Bicycle Mechanics - Looking for Kool Stop smooth post thin line pads

I put together a touring bike using some Shimano cantilever brakes (from ebay) that use smooth post pads. After discovering bits of aluminum embedded in the pads, I dressed up the rims and dug out the bits of aluminum and then resurfaced the Shimano pads using sandpaper. They are OK now, but I really wanted to replace my pads with Kool Stops thin line (a must have for the front brakes) salmon pads. Harris Cyclery shows exactly what I wanted, but the site says it is out of stock with no ETA. I am having a heck of a time trying to locate these items on the internet. I would like to have them before I go on tour. Any suggestions?

I put together a touring bike using some Shimano cantilever brakes (from ebay) that use smooth post pads. After discovering bits of aluminum embedded in the pads, I dressed up the rims and dug out the bits of aluminum and then resurfaced the Shimano pads using sandpaper. They are OK now, but I really wanted to replace my pads with Kool Stops thin line (a must have for the front brakes) salmon pads. Harris Cyclery shows exactly what I wanted, but the site says it is out of stock with no ETA. I am having a heck of a time trying to locate these items on the internet. I would like to have them before I go on tour. Any suggestions?

Call Harris up and ask them.

It's possible that they don't stock the smooth post pads.

Heck, talk to your LBS!

I special ordered (somewhere else) a few salmon MTB pads and got them within a few days.

I found some at a few shops in England. Try Googling for the pads. I found finding the same here in the USA awhile back. No one had them. But this shop did. Hey! I found 'em!

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogleUS/sessionID/HRB/currency/USD/category-Brake-Blocks--Cantilever-470.htm

Not quite what you wanted, but a good start.

Is this what you mean?

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=2518

Yes, those are what I mean but Niagra only offers them in black, and I was hoping to get some salmon colored wet weather ones for my touring bike. I know, I know. I'm picky. I suppose the best solution is to part with even more money and update the brakes. Just that I got these particular brakes off ebay for only $20 and they were virtually new.

Yes, those are what I mean but Niagra only offers them in black, and I was hoping to get some salmon colored wet weather ones for my touring bike. I know, I know. I'm picky. I suppose the best solution is to part with even more money and update the brakes. Just that I got these particular brakes off ebay for only $20 and they were virtually new.

$42 would have gotten brand-new modern brakes. It's not clear that saving $22 was any real advantage.

http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=3884741

I suspect that few places are going to stock the old-style post pads. I think Koolstop distributes through QBP, which every shop can use. It's possible that even QBP doesn't stock the particular pads. It seems very likely that you will have to special order them from anybody.

You might be able to use the MTB Koolstop pads (that's what I have on my touring bike).

You could start calling the places on this list:

http://www.koolstop.com/DealersUS.html