Steel rims brake pads

[Mazz]

Does anyone know why the original brake blocks made by LEE CHI have this (leather?) strip down the middle? Thanks

 

[Paulus]

In the days of stainless steel rims, it was thought that the leather strip aided drying the rim in wet weather, so improving the braking performance.

It was still hairy trying to stop in the wet though

Does anyone know why the original brake blocks made by LEE CHI have this (leather?) strip down the middle? Thanks
View attachment 691872

 

[Mazz]

It was still hairy trying to stop in the wet though

Tell me about it! These brakes have been utterly, utterly useless and frightening at times especially when I've had to brake suddenly in the wet.

I've put some new rubber cantilever brake shoes on now.

 

[Chris S]

In the days of stainless steel rims, it was thought that the leather strip aided drying the rim in wet weather, so improving the braking performance.

It was still hairy trying to stop in the wet though

Stainless steel rims weren't too bad in the wet. It was the chrome ones that you had to worry about.

 

[Mazz]

Stainless steel rims weren't too bad in the wet. It was the chrome ones that you had to worry about.

Yes, this brake shoe came off a chrome rim (old and now disposed of).

 

[Chris S]

Yes, this brake shoe came off a chrome rim (old and now disposed of).

Make sure you get new brake blocks as well. The ones with leather strips on will destroy alloy rims.

 

[SA3BR]

Try fibrax ASH297, on the back on chrome they are good in dry ok in wet (slight delay).

Fibrax ash297 bmx pads