lftmx3

Hello all, My parents recently moved to a new house and I inherited my dad's 76 Schwinn Le Tour. It had been sitting in the garage for the last 25 years, but after a thourough clean and lube, it shifts and rides great, except for one problem. The brake calipers on both the front and rear are Weinmann model 300's. The front brake is fine, but the rear brake is too small, causing the pads to rub on the tire instead of the rim. Does anyone know what would fit properly? Thanks

Rocksteady

First, make sure that the wheel is the right size, is properly seated in the dropouts and the bolt that secures the brake calipers onto the frame is properly tightened. If the bolt is loose then the tension of the brake cable can make the calipers to high for the rim.

If that does not solve the problem and you cant adjust the pads to met the rim you may need longer reaching brakes available through the Harris Cyclery https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brake-calipers.html. You should to read this article in addition- https://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html#reach

Good luck and post pics when you done

RS

rhenning

Sounds to me like somewhere along the bikes history the front and rear brakes were reversed. Generally on Schwinns the rear brake has a longer reach then the front. Try reversing them and see if that fixes the problem. Roger

Cardiac Paul

Not just brakes reversed but the mounting bolts on each brake set were switched. the longer bolts is for the front & shorter bolt for the rear, someone may have torn down the brakes over the years & reassembled them wrong.
The shorter bolt goes on the brakes with the long arms for the rear set & the longer bolt on the brakes with the short arms for the front.

Hope this makes sence & helps