Keeper pins on V brake pads

[longers]

and cartridge pads for cantilever brakes.

I'm very lax when it comes to fitting these when I change pads, if they don't go in first time then I tend not to bother.

I don't do hillstarts with my brakes on and think I don't need to worry about if they're there or not but I would like confirmation that it's safe to leave them off in case there's something really obvious I haven't thought of! Thanks.

 

[e-rider]

I always fit mine - takes about 5 seconds!

 

[lukesdad]

I always fit mine - takes about 5 seconds!

Exactly. Why dont you fit them.

 

[longers]

Why dont you fit them.

I'm not sure they're needed and if they don't fit at the first time of asking then they don't get fitted.

You'd have to be on an uphill with a brake/both brakes on and even then I think you'd have trouble shifting them out of the cartridges. Unless I'm missing something really obvious. Which is possible.

 

[Young Un]

What are keeper pins?

 

[Landslide]

Keeper pins.

 

[531colin]

You have got to fit them, they are essential safety kit. Otherwise when you go flying along in reverse and put your brakes on the brake blocks fly out and kill the bloke behind. Or is that the bloke in front?

 

[piedwagtail91]

the pins are a relatively recent thing. in the 70's they didn't exist and we never had any problems with the brake blocks/cartridges coming out.

 

[mickle]

I had my rear blocks slide out at some lights shortly after installing them without the pins.

Modern inserts aren't as tight as the Mafac/ Weinnman/ Campag inserts of old.

 

[ufkacbln]

Same here I had a pin break and the pad come out, first I knew was a rather nasty grating sound as I ground the metal brake holder into the rims a nd gouged out two great chunks.

Far cheaper to fit the pin!

 

[longers]

You two might be the only people it's ever happened to but I will try harder in future.

I like Piedwagtails finger monster avatar

 

[P.H]

When you fit the pins, you know the pads are properly fitted into the caartridge, it's a useful double check even if the pins do nothing.

 

[Steve Austin]

If you ride in mud, you will lose pads a lot if you don't fit the pins

 

[Blue Hills]

Yes I know it's an old thread, but on topic.

I only ever used to have minor fiddle uses getting these in but recently it has become a big problem for some reason.

Is there a special technique for getting them in?

Am currently using pads from discobrakes.

The slot on the pad is narrow at one side and wide at the other -which side should face up?

Also, is there any special way the top of the pin should be orientated?

I often seem to be able to get the pin started but not pushed in all the way - what's that about?

Another issue I have had on my current set-up is increased fiddle factor from the forks being in the way when I try to get the pins in.

Any help appreciated.

And a final gripe - surely a better system could have been designed?

 

[mustang1]

I go out of my way to fit them correctly.