jayRmichigan

Hey gang,

So I recently picked up an old japanese 3-speed for my girlfriend (the frame had been painted over, so I'm not sure what the brand is). The brakes have been giving me some trouble though. Normally they're fine, but whenever it rains they become pretty much useless.

I think it's because the wheels don't have a legit brake surface, so the brake pads are just gripping onto the chrome rims, so when they get wet it becomes impossible for them to grip properly.

So my question is, are there any good brake pads that are designed for old bikes that lack proper brake surfaces, and would work well in wet weather? Thanks!

buck mulligan

Steel rims will always brake poorly when wet, but to make the best of a bad situation you need these:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/b...ml#continental

Torchy McFlux

Brake pads with leather inserts used to be available that would improve braking in the wet with chromed rims. Don't know where to find them though.

edit: eBay to the rescue! From the UK, of course:
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Calliper-Brake...item35a683502d

cnnrmccloskey

Interesting, never heard of those, I don't know how they perform but I've gotten acceptable (not great) braking with Koolstop Salmons (what buck linked) on chrome rims, Portlands wet alot though so I still wouldn't rim steel rims