Bicycle Mechanics - when to replace coaster shoes

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closetbiker
09-27-08, 09:39 PM
So I bought a used cruiser with internal gearing and a coaster brake (also with a front brake) for use on rainy days.

I'll ride it on the flats, with very few stops (MUP 80% of the way to work) and use the front brake as much as the coaster on the rear, but am wondering how long I can go before the shoes wear out. And when they do, what'll happen.

I'm guessing, one time, I'll back pedal and the brakes just won't work. The shoes'll be worn smooth, so they just won't grip.

shecky
09-28-08, 12:43 AM
This is a good question. I've never heard of a coaster brake that fails because the shoes are worn out. And it seems they rarely fail at all.

My guess is that when they're worn out, they probably will still work. You'll just have to backpedal farther to make them work. It may be hard to tell when this happens, since it won't happen suddenly, but rather gradually over the lifetime of the hub. The shoes do wear smooth rather quickly. But the way they work, it doesn't matter. Most CB shoes have grooves in the braking surfaces, it's probably safe to assume they should be replaced when the grooves are worn off. But I have never seen this on any old bike. And it's really a non issue of you have a front brake that you use regularly.
closetbiker
09-28-08, 08:12 AM
The last time I had a bike that used coaster brakes, I think I was about 10 years old.

I didn't worry about wear or maintenance, and didn't stick with a bike for longer than a couple of summers. I'm sure most kids are the same, so I figure it'd be pretty rare that anyone would be bringing a coaster brake in a shop for service.

I like the simplicity of the bike and utility of the gearing and brakes for wet weather (I've worn through rims on my wet weather, caliper braked bike resulting in a wheel collapsing after I applied the brakes).

I wouldn't know when those grooves would be worn off (unless I took apart the rear hub) but I guess I'll see how it goes. I do have the front brake that'll help in a failure situation.

I'll just keep going until the coaster doesn't work anymore.