Dawes Double Blue.

[carpenter]

looks lovely

Interesting that you find the centre pulls effective on steel wheels - that has been my opinion, but I have seen quite a few people make quite disparaging remarks about both in terms of braking efficiency. I guess that it is down to having good brake pads.

 

[Illaveago]

Yes I was a bit surprised! I can only go from memory of riding steel wheels back in the early 70's as my other bikes have aluminium rims. I think side pulls tend to be better at stopping than centre pulls but once applied can stay rubbing on one side. The brakes fitted to this bike certainly stop better than any of my other bikes.
I'll have to try going down Long Deane from Castle Combe to see how effective they are. Going down there on my Raleigh Granada almost terrified me last year.

 

[raleighnut]

Yes I was a bit surprised! I can only go from memory of riding steel wheels back in the early 70's as my other bikes have aluminium rims. I think side pulls tend to be better at stopping than centre pulls but once applied can stay rubbing on one side. The brakes fitted to this bike certainly stop better than any of my other bikes.
I'll have to try going down Long Deane from Castle Combe to see how effective they are. Going down there on my Raleigh Granada almost terrified me last year.

Has it got Fibrax pads fitted, they were great on steel wheels but just ate Ally rims.

 

[Illaveago]

Has it got Fibrax pads fitted, they were great on steel wheels but just ate Ally rims.

I don't know what they are ! They just look like normal brake blocks.

 

[raleighnut]

I don't know what they are ! They just look like normal brake blocks.

They don't look any different,



but they are extremely abrasive, steel (chromed) rims can take that abuse but not Ally ones.

 

[Illaveago]

They don't look any different,

View attachment 446308

but they are extremely abrasive, steel (chromed) rims can take that abuse but not Ally ones.

If Fibrax have those castlellations then they are not the ones that are fitted.

 

[raleighnut]

If Fibrax have those castlellations then they are not the ones that are fitted.

No, not all do,


But they made ones specific for steel rims that give excellent braking, they even made blocks with leather inserts for wet weather.

 

[Illaveago]

No, not all do,

View attachment 446315
But they made ones specific for steel rims that give excellent braking, they even made blocks with leather inserts for wet weather.

They look just like the old rubber blocks from the 70's. IIRC black were for steel and pink or red were for alloy.

 

[Illaveago]

No, not all do,

View attachment 446315
But they made ones specific for steel rims that give excellent braking, they even made blocks with leather inserts for wet weather.

I will take them off and have another look tomorrow.

 

[raleighnut]

I will take them off and have another look tomorrow.

If they're working well and not too worn I'd leave well alone.

 

[biggs682]

If they're working well and not too worn I'd leave well alone.

Why fix what's not broken

 

[Illaveago]

I think the better braking may simply be down to leverage. The picture of my bike side on may illustrate what I mean. The distance between the pivot point of the brake to the rim is shorter than most of my other brakes. The wheels are 27 inch and the brake blocks just clear the tyre! There is no way that 700's could fit with these brakes!
I'm coming round to thinking that the shorter arms are applying more pressure to the rim under braking and therefore greater braking effect.

 

[Illaveago]

Lovely the 60's chainrings with a 2 tooth difference always brings a smile lol

It brought a grimace to mine !

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I think the better braking may simply be down to leverage. The picture of my bike side on may illustrate what I mean. The distance between the pivot point of the brake to the rim is shorter than most of my other brakes. The wheels are 27 inch and the brake blocks just clear the tyre! There is no way that 700's could fit with these brakes!
I'm coming round to thinking that the shorter arms are applying more pressure to the rim under braking and therefore greater braking effect.

Back in the 1980's one of our LBS's used to stock an outer cable meant for a moped, he used to keep a drum of it behind the counter and sell it by the yard. We used it to replace the standard outer cable and improve the bikes braking.

 

[Illaveago]

Back in the 1980's one of our LBS's used to stock an outer cable meant for a moped, he used to keep a drum of it behind the counter and sell it by the yard. We used it to replace the standard outer cable and improve the bikes braking.

I replaced the front wheel with an ally one the other day just to see what effect it had on the ride and discovered that the braking was worse!

I would have thought that a complete moped brake cable might be better.