Re: [CR]Mafac Brake Shoes Needed

(Example: Framebuilding:Tubing)

In-Reply-To: <112820081710.2646.4930260A00045F3200000A562206998499020E000A9C9D0A08@comcast.net>
References: <112820081710.2646.4930260A00045F3200000A562206998499020E000A9C9D0A08@comc ast.net>
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:40:40 -0800
To: hersefan@comcast.net, Phil Brown <philcycles@sbcglobal.net>, Classicrendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Mafac Brake Shoes Needed


> > > What replacements can I use if Mafacs aren't available?

Campy pre-1999 pads slip right into the holders. Kool-Stop makes a great salmon-colored pad, which is sold by Harris Cyclery and others. We have a full test of these pads in the next issue of Bicycle Quarterly (at the printer now). They are a tad thinner, so you either should sand down the holders to make them seat perfectly, or put a thin strip of aluminum between pad and holder. I have used these pads for years, and they are the best. Don't squeal, either.

The entire next issue of BQ is a "Brake Special" with a history of bicycle brakes, technical aspects, how to set them up, and more. It covers everything from early wooden blocks on iron rims, activated by twisting the handlebars and winding up a rope, to modern dual pivots and disc brakes. Roller-cam brakes from the 1930s, straight-push cantilevers from the 1940s, centerpulls, Campy sidepulls and Delta brakes, etc. Brakes are a fascinating story, perhaps more so than derailleurs, because there have been so many different designs over the years.

My favorites are a 1950 direct-pull centerpull with forked arms, and a Daudon hydraulic brake that was much more elegant than today's hydraulic rim brakes...

Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave #C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.bikequarterly.com