Originally Posted by
Tim_Iowa
You have to measure the brake reach to determine the size of brake you need (short, long, extra long, etc). How to measure?
Sheldon has you covered.
Based on my experience with 27" to 700c on my similar Raleigh, I bet the reach is in the 47-57 range ("long reach").
Tektro makes great cheapish dual pivot sidepulls, equivalent to Shimano quality, in various sizes. I used the R539 on the Raleigh. You can also look for old "long reach" sidepulls; dig in the brake bin with a measuring device handy. Weinmann 610's are the "long reach" brother of the 510 "short reach" single pivot sidepulls.
The way that you're going about this project seems pretty disjointed for most of us. But it's your bike, your time, and your money, so do what you want. It can be fun to have more enthusiasm than knowledge...
Thanks for the info on the brakes.
I will look at the link on Sheldon's site - I may already have who knows I can't keep track
It may seem disjointed I guess, but I took it down to just the frame. I'm not re-using any parts. Well, actually the only original bit left in there is the headset. Everything else is gone. So, I don't see how asking questions about all the pieces I need to make it a working bicycle is really all that odd. The whole point of the project is the learn how to put the pieces together, and learn the differences between the pieces in the process. I really don't see how I'm going about that incorrectly. Maybe some folks would do it in a very, very specific order, but I'm a get all the info whenever and wherever and make note kind of person. Yes I have a lot of enthusiasm because I like building/tinkering projects like this (it's why I have absurd amounts of LEGO sets, too), and obviously I lack all the knowledge - hence why I posted here, outlines my plans and ideas, and asked for assistance from people who have the knowledge. Seemed like the whole point of the forums to me...