Sheffield_Tiger
Legendary Member
Does anyone have a copy of BS6102 (the section relevant to brakes)? I can't find my old Cytech folder with it in, but it might have changed since anyway. I'd be interested in the exact wording
Reason is that I've spent the evening assembling some new (to us) bike stock.
I can't mention the brand as I can't be seen to be publicly criticising the brand we stock, but it is a low end, around the Townsend/Falcon level and the MTB and hybrid bikes seem passable, as expected for the price. In fact, apart from the fact that one flat bar road model arrived with a bent gear hanger, I was tempted for a budget winter hack myself.
The issue is the road bikes. The calipers are actually pretty good, for single-pivots. Low drop, chunky alloy, they do a job. But the Brake LEVERS....
I worry about these bikes if someone less qualified assembles them and sells them/rides it. Set the front brake up, pinch bolt was a bit naff but it held on a second tightening. That was worry one, bit too much torque needed - simple answer change the pinch bolt.
BUT - when I gave the brake levers an "emergency pull" - *POP* - the lever hit the bar, the brake disengaged - the nipple housing had totally detached from the actual lever.
Set up the rear brake and did the same test, applying the brakes hard, and the same happened. I expect flex etc in cheaper brakes but this - this in an emergency would leave the rider with NO brakes at all.
I've seen these (or similar) levers on long drop steel sidepulls and they are probably OK, the flex probably takes away the resistance - in a way I think that the calipers are too good for the levers.
I'm sure these can't be up to standard, even the loose standard of 6102. Second question is where should I go about my concerns? Don't want to hinder supply of stock and cause trouble between companies but don't want to ignore this either, in my view they should all be recalled.
On the positive side, at least I have a say in our stock so I can veto bikes with these levers
Reason is that I've spent the evening assembling some new (to us) bike stock.
I can't mention the brand as I can't be seen to be publicly criticising the brand we stock, but it is a low end, around the Townsend/Falcon level and the MTB and hybrid bikes seem passable, as expected for the price. In fact, apart from the fact that one flat bar road model arrived with a bent gear hanger, I was tempted for a budget winter hack myself.
The issue is the road bikes. The calipers are actually pretty good, for single-pivots. Low drop, chunky alloy, they do a job. But the Brake LEVERS....
I worry about these bikes if someone less qualified assembles them and sells them/rides it. Set the front brake up, pinch bolt was a bit naff but it held on a second tightening. That was worry one, bit too much torque needed - simple answer change the pinch bolt.
BUT - when I gave the brake levers an "emergency pull" - *POP* - the lever hit the bar, the brake disengaged - the nipple housing had totally detached from the actual lever.
Set up the rear brake and did the same test, applying the brakes hard, and the same happened. I expect flex etc in cheaper brakes but this - this in an emergency would leave the rider with NO brakes at all.
I've seen these (or similar) levers on long drop steel sidepulls and they are probably OK, the flex probably takes away the resistance - in a way I think that the calipers are too good for the levers.
I'm sure these can't be up to standard, even the loose standard of 6102. Second question is where should I go about my concerns? Don't want to hinder supply of stock and cause trouble between companies but don't want to ignore this either, in my view they should all be recalled.
On the positive side, at least I have a say in our stock so I can veto bikes with these levers
