Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Which front brake?

I'm looking to put a brake on this old Motobecane Grand Touring I got, but I'm not quite sure what nashbar means by long vs. medium nuts.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1014&brand=&sku=20626&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Brakes

should I go with the long or medium? Which nut are they talking about? Does it even matter?

Here's the bike, by the way

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7984/motobecane002li7.jpg

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/6228/motobecane004ij0.jpg

Probably won't work, as your frame is most likely drilled for bolt-on (rather than recessed, like the one linked) brakes.

Oh crap. I know nothing about this. Any suggestions as to what brake I CAN get then?

Head down to a local co-op and just find an old long-reach centerpull.

Can I use any road brake lever? Say... this one?

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1014&brand=&sku=12401&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Brakes

that can work. your probably want this http://www.on-one.co.uk/images/pagemaster/RX20alloycross.jpg

Can I use any road brake lever? Say... this one?

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1014&brand=&sku=12401&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Brakes


you need a brake with a plain old nut in the back, rather than a recessed bolt, as is common on more modern road bikes. you can get a brake like this for cheap at the times up(!) open shop night on thursdays. they also have plenty of old road levers.

if you want a prefer a cross lever, I can sell you one, and show it to you first (I live in NYC too).

Nashbars long reach brakes wont be long enough, I have made this mistake. Go with a center pull like dia compe.

Thanks for the help so far guys, I'll probably be heading down to times up on thursday to see if I can get this hooked up.

Another thing... strange noises seem to be coming from the headset when I turn the bars. Can I just order any old generic 1" threaded headset (say, from nashbar) and expect it to work / fix the problem? I'm guessing times up has a headset press?

Thats a pretty sizeable gap between the fork crown and the rim. You may need to modify the brake to make it fit ie. file the slots out a little.

yeah... I noticed that too. Maybe this frame was originally meant for 27" and someone decided to put 700c's on it?

Definitely.