Utility Cycling - Freeradical Compatable with U Braked MTB?

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Sirrus Rider
04-20-08, 12:14 AM
Does anybody know whether or not free radical kit is compatible with a U-braked mountain bike? I'm thinking somewhere down the road I would like to convert my hybridized mountain bike to a long bike configuration.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q219/Sirrus-Rider/07%20Bikes/89AlpineMonitorPass.jpg

Yes I am aware that if I install a free radical kit the U-brake would have to go. I'm just concerned whether or not the old brake or brake mounts would interfere with the kit or if the free radical kit is fully equipped to have a disc brake transplanted onto it.

vik
04-20-08, 08:57 AM
If you don't get your answer here I'd ask over on the Xtracycle Roots Radical Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rootsradicals/) or call them at 1-888-537-1401 [they are great about answering their phones].
EricJ
04-20-08, 12:21 PM
Yes I am aware that if I install a free radical kit the U-brake would have to go. I'm just concerned whether or not the old brake or brake mounts would interfere with the kit or if the free radical kit is fully equipped to have a disc brake transplanted onto it.

I don't see anyway that the old brake mounts would interfere with the Free Radical kit. The "tongue" from the old dropouts forward is very narrow...narrower than the tire that was there before. And, of course, you are removing the old brake that mounts in the same place as the tongue.

The Free Radical is fully equipped for a disc brake caliper. My Hayes mechanical simply bolted in place. The only "mod" was having to go to a 203mm rotor and to add a caliper protector to prevent interference with the caliper and wear on the Free Radical. I didn't buy the Xtracycle protector. I just made one from a garage wall hook.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=406703

You can see details of the caliper mounting and the protector at the link.

Does that answer the questions? I'd be happy to photograph other details of my Specialized Hardrock installation if that will help.

Eric