Abstract: There is disclosed a brake block for a bicycle which comprises a block of friction material, an elongate rigid brake shoe element fixed to the block, the ends of the brake shoe element being surrounded by the friction material, and means for securing the block in a braking mechanism. Also disclosed are methods of making brake blocks for bicycles. One method comprises locating an elongate rigid brake shoe element in a mould, the shoe element having fixed thereto a stud for securing the block in a brake mechanism, moulding a block of friction material around the shoe element so that the end portions of the shoe element are surrounded by the friction material and removing the brake block so formed from the mould.