Rim brake pads and inserts: which ones fit?

Updated October 8, 2026 · Fahrradwerkstatt Avelo, Hamburg

For rim brakes, the choice depends on three things: the brake type (road caliper, V-brake or cantilever), the rim material (aluminium or carbon), and whether you replace only the insert in a cartridge holder or the complete pad.

Complete pad or cartridge insert?

A complete pad includes holder and rubber and is replaced as one piece. With a cartridge system, the holder stays on the bike and only the insert slides in and is secured. Mind the system: Shimano/SRAM and Campagnolo holders take differently shaped inserts.

Aluminium or carbon rim?

Carbon rims need a carbon-specific compound: standard pads can damage and overheat the braking surface. For aluminium there are compounds for dry and for wet conditions ("Wet" versions, for example). Some rim makers require a specific pad, for instance for rims with a special braking-surface coating.

Road, V-brake or cantilever

Road pads are short with a threaded stud. V-brake pads are longer; cantilever pads often have a smooth post. The label in the product name (Road, V-Brake, Cantilever) shows which brake a model is for.

Frequently asked questions

When should I replace brake pads?

When the grooves are worn away, the rubber is hard or cracked, or braking weakens. Picking out embedded metal fragments now and then protects the rim.

Do Shimano inserts fit Campagnolo holders?

No, the shapes differ. Choose inserts for your holder system; some brands make both versions.

Which pads for carbon rims?

Only pads explicitly rated for carbon, ideally the ones your rim maker recommends.

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