Originally Posted by
Blind
The pads in the picture just came on those calipers, the calipers aren't even bolted on or cabled in that shot, just set in the brake bridge to get sizing.
I run the same calipers with good pads up front, and the braking completely sucks ass, and I'm still using the original 27" wheel up front until I use up this tire...and yes it's an alloy rim and I regularly scrub the braking surface down with scotchbrite pads.
I forget what brand the pads were, but I think they were kool stops, I couldn't get the 'salmon' ones locally but I also do not ride in rain with this bike, ever. I don't think there's anything I can do to these dia-comp single pivot side pulls to make them actually work.
I ordered the r559's from niagara yesterday, hopefully I'll have them soon!
Apologies, but I really don't know what to tell you at this point.
I'm 6'2" and 235-240# and my bike that has a similar brake to what
you are showing is this one:
With it set up as shown, with a Dia Compe old
style brake, teflon lined cable housings, and the
ancient Dia Compe levers you see, I can lock
the front wheel if I want to, but I can't lock
the rear. I guess I have OK grip strength, but
I don't think it's exceptional.
I do have the salmon colored pads, but in the
photo it's hard to tell.
If you've got the money, the Tektro brakes
are a swell product. they may very well work better
for you. But make sure you do your best to reduce
friction losses in the lever and cables, and maybe
the new pads that come with the brakes will also help.