what are you using for replacement pads for these mafac center pulls? the pads slide into the shoes easily. they're from 1980 and are 45mm long (or so). i usually buy kool-stop pads at $20 per bike, but i'd like to spend half that this time. i'll be using new sun m13ii rims and want to protect their surface. thanks!

Are the posts the same diameter as they are on cheap cantilever pads? You could just replace the whole thing, keeping the holders safely stored somewhere. They'll probably be about $10 for both sets.

the posts are 7mm in diameter.

i'd like just slide in new pads, but that's a good idea too ... if the canti's you mention are the same size.

looks like it's either kool-stop refills ($23 shipped on ebay) or canti-type pads that steal from the brake's vintage appeal. this might be an easy choice to revert to old ways.

I put a set of expensive black Kool Stop pad inserts into a set of expensive vintage Campagnolo brakes once. After I replaced them a few months later with different (expensive, modern, American, long reach centerpull) brakes, i was wishing I had just tried the Campagnolo brakes with some spare sets of Dia Compe pads and holders I had on hand.

In your case, I'm really not sure what direction I'd go. They're good looking brakes.

Dia compe grey matter, $9 for 4.

that fit these mafacs? where?

diego, it sounds like you didn't like the kool-stop pads, so you changed the whole brake.?.

Sorry, looking at your brakes, they won't work. They work with standard nutted brakes.

Did you look at niagaracycle.com inventory, good pics.

I replaced the pads in my Mafac Racers with Kool-stop salmon pads. A big improvement in braking quality. I couldn't find a cheaper replacement, if you do let us know.

They were/are great. I'm going to keep them with the original brakes until I find a place for them.

It's just that they turned out to be an expensive experiment on a set of brakes I hadn't used before. I didn't really have the reach in the rear that I needed.

For what it's worth, I replaced the brakes with Paul's Racer brakes, which come with Kool Stop Thinlines in salmon. Awesome stuff.

Why are you replacing the pads? Those look okay. If they are glazed, you can file or sandpaper them to fresh rubber.

Anyway, I seem to recall some new-ish Mafac type pads in the cheap stuff bin at the bike coop. I'll send you a PM.

Just stopped by, they have a bunch of new black inserts for $1 each. Four stud, look similar to what you have. If you want I'll mail you a set and you can paypal me actual cost. I can't stop back by the shop til next weekend though.

damn, i bought the kool-stops on ebay last night. got impatient, i guess. i just wanted to protect the new rims, and i knew the salmon pads would do just that. i figured the rims were worth another $20 to keep them nice. many thanks for the offer, though. i'll hang onto the old pads for backup and shave the surface a bit like you suggested.

thanks, everyone.