Cartridge compatibility?

Basically.. I've some rather crappy Tektro caliper brakes. At the moment, they're using the standard budget brake blocks, which came supplied on the bike when purchased, much like the pic attached. I've also got a Brompton, which has Brompton's own brand caliper brakes, which have cartridge brake pads, (the ones with a little wing thingy) and they provide much better braking power, similar to a hydraulic one on a mtb!
Cos the ones on my other bike are rather shite in terms of stopping power, was wondering I could make a difference by installing cartridge brake pads?
Anyone here had any experience with this? Would also like any recommendations on any decent brake pads I could upgrade to.

Cheerss

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there are lots of threads on good brake pads. I use dura-ace and they are great in the dry, not so in the wet, but then again nothing is. I don't know what will fit in the cartridges you have. I would just upgrade the whole caliper. 105 are very good and can be found cheap on ebay

i was thinking i couldn't really be arsed to really change the whole caliper, as I thought it was a bit of a waste.. and neither did I want to dish out a large sum to upgrade - wanted something bang for the buck. The brake blocks on the tektro no namers is basically just a block, with a allen screw which secures it into position.. if that helps? =

The advantage of swapping to cartridge pads is that you have a wide choice of block compounds available to suit ride conditions and your braking style. In theory, it should also easier to change the blocks once the cartridge housing is set up in the caliper. However, if the calipers are shite then you might not see much improvement for the effort and cost involved. Just how bad are the Tektros?

The advantage of swapping to cartridge pads is that you have a wide choice of block compounds available to suit ride conditions and your braking style. In theory, it should also easier to change the blocks once the cartridge housing is set up in the caliper. However, if the calipers are shite then you might not see much improvement for the effort and cost involved. Just how bad are the Tektros?

well, don't know if its the actual tektro caliper which are bad, but the blocks seem to be made out of chalk. Or at least I feel as though they are (the powdery feel, if you get me?). I've heard that the calipers don't matter that much, i've read in another thread that a guy has a pair of campy centaur brakes, but put record pads on them, and work really well. but don't really know if that really is the case..

All 2006+ Campy cartridge pads are Record... they make either standard or carbon-rim compatible types, but the standard ones work well IMHO with any callipers, don't know if they'll fit Tektro shoes.

Damn. Can you get the kool stop ones in the 'standard' style block?

Maybe try a LBS on your lunch hour, more light could be spread with said products and bike in situ, not to mention the (hopefully) helpful staff!

I did that tbh.. Popped into local evans, thought they'd know a thing or two. Told me it might fit, but not sure. They had one of those dura ace shoe set, but as they can't open the packaging to see if it fits, ended up wasting a bit of my time..

My Tektro calipers are nightmare in the wet.
Wear down the cartridge pads at a frightening rate.
Not much help to you, I guess. Caused a fair few hairy moments for me in the last few days, I can tell you

Don't worry.. i'll probably go to an endless list of LBS for info!

Damn. Can you get the kool stop ones in the 'standard' style block?

Yep, there called kool stop continentals:

http://www.simpsoncycles.co.uk/product.php?xProd=954

They look nice, Just decided i'm gonna install some shimano 105s slash ultegras.. Probably better off doing that. thanks for all the advice peeps :)

They look nice, Just decided i'm gonna install some shimano 105s slash ultegras.. Probably better off doing that. thanks for all the advice peeps :)

The continentals are quite good, I've got them on my steel rimmed commuter and has improved braking alot in the dry, better, but not great in the wet though, but short of getting new rims it's the best I can do methinks