freak

Can I put vbrake pads on my old Schwinn continental center pull brakes?

cxwrench

Nope.

freak

Can you expand on that? Why not? Seems like they would bolt right up.

cxwrench

Ok, I've never tried it because...why? It might actually work on some of them. I'm guessing because of the large arc the pads travel through on their way to the rim that the pads would wear pretty unevenly and pretty quickly...and they're thin. But you're right...now that I think about it there is a good chance they'll work.

freak

Ok... I'm doing a restomod with a schwinn just for fun. Might buy a set and try it. Thanks

Jeff Wills

The "correct" Kool Stop pads for that brake are the Continentals. They came with the Schwinn Super Sport that I'm modifying and they work just fine.

freak

Can you give me a link to the pad?

freak

Oh I see it. I really didn't want a "correct" pad. I want the vbrake type pad;

Jeff Wills

I think the V-brake pads will work. However, as others suggested the shorter arc of the centerpull brake will mean you'll need to check the pads more frequently as the pads wear. The longer pads could come in contact with the tire above the rim. When this happens the pad starts to wear the tire carcass away. This is bad.

Pop N Wood

I say try it and find out.

I would worry more about the flexy nature of the old Schwinn brake calipers. the longer pad is putting a good bit more torque on them. They aren't very rigid to begin with, might lead to more squeal.

Bill Kapaun

It's nice to see people to add to my ignore list before I ever deal with them.

dedhed

They'll likely "work". the problem you'll often encounter is that in front there isn't enough room between the fork legs and rim for the longer pads.

70sSanO

I don’t see why you can’t. I’ve put v-brake pads on road calipers before to see if there was a bit more stopping power. I don’t remember the outcome. They looked a bit odd, but they worked. I think the brake length might interact with the fork and limit how much the calipers open. I just don’t remember.

Can’t speak for the Dia Compe centerpulls, but you can see how they work. There might be a little better braking especially if you have steel rims.

John

Russ Roth

Might need a couple extra spacers, ran into that the only time I ever did this, the tube the bolt actually screwed into was longer then the thickness of the old caliper. Can't remember how well it worked so probably not significantly more impressive.

ClydeClydeson

They will likely fit. It is possible that the two sets of conical washers on each pad will take up too much space, or that the length of the brake pad will interfere with the legs of the fork or the seat stays.

As for the potential for the pad to hit the tire after too much wear, this is a potential problem with almost all brakes with pivots above, and wider than, the wheel, regardless of which pads you use. The thin V brake pads might actually be better because (a) you need to replace them sooner than fatter pads, and (2) the conical washer sets allow you to readjust the pad to meet the rim better than pads that can only be moved up and down in the slot.

fietsbob

Kool Stop International - High Performance Bicycle Brake Pads Since 1977

the aforementioned Continentals Kool Stop International - High Performance Bicycle Brake Pads Since 1977

freak

Wow. I didn't want the "correct" pads for a restoration. If you read my original post I was doing a restomod and wanted different brakes. No I don't wants brakes that don't work so in that sense if correct to you means "working" then I understand your frustration. But on the contrary, if you're just a person who can't stand individuals who customize bikes then your kill-file is warranted.

veganbikes

Customizing a bike and using incorrect parts is very different. V-brakes are designed to mount on cantilever posts on more modern bikes they sit much lower than the classical center pull brakes and they also use a much different pull ratio. Yes theoretically you could get someone to braze on some mounts for v-brakes but on an old Schwinn not really worth it. What is wrong with using center pull brakes? What is your goal using incorrect pads for those brakes? If you are trying to get better braking use the Kool Stop Continentals, high quality cables and compressionless housing and you will improve braking quite nicely.

freak

Yup... That's why I started this thread. To see if they would work.

alcjphil

Well, they may not. The longer pads will extend between the fork legs. If they do, the brake callipers may not open far enough for wheel removal. The brakes are designed for a specific brake pad length. Experiment if you wish, so far there have been no respondents who have performed the same test.

cxwrench

Reading comprehension ftw. Maybe go back and read the OP's first post again.

alcjphil

The question asked does not take all scenarios into consideration. Of course it is probably possible to bolt Vbrake pads onto the centre pull brakes that came on that bike. Whether they will work was not asked in that question

cxwrench

I think you might have missed the point as well. Vegan guy was talking about brazing posts onto a frame, the OP was asking if the V-brake would fit his brakes. That was my point.

alcjphil

What point did I not miss in the original question?
" Can I put vbrake pads on my old Schwinn continental center pull brakes?"
No mention of brazing posts onto a frame. All that I have said was that Vbrake pads may fit but may not work well on the centre pull brakes the bike was equipped with

ClydeClydeson

veganbikes may have misunderstood the original question and made a post about modifying and brazing canti pivots to the frame. I believe that is what cxwrench is referring to.