To drill or not to drill, that is the question
#1
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
To drill or not to drill, that is the question
If you were installing a modern(ish) group on an old frame, would drill the fork and bridge for recessed allen key brakes and keep the whole group together, or just spring for some of those nutted Tektro dual pivot sidepulls to avoid modifying the frame?
Group is 9 speed Chorus and the frame is Mercian, for reference. And I realize this is a deeply philosophical question for many. I'm just interested in other opinions.
Group is 9 speed Chorus and the frame is Mercian, for reference. And I realize this is a deeply philosophical question for many. I'm just interested in other opinions.
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
#2
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Posts: 7,531
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
I'd probably get the nutted calipers. Its so much easier. I've done it both ways... its not particularly hard to drill out the bridge/crown...slightly harder to do a decent job, but waaaaay easier to not do it. (if you can stand to look at those Tektro calipers.)
__________________
--Don't Panic.
--Don't Panic.
#3
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
I'd probably get the nutted calipers. Its so much easier. I've done it both ways... its not particularly hard to drill out the bridge/crown...slightly harder to do a decent job, but waaaaay easier to not do it. (if you can stand to look at those Tektro calipers.)
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
#4
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Posts: 7,531
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
they certainly ain't pretty. We agree on that.
__________________
--Don't Panic.
--Don't Panic.
#5
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,440
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1167 Post(s)
Liked 992 Times
in
491 Posts
I'm no Campy-phile, so this may seem noob-ish, but can one cannabilize the Tektros for bolt parts and use with the Campy brakes? You might note that I don't have a lot of brake-swapping experience...
#6
Senior Member
Would it be possible to convert the brakes to nutted ? Just covering all the possibilities.
I have aver had similar issues with a few old frames as well. I kept them as is.
I have aver had similar issues with a few old frames as well. I kept them as is.
#7
incazzare.
Drilling that frame is a tough call. I have drilled frames before, but they were more common production Treks and Raleighs... I'd think twice about this one, and I am honestly not sure what I would decide in the end.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#8
Senior Member
Got to be something better looking then those Tectros. Anything else you have to consider ?
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 467
Bikes: 84 Coppi - 94 Hujsak - 82 Colnago Superissimo - 78 Ciöcc - 70's Galmozzi - 73 Lambert - 78 Motobecane Grand Record - 87 Peugeot Triathlon - 66 Peugeot H-40 - 78 Peugeot U08 - 85 Raleigh C-40 - 82 miyata 310 - 82 Univega - 85 Sterling SIS Mixte
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Liked 42 Times
in
14 Posts
I would drill the back of the fork only and swap the front & back calipers. I've done it several times. To me it makes the frame more useful and doesn't hurt it, touch up the paint where you ream it. Nice frame! @squirtdad says it well here.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,845
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2338 Post(s)
Liked 2,822 Times
in
1,541 Posts
I would drill the back of the fork only and swap the front & back calipers. I've done it several times. To me it makes the frame more useful and doesn't hurt it, touch up the paint where you ream it. Nice frame! @squirtdad says it well here.
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 7,922
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 630 Times
in
356 Posts
Sarah Palin says, "Drill, Baby, Drill!"
Considering the source of that advice, you know you should do the opposite.
Considering the source of that advice, you know you should do the opposite.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 03-31-15 at 03:27 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Personally, I would not modify that frame. There are some very nice center pulls available, either Dia Compe or Paul. Pricey, but that frame is worth it, imo.
I've been called a lot of things, but never Drew.
I've been called a lot of things, but never Drew.
#14
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
This is an interesting idea. Has anyone tried it?
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
#15
Get off my lawn!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,031
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
48 Posts
Drilling will only takes moments, regret is forever. I'd find a set of nutted calipers.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,156
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,690 Times
in
2,610 Posts
There are strategies to fit recessed brakes on frames made for nutted: mount the front brake to the rear bridge and install the rear brake to the front with the nut up under the fork crown, essentially holding the brake to the front of the crown.
#17
Keener splendor
#18
Senior Member
This is the best option if the tektro brakes are really a problem.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,829 Times
in
1,995 Posts
Check the brake caliper reach first of course.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,751 Times
in
938 Posts
Drill a vintage frame? Not a single chance in Hades!
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,845
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2338 Post(s)
Liked 2,822 Times
in
1,541 Posts
I truly do not get the no drill sentiment... if it were a rare frame done 100% period correct, then I get it, but a frame that is going to be used and with modern components?
The drilling is one hole only, the back of the fork
The "drilling" could be done with a rat tail file.....the shavings weight when using a drill would be measured in milligrams,
This is not like cutting off a derailler hanger or cable guides
The drilling is one hole only, the back of the fork
The "drilling" could be done with a rat tail file.....the shavings weight when using a drill would be measured in milligrams,
This is not like cutting off a derailler hanger or cable guides
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#24
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
Agree with squirt - drill er'. It's a relatively benign change and won't hurt aesthetics too much.
#25
Senior Member
I don't understand the Tektro hate. For modern brakes they don't look that bad and their silver finish will look appropriate on a classic frame. They'll certainly perform better than Campy sidepulls or just about any sidepulls.
How far down do they need to reach on that frame? That will probably dictate what brakes you can use as much as the attachment mount. Some highly polished centerpulls would look good and brake well.
How far down do they need to reach on that frame? That will probably dictate what brakes you can use as much as the attachment mount. Some highly polished centerpulls would look good and brake well.