mrv 

Howdy
I’m going to run tires to fat to clear my open / released brake pads.
26in x 2.3in on an old 90s Rockhopper with Shimano LX or XT v-brakes.
My 2 inch tires don’t clear inflated now- or not we’ll, so things will get worse. I’m heading out for a bike camping trip in a forest with lots of sandy dirt roads, I’m hoping to float over some stuff that would otherwise be hiked.

What I cannot get the almighty google to tell me is it safe to run short (like old stubby canti pads) with linear pull.
i am guessing the linear pull pads are so long so as to distribute the load, improves toe in, and reduce squeeling and jutter.

can a pro mechanic confirm for me?
I would like to install shorter pads clear the frame, that allow the lever arms to open wider.
Eventually I might switch back to cantis. Maybe.

Last thing I want to do is get a face plant or worse in the woods 250 miles from home.

Thanks.

zacster

Longer = more surface area. That should have nothing to do with how wide the brakes open to let your wheel in. I installed a pair of very long KoolStop salmon pads onto an old road bike to increase the surface area on the steel rim, which is notoriously bad for braking, just today. They work better but nothing near as well as the brakes I installed on another bike, levers, calipers, cables and cross levers too.

fietsbob

Kool Stop brake pads... I use this one on my linear pull brake on my 349 rim wheels ..

It takes the Dura Ace pad insert ... Kool Stop International - High Performance Bicycle Brake Pads Since 1977
They make a longer thinner pad too.. like this Kool Stop International - High Performance Bicycle Brake Pads Since 1977

mrv 

the brake pads hit the frame. Then open no further.
My cantis on another bike clear the frame. So open wide. Like saying ahhhhhhh.




Long pad hits frame. Gotta deflate tire to assemble — currently my touring that will clear 2.3 in tires

Swings wide & says ahhhhhhhh - currently my trail bike with chainstays that limit to 2 in tires.

dedhed

You'll be fine unless you plan on 40 mph stops

mrv 

ha! I wish!!

Trevtassie

Would you have enough clearance if you got pad holders and took the pads out? Pad holders are metal so a bit lower profile than all rubber anyway. I think canti pads will have the same problem as the mount is very close to the frame. The mount on old school Shimano cantisnis further out, so they clear.
BTW, those pads with bolts you have on that other bike are almost unobtainium, if you see any new ones buy them because any other pad is a cludge to fit. Canti pads look a little different now. More like a shorter version of MTB pads with a stud and nut rather than a bolt.

fietsbob

The Cross pad is shorter so the tail does not go inside the fork blades..
fresh pads can work better than old dried out ones even if the new one is shorter..

KS City

dedhed

You could always just carry the wrench, loosen the pads, rotate out of the way, and reset when you put the wheel back

fietsbob

If it's a flat tire. that solves that , or let the air out,

re inflate it once it's back in the frame. brake pads can stay as is,,

mrv 

that’s the plan now.
sometimes on the side of the road I forget to install wheel. Then Inflate.
so I have to bleed off air until I can squeeze past the brakes.

I’ll check out the Kool Stops.
Thanks!

tyrion

Those long brake pads can hit the fork blades when the brakes are opened, limiting how far you can open them.