Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Got a Q for front brake riders

ok, so I have my front brake on my bike and I have a major issue...when I pick up the bike, , move it around while not on it, etc, the handlebars swing around whatnot. Because I have brake, if the handlebars swing around to the left, it's all good because the front brake's barrel adjuster is on the right side of the brake, so nothing makes contact with the downtube. Now, if the handlebars swing around to the right, the barrel adjuster will slam into the downtube, with quite some force since I have heavy Nitto drops on the bike. So far this has caused a dent in my downtube. Is this just a terrible design flaw of road caliper brakes?

Yes, It is bad design... I just wrapped a little piece of foam around the down tube where it makes contact and wrapped it real tight with electrical tape... poor mans tt/dt protector.

Yep. Tape.

Due to this, my bike needs a touch-up.

my bike HAD the same problem when it was freewheel... I have a nice little 'dot' there

My D/A caliper has a little rubber bumper on the barrel. You could get some of those clear bumper things from a dollar store or something and stick it on there.

Bullhorns. ;)

^ have nothing to do with this thread.

you need an oldschool cantilever brake

^i.e. "deathbrake"

you need an oldschool cantilever brake


He's right. My weinmann centerpull makes up for style with its pure utility. Sidepulls are tempermental and for wannabe roadies, mainly to fulfill the "wannabe" label.

Bullhorns. ;)

you need an oldschool cantilever brake

welcome to my bike!

^ have nothing to do with this thread.

yeah it does. on many bikes, bullhorns won't cause the front wheel to swing around quite so much. that's been my experience anyway. the only time my brake dealie was scratching my paint was when i had drops... and when i had a brake.

Well, I ride 'horns and the paint is chipped on the downtube from the adjuster. But a dent??? Did the bike fall over onto the bars or what?

(bullhorns)

^ have nothing to do with this thread.
Ahhh, now I understand. I was thinking the lever itself was hitting the downtube. Smartass quickly becomes just ass.

ok, so I have my front brake on my bike and I have a major issue...when I pick up the bike, , move it around while not on it, etc, the handlebars swing around whatnot. Because I have brake, if the handlebars swing around to the left, it's all good because the front brake's barrel adjuster is on the right side of the brake, so nothing makes contact with the downtube. Now, if the handlebars swing around to the right, the barrel adjuster will slam into the downtube, with quite some force since I have heavy Nitto drops on the bike. So far this has caused a dent in my downtube. Is this just a terrible design flaw of road caliper brakes?

most caliper brakes have a little rubber protector at its neck to prevent this from happening. mine doesnt, so i got some barwrap and wrapped it on the DT.. no biggie

my bullhorns prevent the hit as well. but there are variables like bullhorn type and stack height.

umm, why not just try to control your bike, carry it on your shoulder front wheel down? I've never had a problem with this...

Little tape will not hurt