Front Brakes?

Tarckives Bikes
1

I need some help. I just finished building my beater fixed bike. A conversion from a 79 road bike. Here is the situation:

I built the bike to be able to commute in SF to and from school. So I need to put a front brake on it, just to be on the safe side.

DSC00423.jpg800×600

Sorry for the crappy cell pic.
See the huge gap?
What would be the solution?!

2

You need some long reach brakes. Make sure you measure first so you get the right reach. That is big enough that you might need either a drop bolt rig or a BMX style long reach caliper.

Measure the reach from the center of the brake mount to the center of the rim on the braking surface.

3

For more on a drop bolt, as always, Sheldon knows: http://sheldonbrown.com/home-drop.html

4

Tektro makes some long reach brake calipers called R556. They have a reach of 55-73mm.

5

ahh im having the same problem on a townie bike build ive been working on too long.
currently i am searching for a later model 700c fork made for short-reach brakes. since i already bought a brakeset. personally, i think that would be the best fix, since you can probably pick up decent short-reach brakes fairly cheap off ebay or bargain bins. i got a set of veloce brakes for $30 shipped.

6

This is how you measure :
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html#reach

7

i have a super long reach bmx one i can sell to you. cheap!

it’s all black and never used

or just buy this- brake and lever, super long reach

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/ ... px?sc=FRGL
8

[quote=“Daft Monk”]Tektro makes some long reach brake calipers called R556. They have a reach of 55-73mm.
[/quote]
Daft Monk wins. These are your solution.

9

I am not so sure. I would measure first. That looks like a lot of reach needed in the OP’s picture.

10

Trust me. I have an internet ruler.

I thought about it after clicking submit and figured I should have said, "Well, measure first and then realize this is your solution.

11

I have a 27" wheel I can sell you.
It’s vintage!

12

Just sold a set of r556’s to a guy yesterday who had a similar situation. Measure first, of course, but those should be a swell solution. And at only 17 bucks or so a piece, they’re a fine value, I reckon.

13

A set of Kool Stops makes them even finer. The other danger is that the fork is drilled for a nutted brake rather than the more modern recessed brake bolt. If that is the case you may need to drill.

14

I had this problem, and went to a bike recyclery and bought a nutted old brake with plenty long reach- if this is an option, give it a shot.

15

I think sam did the right thing and so should OP.
I live for recycled bike parts.

16

Hey thanks guys. I’m actually going to bring it to my friend’s shop tomorrow and get them to put one on because i need one like soon…

thanks for all the help!

17

On my ex-conversion (a late 70s Nishiki International) I had to run 700c wheels in 27" spaces; I had the same gap as the OP. The Tektros didn’t reach, I had to get the Cane Creek SCR-3Ls (or something like that, it’s a long version of a standard Cane Creek caliper.)

shrug

Edit: here’s a pic so you can see the gap I had to make the brakes reach across:

18

Does your wife/mom/girlfriend/grandma know you’re using her scented candles as a stand in your bike photos?

19

No no no, that’s Ninja Turtle ooze

20

Ohhhh. I see, I see. I usually keep mine in ziplock baggies.