Brake pads don't reach rim...Help

silver campaign

How's it going.
I'm 95% finished buildin a fixie iv'e been workin on for the last few months on and off. It just needs some final tweeking.

A problem I've run into is with the front brake. ( I need a brake, it's my first fixie) Basically, the brake pads don't reach the rim of the wheel, they are sitting on the tyre, which is pretty useless.

The caliper i'm using is a Shimano Exage like this one

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/exage.html

The wheels fitted are 700C with 700 x 23 tyres. I tried fitting the wheel from my specialized allez and the problem was the exact same.

The frame is a 1962 claud butler.

I'm basically wondering if there is another caliper I can use that has a longer reach of about 1 / 1.5 inches or so.

Thanks for the help...

rottenhat

Sounds like you need a longer reach caliper (I'm assuming that the Exage is your average short reach caliper) - the only one I can think of off-hand is the Shimano R600 but they're basically Ultegra grade so far from cheap. You might try looking for something secondhand maybe? Even at that I don't think you'd get an extra inch though. Could it be that the frame is built for 27" wheels instead of 700c?

Morgan

That Exage brake has a drop of 32mm -that's pretty low. Tektro do some good value long-reach brakes from 57mm up to a massive 73mm.

blorg

silver campaign wrote: »

( I need a brake, it's my first fixie)

Everyone needs a brake, first fixie or not; the only place you don't need a brake is on the track.

silver campaign

It could be the case that the wheels I have are too small, as there is a fair bit of clearance there.

Thanks for the help, I'll have a look for one of those tektro calipers, or else maybe a new wheel would be cheaper.

Also, anyone know of any seat post bolt emporiums or the like? I've taken two of older bikes in the shed, but they are slightly to large in diameter to fit.

kenmc

700 wheels are all the same diameter, so you won't get 'bigger' 700s.
long reach calipers are the way to go.

blorg

silver campaign wrote: »

Also, anyone know of any seat post bolt emporiums or the like? I've taken two of older bikes in the shed, but they are slightly to large in diameter to fit.

Do you mean a seat clamp? Any of the online shops do them, e.g.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=213

Ghost Rider

If you need extra long reach calipers (i.e. 73mm, as Morgan mentioned), try Tektro 556. I got a pair from a US bike shop called Velo Orange. Check them out online.

lescol

Your frame would be made for 27" wheels. I use these:- http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b37s100p149

stuf

Not sure if Spa Cycles deliver here - think I might have been knocked back by them in the past.

Think Bike on the Rathmines Road ordered in a Tektro brake lever for me so they should be able to get the calipers. Another option is this one

http://www.billys.co.uk/english/group.php?prod=bcdc-806

but Billy's ain't cheap for postage and it's black - not good for an oldie in my opinion.

As for the seat bolt - I got this one in silver for a similar vintage frame:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=6255

Blorg lives in the present so he doesn't understand these old-fangled things

silver campaign

That bolt or clamp looks like it might do the trick.
I'll check if Spa cycles will deliver, and have a look at velo orange. I would prefer a chrome caliper to a black one allright.
Thanks for the help everyone. I'll stick up a photo, once it's finished.

stuf

Would definitely give ThinkBike a ring about the tektro as it's a nice looking caliper. I have this one on mine:

http://www.billys.co.uk/english/group.php?prod=bcdc808

bit clunky looking but it does the job

silver campaign

That Diatech one looks like it would do the job Stuf.
Any idea of the size of the allen key bolt on the rear of the caliper.

I stupidly drilled an 8mm hole in the back of the fork to fit the shimano caliper, obviously should have checked the reach first, but you live and learn.

stuf

silver campaign wrote: »

That Diatech one looks like it would do the job Stuf.
Any idea of the size of the allen key bolt on the rear of the caliper.

I stupidly drilled an 8mm hole in the back of the fork to fit the shimano caliper, obviously should have checked the reach first, but you live and learn.

It's a 10mm nut so the bolt is probably about 5mm. You'd probably want to get an o-ring to compensate as the brake isn't fixed tight to allow it to centre

NeilMcEoigheann

i bought a long reach calliper from wolfe cycles, 12 euro. just go in with the bike and ask. try square wheel cycles too,