All this riding in the rain makes me wish my brakes were compatible with Kool Stop brakes. They're 8 speed era Ultegra, and the mounting hole is too thin to accept just about any brake pad except OEM, as I found out the hard way last year. So I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for a good deal on updated calipers, and I'd like to know exactly which models work with the Kool Stop Dura Type shoes, so let me know any models you know for sure will accept them. TIA

What a bastard!

Dremel em, I say.

I was tempted, but the idea of accurately enlargening an ovalized hole on a rather hard metal with a dremel tool just doesn't sound that fun.

Can you just purchase a full set of Kool-Stop Shimano Type Brake Pads & Holders?
https://cgi.ebay.com/Kool-Stop-Shiman...item5884ca3a0e

Yeah, but you don't have to enlarge the whole slot, only the bit where you want your pad.

Might look a bit dodgy, but only when there's no pads on the brake or you put em on another frame and have to move them a long way.


...Or just get those ^

you don't have to use a power tool.

just use a decent rat tail metal file. It'll grind away the soft aluminum decently fast, but not too fast so there'll never be 'oh crap, my hand slipped' as with a dremel.

that and it won't leave any stress risers if you use one that has fine teeth.

I must not have been clear. The bolts on the exact product you just mentioned are too large to fit through the holes on my calipers.

Maybe I'll try the rat tail file. The worst thing that can happen is I ruin a pair of 14 year old brakes and buy another set like I was considering anyway.

not trying to hijack the thread but do the inserts fit the Cannondale Theta brake set or do I have to buy the holders as well

The pads should fit Shimano, Sram, Tektro, Cane Creek, etc etc. Just get those -- the lightened holders are only good for people who have to ride with a house key and want to compensate for its weight.

Ahh ... I see zee problem now
Here is another suggestion that will work. Let's say the caliper hole is 3mm for the current pads. Measure the new pads to determine the diameter of the stud - say 4mm. Then use a 4mm drill bit to carefully enlarge the hole to accept the new pads.

My brakes ARE Shimano, but they do not use pad inserts. The only way to change pads on these (BR 6403) is to replace the entire shoe. Unfortunately, the only compatible shoe available anymore is the BR 6403. They work ok in dry weather, but they are taller and shorter than modern pads, so they rub past the brake track, and they suck in the rain.



That would probably work, and there's little chance of "whoops, I drilled too much" with that. Thanks.