Classic & Vintage - Newbie, just bought a '72 Schwinn Continental

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pghguy517
02-09-09, 12:48 PM
I've been commuting to work on a '89 Schwinn import for some time, and wanted to ride an American made bike. Just found a nice '72 Schwinn Continental, all original. Looks like many components are European, but I guess it's about as American as I'll get for the price I'm willing to pay. Just starting to clean it up and re-greasing the bearings. The brake pads look fine, but are hard. Will these ruin the rims? Can I just sand them and reinstall? Any other advise anyone can offer?

Caferacernoc
02-09-09, 12:53 PM
Replace them. Cool stop pads are a nice upgrade.
evwxxx
02-09-09, 01:58 PM
Kool Stops or their predecesors, Mathaurser(sp?) which can be found on ebay from time to time. If getting just the pads and not the whole thing (pad and metal holder), be sure to get the ones marked "W" rather than "C". "W" fits the Weinmann holders which you most likely have on your old Continental, "C" fits Camagnolo.

AngryScientist
02-09-09, 02:21 PM
for such a small expense, why even consider brake pads which could be upwards of 30 years old, good brakes make a bike safer, dont cut corners on that one, especially if you commute on the the thing...
stausty
02-09-09, 02:26 PM
I have these on my Raleigh with steel rims:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kool-Stop-Continental-brake-pads-Gray-NEW-tuff-pad_W0QQitemZ300287580141QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

and they work MUCH better than anything else I could find.

These:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kool-Stop-Continental-brake-pads-shoes-Red-NEW-tuff-pad_W0QQitemZ290289992205QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

are supposed to be even better if you do, in fact, have steel rims instead of aluminum. Easy to install and a huge difference in what you have on there now.