Best disks and pads for SRAM Red
Moderator: robbosmans
Sorry to start a new thread about this, hoping to keep it brief.
I hear SRAM road brakes are so so in terms of power, feel, modulation and fade. I have Campy now, so used to the best and don't want to downgrade. New build SL8 with SRAM Red. System weight 66-67kg.
For road riding, mostly flat with a sprinkle of climbs and descents. Mostly dry conditions.
What would the best disk and pad combo be?
Disk choices: SRAM Paceline, Galfer Wave, keep my heavy Campy disks and hope they don't rub on SRAM calipers.
Pads: Original SRAM, SwisStop RS
Recommendations welcome.
I hear SRAM road brakes are so so in terms of power, feel, modulation and fade. I have Campy now, so used to the best and don't want to downgrade. New build SL8 with SRAM Red. System weight 66-67kg.
For road riding, mostly flat with a sprinkle of climbs and descents. Mostly dry conditions.
What would the best disk and pad combo be?
Disk choices: SRAM Paceline, Galfer Wave, keep my heavy Campy disks and hope they don't rub on SRAM calipers.
Pads: Original SRAM, SwisStop RS
Recommendations welcome.
Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg
Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg
Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg
SL8 build with Craft CS5060 Wheels in progress
Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓ Broad Selection ✓ Worldwide Delivery ✓
www.starbike.com
-
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Tue May 16, 2023 3:08 pm
- Location: UK
I always liked the actual original pads, the replacements never seemed quite the same.
But Swisstop yellows and centerline XR have been my favourite combo on sram so far.
Never had them fade, but I like a late, short and sharp brake application.
But Swisstop yellows and centerline XR have been my favourite combo on sram so far.
Never had them fade, but I like a late, short and sharp brake application.
-
- Posts: 12589
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm
SwissStop RS are the quietest pads I’ve ever tried…they are silent until it gets very, very wet and cold. However they are also soft and wear very quickly. SRAM Centerline X/XR are also the most reliable rotors I’ve used. The “irregular” shaped vents mean you never hear any weird chirping/fluting.
I’m back to using SwissStop E pads however, and don’t mind the occasionally squeal when wet.
I’m back to using SwissStop E pads however, and don’t mind the occasionally squeal when wet.
-
- Posts: 1331
- Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:20 pm
- Location: Hampshire UK, Dublin Ireland and Geneva Switzerland.
After using various pads I'm back to SRAM organic on aluminium. They work well in all conditions and last.
- Juanmoretime
- Administrator
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2004 11:08 am
I run SRAM Red eTap 11 speed on my bike. When I sourced the kit I was upgrading from Force hydro mechanical to the afor mentioned. I found such a great deal on my NIB SRAM Red kit that I had to but it even though the calipers where post mount and I needed flat mount. So the Force calipers stayed on and the Red post mount calipers sold with the Force shifters. I use the stock SRAM pads and KCNC 6 bolt discs. I can't say I need more brake that I have and am very satisfied with the feedback, modulation and stopping power.
I guess I should add I run 140mm KCNC rotors.
I guess I should add I run 140mm KCNC rotors.
Last edited by Juanmoretime on Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tempted to go with Galfer Wave as the WW option.
A 160mm F and 140mm rear would save over 60g compared to the 2 Centreline 160mm disks I currently have.
Would the stock SRAM Red pads play nicely with the Galfers?
I assume the rear Red 2 piece caliper is natively designed for 140mm and works with a 160mm with an adaptor?
A 160mm F and 140mm rear would save over 60g compared to the 2 Centreline 160mm disks I currently have.
Would the stock SRAM Red pads play nicely with the Galfers?
I assume the rear Red 2 piece caliper is natively designed for 140mm and works with a 160mm with an adaptor?
Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg
Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg
Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg
SL8 build with Craft CS5060 Wheels in progress
I run 160/140 galfer with stock sram pads and breaking is great.Nickldn wrote:Tempted to go with Galfer Wave as the WW option.
A 160mm F and 140mm rear would save over 60g compared to the 2 Centreline 160mm disks I currently have.
Would the stock SRAM Red pads play nicely with the Galfers?
I assume the rear Red 2 piece caliper is natively designed for 140mm and works with a 160mm with an adaptor?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Pads: since it use the same pad type as Sram mountain bike brakes.
Then I have experience from that side as well.
Best pads, which is also cheap, I've used so far is Hardheaded Ram Ceramic+Kevlar pads for Sram 2 piston brakes.
I believe it's this one. But double check the pad shape before order.
https://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Trickstuf ... 09BBRB4BD/
Then I have experience from that side as well.
Best pads, which is also cheap, I've used so far is Hardheaded Ram Ceramic+Kevlar pads for Sram 2 piston brakes.
I believe it's this one. But double check the pad shape before order.
https://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Trickstuf ... 09BBRB4BD/
I had noise issues with prolonged descents in cols with the original Sram discs that my Tarmac SL7 had with its Rival AXS groupset.
Since then, I use Shimano XT discs together with the blue Galfer pads and I have had no problem since then. They perform great.
Enviado desde mi 2201116PG mediante Tapatalk
Since then, I use Shimano XT discs together with the blue Galfer pads and I have had no problem since then. They perform great.
Enviado desde mi 2201116PG mediante Tapatalk
Update from OP:
I decided to go with Galfer Wave for the SL8 SRAM Red build. The frame should be with me in a few weeks, the only part I don't have are the bars.
In the meantime I have put the 160mm Galfer disk on my CRW front wheel and tried it out with the stock Campy Chorus caliper and pads on my ZX1. Breaking performance is great, more feel, more power and no screeching noise (in the dry). Very pleased. Now let's hope the Red calipers measure up.
I decided to go with Galfer Wave for the SL8 SRAM Red build. The frame should be with me in a few weeks, the only part I don't have are the bars.
In the meantime I have put the 160mm Galfer disk on my CRW front wheel and tried it out with the stock Campy Chorus caliper and pads on my ZX1. Breaking performance is great, more feel, more power and no screeching noise (in the dry). Very pleased. Now let's hope the Red calipers measure up.
Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg
Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg
Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg
SL8 build with Craft CS5060 Wheels in progress
Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓ Broad Selection ✓ Worldwide Delivery ✓
www.starbike.com
-
- Posts: 12589
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm
140mm Galfer Waves + SRAM 2-piece calipers and pads make a patterned noise when they've gotten really hot.