BMX - Mag wheels

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tobin
05-22-09, 06:55 AM
Hi everyone, this is my first post.

I just cleaned up my old GT Performer (~94/95) that I bought new when I was about 12. I use it to ride around the city for fun; no stunts (too old for that). Basically it's just a cruiser.

Anyway, it has the old black plastic mag wheels. They are absolutely pitiful for braking. I'm sure they've gotten a lot worse over the years, but I can barely lock up the back wheel now.

Is there any way to improve the braking of this bike while keeping the plastic rims? I know going to a metal wheel would be ideal, but I love the look of the mags.

Thanks

ascend
05-22-09, 07:53 AM
Lube your cables if you haven't already -- they're probably pretty dry after 15 years. Likewise, the rubber on the brake pads has probably hardened up over time. Rough up the surface of the brake pads until there's absolutely no glossy/shininess left at all, you can use sandpaper while they're on the bike, or take them off and rub them on a concrete path or similar.

And remember that you probably weigh as much as twice (or more) what you did when you were 12, so no brake is going to be as effective as you remember it being back in the day.
tobin
05-23-09, 12:48 PM
Great, thanks for the help. I sanded down the pads front and rear and it made a big difference. Much appreciated.