Aztec Dual Compound Brake Blocks £6.99

Aztec has a fine reputation for making brake blocks as they have been in the business for over 20 years. Dual compound brake pads are said to offer the best compromise in regards to performance for all year round use. The harder compound offers a dry weather-braking surface while the softer grey compound works better in the wet. The grey compound has the added effect that it should clean the rim surface from the black sludge in wet conditions, offering an uncontaminated braking surface.

Fitting the Dura Ace pattern blocks was a breeze, as they went into the Dura Ace holders no problem. I was although slightly surprised that there were no additional grub screws to hold the pad into the holder. Make sure you don’t cross-thread or throw away the old ones or you may experience a fast ejecting brake block when you may need it most. The initial feel of the block left a lot to be desired; at first I put this down to the top layer of the pad as yet not fully removed. With some days this summer we have experienced three seasons in one day (we haven’t had snow yet!) it has provided an excellent set of conditions to test the brake blocks.

I have to say I was left feeling very un-impressed with the performance of the brake blocks. The blocks had a dead almost wooden feel to them and lacked the progressive feel against the rim. I used them on the Dragon Ride sportive and they did not instil confidence when coming off the mountains at speeds of 70kmph. I was also surprised on how quickly the blocks wore down, as the original Aztec brake blocks have always had a great reputation as a long lasting pad.

Coming in at exactly the same price as the excellent Dura Ace 7800 brake blocks (part No 8A0 9802) the Aztec blocks failed to improve on the excellent performance of these blocks. In regards to price versus performance the Shimano version is still the benchmark that all others must be judged by. Aztec will have to try harder to improve on this.