uncle uncle

So, I have a pair of MAFAC Racer brakes that I'd like to use for a build, but they don't have the aluminum holder/posts that the original brake pads mount into. I've seen pictures of people using other "smooth post" brake shoes as substitutes, but I wondered if anyone here had any experience or recommendations as for any substitutes. I see the Sheldon Brown/Harris Cyclery recommended the Eagle 2 Kool Stop pads; anyone have any direct experience with subbing these in? I'd like something that didn't look too modern. Bicycle has aluminum rims, and it isn't going to use much in the rain or snow. Thanks for any responses, in advance....

Mad Honk 

Normally I would use some Continental pads from Kool Stop. Smiles, MH

79pmooney

Likewise. I buy whatever Koolstops the shop has that are canti-style poster, not threaded. They all work. (There are some MTB pads that are long enough that they might interfere with road forks.)

gugie 

These'll work.

merziac

Here's a couple that look a little less modern but don't know about the performance.

https://www.amazon.com/Dia-Compe-Opc...353387&sr=8-33

https://www.amazon.com/Jagwire-BKPD35001-Comp-Mountain/dp/B001GSOIVW/ref=sr_1_34?keywords=kool+stop+cantilever+brake+pads&qid=1676353387&sr=8-34

And some other Kool Stops

https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Bra...353643&sr=8-51

lonesomesteve

If you want the real deal, Rene Herse sells some Mafac-style brake pad holders. They also sell the KoolStop 4-dot pads.

Another option is to find a pair of cast-off Mafac Racer brakes at your local Co-op to harvest spare parts from. That may be a cheaper option.

smontanaro 

I can't believe this wasn't the first response (apologies to the first responder). MAFAC Racers are plentiful. It shouldn't be too hard to find a complete set at a co-op. Or post here in the (pinned, I think) ISO thread. Someone might be able to scrounge up the necessary bits. (I'll look in my MAFAC brake spare parts can to see what I have.)

bulgie 

If you don't have a co-op or bike recycler near you there's always ebay. Here's 2 pairs of original, vintage Mafac pads and holders for $27.45 shipped, oh and they come attached to a pair of brakes.

Or you could bid on one of these pairs of brakes, all currently around $5-7 and free shipping. Going to go up of course before the auction ends (duh). All with 4 Mafac pads/holders.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/404162135633
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314381876908
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314381883870
That last one is an older brake set that says "Dural Forge" rather than Racer, appropriate for an older bike, prior to about '66-'68 I think (from vague memory, someone here knows...)

If the bike is only for riding, then maybe you don't care. But this being C&V, I'd like to think we try, at least a little, to not offend the gods with blatant disregard for Period Correct.
If you could see my bikes you'd know I'm joking, I have parts from every decade from the '50s on, on just one of my bikes. I have not been struck by lightning, yet.

Happy hunting!
Mark B

oneclick 

One of the good things about used Mafacs is that most of the time the rubber of the pads is still good, Weinmanns and those horrible fibre (asbestos?) filled Universals have usually lost all their grip.

nlerner

Best thing about those MAFAC pads is no extra cost for the excessive squeal!

WilliamT

I wouldn't recommend the Kool Stop pads for the MAFAC Racers. On my 71 Gitane, the pad is too long curves down. It also interferes with the front forks because its so long. As a result, you'll get plenty of pad rubbing until that part wears down. I would stick to original square block pads even if they don't stop as well.

markk900

Couple of thoughts from my own experience: first none of the dozens of used old MAFAC pads are usable in my opinion - all are way too hard even after a nice scrub with sandpaper or a bench grinder (depending on how old and hard they are)..... second, I have used a variety of Koolstop canti pads successfully on several bikes: rears are no problem at all (as the leading edge of the pad is "normal" length), and fronts can be a challenge as WilliamT mentions but on my Peugeots the longer trailing section fits nicely (if snugly) under the fork blades. Have tried the "regular" black ones, the red ones, and the Eagle 2s with the multi-compound and all worked fine (TBH I didn't notice any difference in effectiveness and the regular ones are cheaper). Like any MAFAC they need proper toe-in to reduce squealing.

Have not been able to try 4-dot Koolstops as any I can find shipping to Canada cost more than most of my bikes did; I am reluctant to try "NOS MAFAC" pads I see on various sites as my experience is they could be rocks.

merziac

I listed several options in post #5 including some more conventional shaped Kool Stops, any of them should work well for the Racer's.

79pmooney

I've never kept track of what Koolstop pads I'm buying. Every time I go to the shop the selection is different. (Probably a year or two later.) I buy the pads that look like they'll work. I think one long MTB pair didn't on the fork (and I'm sure I could have jimmied it to work). Koolstop makes a lot of pads. Many, probably most work on RACERS just fine (and make for very superior brakes). I rather like the one piece (yes slightly more wasteful) pads, especially in front because there is simply less to go wrong and that is one place I really don't like things going wrong. So, working to find original Mafac holders is something I will never do. (Besides, it is taking another RACER out of circulation. Unless you are going to ride it, IMO a sin.)

jdawginsc 

The other option are DiaCompe canti pads...they are cheap and do a very decent job stopping. Not sure how the clearance will be though, but they are less long.

uncle uncle

Original question dealer here... thanks everyone for your responses and input. The brakes are going to go onto my "test bed" bicycle I keep around for navigating thru the neighborhood and short rides. So, I'm not too much of stickler for period correct parts on it. I am going to have another buddy borrow/ride the bicycle with the brakes mounted, and if he likes them, we are planning on working up some sort of part/beer/favor swap.

79pmooney

The any Koolstop that fits will be prefect for an every day city bike. My two winter/rain/city bikes have RACER fronts and Weinman rears. (I had Mafacs on one of those bikes, Weinmanns came on the other. Turned the Mafac rear into to a front and the Weinmann into a rear. The Weinmann feels a lot stiffer, balancing out the full length housing run. Feel is the same, front and rear and that all important city stopping power with the fronts is there. (Have to buy different pads front and rear since they are the different types, post and threaded. With the "what's the store got today" the appearance is ever changing but both bikes are stoppers.

uncle uncle

If you don't mind 79pmooney... I'm going to steal your idea and mock this up on my bicycle, just to see how things feel.

merziac

And also FWIW, I have a big, cheap, pretty course Mill Bastid file that I use on old rock hard pads when I get a new to me acquisition for early test rides.

The last 3, Mafac, Campy and Dia Compes have worked just fine and were cleaned up and left in place.

I usually go pretty hard at them and try to true them up as well, this being Portland they seem to work ok even in the rain.

79pmooney

I don't mind at all. And I never took out a patent or trademark on the idea so even if I did ...

The two brakes are super easy to swap ends with. Go to Ace Hardware with the Mafac front bolt and Weinmann rear. Buy the equivalent nice bolts of their quality steel. I don't recall doing anything else. (Maybe I had to grind the hex head down to clear the arms but I don't remember doing that. I could go out and look but I'm in for the night.

79pmooney

The fun Mafac story. I used to ride my beater in Boston. No car. Loved those brakes. 1) they always worked, even on winter trashed rims with brake surfaces that looked to be lifted off the moon. And 2) the Boston drivers. When they pulled a fast one, I'd slam on the front brake, then point at the driver. Every pedestrian head for a block around would swivel toward me. Their eyes would follow my point. Meanwhile driver is awakened from his stupor by that same squeal. Looks up. And guess what? Everybody's looking at him! Driver slinks off like a busted cat.