Ceramic pads are the go-to pads for cars these days. But I hear they are very hard and so wear the discs faster. For other aspects they appear to be the best option.
I find that discs can be somewhat noisy with slow speeds and light applications. Also they can get a visible vibration at slower speeds. I think this has a lot to do with all the gaps in the rotors. I use SRAM CenterLine rotors and have found others to be worse. Next time I might try a SRAM HS2 which are also supposed to be designed to reduce friction vibrations.
Admitedly rim brakes often have issues with immediate wet weather braking, which can be dangerous if caught out. But they don’t have the howl/squeal, the noise and the vibration of discs. I find them just smoother in operation and easier to modulate at slower speeds. Also they are much lower maintenance and cost in a basic alloy rim setup for road use IMO. For off-road wet conditions, discs are still better despite their various disadvantages.
A 60k commute in for night shift on a wet day. Sand and grit in the pads. Braking wasn’t quiet or particularly effective either. Aluminium from the rims all over the brake caliper and on the fork legs. I do not miss rim brakes (or wet weather).
Fair enough. Looks like a bad combination for sure.
In my thoughts as to why I might not have the same issues. I’m running 50mm tyres which probably shield the 17mm inner rims to a large degree. Also have full mudguards with a big mud flap just 3cm off the ground to keep the crud off. Then it might just come down the pad and rim compatability. Rim durability and pad hardness. Dunno, but I don’t see anything remotely like it on my setup.
After testing a bunch of pads many years ago, I settled on BBB cartridge V-brake pads for their general all round properties and lack of squeal.
Off road however and it’s a similar effect to what you are showing in the wet. Constant wet rear rim mainly due to grass - I only have a rear rim brake - grinding sounds and lack of braking. I try not to use the rear brake much in those conditions, or just take the Kona with dual discs.
