Modern(er) brake blocks on vintage bike?

[Rothchild]

Is there any sort of consensus on this? I'm used to riding modern hydraulic disk brakes and the short test run I made of the new (to me) vintage 'Alan' was 'Crikey this feels like a death trap, I'm not sure I can stop!'

So, as it's intended as a fun sunny day ride (rather than a concours smasher), I'm wondering if an upgrade to the (seemingly original) Galli blocks might aid my safety?

If I do plumb for some newer / better blocks, to fit the Galli Criterium calipers, are there any in particular I should look at (or steer clear of)?

I was looking at something like these, which won't look too out of place (to the average passer by) but may help with a bit more bite and modulation: https://www.condorcycles.com/produc...ke-shoe-set-campagnolo?variant=37796617748630

Will I just be committing some huge Retrobike faux pas and get chased down the street by angry puritans?

Or, worse still, will I just be throwing my money away and still not be able to stop comfortably?

 

[jim haseltine]

If the current blocks are old just fitting new ones will make a hell of a difference as I found out when I started riding my lockdown project. Similar calipers, similar rims, same design blocks from the same manufacturer but some 20 years newer than the ones on my little used other bike. As soon as I got home from my first ride I ordered new blocks.

 

[hamster]

Modern blocks (say Koolstop Salmon) in nice polished pad holders should do the trick.
That said, in my view the difference is often more that the lever needs more pressure compared to (say) hydro rather than it doesn't work. Most brakes can lock a wheel comfortably. Modern cables and outers make a huge difference though.

 

[LondonClassic]

Modern blocks (say Koolstop Salmon) in nice polished pad holders should do the trick.
That said, in my view the difference is often more that the lever needs more pressure compared to (say) hydro rather than it doesn't work. Most brakes can lock a wheel comfortably. Modern cables and outers make a huge difference though.

100% this.

I find it mad that some people buy NOS 70s brake blocks over new stuff. Authentic yes but about as effective as a chocolate tea pot now. Koolstop Salmon all the way - soft compound grips and doesn't tear rims to bits.

 

[Rothchild]

Nice one, thanks all!

Yeah, not grinding through the rims would be much appreciated too.

So, these?: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-blocks/kool-stop-continental-brake-blocks-salmon/

Rather than the ones I linked above?

 

[LondonClassic]

Or these if you want to use modern holders: https://www.highonbikes.com/product...ERPtrGIPgsyawh2FrRaCPH4MzakptYBkaAmDZEALw_wcB

 

[Woz]

Will I just be committing some huge Retrobike faux pas and get chased down the street by angry puritans?

Only if you survive and enter it in RBotM.

 

[Rothchild]

Ahh cool, gotcha. Yeah I was kinda looking for something with a frame, so that makes sense. I've swapped out the Condor Campag ones (which presumably require a titanium tool, lubricated with kitten tears) for the Shimano shaped ones, and then I can do some 'block swapping' to see what works well for me in terms of compounds etc.

 

[Rothchild]

Only if you survive and enter it in RBotM.

I'll keep the originals and swap them back in for that photo shoot then!