Enve's carbon rims have been built in two generations. The first has a smooth brake track. The 2nd has a textured brake track, which has been molded-in to the rim. The carbon pads offered by Enve are specific to each generation, though both have engineered for optimal braking the proper generation Enve carbon rim. They feature specific compounds created for low heat buildup and a smooth, linear brake feel, in wet or dry conditions. It is not recommended that you cross-match generations.
Select the proper pad based on the physical surface of your brake track and your pad holder type. The 2nd generation textured surface is quite obvious, both visually and to the touch. Shimano and SRAM share a pad holder design, and Campagnolo has their own, that several high-end aftermarket companies use as well.
Have over 3000 miles on these with Enve 45 wheels. They do not show much wear. I have gone down 17 degree hills for over a mile braking and no sign of heat up. They work in the rain. Amazing for a carbon wheel and break. I see no difference from the braking on aluminum wheels with standard pads.
Anonymous
Posted on May 25, 2008
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I have installed 3 sets of these on 3 different bikes. I mostly run aluminum wheels, but race now and then with carbon wheels. I’ve never come close to wearing out the brake pads in over 10,000 miles of riding/set. They are quiet and grip well wet or dry. I ride hills with long descents. True, I only weigh 145 and don’t ride brakes. Just a soft touch as needed. But all that adds up and still the brakes last and last. Stongly recommend these brakes.
Anonymous
Posted on November 8, 2007
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I’ve had mine for 2-3 years and they show very little wear. Mostly use aluminum wheel, race with carbon. I ride about 12,000 miles per year including descents. I only weigh 145# and don’t usually ride the brakes, but have on occassion coming down Gibraltar for example. For my money, it’s one incredible brake that in my experience lasts almost indefinitely.
Anonymous
Posted on March 29, 2007
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Are you kidding me? What category are you guys?? If you are using your brakes enough to be wearing through a set in one race perhaps you out to consider a sport that doesn’t scare you as much? I’ve had these pads last over an entire season!
Anonymous
Posted on January 18, 2007
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I raced in 35 seperate events with Neuvation C38’s in 2006. Most were crits and I installed these pads in late winter without changing them all season these pads did the job perfectly. The wear is quicker than traditional pads but they are designed that way so as to dissapate heat better - you can easily get 1 season out of them.
Anonymous
Posted on December 13, 2006
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Last about one race maybe two, used on Zipp 909 wheels, better on Aluminum so far and thats the best part...no need to swap pads. will try SwissStop next.
Anonymous
Posted on January 31, 2006
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I have been using these pads exclusively for the last three years with aluminum (Mavic) and carbon wheels (Zipp, Reynolds) with no problems. I find that one set easily lasts one year.
Anonymous
Posted on June 23, 2005
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Interestingly, I have had a similar bad experience with these pads, but in reverse. For me they seem to work perfectly with aluminum rims in all types of weather. On my carbon rims however, they literally melted away. I almost "burned" through an entire set in one 160km race. Granted there were a number of major climbs and descents, but the speed with which these pads wore down was astounding. The "melting" effect also caused the rain tread on the pads to fill with burnt rubber, rendering them smooth and almost worthless when the rain started. Scary stuff.
As I understand it the Zipp pads are made by Kool Stop, so I will have to give Campy a try...
Anonymous
Posted on December 20, 2004
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I purchased these pads about 3 months ago. I have both aluminum wheels and Carbon wheels, so liked the idea of a pad that was designed for both. The pads indeed worked well on both rims. I raced a crit in the rain on my Reynolds carbon wheels and everything was ok.
Yesterday was my first ride in the rain on Aluminum rims. The brakes did next to nothing on wet rims. It was a very scary ride home. Both front and rear were useless to the point of being dangerous. I have changed my pads back to the original Campy pads and will throw these away.
I give these pads a 2 out of 5 because they work ok in the dry.
