In a message dated 6/23/03 9:15:45 PM Pacific Daylight Time, TheMaaslands@comcast.net writes:
> I don't think there was any special attention given to wood rims
> instead of alloy or steel ones.
>
In a discussion with Scott Davis about Universal Mod. 49 (?) brakes, I got
the distinct impression that there was a different pad for wood rims. I don't
claim to know the answer (because I don't) but it seems likely that a different
pad would be necessary to work on a varnished rim than on an aluminum one.
Even if you didn't revarnish and you ran the bare wood, the coefficient of
friction between the two materials is quite different. Presuming the enthusiasts of
old were as off the deep end as we are, it would make sense that the guys who
used wood rims would have figured out the brake pad thing.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA