Hello

I recently acquired an early 80s Bianchi bike that came with Modolo Flash brakes. It took me awhile to realise why breaking is difficult..., the break pads are HARD.

So I need to replace them - can someone advise me as to what to replace them with? I've never replaced brake pads before and I'm not sure about this old style of brake pad (also I'm confused by all the different shapes and sizes they come in!) - what am I looking for ?



Thanks

KoolStop. You'll need to replace the entire pad units, not just the rubber pads (inserts), but there are Kool Stop pad units that DO have removable rubber, so in future you'd need only replace the inserts.
Unfortunately, nobody (Kool Stop included) makes a replacement that mimics the oval shape of the Modolo pad. If you want something more "old School" in appearance buy the Kool Stop Continentals.

Stupid question...

So is this Kool Stop Continental the whole unit (the holder + the pad) ?

If I want to replace it again in the future, I buy a whole new unit and not just a pad?

Thanks

Yes. I believe the other one pictured have replaceable pads, but not the Continentals.

^Yes, the Continental model is the entire unit (no real holder to speak of, just a bolt & pad combo unit). MSRP is $10.99/pair; biketiresdirect.com has them on sale for $8.99.

I believe the first photo above from unworthy1 shows a set of Dura ace cartridge/pad holder set. Those may look a bit too modern on your 80s Bianchi. If that's not a concern, the performance will be a big improvement. Plus, that model has an added adjustment screw to help with toe-in of the brake pads.

^ Isn't clearance on the front fork sometimes an issue with the Dura-ace or Camoy styles like that? I've been thinking of trying these on my NR brakes, mainly because of the adjustablility of the toe in.

^ Hadn't thought of that, but there does seem to be some potential clearance issues. I've thought of using these for the toe-in feature as well, but now I'm having second thoughts. Anyone with these DA-style pads/holders willing to take a measurement from the center of the mounting bolt to the back of the pad?

Kool Stop: KS-CR

If you want to replace only the inserts look here. It's been done before by several people myself included. Mine are not Flash but the holders look similar enough for it to work just as good.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-Modolo-brakes

More tempted by the KS Continentals at the moment, seems like the simplest + cheaper solution. If I were to go for the KS-CR, I could imagine myself struggling to remove the current Modolo pads from the holder

Thanks !

I just stuck Kool Stop KS-CRSA's on a set of Mavic-branded Modolos from about 1986. They're not rounded, but fit just fine. They really boosted my stopping power. It took a few miles to get over a horrible squeal, but I'm really pleased with 'em.