Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
Whether you can go with caliper brakes depends on the tires you want to run. 28mm is about the effective limit.
Whether you need short reach calipers on long ones depends on the the frame and the fork. You just need to measure the amount of reach you need for the pads to hit the rims correctly.
Modern dual pivot brakes, such as Ultegras, which would match your brifters, are going to give more stopping power, and I'd go with those, or something like them if they'll fit.
If calipers will work with your tire preference, I'd definitely use calipers over v brakes with a travel agent.
When we were test riding tandems before our purchase, I tried Vbrakes, Calipers and the Avid disc on the rear of three different tandem. I went downhill and wanted to see which brake would stop us using ONLY the rear brake. The Vbrakes were Avid 7's, Calipers were Dura Ace 7800's. The Disc was #1 easily eclipsing the other two, Vbrakes second and Caliper third. Same tandem team, same hill.
I bought a rear disc and use new XTR Vbrakes with a TA in front because i'm too cheap to buy a new Woundup Fork and Rolf wheel to fit a disc
