Old stuff, new and shiny!

Remember those plain old blocks of rubber we used on our center pull brakes before biking got popular and big companies could really make money introducing lots of new stuff that doesn't work?

I used to love these old Matthauser brake shoes, and despite the claims and attempts to duplicate the formula, the new ones made by Kool-Stop, Velo Orange and others seem to be the same in color only.
They just don't feel as solid and give me the same sense of confidence I had with the originals.

I didn't realize until I looked through the Rivendell catalog, of which I was talking the other day, they are being made!  Yokozuna is producing the original patented formula Scott/Matthauser brake pads to fit the modern road and cantilever brake shoes.  I ordered some with their shoes because the shoes looked so nice, and my orginal Tektro shoes have some stripped set screws which pretty much renders a brake shoe useless.  Not only are these nicer looking shoes with the highly polished finish, and neat little rubber bumpers to prevent rim damage, they also have better screws.  I was careful to remove and grease them so they won't get frozen in the future.

I was certainly happy with the aesthetics, the highly polished shoes really look tremendous compared the stock grey shoes.  I'm sure they will be easier to clean and the pads have the solid feeling I have been missing for years.

I don't know if it's the compound or shape, but the other pads I have used didn't give me the same feel and control.  I'm glad to see the Matthauser pads are being marketed again.   I hope more shops start carrying them.   So far I've seen them on the Rivendell site, Ebay and a couple other internet outlets.  When you need some brake shoes, try them.  The price is competitive and I doubt you will regret it.