FiftySix

Hello, all.

I recently picked up a used Schwinn that has a front Tektro double pivot brake and a rear coaster brake. The front pads are really lacking in their grip on the rim.

What do you single speed riders with only a front brake use or recommend for brake pads?

Gresp15C

I have had extremely good results on multiple bikes with "jagwire basics road brake pad," which are like 7 bucks a pair on Amazon. This includes my favorite bike, which is a Schwinn frame with single speed coaster hub and front hand brake just like yours. And the Tektro dual pivots are great too.

From what I can see, it looks like a nice bike!

I've used more expensive pads, including the much-heralded Kool Stop Salmon, and really didn't experience a difference in braking or longevity.

FiftySix

Thanks for the brake pad info.

The bike is either a 2011 or 2012 Schwinn Willy, and at 15" it has the longest kickstand I've ever seen on any bicycle.

Except for some paint scratches on the top tube, this bike has hardly any wear on it and appears to have spent all of its time out of the rain. It sure rides smooth and easy, but the front brake is a bit under powered for what I'm used to. Ought to be an easy fix.

TimothyH

Koolstop salmon

Gresp15C

I wonder who comes up with the names for those Schwinns, since they are now headquartered in Madison WI. There's a Schwinn Madison, of course. I'm wondering because Williamson Street, aka Willy Street, runs through a really cool neighborhood in Madison, where that bike would fit right in.

FiftySix

I'm not sure where they came up with the Willy name. I can't really say to my family that I'm going out for a ride on my large red Willy. Sounds perverted.

You mentioned you had a single speed Schwinn with a similar braking set up, Gresp. What model name does it have?

Gresp15C

Mine's just a bucket o' parts. The frame is a 1985 Schwinn Traveler (originally 12 speed with drop bar) that I got at an auction for like 10 bucks. Rims are from the early 80's, rear hub is an ancient "red band" Bendix that isn't really all that great. Everything else is odds and ends. I threw it together just out of curiosity, and then it became my favorite bike.

FiftySix

That is a mighty fine example of a Schwinn.

I intend to tweak my Schwinn a bit here and there over the next few months. But, I did take it for another spin tonight before the sun was gone. It sure knows how to slow cruise with its low gearing and sit up bars.

The coaster brake sure is a blast from the past, that's for sure.

TimothyH

Everybody should be so lucky.


-Tim-

veganbikes

I highly recommend SwissStop pads and a good shoe. One piece pad/shoes are cheap but do not have the rigidity of a shoe with replaceable pads and the pads that come with those tend to be better and certainly can be replaced easily without unbolting the shoes and losing position. I know I hate realigning my pads so if I can avoid it I will. I can also easily find different compounds in replaceable pads though in the SwissStop I generally use the Flash Pro Original Black though if I rode a lot more in the rain I probably would go BXP.

For shoes I am currently using the eeBrake shoes because that is what they come with but the SwissStop one is fine as are probably most any of them. Certainly the cut outs can be nicer to help vent out heat but aren't super needed. So long as they are metal and aren't flexible they are a good choice.

I will also say buying expensive brake pads is a very cheap endeavor compared to buying a new caliper or lever but it can make a much bigger and better difference comparatively. To those that say they don't notice good pads are either not perceptive or maybe don't brake much but I have noticed it myself and even did a test using lower cost pads and nicer pads and the nicer pads certainly felt better on the same bike in the same position with the same everything (aside from pads).

hairnet

https://www.harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=479

FiftySix

Thanks for all the feedback, y'all!

I'll be getting some new pads when I tweak the bike a bit to fit me better. Too many other chores going on at the moment, so I'll ride one of the other bikes until that time comes.

FiftySix

Just to update that I installed a set of black Kool Stop Eagle Claw pads. This Schwinn will be a fair weather bike, so I didn't go for the salmon.

The new rubber sure grips a ton better than the 7 or 8 year old rubber of the original pads.

Thanks for all the suggestions.