Having heard people reccommend them, I just bought some Fibrax v-brake cartridge boots and pads from the wonderful eBay. On unpacking them I can't work out how to fit them. My current pads are attached to a threaded bolt, which is slotted into the brake arm and then fixed by screwing a nut on the end. The cartridge pads I have just bought are not threaded anywhere, they just have some shallow parallel ribs where I would normally expect a thread. Anyone have any ideas how I am supposed to fit these? Have I bought pads that are incompatible with my brake system, or are there more parts I need to buy?
Methinks I made a mistake. The Fibrax website suggests theyare 'post mount'. Bit annoying, as they were shown in their box on eBay and I could read the text saying 'fits all Shimano and major v-brake systems', but I couldn't see that there was no thread on them... how do 'post mount' brake pads work?!
I understand how to change the pads from one cartridge 'shoe' to another, what I don't understand is how to attach the cartrridge shoe to the brake arm, because it has no thread (see pic).
After reading a bit of Sheldon's site I think I have bought unthreaded cartridge shoes that are incompatible with my brake system, for which I need threaded cartridge shoes. I never knew unthreaded ones existed. Hooray for mistaken purchases on eBay.
Not sure I have much grounds for a return - the packaging clearly states that they are (apparently) v-brake pads, and an 'xtr cartridge sytem upgrade'?!?. If anyone is guilty of misinformation it is the manufacturer, not the person I bought them from.
Companies like Diatech and Tektro used the post mount / canti style V brakes a lot. You don't see them often anymore unless it's a slightly cheaper or older bike.
You should still be able to swap the pad itself over without having to change the holder and that would take care of your immediate situation. In future though it's worth picking up stuff like that (for the first purchase at least) in your LBS so you've got someone to go back to if there's a problem.
Well i've learnt my lesson. If anyone wants some non-threaded cartridge shoes and pads cheap, let me know. Otherwise they'll be going back on eBay, although I think it highly unlikely they will start a bidding war. Thanks for your help guys.
