percynjpn said:
I've decided to buy a Cyclo; I'd like to know what type of pads other users prefer: the bonnet-type pads, or the velcro-backed pads (which would require the rubber pad holder).
Do the bonnets really last much longer; are they difficult to remove when you want to change pads? Right now I figure if the bonnet pads are pretty easy to take off/put on, that's what I'll order...
OMG, *NO* do *not* buy the bonnet-style pads :scared: NO way to overstate this. They really *are* that hard to put on/take off. I keep a few around just to remind myself of how hard life used to be (and that's not a joke). Once you wrestle the velcro pad holders onto the head of the machine you'll see what I mean. Fortunately, once you get the velcro pad holders on there, you might not ever have to take them off.
The velcro pad holders last forever- I got mine when they first came out (late '80s IIRC) and they're still working just like new.
The pads are the same, the only difference is whether they're glued to the rubber bonnets or to a piece of velcro. OK, one advantage to the bonnet-style pads is that they aren't ever contaminated with velcro slubs like the velcro-backed pads often are. Still not a worthwhile trade-off by any means.
When I was younger, with, admittedly, a lower hassle tolerance, I just used one product with the Cyclo for most everything, and even washed the pads on the machine- just to avoid struggling with those bonnet-style pads.
Using the velcro pad holders will not only make it immeasurably easier to change pads, but will allow the use of non-Cyclo brand pads.
If you decide to use MF bonnets, some fit over wool (I don't like these very much) and some fit over foam (use cutting pads, it's a better fit and they seem to work better).
Only used the wool pads under bonnets, so I can't help with those otherwise.
