rccardr 

Repeat after me: Kool Stop. Once again: Kool Stop.

Get a set of KS pads and use them with the DiaCompe calipers. They work just fine, a HUGE improvement over the stock pads.

xanatizer

Just to make you feel better, I found a Univega lugged touring mixte bike around the corner for 20 bucks. The feel good part; I just finished putting like $400 into it. The threads are probably leaving that part out.

mkeller234

$400.00! What exactly did you do with it?

mkeller234

+1 that is a good place to start. I have purchased kool stop pads for two different bikes with good results.

91MF

5 pages of 'how do i make my brakes better?' with answers yet the OP continues to ask the same question.

listen: go to your LBS with your bike. say 'i want better brakes' they will have some tektros there that will work. the end.

Collin2424

Forgive me for an attempt at doing this myself and wanting to learn more in the process. The only thing I've ever had to have my LBS do is true a wheel for me because I did not have the proper tools. I'm not going to bring the bike there and kindly ask if I can hand them over my money to do something I'm perfectly capable of, although not entirely knowledgeable about yet.

I'll see where I am after the Koolstop pads. The darn Motobecane I bought last week has been taking all my time, but it's back to the Cannondale today.

-Collin-

mkeller234

Collin, you will probably be looking for the Kool stop "continental". It has the traditional block shape of older pads. I recently installed some kool stop thin lines (made for V brakes) onto a set of old center pull brakes. They look a little funky but they work just fine. You may have a choice between black and "salmon", the salmon is supposed to be the all whether do anything pad. Did you get your saddle from ebay yet?

These are the continentals:

rccardr 

I used the Kool Stops that are longer, thinner and more narrow- salmons on the front and blacks on the back. Don't remember the part numbers off hand, but they are the same ones that come on the Rivendell Silvers (note that Silvers are rebadged Tektro's with the Silver logo and KoolStop pads). Bet Rivendell would give you a part number of you called/e-mailed them. It was easy to adjust the calipers with the thinner pads and they look a little more modern to my aged eyes.

Collin2424

Thanks guys. Too bad my local Performance doesn't carry them. Guess I'll mail order if another local shop doesn't stock them. Looks like they'll be about ~$30 for the pair.

Didn't get a saddle yet. I threw on a Forte Classic that BBM gave me and honestly, it's really comfortable. No, it doesn't look as nice as a Brooks or Regal, but it's darn comfy and it's black leather. We'll see what I end up with.

-Collin-

mkeller234

Comfort is all that matters really (sure looks help). I would just call around the local bike shops, if not then online is good too. Try https://www.niagaracycle.com/

These are the kool stop thin lines on my commuter. They were 11.95 a pair at the local Trek dealer.

jhefner

I bought the Supra 2 pads for a cheap set of caliper brakes; haven't had a chance to check them out yet; but they were only $19 a pair when ordered by the LBS:

https://www.koolstop.com/brakes/index...chor-The-36279

I also bought the Dura types for another set of cheap caliper brakes; they were more expensive at about $25 a pair; but they work great.

It sounds both cheaper and easier to try better brake pads out first; if they don't help enough; you can always transfer them to your new brakes.

All three bikes that we ride all the time now have the salmon brake pads on them. My Viscount still has the Scott Mathausers I bought 30+ years ago with the original salmon pad formula; I know the rubber pads are hard, but they still work for me.

-James

Chombi

I would like to try out Kool-Stop pads on my bike eventually too, but I really don't like their orange color......did they ever make them in black too??
Can Alu be C&V?? Classic, hell yes!, but vintage, just a little too new yet.

Chombi

mkeller234

Yeah, they call the black "all weather" and the salmon "severe weather. Whatever that means! You can also got pads that are combinations of the two. They offer multiple colors in some of the styles, even shoes:

Collin2424

I went to the three LBS's today - none stock those Koolstop pads for a non-cartridge system. Guess I have to snail-mail order. Argh.

-Collin-

jhefner

I ordered two different sets for two different bikes from two different shops; neither had it in stock; but both were able to get them in a week or less. Did any of the shops you went to offer to order them for you?

-James

okletsgo

Can't believe I found this thread.

Pretty sure I am the proud owner of this bike now.

bradtx

Welcome to the forum and post up some photos!

Brad

PS This S/N? 23062088010 It denotes size (23"), month, day and year frame was made (062088), sequence (10th)

okletsgo

Here's a couple taken with my phone.

bradtx

okletsgo, Very nice, thanks.

Brad

cehowardGS

Looks super good!

Looks like my 89 Cannondale Black Lightning in touring dress..