Brake Shoes

次回、この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

Front brake shoe quiz.

Just by looking at the brake shoes below, what kind of bicycle is this? 
a) Roadster
b) Utility
c) Carrier

The brake pads on vintage rod brake bicycles differ depending on the type of bicycle. Typically, the above brake shoes are found on carrier bicycles, so if you answered (a) you know your vintage brake shoes.

For utility or roadsters the most common type is shown below.

From the perspective of sitting on the bicycle, the brake shoe below _________________________
a. is for the left side only
b. is for the right side only
c. can be used on either side

Important to note is that in the old days only the pads themselves were replaced.  So, only one end of the metal sleeves has a stopper (top photo) while the other end is open (bottom photo) so that the pad could be slid out and replaced.  It is crucial to note that there are left and right side metal sleeves. the example above is (a) left side only. The end with the stopper must face forward.  If accidentally attached with the open end facing forward the brake pad will slip off when the brakes are applied.

Brake shoes like the one below typically found on carrier bicycles are interchangable with the left or right sides.
(a) True
(b) False

Note that both ends of the metal sleeve are open; however, there is a bolt (stopper) that runs through the center of the pad to keep the pad securely in place. So the answer is (a) True. When placed side by side the difference in size is even more apparent.  Carrier cycles were iron mules or workhorses often pulling heavily loaded trailers.

Here is a side view. Pay attention to the end of the metal sleeve for the utility/roadster bicycle brake shoe on the right.

Here we see the opposite ends.  On the left you can see the open end of the metal sleeve for the utility/roadster.

I have mentioned repeatedly how on a single bicycle the company trademark or logo appears over one hundred times; is on nearly each and every part often more than once. Here is a unique example from Maruishi, where the company  logo (a Kangaroo) is molded into the brake pad.  Also note the two screws passing through the pad itself.