Bad Brakes
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Bad Brakes
My bike has a hard time stopping. They replaced the brake cables and brakes pads. So far, no change. Any ideas of what to do next? ( I have side pull brakes, BTW. The ones that came with the bike back in 1981. Schwinn Voyager.)
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assuming they (bike mechanic) properly adjusted the brake cable system and used pads without any contamination on the surface of the pads, i can only conclude that the wheel rims have an unclean surface for the pads to rub against. the brake system you have on your bike is a rather simple system with not too much that can go wrong.
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That bike probably has steel rims. They're notoriously hard to stop, especially in rain. Try a different brake pad, like Kool Stop Salmon.
And was the work done by a reputable shop? Small problems in cable routing can cause loss of braking.
And was the work done by a reputable shop? Small problems in cable routing can cause loss of braking.
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It's probably a combination of flexy single pivot sidepulls and quite likely steel rims. It will never stop well.
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I had Dura Ace 7400 side-pull brakes, properly adjusted, and they never really stopped they way I had envisioned. It wasn't until I got dual-pivot brakes with compressionless housing that my brakes performed they way I expected.
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Best bet would be installing some modern dual pivot that have enough reach, like Tektro 559 or 369 These come in nutted mounts which that bike likely has and long reach. You'd have to check what reach you need.
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Kool-Stop pads might help if your replacements are generic cheapies. Are you using the front brake enough?
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They replace the housing but put on, cheap-no name pads on it. I called the shop and told them about the advice this list gave. They will order Kool Stop pads, ASAP. They are going to put on something called, duel (??) hardness brake pads. My rims are Alum. and the bike was rebuilt last year. (Barn Find) I hope this works. Thanks everyone!
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My guess is the new pads won't help noticeably, but I hope I'm wrong. Older side-pulls are just not all that great. Dedhed had it right about installing dual-pivots--even cheap ones. Compressionelss housing will make them even better.
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Give those rims a good clean. Soap and water, then a light pass with 300+ wetordry sand paper, then wash again. You want to go the extra mile? A pass with magic eraser should leave them real clean.
With those new pads and clean rims you should be golden.
With those new pads and clean rims you should be golden.
#13
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Flexy side pulls. If you never knew anything else, they’d seem fine to you. If you’ve experienced modern brakes, they’ll always seem underwhelming.
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dual pivot is certainly better, but IMHO older side pulls were not as bad as you seem to think. higher end are better as always, I have had good results with dura ace 7400, ultegra tricolor and universal 88 among others
I personally would stick with the all orange pads
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Stopping power was always underwhelming with most single pivot brakes I grew up with. However their stopping power increased dramatically with the degree of my fright. So they never failed to stop me in time to avoid what ever it was that scared the heck out of me. Even in the rain with chromed steel rims and a heavy as heck 46 pound Schwinn Varsity.
On the flip side, I've heard noobs to cycling complain about the stopping power of their disc brakes and dual pivot brakes. Maybe they'd be more satisfied with what they have if they could try the brakes I grew up with.
On the flip side, I've heard noobs to cycling complain about the stopping power of their disc brakes and dual pivot brakes. Maybe they'd be more satisfied with what they have if they could try the brakes I grew up with.
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I like my brakes with the stock pads, but maybe I'll swap some Kool Stop salmons this weekend just to see what all the fuss is about.
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Quit fooling around. Get a SA 90 mm DRUM brake hub, or better yet a SA XL-FDD dyno drum. My first one has 29,000 miles on 3 bikes and 2 tours at 120 lbs.
ZERO fuss in any weather. Stops almost as well as my TRP Spyre disc on my Rohloff. Neither ever squeals. You can then use the hole for a front rack to beef up the fork.
ZERO fuss in any weather. Stops almost as well as my TRP Spyre disc on my Rohloff. Neither ever squeals. You can then use the hole for a front rack to beef up the fork.
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Quit fooling around. Get a SA 90 mm DRUM brake hub, or better yet a SA XL-FDD dyno drum. My first one has 29,000 miles on 3 bikes and 2 tours at 120 lbs.
ZERO fuss in any weather. Stops almost as well as my TRP Spyre disc on my Rohloff. Neither ever squeals. You can then use the hole for a front rack to beef up the fork.
ZERO fuss in any weather. Stops almost as well as my TRP Spyre disc on my Rohloff. Neither ever squeals. You can then use the hole for a front rack to beef up the fork.
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To the OP, as stated above, well dressed housing and dual pivot brakes are they key if you want to improve stopping. The pads will help, but you’re going to be at a disadvantage with the original side pulls. All that said, I rode 60’s center pulls followed by 80’s side pulls (though good ones) for a long time. New ones work better, but the old ones do still stop as long as you’re respectful of their capabilities.
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The one thing I don't like about the Kool Stop pads is that little "ramp" on the back of them. I want the faces of my pads to be completely flat.
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I have both the salmon and the black versions for dry-weather riding. Which would be better for brake improvement in dry conditions? The black, I suppose. I have four empty Dura Ace shoe holders, so I'll load two with the black, and two with the salmon.
The one thing I don't like about the Kool Stop pads is that little "ramp" on the back of them. I want the faces of my pads to be completely flat.
The one thing I don't like about the Kool Stop pads is that little "ramp" on the back of them. I want the faces of my pads to be completely flat.
I think the ramps are supposed to act as a wiper or anti squeal feature. Other than looking goofy if they don’t fit in the holder, is there anything else you don’t like about it?
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Like I said, the stock pads work great for me, but I’m open if there’s something even better.