Anyone have any secrets they want to share for breaking in NEW brake pads? I just put a new pair of Kool Stop bads on my side pull Bull-Dog brakes, and am having a tough time getting them to stop tight. I scuffed them a little, but no go. I was thinking if there was a way to soften the pads, make them more "sticky" Then they may stop on a dime! Any suggesstions??

I have boiled brake pads (about 5 min) to soften them. I can't say for-sure if it works, but I was happy with the results. by the way I boiled a set of Red kool stop.

LOL. U know I was just thinking that today as well. Gonna try it tomm. and see how it works...Thanks!

Coke.

how bout a steep hill. I live on a steep street, if I start at the top and ride down about 100m the pads get hot the rims get hot, it gives them a chance to shape to the rim. A couple of times and there you have it.

Your brakes should have a touch of "toe-in". They should touch first at one end (the direction the rim is moving while going forward) then contact the rim fully when you apply full pressure to the lever.

They shouldn't contact the rim all at once evenly. It's just a slight amount of "toe-in" but it's there. This will also prevent any type of "squeaking" of the shoes too.

Park Tool makes a tool for adjusting this. An adjustable wrench works almost as well.

Mike