Front brake help

I've restored an old Holdsworth to a single speed and still need a front brake. I got a deep Shimano for the rear but am unsure of where to measure from on the front. Is it from the centre of the hole in the forks to the centre of the rim wall...?

Or should I change the forks and use any brake. If yes any ides on forks, I have an old GB stem and the current forks have a 1" steerer.

Bit lost, can any one help.

Getting another, matching fork for a period (?) frame won't be easy. It'll probably be cheaper and easier to get a brake with a deep drop.

How to measure: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html#reach

Thanks, I'll measure up.
I quite fancy a modern fork. I like the old and new mix.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shimano_R650_Dual_Pivot_Brake_Calliper,_57mm_Drop/5360037370/

Yeah that's exactly what I have on the back....ta very much..

Hey, that's my ruler.

Right I have some surly forks now which means I can use a standard drop brake..next question:
They have a threadless steerer so can I still use my old stem or do I need a new one that clamps on..?
Also can anyone recommend a good 1" threadless headset for about £30 (chrome or silver).?

Cheers.....

Miche or Cane Creek do headsets for around that, and yes you need an A-Head stem on threadless forks.

You will still need a deep drop brake on a Surly Fork. The Shimano R650 will do the trick. I run a Shimano BR-A550 on mine, but couldn't find them as singles.

There are loads of 1" threadless headsets around.

Google returned these

Our Sponsors have these

Pay a little more imo, around £40 for the Crane Creek S2. Or you could get a Campagnolo Record one for £44 from here

Yeah the Cane Creek looks good and I'll buy from the sponsors of course. Thanks.
Know of any A head stems in chrome..? most seem to be 1"1/8 is this ok with shims or are there 1" available..?

I've got the R650 on the back and will go for the same on the front too..

A shim. Again from SJS. Further searching could find you a silver one...

Yeah the Cane Creek looks good and I'll buy from the sponsors of course. Thanks.
Know of any A head stems in chrome..? most seem to be 1"1/8 is this ok with shims or are there 1" available..?

surly does need a deep drop brake, mine is about 53mm, it is just too short for a standard (39-49mm) drop caliper.

surly (steamroller forks i presume?) are 1 and 1/8". actually i think all surly products are in standard sizes (1 and 1/8" steerers, 27.2mm seatposts etc)

something tells me older steamrollers had 1" threadless forks but i may just be making this up. measure the diameter to be sure.

I thought the same about Surly forks being 1 1/8", but they still do a 1" version. But yes, downlo, it might be best to check.

There is an obvious question. Why change forks at all? Would the 57mm drop still be too short.

by "drilled for standard reach" surly mean the old standard reach, the new standard reach is what used to be short reach.

which seems a bit weird, but it is probably so they can take 38c tyres.

Yeah the steam rollers are 1" threadless.
Thanks for all the help gentlemen..I'm sure I'll be asking for more help..
Actually yes...how about if I want to get the forks chromed..where's best..??

Surly Steamrollers are 1 1/8 not one inch.

The deep drop brake thing is what stopped me from getting a steamroller. Seems so limiting on caliper choice.

Surly Steamrollers are 1 1/8 not one inch.

new ones are, old one's aren't, forks are available in both

The deep drop brake thing is what stopped me from getting a steamroller. Seems so limiting on caliper choice.

yes, there are less, but it is hardly a massive letdown, i found 4 from just one store.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/product-Dia-compe-Dia--Compe-BRS101-Dual-Pivot-Caliper-Brake-43-57-mm-Drop-Allen-Key-Fitting-18256.htm
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/product-Shimano-Shimano-R-650-Dual-Pivot-Brake-Calipers-47-57-mm-Deep-Drop-Allen-Key-Fitting-16337.htm
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/product-Shimano-Shimano-BR-A550--RX100-Dual-Pivot-Brake-Calipers-47-57-mm-Deep-Drop-Allen-Key-Fitting--Front-and-Rear-76.htm
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/product-Shimano-Shimano-R-450-Dual-Pivot-Brake-Calipers-47-57-mm-Deep-Drop-Allen-Key-Fitting-17651.htm

The deep drop brake thing is what stopped me from getting a steamroller. Seems so limiting on caliper choice.

Yeah true but the Shimano r650 is nice enough..