Long reach caliper brakes

[Ozzie770]

I want to put some 26" wheels on a frame that originally had 28" wheels, but then the brakes will not reach the rims, is there any body who sells the extra long reach ( I will need a reach of 95 - 100mm ) or can anybody advise on a modification that can be made?

 

[Venod]

I am considering doing the same (fitting 650b to 700c frame) to fit bigger rubber, there are these, but no where near your measurements, assuming your measuring from the same place.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/...per-brake-5573-mm-very-deep-drop-nut-fitting/

There's also this.

https://sheldonbrown.com/home-drop.html

 

[Drago]

What's your plan for pedal/ground clearance?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I want to put some 26" wheels on a frame that originally had 28" wheels, but then the brakes will not reach the rims, is there any body who sells the extra long reach ( I will need a reach of 95 - 100mm ) or can anybody advise on a modification that can be made?

That is a very long reach. Even if you find something in that range, you can't trust them.
There is a product called a Drop Bolt but even that won't reach.
What is Plan B?

 

[Ozzie770]

What's your plan for pedal/ground clearance?

Still got a good 4" clearance of the pedal at the lowest point

 

[Ozzie770]

That is a very long reach. Even if you find something in that range, you can't trust them.
There is a product called a Drop Bolt but even that won't reach.
What is Plan B?

Looked at the drop bolt as posted above... but I will get the welder out and make something going across the forks instead of just dropping down I guess

 

[gbb]

Even with 'standard' long reach calipers...what are they 75mm ish ?...i found the braking force is rubbish, possibly because the the extra flex that can occur along the length of each arm....so I'd imagine 100mm would be even worse.

Or it might be that Alhongas, admittedly budget calipers are just rubbish anyway

 

[Drago]

If you got welding gear then how about fitting some canti bosses to the frame and forks?

 

[Ozzie770]

Few hours searching the net, and I have found some caliper type, from the old skool bmx, 108 mm reach. Not the cheapest but saves me altering the frame if I ever want to change it back etc...

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Hmmmm.

 

[bigjim]

I've got two bikes with the Alhongas fitted. The braking is terrible. I don't know whether it is the long arms or the quality of the pads that is the problem. It's a bit expensive to experiment with either Koolstop or Tektros to find out.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I've got two bikes with the Alhongas fitted. The braking is terrible. I don't know whether it is the long arms or the quality of the pads that is the problem. It's a bit expensive to experiment with either Koolstop or Tektros to find out.

The pads may play a small role but it is mostly the flex that makes these long-drop brakes ineffective. There's a reason that V-brakes were invented.
The long arms cause a stick-slip motion that renders them only half as effective as brakes without noticeable stick-slip flex. Further, the flex changes the contact angle of the pads, often causing the heels to dig into the tyre.

 

[bigjim]

The pads may play a small role but it is mostly the flex that makes these long-drop brakes ineffective. There's a reason that V-brakes were invented.
The long arms cause a stick-slip motion that renders them only half as effective as brakes without noticeable stick-slip flex. Further, the flex changes the contact angle of the pads, often causing the heels to dig into the tyre.

Trouble is V brakes are not always an option. One bike does not have braze-ons for V Brakes and the other bike is equipped with STIs that will not run V Brakes out of the box. Plus of course V Brakes need their own dedicated brake levers.

 

[Drago]

Use cantis instead.

 

[bigjim]

Use cantis instead.

Removed the original Cantis because they were ineffective. Tried a variety of other cantis without much improvement. As I said one of the bikes does not have braze-ons. Thinking about refitting that one with 27" wheels so I can use a shortened drop brake but it does limit gearing to 7 speed on a freewheel.