What to use for cleaning rims?

brett said:

I have a Trek 1200 road bike. What is good for cleaning the rim sides
that the brake pads grab on to? I'd like them cleaned for better
braking and looks (getting the black steaks off).

Thanks,
Brett

Hi, try some glass cleaner and fine steel wool.

Also, replace your black brake shoes with Kool Stop Salmon colored
pads. Your braking will most likely improve, and stay cleaner. Kool
Stop makes these pads in a variety of styles, to fit all kinds of
brakes.

See below for info:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakeshoes.html

Kool Stop pads are available from many sources and fine LBS.

I have no connection with Kool Stop, just a satisfied user. I bought
them based on the advice of many on this newsgroup.

Life is Good!
Jeff

Jeff Starr said:

Kool Stop pads are available from many sources and fine LBS.

FWIW I've never seen them in a LBS. I have no idea why.

Matt O.

brett said:

I have a Trek 1200 road bike. What is good for cleaning the rim sides
that the brake pads grab on to? I'd like them cleaned for better
braking and looks (getting the black steaks off).

Soap and water works fine for me. For the really tough streaks, use
Scotchbrite pads or extra fine steel wool.

Then switch to Koolstop salmon pads so you won't have this problem.

Matt O.

Matt O'Toole said:

Quoted message said:

Kool Stop pads are available from many sources and fine LBS.

Quoted message said:

FWIW I've never seen them in a LBS. I have no idea why.

You live in a economically depressed area. Get out of that slum!

Jobst Brandt

Matt O'Toole said:

Jeff Starr said:

Kool Stop pads are available from many sources and fine LBS.

FWIW I've never seen them in a LBS. I have no idea why.

Matt O.

The first set of Kool Stops [Champion Du Monde] I got from Sheldon.
The second set I bought, DA style cartridge refills [LeMond] I got
locally.

I recently ordered another set for the LeMond, I got from Tire Direct,
good price.

I did notice that another LBS is now stocking Kool Stop pads.
Although, the mechanic seemed unaware, when I commented that they were
now stocking the best brake pads. Which may explain why, most haven't
been stocking them. They are just not aware. The people on this forum,
are the reason, I know about them.

Life is Good!
Jeff

Matt O'Toole said:

FWIW I've never seen them in a LBS. I have no idea why.

Not only LBSs but few MO sites carry them. The last time I checked
BikeTools Etc. did not carry them. I have requested that they do.
Part of the problem is that tone of Kool Stops own ligature seems to
dismiss the Salmon pads as an anomaly that's suitable only for wet
conditions. They are not easy to find.

Regards, John

Jeff Starr wrote:
(...)

Quoted message said:

Also, replace your black brake shoes with Kool Stop Salmon colored
pads. Your braking will most likely improve, and stay cleaner. Kool
Stop makes these pads in a variety of styles, to fit all kinds of
brakes.

See below for info:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakeshoes.html

I agree, Kool Stop's are the best. All the LBS's around here stock
them.

I use the black ones with my canti breaks, never tried the 'salmon'
ones

Eric

Thanks all. Looks as though the "Dura Holder Kit" is what I need for a
road bike and Shimano brakes. That sound correct?

Thanks,
Brett

brett said:

Thanks all. Looks as though the "Dura Holder Kit" is what I need for a
road bike and Shimano brakes. That sound correct?

Thanks,
Brett

Hi, you may just need the cartridge refills. Does it look like your
pads fit into a holder?

If you aren't sure, and can post a picture, we can tell you. I checked
the Trek website, but all they say is that the brakes are an alloy
dual pivot. Another words a generic brake caliper, which is just fine,
but not helpful.

Life is Good!
Jeff

Mine has the little fish fine with the larger allen head to remove the
entire piece along with the smaller allen head, which I guess is for
adjustment. I can't tell the difference in the dura and campi from the
photos. The campi seems to only work with Campagnolo. Possibly Dura
is correct since I have Shimano.

Here are some close ups of my brakes:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cygenmobile/album?.dir=/1843re2&.src=ph&.tok=ph4enwEBtBZ6XmVn
Some of the photos are so clear but I think you can make out what is
going on. If not, I'll post clearer photos.

Thanks,
Brett

brett said:

Mine has the little fish fine with the larger allen head to remove the
entire piece along with the smaller allen head, which I guess is for
adjustment. I can't tell the difference in the dura and campi from the
photos. The campi seems to only work with Campagnolo. Possibly Dura
is correct since I have Shimano.

Here are some close ups of my brakes:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cygenmobile/album?.dir=/1843re2&.src=ph&.tok=ph4enwEBtBZ6XmVn
Some of the photos are so clear but I think you can make out what is
going on. If not, I'll post clearer photos.

Those look like the newer Dura Ace-style brake shoes. The Kool-Stop
Dura pads should work with those. The small allen head screw is to fit
into a slot in the brake pad to anchor the pad in the holder. If you
loosen the screw, the pads should slide in and out.

jobst.brandt said:

Matt O'Toole said:

Quoted message said:

Kool Stop pads are available from many sources and fine LBS.

Quoted message said:

FWIW I've never seen them in a LBS. I have no idea why.

You live in a economically depressed area. Get out of that slum!

You'd never know it with all the Madones around here!

Apples atcha!

Matt O.

brett said:

Mine has the little fish fine with the larger allen head to remove the
entire piece along with the smaller allen head, which I guess is for
adjustment. I can't tell the difference in the dura and campi from the
photos. The campi seems to only work with Campagnolo. Possibly Dura
is correct since I have Shimano.

Here are some close ups of my brakes:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cygenmobile/album?.dir=/1843re2&.src=ph&.tok=ph4enwEBtBZ6XmVn
Some of the photos are so clear but I think you can make out what is
going on. If not, I'll post clearer photos.

Thanks,
Brett

Hi Brett, the pics are fine. Yes, what you need are the Dura-Ace
refills.
The little set screw on the pad holder[fish fin], needs to be
loosened/removed, then the old pad will slide out the back. The little
screw is only there to secure the pad, it doesn't adjust anything.

When you go to install your new pads, take a good look at them, they
are right/left specific and directional. Not hard to do, just pay
attention.

Here, these are what you need:
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=KSBSS&tnum=418288&c=557393

Life is Good!
Jeff

Jeff, you are saying I don't need the whole metal piece. Just the
rubber pads? The pair for $6.95 from your link?

Thanks,
Brett

I wrtote:

Quoted message said:

Not only LBSs but also few MO sites carry them. The last time I checked
BikeTools Etc. did not carry them. I have requested that they do.
Part of the problem is that -the- (ed.) tone of Kool Stops own literature seems to
dismiss the Salmon pads as an anomaly that's suitable only for wet
conditions. They are not easy to find.

Well, I checked BikeToolsEtc, site & they are carrying Salmon Kool Stop
pads, only in road configuration. I also need some Mt. bike ones. I
hope they sell enough to justify carrying them after I made the
request.
I also noticed they also have some old Weinmann Aqua Stop Brake Pads,
in Salmon compound for cantilever brakes w/ straight posts on sale for
a couple of bucks. Here's a good chance to stock up, if one uses this
type salmon shoe. http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi

Do brake shoes loose functional ability w/ age?

Regards, John

brett said:

Jeff, you are saying I don't need the whole metal piece. Just the
rubber pads? The pair for $6.95 from your link?

Thanks,
Brett

Yes Brett, that is exactly what I'm saying. It really is obvious, just
reread my post.

You will need two pair, 1 pair for each brake caliper. So, that would
be $6.95 x 2 = $13.90 [+ shipping]

Life is Good!
Jeff

read in tech archives from the search box -
'stop on a quarter' and 'brake pad treatment 2'

brett said:

I have a Trek 1200 road bike. What is good for cleaning the rim sides
that the brake pads grab on to? I'd like them cleaned for better
braking and looks (getting the black steaks off).

(Sigh. Gone over the weekend, I missed the chance to be the first to
comment about overcooked meat.)

I find that a little acetone on a paper towel removes most such marks,
and the rest succumb readily to the application of a Scotchbrite pad.
Of course, I seldom bother; the rim that is clean is not the rim that
is being ridden.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
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Werehatrack said:

Of course, I seldom bother; the rim that is clean is not the rim that
is being ridden.

Says you. Some of us, actually take pride in their bikes and keep them
clean.

I think by Vecchio's handbuilt wheels [DA hubs, Velocity Aerohead
rims] deserve regular cleaning.

Pride of ownership.

Life is Good!
Jeff