Salmon brake pad inserts for Shimano XT Cantis

[Kirke Campbell]

Hello,

I've got a set of old Shimano XT cantilever brakes - smooth posts, not threaded. I'm looking for salmon pad inserts that will work with this Shimano style brake pad that has the set screw. Pad inserts seem to be about 70mm long. Any ideas?

Pic here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FyjJlM2xpCHffJ6Ox7dM2TmbBqSKPQvL/view?usp=sharing

Thanks!

-k. 

[Bill Lindsay]

Yes!  Toss those and get a set of KoolStop Cross Pads, in the smooth post configuration.  Then you are in with the Dura2 style insert which you can get in any compound.  https://koolstop.com/products/cross-pad-cantilever. 

Unfortunately QBP doesn't carry them anymore, so lots and lots of online vendors and bicycle shops don't carry them and will tell you they can't order them, but other wholesalers do.  Most importantly KoolStop still makes them.  I told KoolStop I wanted 10 sets (5 bikes worth) and they sold them to me direct.  They charged me full retail but gave me a free T-shirt, keychain and a couple stickers.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Garth]

The Kool-Stop V-Type/V-Type 2(thicker pad) or Yokozuna Gen-X Salmon should fit those inserts as that M70/R pad was used in both canti and vee brakes from Shimano. You can get the KS inserts in a triple compound if you like. 

Myself, I just get the Eagle Claw 2 smooth post pads and chop off and file the ends @the last grove so the pads clear the stays. 

[Kirke Campbell]

Thanks for the suggestions, y'all. I tried the Yokozuna Gen-X pads in 73mm but those didn't quite work - fit was loose and the set screw on the pad holders just seemed to push the pads out. I'll look into the Kool Stop V-Type as I'd love to keep the original XT holders and just get new inserts. 

[velomann]

"Unfortunately QBP doesn't carry them anymore, so lots and lots of online vendors and bicycle shops don't carry them and will tell you they can't order them, but other wholesalers do."

I work in a bike shop, and it was a major bummer when QBP stopped carrying Kool-Stop. We have customers (and I personally own a couple bikes) that basically need the Kool-Stop thin-line pads, and Q's lineup of Jagwire pads won't cut it. 

I'm fortunate that I live in Portland, and Kool-Stop headquarters in Lake Oswego is literally just down the road from my shop. I exchanged emails with Tim Watson at KS back in December and he said QBP cut them loose - his assumption was because they had over-supply problems on a lot of Inventory and were slashing where they could. But I can drive to his place and get wholesale prices for the shop with a minimum order of 25 pairs.

Every interaction I've had with the crew at Kool-Stop has been awesome. Their products are worth seeking out.

Mike M

[Bill Lindsay]

"The Kool-Stop V-Type/V-Type 2(thicker pad) or Yokozuna Gen-X Salmon should fit those inserts as that M70/R pad was used in both canti and vee brakes from Shimano"

That's simple not the case.  The Shimano Deore XT cantilever holder and pad that the OP presented a photo of is an entirely different animal from a Shimano Deore XT V-brake holder and pad.  There are at least four critical differences

1. The Cantilever pad is retained in its holder via a setscrew that fits into a round hole.  The V-type pads are retained by a clip that slides through a thin slot.  

2. The Cantilever pad has a narrower and deeper dovetail wedge engaging with the holder than the V-type pad does

3.  The Cantilever pad is substantially thicker than the V-type pads which are quite thin

4. The Cantilever pad is wedge shaped, and the holder itself is not perpendicular to the post.  Running a V-type pad in that tilted holder would make it really wonky to try to get the pad to hit the rim squarely

I took several photos of an Deore XT cantilever holder/pad and Deore XT V-brake holder and pad.  

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

They are significantly different from one another.  The smooth post Eagle Claw is an excellent choice as a replacement.  For new inserts on those holders your only choice, as far as I can tell is to find NOS copies of the original, but there's no changing compounds with the original holders.  Let me know if you want some of the originals.  I always swap out those holders and I probably have 10 or 12 brakes worth.  In my opinion the original stock pads are way too chunky especially with rims that have a short braking surface.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Kirke Campbell]

That's super helpful for future reference, Bill. 

I'm looking to make the switch to the Kool Stop Cross Pads as you suggested, but retailers definitely seem few and far between. I did send Kool Stop an email to see if I can buy direct from them as well. 

-k. 

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[J J]

@Bill thanks for the explication. Super helpful as per usual. I was wondering the same about replacement pads and holders for a set of XTR BR-M900s. Would they be equivalent to the XT cantis? I’ve been using NOS pads that are more than 30 years old. They’ve been ok, and the brakes set up nicely, but I think a fresh set of pads with the salmon compound would make a significant difference. 

Thanks again!

Jim

[Garth]

I got that info from the many retailers that listed those M70R pads as fitting certain canti and v-brake models.  I'm not fact checking every retailer. Those holders are quite common and I would think KS would have a direct replacement for it. KS even has a direct replacement pad now for the MC70 cantilevers from the early-mid 80's that I have. I'd at least call or email them and ask before seeking alternatives. That's likely how they started making the MC70 pads, requests.

I  did look though the Jagwire catalog and they do make smooth post holders, surprisingly, in both mtn and cross(road) size versions. They're like $15 a pair, but come with a Jagwire compound.  They're the Pro versions. The cross comes with a different compound called "Power", high performance and modulation. Might be good, might not. Otherwise get your own KS pads for the holders.

https://jagwire.com/products/brake-pads/mountain-rim-brake-pads-and-inserts

https://jagwire.com/products/brake-pads/cross-rim-brake-pads

[Kirke Campbell]

Just wanted to mention that I contacted Kool Stop directly about getting some brake pads and holders that I couldn't find from an online retailer. They responded within the 24 hours and have already shipped out the order. As others have mentioned, highly recommend this company!

-k.