Choosing your skate rubber brake
There are as many models of rubber brake pads on the market as there are skate brands⊠an maybe even more! And yet, the number or references reduced over the years. Choosing and changing rubber brake pads remains a problem for lots of skaters. TipsâŠ
Par alfathor
A little bit of method
When skating made a striking comeback around 1995-2000, the blooming of skate models generated as many models of rubber brake pads. To the extent that some brands even offered almost one brake per skate model! Just imagine the number of references there were on the market back then… Especially at that time when technological « innovations » were flying around.
Today, with the market concentration (drastic decrease of the number of skate manufacturers) and with the standardization of references by the brands, it is getting clearer.
When should I change my rubber brake pad?
Principle #1: Never wait too long to change your rubber pad. If you see sparkles or you hear metallic sounds when braking, you probably have already damaged the screw that fixes the brake. You will have to change it.
Principle #2: Do not wait to have eaten into the brake holder. It will cost you a lot more than replacing the rubber pad only!
Tip: Most manufacturers leave a wear indicator on the rubber pad. Have a look!
How to choose your rubber brake?
You should be careful with several criteria:
- The brand of your skates
- The model
- The year of release of the product
If you have the complete information, you should easily find the reference of the rubber pad corresponding to your skate.
If you have a doubt, go to a specialized shop with your skates, and not with just the brake or the salesperson may have difficulties to identify the most suitable rubber pad.
What should I do if I don’t know the brand and the model of my skates?
Here again, go to a specialized shop with your whole skate. Maybe that the salesperson will be able to identify your skate. If you cannot go, send a picture of your skate and another picture zoomed in your rubber brake pad and its holder.
Tip: If the brand or the model of rubber brake pad that you are looking for is not produced anymore and you find some, do not hesitate to get several in advance.
What to do if the brand of my skates does not exist anymore?
Some brands do not exist anymore but some patents may have been bought up.
If there are no correspondent rubbers in other brands, you will have to turn toward standardized brakes. The downside being that you will probably have to replace the brake holder too.
Can you set up a standardized brake on any types of skates?
No you cannot! Here again, you have to take into consideration several criteria:
- The wheel size (80 to 90 mm or 100 mm)
- The shape of the frame
Powerslide offers systems of standardized brakes. They are sold with their fixing holders. There is a model for wheels up to 90 mm with a plastic holder and a model for 100 mm wheels with a metal holder.
It is hard, even impossible, to set up the 100 mm wheel model on arched frames such as the ones that can be found at Mogema or CadoMotus.
Useful Links
Translated by Close Yr E’s
Photos: Alfathor
