - both types are available in either black or a triple compound – which we've got. The Tech Stop's relatively long profiles transformed the performance of 20- year old Campagnolo single pivots, which is great news for older training bikes. Slotting straight aboard contemporary mid-range Miche dual pivots, the super slimline shoes demanded slight adjustment of the inner wires to get the pads running a hair’s breadth from the rims. However, this is a minor inconvenience remarkably simple toe-in and finer adjustment without needing to using sections of folded cardboard more than compensate.

Casting an eye over their  tricolour livery you’d be forgiven for thinking these were ultra sophisticated formula compounds but refreshingly BBB say this is purely cosmetic. Softer compounds can lack the deliciously sharp feel of their firmer counterparts but deliver proportionally more power whether trickling through town or thundering full pelt over greasy winter roads. Water channelling is more aggressive than most, yet curiously less prone to clogging with rim chewing abrasives-despite filthy sidewalls.

200 wet winter miles haven’t made much impression upon pad depth so the Techstops should prove long lived unless you’re a particularly heavy rider in hillier parts of the country. 20 quid for a complete set doesn’t have me jumping for joy but it’s certainly competitive and while undeniably good replacements for most callipers, improved performance is most notable on older, high end single pivot brakes.

Verdict

Sound replacement pads for most calliper brakes, particularly older single pivots.