What is the purpose of the little wings on caliper brake pads I noticed that caliper brake pads (holders) have little wings on the bottom that aren't present on v-brake pads.

What is the purpose of these little wings?



Photo by RoboKaren. Released to Creative Commons by-sa.

This other photograph on Wikimedia commons that @ojs linked to of the classic 1984 Campagnolo Delta brakes shows a more exaggerated form of the 'wings':
They are to help guide the wheel/tire into place when you have to change the tire. Especially when in a hurry such as during a race.