New brake pads for R450

[munroad]

I have Shimano long drop R450 brakes. The original pads use a domed washer to help align the pad properly which is a fiddle. They don't stop very well in the wet. I bought some Clarks cartridge type shoes and pads which would be easier to fit but they don't align parallel with the wheel rim. Dare I give the R450 a little bend or is there an alternative brake shoe with a domed washer that will take cartridge type pads?

[Brucey]

there are quite a few (shimano and other) caliper brake shoes that have an adjustment swivel built in, and some of there take cartridge pads. IIRC Ultegra and maybe 105 level brakes are fitted with such.

Time was when tweaking brake arms was fair game; however I wouldn't recommend it these days, because they use different (often less ductile) materials in many brake arms.

cheers

[meic]

I fell for those nasty Clarks pads too!

The Tektro P422 is adjustable

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/tekt ... -prod34860

You can get quite often get the same pads complete with the whole brakes for a few pounds more.