Brake help
 

I purchased a used SS, and the brakes are blah. They are old Dia Compes. I am going to toss teh rear, but I want a front because I feel more comfortable with it due to my style of riding.

I want to replace the Dia Compe, but I am having a problem.

I have a Shimano 600 single pivot I want to use, and although it is not the greatest brake, it is better than the DC.

The problem I run into is that the hole on the fork for mounting the caliper is only big enough for the screw on the DC brake to come through (the bold threads onto the screw on the rear of the fork). The 600 brake uses a "barrel bolt" (I don't know the exact term) that threads inside the fork normally.

Do I have any options other than drilling out the hole in the fork until it is big enough to use the bolt that comes with the 600 brake?

BTW, the frame and fork are a mid 80s Kuwahara.

It looks like this right nyah, right?
http://www.usedcamerabuyer.com/digit...081506_131.JPG

You can drill the fork if you think it can handle it, or you can try to replace the spindle with a longer one. Not familiar with this exact brake, some of them you can get it out of there and some it's pretty tough.

those 600's are clearly dual pivot.

Is the bike fixed gear as well as being ss? If not why would take the back brake off?

Chances are you need new pads more then you need new brakes. Change the pads, cables and lube everything up.

I know they're dual pivot, I just needed a pic of that style spindle.

Agreed, though, there aren't many single pivot brakes out there that are any better than any other single pivot brake.

Yep, that is what the 600s look like. I'm sure I can handle the drilling, but I'll have to see if my drill can.

Any options for other brakes with long bolts like the DCs?

The limiting factor with drilling the fork is whether there is enough metal around the existing holes. Usually yes, but it's worth thinking about.

It is a straight SS with a BMX freewheel. I don't really ever use the rear brakes on it as I just use it to run errands around town.

The have replaced the cables and cable housings and lubed everything already, but I do not plan to replace the pads as the brakes are just plain junk. I'd rather just go ahead and replace the who brake.

I wanted to post this question without starting a new thread...

Concerning brakes... If you buy a set of front and rear brakes, are they both the same exact thing or are they made differently for their particular application?

I ask this because Nashbar has a sale right now, Shimano 105 caliper set for $38. If they are the same, I can use one for each of the two new bikes I am building up for the summer... hopefully:D

A front brake has a long bolt, to go thru a fork crown. A rear brake has a short bolt, because it only has to go through the seat stay bridge. You can get new long bolts to convert a rear brake to a front brake from Problem Solvers I believe: search "front rear brake" for a recent discussion.

Edit: OK here it is http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ont+rear+brake

Mander is right, but just for the sake of yapping about it, the new $$$$ campy and I think also shimano groups have single pivot rears.

I have a pretty descent drill and it was a pain in the ass. USE CUTTING FLUID, and be super patient. Make sure you bit is sharp (or just buy an new one for a few bucks). Don't force it in [insert joke here], if it binds, it could jack up your drill. Use a 5/16th bit for nutted brakes. Works perfect.

Your older frame, fork & brakes are called nutted mount brakes, your newer, modern style 600 is called a recess mounted brake. I don't know if they're anywhere close to the same design, but look to see if you can take the center bolt out of the Shimano brakes and replace it with the Dia-Compe's center bolt. That will solve your problem without potentially messing up your fork.