Jagwire Sleek road cartridge brake pads

Aimed at higher end, competition quality callipers, Jagwire Sleek Rd pads provide superior braking prowess without sacrificing modulation so are logical alternatives for Shimano’s racier Dura Ace, Ultegra and 105 family. That said, those looking to bolster the performance of older top-flight single pivots might be pleasantly surprised but the sleek wouldn’t be a cost effective upgrade for lowlier models.

Quietly sceptical of pattern specific brake pads, I experimented by fitting ours to three markedly different callipers and achieved pleasing compatibility with a little spacer experimentation. Measuring 50mm long, compatible with polished, ceramic and carbon rims, these secret formula pads brought two comparable Miche and Tiagra callipers up a couple of notches, although the alignment and toe-in were more involved with the Italian marque. The Tektro were something of a red herring given, in the real world these pads cost more than the entire ensemble.

Decent stoppers encourage more spirited riding and coinciding with cable replacement, the Miche felt and behaved notably better. The pro are a medium four season’s road compound, although judging by the literature, their exact composition remains a closely guarded secret. More expensive models feature titanium hardware and other gram saving exotica but in practice, I’d sooner forgo the need for Ti prep and similar anti seize pastes –especially on mile munching Audax and/or winter trainers.

Performance seems identical come rain, shine, sleet and indeed snow, bringing my minimalist fixer to a breathtaking halt from thirty five mph along a notoriously steep hill while facilitating a punchier ride through rush hour town centre traffic. My relatively conventional road bike complete with laden oversized wedge bag leads me to conclude that outright power isn’t quite comparable with some but then, I never felt as if the wheels would lock, nor did the pads seem overly sensitive to heat generated by prolonged braking. In keeping with others in the Jagwire range, water channelling readily attracts debris with audible sidewall scouring effect so will need regular purging. Given the season, wear rates seem favourable with traditional rims but heavier riders running ceramic types will be changing them sooner.

Verdict

Capable stoppers that are good value alternatives to high end OEM pads.