Fifty Plus (50+) - HELP! Long reach brakes for my Sequoia.

I'm as new as new gets, so please take it easy on me guys. Member "Late" has helped me re-enter the World of bicycling and has suggested a Sequoia, which I bought and am enjoying. I bought the standard model around a month ago and have been making a few changes to "fit" me better.

I'm considering new brakes. I'm upgrading the stock rear drl and will be taking it to my LBS to have them install. While I am at it, I want to upgrade the brakes. i'm told that I need "Long reach" brakes. Can someone describe why I need long reach brakes and recommend a few different models? Are there any Dura ace that will work?

I'm new, so please be descriptive, guys.

Jack

Long-reach brakes allow wider tires and fenders if desired. More info at this link. Keep scrolling til you get to "Reach"

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html

Most racing style bikes have short reach brakes, so I'm thinking it would be unlikely that Dura Ace would offer a long reach brake.

If you cannot get long reach brakes at you LBS, try here. Call them. They're nice folks. They'll explain everything.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakes.html

My two cents. You probably already have long-reach brakes on your Sequoia (I could be wrong). If you do, and if they're working well, I wouldn't mess around with them.

Rivendell has 'em, too: www.rivbike.com.

But wait, there's more: Why do you need to upgrade the brakes? Bike brakes are generally at least adequate, and that's a pretty nice bike. Unless there's something obviously wrong (broken brake arm, whatever), I can't imagine any problem that new pads and maybe lubing the cables wouldn't fix. If you're not satisfied with the stoppage, I'd certainly try new aftermarket pads (Kool Stops are good) before I bought a whole new brakeset. Shouldn't cost more than $25 tops. I think you're being hosed by the bike shop.

Thank you,

My 2006 Sequoia has Shimano Sora calipers, I just thought I'd up-grade to something further up the line. They work well, (no complaints). What do better brakes offer you? Smoothness?

Jack

Velo Dog: It's not my LBS, it's just me trying to make the bike the best it can be. I'll likely just upgrade the pads (Kool Stops) and enjoy the bike.

I have a 100 mile tune up that I'm due for (I told you I was new to this) and I thought that while I had the bike in for that, I'd make some other improvement. Sounds like I should just enjoy the bike.

My only complaint is that I have to double click the front drl between the middle (triple) gear sometimes, or it will rub on the chain. I'll have the LBS bike tech look at that, too, when they are tuning it up. If there is something that works better, smoother, without the double click, I'd like to know.

Jack

I'm as new as new gets, so please take it easy on me guys. Member "Late" has helped me re-enter the World of bicycling and has suggested a Sequoia, which I bought and am enjoying. I bought the standard model around a month ago and have been making a few changes to "fit" me better.

I'm considering new brakes. I'm upgrading the stock rear drl and will be taking it to my LBS to have them install. While I am at it, I want to upgrade the brakes. i'm told that I need "Long reach" brakes. Can someone describe why I need long reach brakes and recommend a few different models? Are there any Dura ace that will work?

I'm new, so please be descriptive, guys.

Jack

I personally would not upgrade anything until the original part breaks or is causing a problem. Derailler is probably just adjustment, and although changing to an upgrade may add a bit of Kudos- it will not work any better than the one that is on the bike. It may last longer but that is what you are paying for with the increased price. Saying that look at the upgrades on spec and you may find that there are better pivots or bearings but still stay with the old part until it is past its best.

If you are looking to spend money- then look at the wheels. The standard wheels wil be adequate but a pair of "Custom" built wheels are well worth the expense- plus the old wheels can be used for those foul weather days when Grit from the road would wear out any wheel. I would also suggest you shop around for these as even my LBS is more expensive than a Specialist wheel builder- Although they do make a top quality wheel.

Others may add to the list but how about clipless pedals (or SPD's as they seem to be a favourite with a lot of riders)

+1 Stapfam.

Take a look at
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=KSBDS&tnum=39566&c=52724
for Kool Stop brake pads.......amazing diference in stopping power and they are "rim friendly" unlike Shimano pads.
IMO, unless you gave Sora brake/shifters, the double clicking on the front derailer could be the "trim" function which enables derailer cage at "half indexed" or between positions to eliminate chain rub.....nice option.

I don't know what components you have on the bike, but if it is 105 or higher, your are SUPPOSED to double click on a triple on the middle cr between the small chain ring and the large one. This is to fine tune and "trim" the shifting.

Long-reach calipers are common enough -- Giant OCRs (alloy and cf) have 'em, for example. They allow a little more fender/tire clearance. +1, though, on the KoolStop pad switch suggestion above -- that will make the biggest difference, but - yes, you can get new, higher level long reach calipers. Sorry I can't remember the exact model name, but if you go to Shimano Cycling -- Road -- and click on 'high grade components', you'll find exactly what you're after -- I think it's called BL600?? Anyway, it's a long-reach caliper basically at Ultegra level. Hope that helps.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Stapfam: I'm not upgrading anything just to get "Kudos" from anyone ... my self confidence is in check, than you.

Being you are a senior member here, I'm hoping to find elders that can remain objective and help me spend my money wisely, given that I am a "newbie", fresh into the hobby. Late also recommended better wheels ... got any suggestions? What about hubs? Which bearings? Have you ever cryo'ed anything on your bike?

Blackberry: Is it customary to keep points in this forum? How does one determine score in this forum?

Thrifty1: Thank you for your suggestion. I will try some Kool Stop pads and give some a try.

Dnvrfox: Thanks, that's what my LBS tech guy told me, too. I'll learn how to use it.

Badger1: Thanks, it looks like I should try some Kool Stops first.

Thanks again, Guys!

Jack
FNG

When someone posts "+1", that means that you can add another vote to what the other person posted. They are saying that they agree with him/her.

Jack...as a "new" rider, I would first work on my legs, heart, lungs and put some consistent miles in before worrying about equipment upgrades-- unless something seems to be malfunctioning. Often when things seem to not work right, its because they're misadjusted or not being applied properly. Considering their flimsy appearance, bikes 'n' bike components are pretty rugged and reliable. Sora level stuff is just fine for now. With time and listening to the buzz here and elsewhere, you'll develop a sense of proportion and personal priority about your cycling-- and be able to sort substance from pretense. In cycling, there's a danger of becoming equipment fixated. For now, become fun & fit fixated.

Believe me, you and your checkbook should enjoy this early, peaceful time-- you'll be flipping through catalogs soon enough and acquiring a garage parts bin of stuff you just had to have and then wondered why. Your wife will open her china cabinet and find some greasy backup derailleur you might need someday, or you'll decide keeping your chains in the vegetable crisper soaking in tequilla improves performance. What fun!

Keep posting, reading, asking questions, above all riding.....soon enough you'll be advising others on why Campy is superior to that Asian stuff. P.S.....Welcome!

I'm as new as new gets, so please take it easy on me guys. Member "Late" has helped me re-enter the World of bicycling and has suggested a Sequoia, which I bought and am enjoying. I bought the standard model around a month ago and have been making a few changes to "fit" me better.

I'm considering new brakes. I'm upgrading the stock rear drl and will be taking it to my LBS to have them install. While I am at it, I want to upgrade the brakes. i'm told that I need "Long reach" brakes. Can someone describe why I need long reach brakes and recommend a few different models? Are there any Dura ace that will work?

I'm new, so please be descriptive, guys.

Jack

I don't quite understand your seeming urgent need to upgrade a new bike. Your bike is a great bike "as is."

I bought my Lemond in 1999 and haven't changed a thing on it yet. I still haven't reached MY potential in using the bike - in other words, the bicycle is still better than I am.

Until you become an expert at riding the bike, you will not notice any significant difference between the wheels you have and wheels you might buy.

How about learning to use your current bike to its maximum? After that, you will know what it is that you want to upgrade, if necessary.