Brake Suggestions for a 1989 Nishiki Sport Step Through (Giant Built)
 

This bike is on the newish side for C&V, but I think the people in this forum have probably dealt with this more often than in any others.

I am looking for ideas about brakes for building up my step through frame. I know traditionally that step through frames had brakes with alternative cable routing...

Does anyone have any creative ways they have implemented braking systems on step through builds?

I am building up a Nishiki Sport step through bike from 1989, that based on my understanding was a drop bar bike, and I will be building it up as a rail trail rider with a north road type handle bar. It should make a nice rider, since the main tubes are butted cromo, and has a cromo fork as well.

I haven't checked reach measurements yet, so I am not sure what my limitations are there. I will post details in this thread in the next few days.

I am definitely willing to drill out the fork if necessary, but a little less confident of drilling for the rear.

I have several single pivot side pull calipers to choose from... However, I am actually leaning toward dual pivot side pull if possible. I think I have a set of tri-color dual pivots that I could drill for... but regardless of what brakes I use, I am mostly concerned about the routing for the rear brake cable since if I have one, I have heard that the alternate routing on the rear makes the brake cable susceptible to moisture problems...

My current thought is to potentially follow the example of some of the modern(ish) Campagnolo groups, and install dual pivot on the front, and single pivot on the rear... but, in my case, not to save a few grams, but out of necessity. Since it allows me to use an existing rear brake with alternate cable routing.

Am I missing any other possibilities? Any examples of what has worked for you on your builds? Does anyone know of affordable dual pivots that allow for alternate cable routing (either modern or vintage)? As another possibility, has anyone come up with a good way to use center pulls on a step through?

The Tektro R559 is a nutted long reach dual pivot side pull:

https://www.benscycle.com/images/Pro...ge/451-184.jpg

For a long reach center pull, there's the Dia-Compe 750, which also comes nutted:

http://cdn3.volusion.com/ctxtv.wmppt...jpg?1420551973

Dual Pivots are the way to go with a not so old bike like yours. You do not have to spend too much on such a bike and still get really good braking performance. Many here had been very satisfied with the dual pivots from Tektro, as with their levers as used on build projects similar to yours. Very good modern product for not so much money.

Where does the rear caliper mount? Can you do something like this to avoid the bottom pull cable routing?

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/...psbc6c999e.jpg

Another approach with a center pull caliper, routing the cable up the seat tube to a cable hanger or maybe a travel agent, depending on the frame. Sorry for the smallish pic, its from Classic Lightweights.

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...ns-frames4.jpg

The website has more info on cable routing: http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...-builders.html

I guess I was probably too cautious abiout the bend, obviously it isn't ideal, but it beats the limited number of calipers available to pull from the bottom.

From the link, and also from the earlier pic, I like the possibility of doing center pulls. I do have several sets laying around. I will have to see if I have, or can get, an appropriate hanger or pulley to work with my seat cluster and the clamps and/or cable stops to make it work. I am sure I have a suitable hanger for the front in my parts bin.