Classic & Vintage - Wood Wheels Question???

Hey guys,

I just bought wood wheels on eBay from this seller:

http://www.cbita.it/?lang=en

These guys make wood wheels and sell them on eBay. I think they look really nice and will make my 80's Miyata 610 build have a more classic look (will post pictures once its done).

The question that I have, which I realized after I bought them, is what type of brake pads to use. The Miyata uses old Dia Compe cantilever brakes, which I plan to reuse as part of the build, with black rubber pads. I think that these pads will damage the wood or mar the surface due to the hard black rubber material. Are there any pads out there that are gentle on wood wheels? I have googled around and even browsed this forum to no avail. The closest answer that I got was to buy cork brake pads, is the correct?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I'd be inclined to build up the wheels with Drum brake hubs or as a fixed gear. The ad says "improved braking." You should ask the seller what they recommend.

Wow, I just had a little daydream about biking down a good straightway with new wooden rims installed, braking, and watching the wheels smoke and then burst into flames from the friction involved in braking.

Thanks for the cool visual. Could this actually happen?!?

Or great peels of wood curl off the calipers like a wood lathe!

Wood rims weren't used with rim brakes much back in the day...

isn't a 610 a touring bike? I agree with asking the seller

The website shows several pics of bikes using conventional brakes. I would guess standard pads ought to work fine on wood, until it rains. But yes, best to ask them.

I'm looking to make or buy a set of wood wheels also. Best choice is leather, then cork, then carbon pads. The leather pads you can make yourself. Some people use the rubber pads but the rubber leaves a mess on the rim. I'd like to know how much for the rims to your door and how long it takes you to get them.

Are you going to build the wheels yourself or have a shop do it for you?

I used a Nexus 8 IGH with coaster brake for the rear, and a Sturmey-Archer drum brake hub for the front wheel when I had mine built up.

Rear with Nexus 8 hub
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Sanner%20Framebuilding%20Class/RearWheelwithNexus-8IGH.jpg

Front with S-A Drum brake
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Sanner%20Framebuilding%20Class/FrontWheelwithS-ADrumBrake.jpg

The wheels I bought shipped on the 26th of April and I still havent got them. Shipped to my door they cost about $180. I dont like the look of drum brakes. I'll see if I can find some leather brakes, and if not get some cork ones.

nice thick leather gloves work, too.

Wood rims weren't used with rim brakes much back in the day...

If back in the day you mean prior to 1940, you'd be incorrect.

As for the OP, cork is good. Rubber blocks are bad.

I used a Nexus 8 IGH with coaster brake for the rear, and a Sturmey-Archer drum brake hub for the front wheel when I had mine built up.

Wow, sweet!

if back in the day you mean prior to 1940, you'd be incorrect.

As for the op, cork is good. Rubber blocks are bad.

ok.

Scooper, those wheels are beautiful! I just built a set a SA drums for a Rudge....I should've gone with wood rims and fenders.....I'm lusting after your wheels!

I build a set of wood rims for my 70s Paramount track. I have a 50s Paramount track with the original wood rims too.

DROOL, I would convert that track bike to road bike sooo fasttt.

The people at Wheel Fanatyk suggest cork for the wood rims they sell.

Here is an old set of wood rims. This Drysdale bike came with a set of clamp on brakes from back in the day. I will have to look and see what kind of pad material they used.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc185/jmagruder10/P5080263.jpg

DROOL, I would convert that track bike to road bike sooo fasttt.

Ha, I had to convert it FROM a road bike when I got it! Someone had crudely welded on a derailler hanger!

Perhaps these may be compatible with wood rims.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-VINTAGE-FELT-HAND-BRAKE-PADS-/190481494291?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5994f113

Oh boy, something else for me to covet. Thanks, guys. Not.

I rode in the local tour de cure this past weekend, and spoke with the owner of a bamboo bike (made by Calfee) with wooden rims. We didn't talk specifically about the rims, just the bike in general and he indicated that the ride was great. He was using modern dual pivot rim brakes.

The people at Wheel Fanatyk suggest cork for the wood rims they sell.
My wheels were built by Ric Hjertberg (Wheel Fanatyk) using 700c Ghisallo clincher rims, and he did a terrific job.

What is the best cork brake pad for wood wheels and where is the best place to get it?

Anyone?

Did you try Google?

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/zipp-tangente-cork-brake-pads

Found this in .02 seconds. A little spendy though!

For brake pads on wood rims - Wheel Fanatyk says cork, leather or carbon rim pads (like Swiss Stop) ONLY. Any other material will melt due to the heat because wood doesn't absorb the heat of braking friction.

I really like the looks of the wood rims, we have a local guy that builds bikes out of wood and I think he should put the wood rims on all of his bikes. Here is one model we keep at our shop so people can see his work.

Glenn
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/Glennfordx4/Vics%20Stuff%20For%20Sale/VicsBikesParts2-2011124.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/Glennfordx4/Vics%20Stuff%20For%20Sale/VicsBikesParts2-2011125.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/Glennfordx4/Vics%20Stuff%20For%20Sale/VicsBikesParts2-2011126.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/Glennfordx4/Vics%20Stuff%20For%20Sale/VicsBikesParts2-2011129.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/Glennfordx4/Vics%20Stuff%20For%20Sale/VicsBikesParts2-2011128.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/Glennfordx4/Vics%20Stuff%20For%20Sale/VicsBikesParts2-2011127.jpg