Bicycle Mechanics - Brake suggestions...

My old Bianchi Eros has equally old RX100 brakes. The brakes are fine, but for one thing. I'm running 700x28 tires, and would like to go even wider. The calipers aren't quite wide enough for even the 28s. As it is, I need to inflate the tire after mounting the wheel. Otherwise it won't quite squeeze between the brake pads.

Can anyone suggest a road brake with wider clearance?

My old Ibis Scorcher came spec'd with 41mm tires and one GranComp caliper made by Dia Comp. Check Rivendell....they usually have NOS long reach calipers laying around.

George

My old Ibis Scorcher came spec'd with 41mm tires and one GranComp caliper made by Dia Comp. Check Rivendell....they usually have NOS long reach calipers laying around.

George

Actually did check Rivendell. They and Nashbar are both showing new Shimano long reach calipers. Will long reach do the trick?

Actually did check Rivendell. They and Nashbar are both showing new Shimano long reach calipers. Will long reach do the trick?

yes and no.... arched caliper arms usually provide more tire clearance but are usually found in older styled calipers, such as Campy, Modolo, Suntour, etc...

Also, long reach calipers may not work with rim/fork combo designed for short reach brakes..... and visa-versa...

George

yes and no.... arched caliper arms usually provide more tire clearance but are usually found in older styled calipers, such as Campy, Modolo, Suntour, etc...

Also, long reach calipers may not work with rim/fork combo designed for short reach brakes..... and visa-versa...

George

Yeah, that's pretty much what I figured. As it is, the reach on my RX100's is 57mm, already considered long reach. So, I'm still looking for suggestions on brakes. I'll do the eBay thing looking for wider, arched calipers, but if anyone knows of a model in production that would help, let me know.

I don't think it is unusual that the brakes require you to inflate the tire after mounting, thats why there is a quick release on your brake.

I think you should keep the calipers you have. try this for more room: screw out the barrel adjuster like 3 turns, then adjust the brake accordingly. that way, when you want to take off the wheel, pop the QR on the brake, then screw in the cable adjuster, and that should give you a few millmeters on each side.

I don't think it is unusual that the brakes require you to inflate the tire after mounting, thats why there is a quick release on your brake.

I think you should keep the calipers you have. try this for more room: screw out the barrel adjuster like 3 turns, then adjust the brake accordingly. that way, when you want to take off the wheel, pop the QR on the brake, then screw in the cable adjuster, and that should give you a few millmeters on each side.

Older calipers don't have QRs.

I thought that the RX100s did. my bad.

nonetheless, you can still use the barrel adjuster tip.

The RX100s do have a quick release. With the QR open and a 700x28 tire, I still need to inflate after installing the tire. A 28 is about the max I can use with these calipers. I'd go to cantis or V-brakes if the frame allowed it. The barrel adjuster trick is good tip. Thanks.

With my 105 long drops, I can fit 32mm Top Touring + fenders. I can just get the wheel out when inflated, but I have to hit it.

I have a nice set of Dia-Compe 500 old single pivot arched brake calipers for $15.00 shipped if you are interested. They are the older style without quick release.

The RX100s do have a quick release. With the QR open and a 700x28 tire, I still need to inflate after installing the tire.

Wow. What is your rim width - 18mm? I run 18mm with 700x28 and the tires just fit with the brake QR opened (Shimano Exage std reach). But my tires really only measure about 26mm wide when on those rims.

If you really want to run a wider tire, you should also consider using a wider rim (unless you're already running 22mm). I am building a pair of "dirt road" wheels and will use a 22mm wide rim for a 700x35 tire.

The rims are 1992 Araya CTL-385s. I couldn't find a width spec either on the rim itself, in my files, or online. I measured them to 20mm external width, so I'm thinking they must be 18mm. I'd like to run 700x35 tires, but I'm sure the brakes don't provide enough clearance.

Mnppunky: Can you post a picture of the Dia-Compes?

I'm using Continental tires. Since Contis are notorious for running narrow, I put the calipers on them. They measured out to 27 mm. The estimable Sheldon Brown says that 35s ought to safely fit on a rim from 17 to 21 mm wide.

The estimable Sheldon Brown says that 35s ought to safely fit on a rim from 17 to 21 mm wide.

I believe that the 17-21mm in this case is the *inside* rim width. The outside rim with is usually about 5mm larger than the inside width and in my previous post I was using outside rim widths. So using inside rim widths, I run 700x26 tires on a 13mm rim and will be running 700x35 on a 17mm rim.

I believe that the 17-21mm in this case is the *inside* rim width. The outside rim with is usually about 5mm larger than the inside width and in my previous post I was using outside rim widths. So using inside rim widths, I run 700x26 tires on a 13mm rim and will be running 700x35 on a 17mm rim.

OK. Gotcha. The Araya's are probably about a 15 mm interior width and probably a bit narrow for 35s.

Maybe I'll just leave well enough alone.

If you're running aero-style road bike levers, there are a few models in production that have quick releases built into the levers themselves similar to the Campy Ergo design. I have a pair on my town bike, can't remember the model designation off the top of my head, but they cost about $12 at my LBS and work pretty well. They don't feel as robust as I'd like, but the price is right. The QR on the lever gives up about the same clearance that a QR on the brake caliper itself does. Also, the levers reset themselves automatically as soon as you apply the brake, so it's not a safety concern if you forget to reset them before taking off for a ride.

Just a thought...

Cheers!