I recently picked up an old Trek frame. I believe it's a 1988 400T, but I'm not exactly sure; there was limited info on the vintage Trek page for the serial number. I'm already pretty attached to it for a number of reasons and I am hoping this frame will be usable for my needs.
I'm building it up as a touring bike. I started off with 700c x 23 wheels and this is what it looked like with respect to the fork.
I want much larger tires (likely 35mm) and also fenders, so obviously I need to go another route. My next thought was to go 26" wheels. Aside from obviously needing more room, I think 26" would be a ideal because I will be touring in South America and read that it was difficult to find 700c wheel parts down there, 26" wheels are standard, 26" can be built more sturdy, etc.
So the next problem is finding a decent brake that reaches all the way down to the 26" rim. Here's what it looks like with the caliper set from center of the brake bolt hole down to 78mm.
front
rear
I chose 78 mm as the reference because ideally I would run weinmann 750s or diacompe 750s as I know they are both strong and trusted and specs say they max out at 78mm.
http://www.diacompe.com.tw/product_View.asp?nid=969
Will the diacompes work with my rim/frame setup? I thought maybe if i max them out and add those cup adjusters and angle them slightly down, it could work.
The other option would be Tektro 984s which is a BMX brake that will extend all the way to 90mm.
http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_pr...e&sort=1&fid=2
I have no idea of what the stopping power of these thing are, but I have read decent reviews (although no one had my application). Likely I would switch over to cool stop salmons if that changes anything. I will be carrying 70+ lbs of gear and I am ~#180.
What route should I take regarding the brakes?
Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.
Thank for your time. Ride on.
Matt