A bit of background first... Bendix red band kickbacks were the first and used "disc" type brakes. Yellow (and blue) kickbacks followed and used a "drum" type braking system.
The first hub I ever rebuilt was a yellow band kickback, it's still on my bike and works fine... Except for the brakes. At first the brakes seemed ok, I didn't have much prior experience with coaster brake hubs, but I could lock up the rear wheel if I stood on it hard enough. A year and a half later, locking up the rear wheel is impossible, the braking leaves a LOT to be desired.
A few months ago, I rebuilt a red band kickback for another bike of mine. The brakes on it are impressive, in fact it is almost too easy to lock it up. It stops like a dog on the end of its rope!
So, what gives? I would think the yellow band, being the later design, would have superior brakes, but that is not the case at all. My buddy was riding the red band bike just ahead of me last night, and I very nearly rear ended him when a car pulled out in front of us. I've got to do something about this... The only thing I can think of is that I used standard automotive grease when I rebuilt the yellow band, and proper bicycle grease when I rebuilt the red band. I'm also building up another bike with a kickback, I have a yellow band ready to be rebuilt and so far everything but a shell for a red band. Which one should I use?
Any thoughts??
The first hub I ever rebuilt was a yellow band kickback, it's still on my bike and works fine... Except for the brakes. At first the brakes seemed ok, I didn't have much prior experience with coaster brake hubs, but I could lock up the rear wheel if I stood on it hard enough. A year and a half later, locking up the rear wheel is impossible, the braking leaves a LOT to be desired.
A few months ago, I rebuilt a red band kickback for another bike of mine. The brakes on it are impressive, in fact it is almost too easy to lock it up. It stops like a dog on the end of its rope!
So, what gives? I would think the yellow band, being the later design, would have superior brakes, but that is not the case at all. My buddy was riding the red band bike just ahead of me last night, and I very nearly rear ended him when a car pulled out in front of us. I've got to do something about this... The only thing I can think of is that I used standard automotive grease when I rebuilt the yellow band, and proper bicycle grease when I rebuilt the red band. I'm also building up another bike with a kickback, I have a yellow band ready to be rebuilt and so far everything but a shell for a red band. Which one should I use?
Any thoughts??
