Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,329
Likes: 3,198
From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
those "pad retainers" are temporary inserts for when you remove the wheels from the bike.
they have nothing to do with brake "strength".
i use shortened carpenter's wood shims here, if the pads can fall out easily... MOST bike calipers now have built-it pad retainers.. magnets, a clip, or a pin...
Last edited by maddog34; 02-28-26 at 06:46 PM.