weird brake problem...

[Al Bundy]

Hello All,

I have an older Team Santana (early 90s). The previous owner had put on an early non-tandem carbon fork which I have replaced with the original steel Santana. However, this also means replacing the caliper brake on the front so I purchased a pair of Avid-7 V-brakes (also replacing old LX V-brake on rear). Another sequence of events has led me to purchase a set of wheels with dyad rims (with HF08 hubs to allow the use of an Arai drum).

The problem is that the distance across the mounting bosses on the seat stays is quite narrow. Putting a dyad rim in between means that the brakes wont fit...

Short of buying another set of wheels with a much narrower rim can anyone point me towards some alternate brakes?

thanks
mike

[TandemGeek]

Avid Shorty 6, Shimano BR550, or any of the older Shimano LX, XT, or XTR Cantilever brakes are your least costly, best brake solutions. Ebay obviously would be the place to look for the older brakes. Just remember to factor in the price of new (fresh) pads to any of your bids if you go that route. In many cases, once you add the fresh pad price to the bid new Avid Short 6 or Shimano BR550's become more desirable. Also, if you go with the older models that have a semi-adjustable straddle cable, you'll want to spend some time on Sheldon Brown's website with regard to optimum set-up. I believe the newer models use nearly fixed-length straddle cable arrangement.

FWIW #1: I changed out the black Shimano LX cantilevers for a set of polished XT cantilever arms fitted with the larger XTR pads on our '96 Santana Arriva: they were more than adequate for our 275 team weight and not only did the polished arms look more appropriate with the rest of the polished components (XTR derailleurs & Sachs Ergo levers), the larger pads did seem to improve the stopping power.

FWIW #2: Even some of the early Santana tandems that came with V-brakes had compatibility issues tied to boss placement and the use of wider rims. It's obviously been resolved but I can't remember when but you will occasionally see a Santana sporting a set of V-brakes in back with the arms sticking way the heck out there, sometimes with the travel agent even brushing up against the stoker's hammy.

[Al Bundy]

Many thanks Mr. Geek!

sounds like I have tandem exhibiting #2.

Centre to centre distance across the mounting bosses is 73mm.

What I need is a brake where the pad doesnt stick so far in towards the wheel. Also I need one where the pads don't stick so far forwards (are not so long). I think with the SD-7s I wouldn't be able to get them to fit even if the arms were stuck way outwards; the front end of the pads actually foul on the seat stays before the gap gets wide enough to allow the rim between them.

If there is someone with an older tandem and after measuring across the seat stays comes up with a value that approaches 73mm and who can achieve a `gap' of at least 24mm - please can you tell me what brakes you are using?

Lastl, does anyone have any thoughts regarding the CR720 Tektro brakes?
Many thanks
mike