Ordering a brake pad replacement
 

To replace the OEM brake pads on my Vitesse P18 with kool-stops, do I order just the pads:

http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Bicy..._bxgy_sg_img_b

or do I need to need to order the brake pad with the attachment:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._luc_sim_01_01

Thanks.

If you have metal shoes with replaceable pad inserts, that's all you have to buy.

If you're existing shoes don't have replaceable inserts you need a complete shoe, and now have a choice to make. You can buy complete one-piece molded shoes with the internal rib, or can spend a bit more now for shoes with replaceable inserts, lowering the cost next time around.

Stupid question, but is there a way to determine if the shoe has a replaceable insert?

You can recognize them by their construction. Holders with replaceable pads are usually metal and will have a slot, open at the back end, for pads to slide in and out. Look here for examples of various shoes, both one piece, and with replaceable pads.

It's a durned pain in the neck to replace the pads in the holders, so I just replace the entire shoe.

Uh no.

Shimano pads take a 2.5/2.0mm set screw and the pads slide out easy as ****. Campy pads are a little more troublesome as they have a much tighter fit - usually you need to pry them out. The former you can change with the wheels non, latter usually not.

OK then.

Ever change the pads on Mafacs? Not impossible, but not pleasant, either.

But you'll probably say I'm living in the past, and you'll be right.

Does anyone recommend the BRK14s for my Vitesse P18?

These same to be the recommended ones from Sheldon:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/b....html#mountain

What about the others below it...any thoughts on the others, like the BRK15, BRK18 or BRK20?

BRK12 and some V-brake holders will work too.

but, if you want to deal with readjusting the pads each time you replace them, 14, 15, 18 and 20 will all work.