Massive Brake Reach, Help

Hey,

I have recently bought a second hand bike and i want to add a brake so i can use it as a single speed. After doing some reading on Sheldon Browns website, i need a brake with ≈ 73mm reach.

This seems ridiculously big and i wondered if there was anyway in getting it smaller???

I am using 700C wheels but the frame just seems to be too big for them.

Please Help!

3 Attachments

Looks like your frame is for 27" wheels. If you're not running a back brake, possibly switch out the forks for 700c forks and just don't run with a back brake. Did it with a friend's bike and it worked rather well.

Looks like your frame is for 27" wheels. If you're not running a back brake, possibly switch out the forks for 700c forks and just don't run with a back brake. Did it with a friend's bike and it worked rather well.

If the bike isn't made for 700c forks/wheels wont this mess the geometry around? Better to stick with the current forks and run the proper wheels.

If the bike isn't made for 700c forks/wheels wont this mess the geometry around? Better to stick with the current forks and run the proper wheels.

It will mess the geo around a tad. Not sure specifically how it'll affect the riding/steering, my friend's bike was set up like that for a fairly long time and he didn't seem to have any problems with it, was his first fixie/road style bike to boot so he wasn't even remotely experienced with that sort of geo.

Just speaking from personal experience.

You can get 27" rims and do it that way, 700c are just a little easier to come by, you could also get a brake with huge drop on it which could equally work.

in truth, there's only about 1/4" difference in the radius between 27" / 700c

you could fit mudguards as originally designed for this style of bike. then it wouldn't look so 'gappy'

Half decent frame designed for 700c wheels shouldn't cost you too much on eBay.

Thank you for all you help.

I have decided to go for a new 700c fork, i have found one quite cheap on ebay and it's even in the right colour which is a bonus!

Thanks again

LFGSS in unhelpfulness shocker.

Send your new fork back and buy these:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tektro-tektro-r559-caliper-brake-55-73-mm-very-deep-drop-nut-fitting-prod24459/

Enormous drop. The big clearances on your frame are a good thing - you can fit humongous tyres and mudguards to make your bike both comfortable and practical.

Incidentally you need two brakes on a singlespeed.

I would go for two brakes but if you look at the rear seat stay brace, it looks to be just a piece of metal welded on and isn't original.

How would you attach a brake to that??

It is most definitely original and common on low-end frames - you attach the brake by bolting it through the big hole in the centre. You need a 'nut fitting' brake (which is the type I have linked you to) rather than a 'recessed allen bolt'.

LFGSS in unhelpfulness shocker.

Send your new fork back and buy these:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tektro-tektro-r559-caliper-brake-55-73-mm-very-deep-drop-nut-fitting-prod24459/

+1 wtf people?

Those brakes have a nut fitting so will work fine. Another option is searching for some old centre pull ones with a long drop. But the tekros will be easier to set up and work a lot better.
Then chuck on some 32mm tyres.

Big clearances are so hip right now - big tyres and mudguards are a massive win. Get the long drop brakes and don't stop at 32 tyres... Randonneur or Pasela 35 or 37s are bloody ace for shitty British roads.

Please! You'll thank us.

I have some brand new BMX calipers for exactly this type of frame, brand new, with pads. You can have two for £15 and I'll post them free. You may need some washers for the thin plate on the back, but simple to sort out

They have the Tektro long-drop brakes in Condor (Condor branded) and they work very well. Just fitted one to my girlfriend's frame which had the 27" / 700c mis-match.

He might have already fitted the fork... tbh you'll be lucky to find a really close clearance fork on ebay, most seam to be a bit gappy anyways, perhaps not as gappy as the one in the pictures! He might still need normal calipers, not short throw...

Go on, post some pictures. I might bite if mhills92 is not interested.

I have some brand new BMX calipers for exactly this type of frame, brand new, with pads. You can have two for £15 and I'll post them free. You may need some washers for the thin plate on the back, but simple to sort out

Here they are, sorry it is a blurred iPhone picture
I have 6 altogether, so more than enough to go round!
£7.50 each posted

Thanks. Huge reach, but they are quite similar to what I already have, so I will pass. But thanks.

Sorry, I've been busy for the past few days.
What's the drop on those callipers?? I found a bmx brake for £2 from a mate but its too big! Thank you again

I have some brand new BMX calipers for exactly this type of frame, brand new, with pads. You can have two for £15 and I'll post them free. You may need some washers for the thin plate on the back, but simple to sort out

+1 to the Tektro long drops. I got some for my singlespeed conversion on a gappy frame and they work great.

Glad to hear this, I think I will be getting some Tektros myself. Is cheaper than a new frame....

Ha ha, I want black - £55. The silver ones are £35. What we pay to look good.

Is the chain stay bridge any closer to use an alternative mounting point?