best brake pads for Tektro R559

[Brent Eastman]

I was about to ask folks about Paul Racers, but I know the answer.

Before I spend ~$450 to switch from Tektro to Paul I want to try a pad swap and see if I can get more stopping power with the R559 over the stock pads. 

Anyone have experience and/or recommendations for pad upgrades on the Tektro R559?

Thanks! Brent

[Evan E.]

Kool-Stop / Yokozuna / Scott-Mathauser salmon pads:

https://www.rivbike.com/products/yokozuna-55mm-brake-pad-insert-salmon-15143?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=98728489b&pr_rec_pid=7405592705&pr_ref_pid=758459400303&pr_seq=uniform

OR

Kool-Stop e-bike brake pads:

https://www.rivbike.com/products/brake-pads-kool-stop-e-bike?variant=8666755268719

[Dan]

Absolutely worth trying.

On my bike with these I changed to Shimano Ultegra pads and it lead to a significant improvement in brake feel and power.

Kool Stops promise to be even better!

[Will Boericke]

On my long reach brakes, I have SwissStop BXP (which I think are slightly better than KoolStop) and they work great.  You might also try stiffer sidepulls, like the TRP or Velo Orange before splashing out on Paul Racers.

WIll 

[Piaw Na]

I second the Kool-Stop brakepads. I never bother with the OEM pads and always swap them out for Kool-stop Salmon pads immediately. The one exception are the Swiss-Stop pads that come with SRAM dual pivots which are also very good (but cost a lot more!) I've never found the Tektro 559 brakes to be less than necessary even when descending steep hills off pavement.

[Will Boericke]

What about descending steep hills off pavement in the rain?  This is where I have found the 559s less-than-pleasing.  Can I say it would have been better with another (non-disc) brake?  Not sure.

Will

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[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

On Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM Will Boericke <wboe...@gmail.com> wrote:

What about descending steep hills off pavement in the rain?  This is where I have found the 559s less-than-pleasing.  Can I say it would have been better with another (non-disc) brake?  Not sure.

No problems there either. Tire traction is more of an issue than brake pads grabbing the rim. Usually in the rain the trails around here get sloppy so even if you locked up the wheels the tires would keep sliding in the mud. Not sure how discs would improve that situation. 

[Brenton Eastman]

I think rider weight matters a lot here. For those of us riding size 57+ bikes and weighing 180lbs or more, the R559 leaves a little to be desired. Sometimes I can’t even skid on dirt. 

On Aug 26, 2025, at 10:15 AM, Piaw Na <pi...@gmail.com> wrote:



On Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM Will Boericke <wboe...@gmail.com> wrote:

What about descending steep hills off pavement in the rain?  This is where I have found the 559s less-than-pleasing.  Can I say it would have been better with another (non-disc) brake?  Not sure.

No problems there either. Tire traction is more of an issue than brake pads grabbing the rim. Usually in the rain the trails around here get sloppy so even if you locked up the wheels the tires would keep sliding in the mud. Not sure how discs would improve that situation. 

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[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

On Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 10:29 AM Brenton Eastman <brenton...@gmail.com> wrote:

I think rider weight matters a lot here. For those of us riding size 57+ bikes and weighing 180lbs or more, the R559 leaves a little to be desired. Sometimes I can’t even skid on dirt. 

I've ridden my tandem with my son (total team + bike + luggage weight in the 280-300 pound range) in the alps with Shimano Medium reach brakes. Off road, in the rain, it takes an extra wheel revolution or two to dry the rims out before the kool-stop grabs. I've skidded both wheels on gravel. The longer reach brakes might have a bit more flex so you'd have to pull the brakes harder, so maybe the 559s are a bit too long. Then again, the tandem with luggage and a kid at the back probably outweighs you by quite a bit.

[Toshi Takeuchi]

The stock Tektro pads are so awful. They need to be changed immediately.  The Yokozuna/kool stop are excellent, but I pay more for the swiss stop bxp pads. The only reason is that I have had some squeal from the salmon pads, but never had it with the swiss stops. Both of them stopped my bike equally well. For me, I just pay a little more money every once in a while to not have to fiddle with the pads/noise.

Toshi in Oakland

[Bill Lindsay]

I'll plug the E-Bike compound inserts that Riv sells.  I have had a few setups squeal with salmons, and in all those cases, Koolstop's E-Bike compound solved it.  Riv sells them for $10 a pair.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Jim in Mpls]

I'll second Bill's recommendation for the Kool Stop E-bike compound pads. I have them on multiple bikes-caliper(including R559's) and cantilever versions, and think they are great and quiet.

Jim in Mpls

[Andy Beichler]

I generally weigh between 220 and 240 depending on the usual factors. I find 559's to be fine brakes as long as it has good pads.  The stock ones are ok.  With upgraded pads I can skid on the pavement if I want to (I don't want to). 

[Mike Bacon]

+1 on the Look Stop e-bike brakes with Ultegra pad holders.  I have converted almost everything I own to this and like it a lot!. I do have SwissStop blue pads on  Dura Ace calipers on my Mercian and they work well - but I like the Kool Stops better.