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review
Brake pads & spares
SwissStop Disc 34 RS pads

SwissStop Disc 34 RS pads

8
by Liam Cahill
UPDATED Sat, Feb 01, 2020 18:27

First Published Jan 31, 2020

13
£26.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Quiet in the wet with a low wear rate – a very good upgrade
Silent braking in the wet
Simple to fit
Low wear rate
Slight price increase over stock pads
Weight: 
17g
Contact: 
www.extrauk.co.uk
How we test

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SwissStop's Disc 34 RS Pads are a great upgrade for any bike facing hard conditions. They remain silent in grotty weather, wear slowly and while they're more expensive than the stock pads, they don't cost a fortune.

SwissStop has provided the upgrade of silence with its Disc 34 RS pads. It might not sound like the best upgrade, but when you've heard the howl of contaminated disc brakes, you'll pay anything for a quiet system.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The 34 RS pads use an organic compound that, while offering quieter braking than the Shimano pads they replaced, don't seem to offer a noticeable difference in stopping power – and the Shimanos are slightly cheaper. That said, they performed well on steep descents, allowing me to slow down rapidly from high speeds. They also offer loads of modulation which further improves their performance in the rain.

Installing the pads is simple. Just pop the old ones out and slot these in. You'll need to do some bedding in of the pads but this is quick to do on a short ride. I just pulled hard on the brakes when heading down a couple of steep hills.

The pads are designed to fit all the latest Shimano callipers from Dura-Ace down to Tiagra, along with Shimano 'non-series' brakes. Once fitted, I can't say that I've had to touch them. It makes the pads very easy to live with.

> The stuff they never tell you about disc brakes

> Everything you need to know about disc brakes

As my testing has been done during a horrendously wet winter, the conditions have been perfect for exposing any issues with premature wear. Happily, the 34 RS pads seem to be holding up brilliantly.

The combination of silent braking, low wear rate and lack of maintenance needed makes these pads a great upgrade for a bike that is likely to see the rain. There aren't many upgrade options for your brake pads but thankfully, this is a very good one.

Verdict

Quiet in the wet with a low wear rate – a very good upgrade

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: SwissStop Disc 34 RS pads

Size tested: Shimano Flat Mount

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

SwissStop says: "Disc RS delivers powerful braking and precisely balances the performance characteristics important to racers and everyday riders alike"

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

FITS:

Shimano

Dura Ace BR-R9170

Ultegra BR-R8070

105 BR-R7070

Tiagra BR-4770

GRX BR-RX810,BR-RX400

XTR BR-M9100

Metrea BR-U5000

BR-RS805

BR-RS505

BR-RS405

BR-RS305

Tektro

HD-R310

REVER

MCX1 Flat Mount

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
5/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

A little more than Shimano's equivalent (£19 rrp).

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Silently and without need of attention.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The silence in what have been some dire conditions.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes. I've got a few friends with rather squeaky brakes.

Use this box to explain your overall score

They're very good: silent in what has been an extremely wet winter, and they've resisted wear well.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 177cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Di2  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!

SwissStop Disc 34 RS pads 2020
SwissStop Disc 34 RS pads
SwissStop 2020
SwissStop
Liam Cahill

Son of a Marathon runner, Nephew of a National 24hr Champion, the racing genetics have completely passed him by. After joining the road.cc staff in 2016 as a reviewer, Liam quickly started writing feature articles and news pieces. After a little time living in Canada, where he spent most of his time eating poutine, Liam returned with the launch of DealClincher, taking over the Editor role at the start of 2018. At the weekend, Liam can be found racing on the road both in the UK and abroad, though he prefers the muddy fields of cyclocross. To date, his biggest race win is to the front of the cafe queue.

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