Originally Posted by
Classtime
I'll ask here since folks are paying attention.
Is there any significant difference in the performance of these brakes when we install thinner, modern, Dura-style holders and pads? Of course the new pads improve performance, but engineering wise, would anyone back in the day replace stock the holders and pads with replacements that had less reach?
The reason brake pads got thinner was because they had to due to the mechanics of dual pivot brakes. There is no performance improvement. Kool stop compound is kool stop compound, whatever shape they mold it into. Dual pivot brakes have much greater alignment error than sidepulls. If thick pads were used, they'd end up hitting the tires as they wore down unless readjusted. In the old days, thick pads could be used because they would stay aligned with the rim even as they wore down nearly to the holder.
I would have been inclined to replace the pads only and use the original holders for these 7400 brakes, for that reason. Clearly this is a minority position these days. Changing pads happens much more often with modern brakes, and it is kind of annoying. They are however easier to replace than old school pads. Those often had to be unbolted from the caliper and the inserts removed with a vise.
WRT swapping in aftermarket brake pads - it was done sometimes but not often with high end brakes. Some people used those silly finned Mathauser super pads. Mostly they just squealed more if you did that.