steel-wheeled ladies bike, better braking needed

[DxMachina]

Hi all

A friend asked me to get her a 3-speed at the same time I bought my Triumph, and we ended up finding and buying a 1978 Puch Elegance ladies bike

I did warn her about steel wheels making for poor brakes but it seems its only now sinking in... so I'm looking at improvement routes

My first step will be new brake pads (genuinely new, not just new-old-stock). Old posts on here mention 'Kool Stop' Salmon coloured pads as a gold standard but I can't find any for sale - are they discontinued?. If so I'll replace pads anyway with regular black pads for caliper brakes.

My other possible route of action is to buy a brand new Raleigh 26 x 1 3/8 alloy front wheel and fit it in place of the front steel wheel. Is this likely to be as easy as I think it will, or are there any possible incompatibilities? (I will of course also fit new front pads at same time)

I'm learning a lot but am not quite ready to think about lacing up a new rear wheel to her hub gears...

Cheers,
Chris

 

[biggs682]

it might also be worth while replacing original brake calipers with newer design ones that are dual pivot type as long as you can get the right drop .

 

[DxMachina]

Thanks. I'd never head of dual-pivot calipers before reading your reply

I'll go over and have a look to see if its compatible (appears they need a mounting on the side of the fork as well as the normal centre mounting?)

 

[Banashapan]

Dual pivot will be compatible as just a central mounting point is needed.

And as DxMachina said, you'll have to ensure the brake calipers have the correct drop length to the rim- and that you get brakes with the nut fitting, rather than the more modern stepped nut/sleeve arrangement.

with regards to the pads- http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-blocks ... pt471_pg1/

have a look through, there appears to be koolstops in salmon...

 

[DxMachina]

I think it was biggs682 saying that TO me actually ;-) - which was appreciated. Thanks for the tips, I shall go away and read up on this subject..

 

[Banashapan]

ha! yes, i ment to say biggs682...

 

[pigman]

the 26x1 3/8 is no longer available new and even a used one probably wont be alloy. This is not the same size as MTB 26" or lo-pro/triathlon 26". However a new mtb wheel with tyre may fit, as might a 700C. I'm not sure how different they all are. Sheldon will probably inform you better.

 

[DxMachina]

With all due respect a brief google search will prove that new alloy 26 x 1 3/8 wheels, specifically for town bikes and 3 speeds, are still available.

 

[pigman]

ah well, learn sommat new every day. cheers for the info.

 

[DxMachina]

I think some makers are putting them on hybrids. I was surprised to find they can still be bought new too....