I don't currently own any disc brake bikes, but never had any real issues with them. I have ridden rim brakes in the winter for years now. My current commuter (Clem) has Shimano black brake pads on Shimano V brakes. No issues at all; snow, ice, rain, dirt---they just work. I wouldn't overthink it. Occasionally, it'll sound like a chunk of ice or road grime/sand/rock is between the pad and rim. I just try not to squeeze that in and damage the wheel---I will tap the brake a couple times and try and get that to break loose and then carry on.
I do tend to use Kool Stop salmon pads on most canti bikes, but the Shimano V brakes work so well, I don't think it matters much which pads are loaded. On Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 11:55:02 AM UTC-5 Will Boericke wrote: > Huh, my article link didn't work. Let's try again: > > https://www.tobedetermined.cc/journal/the-dark-art-of-rotor-shimming > > W > > On Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 11:52:08 AM UTC-5 Will Boericke wrote: > >> I ride daily all winter, in all conditions with rim brakes (Boston >> area). I suspect you already have Kool Stop salmon pads; if so, you're >> good to go. Don't worry too much about it. I have ridden in snow, sleet, >> freezing rain. Never had brake issues. >> >> As for your disc wheels, you likely need to shim one set of rotors so >> that the spacing from the dropout to where the rotor sits on the bike is >> the same for both wheelsets. Many companies sell 1-2mm shims for this >> purpose. I found this article to be the best description of the process; I >> imagine there's a video but I prefer to process a written procedure. >> Or...get a set of wheels with exactly the same rear hub. >> >> Will near Boston >> >> On Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:28:13 PM UTC-5 Kim H. wrote: >> >>> @Jay, >>> >>> I am the one who recently posted a discussion about Kool Stop Ebike >>> brake pads about a week or so ago. >>> >>> The weather here in western Washington state has not gotten very cold >>> during the day. Its been in the low to mid 50s with rain. Our colder >>> weather begins late December through February. >>> >>> Therefore, I am unable to give you a report on the performance of these >>> KOOL STOP E-BIKE brake pads in cold weather conditions yet. >>> >>> If you like, I can report back to you when the cold weather sets in >>> later on in the winter season. >>> >>> Kim Hetzel. >>> >>> On Mon, Nov 10, 2025, 7:07 PM Jay <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> I only ride my Roadini in winter when the roads are relatively clear >>>> (no ice, snow or slick conditions). Part of the reason is fear with rim >>>> brakes and if it's cold, traces of snow or ice, I'm nervous the brakes >>>> won't function properly. >>>> >>>> My only other bike is a Salsa Fargo. I can sum this up in 4 words "I >>>> hate disc brakes". The wheels I use 8 months of the year are great, >>>> wheels >>>> never leave the bike. Dial the braking in once and I'm fuss-free. While >>>> the disc brakes are fine , I don't need disc brakes where I ride. I often >>>> ride the Roadini on the same trails and the brakes are perfect (Tektro >>>> with >>>> stock pads). I only have the Fargo because it takes bigger tires (thought >>>> I needed them), and I eventually got studded tires for it. But I really >>>> don't want a disc brake bike any longer. >>>> >>>> The issue is winter. I have a second wheelset for the Fargo, with >>>> studded tires. And every time I swap wheels I get rubbing on the disc >>>> brakes. I loosen the calliper, squeeze the lever, tighten the bolts, rub. >>>> >>>> I have watched all the videos and tried all the tricks. It is so >>>> annoying. I have three wheel sets for the Roadini and swap them often, I >>>> can dial in the brakes perfectly 100% of the time. Zero stress. >>>> >>>> To overcome my fear with riding Leo on sketchy roads, I could get >>>> studded tires. But I want the best rim brake pads for freezing temps, >>>> with >>>> occasional snow/ice. I've heard that when you brake and there is build up >>>> on the rim, it takes 1-2 rotations to scrape this off and then you're >>>> good. >>>> Maybe there are better brake pads? In a separate thread there was >>>> discussion about the kool stop e-bike pads. Swiss stop. Kool stop >>>> salmon. I don't recall if that thread covered use in cold winters. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>> To view this discussion visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9e746e2a-fd36-4fce-9fe7-ff948055dacbn%40googlegroups.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9e746e2a-fd36-4fce-9fe7-ff948055dacbn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/815a014c-ced8-4f8c-bd93-c0b13bf9872en%40googlegroups.com.
