Brake pads and bike shoes

Identifying your brake on the front rim before buying

To identify your brake, first look at its shape. The V-Brake, with two long vertical arms fixed on pins on either side of the wheel, is found on most hybrids, city bikes, and entry-level mountain bikes; its pads have a threaded rod and convex washers that allow for positioning. The road caliper, compact, is fixed by a single screw to the centre of the fork; its pads are shorter. The hydraulic rim brakes Magura, popular in trial and on some touring bikes, use specific pads. The model of the caliper, often engraved on the back, clears up any doubts before ordering.

The rest of the wheel

The wheels, tyres, and city brakes are also available in various options:

• Disc brakes.
• Wheels.
• Tyres.
• Inner tubes.
• Pumps and Accessories.

Everything you need is gathered on the wheels, tyres, and braking page.

Cartridges Shimano, Campagnolo type or monoblock pads

A cartridge is distinguished from a monoblock pad by its aluminium pad holder, which remains on the brake: only the rubber wears out and is replaced by sliding the new one into its groove, then tightening the small safety pin. The Shimano cartridges for Dura-Ace and Ultegra calipers are designed for aluminium rims only; for a carbon rim, a dedicated rubber is needed. The XLC cartridges of Campagnolo type have a specific shape for this pad holder and cannot be fitted onto a Shimano model. The symmetrical pad holders Fibrax, compatible with Raleigh and Weinmann calipers, refresh the brakes of classic city bikes.

Adjusting your pads for squeak-free braking

Squeak-free braking involves three adjustments. First, the height: the pad must fully contact the braking surface of the rim without touching the tyre, which would damage it, or extending under the rim. Next, the pinch: the front of the pad, in the direction of wheel rotation, should touch the rim one or two millimetres before the back; a business card slipped behind the pad while tightening gives this offset. Finally, the cable tension: the lever should bite firmly halfway. Cleaning the rim with alcohol and removing any aluminium shavings from the pads completes the adjustment.

Good deals

Great deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance sales, sales, and Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The key events of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school season.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my brake pads squeak in the rain?

Water mixed with dust forms an abrasive paste between the pad and the rim, which vibrates and whistles. Cleaning the rim, removing embedded particles from the rubber, and checking the pinch resolves most cases.

Do V-Brake pads fit on a cantilever brake?

Threaded pads are common on both systems, but the length of the rod and the shape of the washers can differ. It's necessary to check that the pad is correctly aligned with the rim before tightening.

What rubber should be used on a carbon rim?

A carbon rim requires specific pads, whose rubber can withstand heat without glazing the braking surface. Cartridges designed for aluminium should be avoided, as they brake poorly and damage the carbon.

Should front and rear pads be changed at the same time?

Not necessarily, as the front pad often wears out faster. However, changing both pads of the same brake together ensures balanced contact on the rim.

How can I tell if my rim is worn by the pads?

Many rims have a wear indicator, a groove or a mark that disappears when the wall becomes too thin. A worn or cracked braking surface requires a quick wheel replacement.