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-   -   cable-clamp bolt mechanism on road brakes has lots of play - a problem? (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/512809-cable-clamp-bolt-mechanism-road-brakes-has-lots-play-problem.html)

TallRider 02-19-09 10:49 AM

cable-clamp bolt and quick-release road brakes has lots of play
 
I'm rebuilding my Raleigh road bike to keep in California, and I've installed Nashbar "Jail Brake" dual-pivot road caliper brakes.
The brakes seem to work fine, but when tightening the bolt down on the brake cable, I notice there's a lot of play between the caliper arm and the quick-release mechanism that holds the clamping bolt.

I've taken a couple of photos to show the range of play. I disconnected the cable tension for the shot, as any tension will obviously pull the clamping bolt into the "up" position (the crisper of the two photos). I cropped the photos so that they're basically the same angle, but it's not perfect. Nevertheless, you can easily see the difference between the clamping bolt being "up" and "down".

The actual range of play is greater than what is pictured; those are just the spots that would "hold" by themselves when I pushed the bolt into position.

I'm just wondering if this points to any problem down-the-road. I doubt that it does, but it may and wanted to get people's reaction. There appears to be no way to adjust the quick-release mechanism or tighten it.

Here's Nashbar's picture of the brake itself (linked to a larger photo):
http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photo...-NCL-FRONT.jpg

and here's my animated-gif picture of the clamping bolt's play:

http://www.unc.edu/~cupery/pics/bike...olt_motion.gif

Panthers007 02-19-09 12:28 PM

Looks like it was built this way. Possibly due to the play needed to use the QR on the brake. I wouldn't worry about it (I'm a perfectionist too - you'll worry anyway). Just keep half an eye on it should it get worse. Try engaging the QR and see if it changes the play.

Nice .gif by the way! :thumb:

TallRider 02-19-09 12:37 PM

glad you like the animated .gif - the difficult part was cropping two photos so they're approximately the same angle.

I don't think that there's any functional purpose of the clamp-bolt mechanism having play where it attaches to the quick-release, but neither do I think that it's likely to be a problem. Just a perfectionist, yes :)

MalcolmsFrejus 02-19-09 12:43 PM

I have the same thing happening on my 600/Ultegra side pulls. No idea how long it's been like that but it's never been a problem except in my head.

Panthers007 02-19-09 01:35 PM

Just checked my vintage Modolo Speedy brake-set - bought NOS out of Norway - and it has the same play when I flip it's QR lever. Checked 2 other sets of the Speedy brakes. Ditto.

See what you've done to me?! :lol:

TallRider 02-19-09 01:45 PM


Originally Posted by Panthers007 (Post 8389364)
Just checked my vintage Modolo Speedy brake-set - bought NOS out of Norway - and it has the same play when I flip it's QR lever. Checked 2 other sets of the Speedy brakes. Ditto.

See what you've done to me?!

I need you to come to Chapel Hill and check all of my bikes too

Panthers007 02-19-09 01:54 PM


Originally Posted by timcupery (Post 8389428)
I need you to come to Chapel Hill and check all of my bikes too

:roflmao2::roflmao2::eek::roflmao2::roflmao2:

AndrewP 02-19-09 04:31 PM

If there were no play you wouldnt be able to operate the QR

TallRider 02-19-09 05:31 PM


Originally Posted by AndrewP (Post 8390334)
If there were no play you wouldnt be able to operate the QR

this may be true, but the amount of play (i.e., lack of preload) required for the QR to be moved, is quite small.

But in this case, the play is not the in QR mechanism itself. Rathe, it's where the clamping bolt mechanism attaches to the QR mechanism. All that's required is that it be able to turn (so when the QR is flipped the clamping bolt mechanism stays in line with the cable) but it has way, way more play than necessary to ensure this.

operator 02-19-09 05:51 PM

You do realize this is a $20 brake right...

Panthers007 02-19-09 06:09 PM

On my Modolo's there is only play that's noticeable when the QR is released as I mentioned. Are yours showing this play with the QR in the loose position? One other query: Who actually makes those Nashbar brakes? Are they any good? Review please. Never heard of anyone with them - until today.

<jiggle, jiggle...>

TallRider 02-19-09 06:58 PM

I think the brakes are made by Tektro. Though I'm not totally sure.
And I realize they're on the cheap side. Though not $20 cheap - they currently retail for $35, though I think I got them on sale for $25 (a common sale price at Nashbar) a couple of years ago.
The brakes work fine. Same mechanical advantage as any dual-pivot brake. Lots of people dislike the Tektro cartridge pads, and while they're not great, they're okay. I'll see how they do as I ride the bike more, though. The pads do have adjustable toe-in.

Panthers007: I described the play in more detail in my previous post:

the play is not the in QR mechanism itself. Rather, it's where the clamping bolt mechanism attaches to the QR mechanism. All that's required is that it be able to turn (so when the QR is flipped the clamping bolt mechanism stays in line with the cable) but it has way, way more play than necessary to ensure this.
So in my case, the play is independent of the QR mechanism, probably just the result of cheap quality control but unlikely a real worry.

Panthers007 02-19-09 07:11 PM

Thanks! They might be a good contender for some fixer-uppers (of a better genre than average pickin's) I've found. Do let us know if they explode. LOL.


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