I just bought my first actual road bike ( 88 schwinn premis ) so I don't know a whole lot as of right now and I'm looking for some help and opinions. I'm wanting to know what brakes will fit this bike. I'm just wanting something that is fairly decent and not going to break the bank if that makes sense. It has brakes now but they are terrible. They will work for a few times thenew it's like I have no back brakes at all and I'll need to fix them again. It's like they don't stay tight or something. Also wat all will I need to change the vrakes?? All new everything involving the brakes or just some parts and not all?? If it's needed the current tire size is 700x25. Please help.

New cables and cable housing help a lot. I have a set of clean and nice Shimano Sora calipers you can have for $24 shipped, recessed nuts.

I wouldn't worry too much about upgrading the brakes. I have the same bike and get plenty of stopping power from the original brake calipers (pads too, haha). It sounds like you need a brake tune up rather than new brakes. Cables and housing (as mentioned above) and maybe pads should help if those components are deteriorated.

Thank you very much for the info help!! It's much appreciated

Everyone talked about a brake tuneup...and I agree, sounds like that is the way to go...new cables, pads and adjustments. While you are doing that, I would go ahead and change the cables on the drivetrain as well...and take a good look at the chain, make sure it is not stretched. As for bearings, you can determine whether the bb, headset and/or hubs need overhauling as well.

Another vote for a brake tune up, I'd take them off and clean everything completely, then reassemble them with new pads, some Kool Stop pads of which ever compound you want. New inner cable housings and inner cables will make surprising difference in how smooth the pull feels, and it will be easier to apply them, also. Unless the current, original brakes are badly corroded (aluminum oxidation of the arms mainly) and really worn at the pivots, they should be fine once you have them cleaned and lubricated at the arms' pivot points.

Your pads are most likely hardened from age and weathering, new pads will be softer, and cleaner, so they can grip the rims much better. Fresh cables will make things come together. Best of luck on getting your bike back in the green.

Bill

The new cables, housing and pads can make SUCH a dramatic improvement that you'd think it was a whole different system.

The old cables will have corrosion, possibly broken strands, and the interior of the housing is going to be worn, scratched and gunk and sediment. The big thing is old cables and housing are going to have more friction than new cables and housing.