A bicycle brake shoe assembly including multiple brake pads of different braking compounds replaceably inserted sequentially into a truncated pad holder. The pads have an overlap at one end and an under-lap at the other end such that upon assembly within the holder an overlap portion is mated over an under-lap portion. The pads are captured and retained in place in the truncated holder by a removable end cap. The overlap/under-lap pad mating cooperates with the pad holder and end cap to prevent pad pull out because of wheel rim movement forces on the pads. The brake shoe assembly has a transverse curvature substantially in conformance with the radius of curvature of the bicycle wheel rim, thereby improving pad contact with the wheel rim.