[Tormoza]

Hi,

I have an older steel cyclocross frame (a Batavus, nice Reynolds) whose rear brake posts are 60mm apart. It seems like most modern brakes are made for posts spaced 80mm apart.

I can get them on, but because the arm is so much closer to the rim, even after removing any spacers between the arm and the pad, the pads touch the rim at a very exteme angle: that is, only the bottom edge hits the rim.

Not sure if my problem makes sense, but if it does, does anyone know if there are brakes made especially for this narrow spacing of the brake posts?

TIA, Paul

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[isotopesope]

are you using brakes that use spherical washers then? you might need a brake that uses a brake pad holder with a smooth post, rather than a threaded one. that should allow the pad to sit closer to the brake arm itself... older shimano low profile canti's come to mind, as well as all the fancy euro brakes such as the empella froglegs, spooky's, or 4za's. or if you can find some old mafac's or wienmann's.

[Tormoza]

are you using brakes that use spherical washers then? you might need a brake that uses a brake pad holder with a smooth post, rather than a threaded one. that should allow the pad to sit closer to the brake arm itself... older shimano low profile canti's come to mind, as well as all the fancy euro brakes such as the empella froglegs, spooky's, or 4za's. or if you can find some old mafac's or wienmann's.

Thanks -- in fact that's what I'm going to try. Ordered one of these from universal cycles: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=6351&category=1592

If anyone's interested I'll post how they work (or don't).

[jgedwa]

I have been dealing with a similar problem with narrow brake bosses (on the front of an old Trek 620 touring bike).

I think the advice to try smooth studs instead of threaded makes sense. I was forced to go that route because I just could not get the pad to angle radically enough to work on the narrow bosses. I did get it set up, but the braking power is pretty poor. It could be some other variables (that I am trying to tinker with), but I am increasingly sure it is the the pad angle. Good enough, maybe, but not really what I hoped for.

jim

p.s., I think those Altus brakes have a brittle plastic collar around the spring that breaks easily. I hate them.

[Tormoza]

Thanks for the input. We'll see how this brake works. What I wonder, though, is: What kind of brakes did these bikes with narrow spacing use when they were first made?

[isotopesope]

Thanks for the input. We'll see how this brake works. What I wonder, though, is: What kind of brakes did these bikes with narrow spacing use when they were first made?
probably something made by mafac (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-MAFAC-Cantilever-Brakes-Front-and-Rear_W0QQitemZ110236436650QQihZ001QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), weinmann (http://cgi.ebay.com/Weinmann-MAFAC-LICENSED-Cyclocross-Cantilever-Brakes_W0QQitemZ320231416473QQihZ011QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), or dia compe (http://cgi.ebay.com/Dia-Compe-Vintage-Cantilever-Brakes-Mountain-Bike-983_W0QQitemZ310034763868QQihZ021QQcategoryZ27949QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), etc..

i run xt canti's on my ridley and really love them! they look essentially idential to those altus ones.

[Ziemas]

I had the exact same problem. An old set of LX cantis from 1995 solved the problem. I couldn't find a modern brake which would work, nor could my extremely brilliant and resourceful mechanic.

[Tormoza]

Thanks for the eBay links. I'll see if my new ones work; if not, at least there are options!