Braking on carbon rims has traditionally meant accepting compromises — grabby modulation, poor wet weather performance, or nervous descents worrying about heat buildup in carbon clinchers. SwissStop's Black Prince compound addresses all three. The FlashPro Black Prince pads deliver a linear relationship between lever force and braking power that feels remarkably similar to braking on aluminum, giving you predictable control whether feathering through a corner or grabbing hard for an unexpected stop.

The compound runs significantly cooler than SwissStop's previous Yellow King formulation, with a 44% reduction in maximum operating temperature during hard braking. That thermal improvement matters most on long descents where heat accumulates in the brake track — lower temperatures mean more consistent stopping power and less stress on carbon clincher layups. Wet weather braking sees a claimed 26% reduction in stopping distance compared to the Yellow King, which translates to noticeably more confidence when rain hits mid-ride.

SwissStop rates the Black Prince at 8 out of 10 for stopping power, 7 out of 10 for longevity, and 9 out of 10 for modulation. That modulation score reflects the linear lever feel — you can apply light pressure for subtle speed adjustments or squeeze progressively harder with braking force increasing proportionally rather than grabbing suddenly. The compound contains no abrasive materials that score carbon brake tracks, and it operates consistently across temperatures from -20°C to 40°C.... Read More