Upgrade Calipers or Just Pads

[Paul J]

On my Raleigh Scorpio it uses sidepull Weinmann calipers. They seem to go out of center on a regular basis which is a pain.

So do I live with the pain in adjusting them all the time and upgrade the pads from the little blocks, if so what fits? Or can I replace the whole caliper for something better?

 

[sidevalve]

You can change for another type of sidepull but weinmann were good kit and you wont get much improvement. However you can fit just about any bolt on type of block you choose. As for the going out of centre if they're moving after you've got them set up without being knocked something is wrong somewhere. Since setting up mine haven't moved in over 4 months. One culprit I found was the outer cable catching on the frame and eventually forcing the caliper off line

 

[Paul J]

Hmm I'll check that the outer sheath isn't pushing it off. It's only the rear that seems to go off center

 

[tyred]

Make sure the nut which holds the arms on the caliper haven't been overtightened and work some light oil into the pivot.

You need to hold the block/spacer part which holds the spring behind the caliper arms and sits next to the brake bridge in a central position while you tighten the nut which holds the caliper to the brake bridge. Some later Weinmanns had a slot cut on this part for a thin 11mm spanner, otherwise, try pliers, pipe wrench, Vise-Grips or similar.