Classic & Vintage - Can I/Should I even try to put current tech brakes on my Schwinn Continental ??

I have basically 3 questions (at least :- ) here:

1. Aside from the fact that it kills 'the vintage-ness' are there other important reasons that I should not do this - such, as because one can't technically do it, or the equivalent ???

2. My problem is that I just lack stopping power compared to more current bikes.... and now I like the ability to stop. But maybe it is simply cause the pads are old ???

3. What if just kept the current brake system and put on aluminum rims - would that bring to a stop faster without the brake system change out ???

Thanks in advance for you time, thoughts and experiences with this matter.

If you have steel rims on the bike the best upgrade braking wise is likely going to be alloy wheels paired with kool-stop style brake pads. That said, I mounted a pair of the Nashbar Long Reach brakes on my bike, but that required some drilling to accomidate for the allen-key style bolts as found on newer bikes.

I have basically 3 questions (at least :- ) here:

1. Aside from the fact that it kills 'the vintage-ness' are there other important reasons that I should not do this - such, as because one can't technically do it, or the equivalent ???

2. My problem is that I just lack stopping power compared to more current bikes.... and now I like the ability to stop. But maybe it is simply cause the pads are old ???

3. What if just kept the current brake system and put on aluminum rims - would that bring to a stop faster without the brake system change out ???

Thanks in advance for you time, thoughts and experiences with this matter.

1. Don't worry about the "vintage-ness". They aren't really collectable although the eBay/Barnum rule applies. There's always someone who will overpay.

2. If you have the original steel rims, that's your problem. Not the brakes.

3. Yes. Especially in the rain. Get new pads too and you'll be fixed up.

Don't spend a lot of money on a new wheelset. The Weinmann alloy wheels here are a reasonable choice and will probably work: http://bikepartsusa.com/view.phtml?f_c=Wheel&f_c2=27+inch Also, your LBS might have some old 27" alloy wheels hanging in the back that they'll get rid of cheap to free up some space. Check there first.

I'm not a Schwinn expert so if I got something wrong, I'm sure someone will chime in.

Don't forget good cables and quality lined housings, if you haven't replaced yours recently. Cleaning and lubing old calipers sometimes helps too.

I put Kool Stop pads on my wife's Super Course. It uses the dreaded Weinmann center pulls, which don't stop very well. I have tried a couple of panic stops with that setup and the brakes work pretty well now.

there is something to be said for dis asembling, and thourough cleaning and re-lubing the calipers, and cables, check out the handles and how much play they have before they hit the wheel as well.
I had a similar problem with my WorldSport, which is pretty much solved.
Good luck, not being able to stop will quickly ruin your vintage ride ;0)

I put Kool Stop pads on my wife's Super Course. It uses the dreaded Weinmann center pulls, which don't stop very well. I have tried a couple of panic stops with that setup and the brakes work pretty well now.

There is nothing wrong with the "dreaded Weinmann centerpulls," which grace my two oldest bikes (see signature). If aluminum rims and KoolStop salmon pads don't do the trick, do as others have suggested, and replace the cables and housings. In addition, brake handles with aero cable routing will boost braking leverage by about 10 percent.

What kind of brakes are we talking here? If they are centerpulls, LEAVE THEM... even the "dreaded Weinmann centerpull" works as good as a lot of cantilever brakes out there if it is setup right with decent pads on a decent alloy rim (as with any brake, really). If they are U-brakes, the cheap ones do tend to be very flexy and afford little in stopping power no matter the rim or pad.

The problem with poor braking power is threefold. The heavy and chromed Schwinn tubular steel rims are sol "slick" that they do not provide a lot of stopping power. Aluminum rims , with a rougher surface than the Schwinns, would provide more braking power. However, you would be investing $60 plus for a pair of wheels. You have, I believer, long reach center -pull brakes. The longer the vertical reach, the more flexing that there is. On the front brakes especially, you have a lot of flex at the center pull hanger that is located just under the headset locknut. The original Weinmann brake levers are also long reach and you have to pull a lot to pull the cables. I would try better brake shoes, as mentioned, like the Kool Stops or something similar. Replace or lube the brake cables. I don't think that it is worth the money, unless you really love this bike, in purchasing 2 new wheels and installing a set of long reach side pull brakes. Just my 2 cents. Good luck !