Bike Forums - Different Brake Types Front and Back

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Bicycle Mechanics (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/)

- - Different Brake Types Front and Back (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1094303-different-brake-types-front-back.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexCyclistRoch (Post 19304996)

Your brake question aside, your lack of even basic bike terminology causes me concern when you say that your are going to change forks. BEWARE, there is more to forks than just putting a new one in, and amateurs can SERIOUSLY screw-up their bikes by fitting the wrong fork. Do you know what RAKE your current fork has? If you can't answer that simple question, then you should NOT attempt a fork change!

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...abeled.svg.png

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leisesturm (Post 19303762)

I don't know... maybe its because I am 58 years old and no longer dazzled by all this stuff, but I can't see any good reason to put a brand new fork in a 20 year old frame. Unless, maybe, the fork was damaged due to a crash... I would be worried about the frame as well in that case. Still, no reason to use a brand new fork, way cheaper to find a used one of the same kind as the damaged one.

Part of the actual threading of the original fork is just a bit petered out at the top, perhaps from an older bodge job gone awry. While the bike was stable enough in its older position, once I removed it and saw the threading, and adding in the upgrading ideas, a new fork popped into mind rather quickly. Anyway that was my thought process.

I changed a canti fork to a non canti using a centerpull brake keeping the canti in back and rode the bike that way for years as a year 'round commuter. No issues at all. I now run Mafac Racer centerpulls as fronts on my two winter/rain/city bikes with Weinmann centerpull rears. (I took a set of each and turned the rear Mafac into a front and vixce versa for the Weinmann.) I like the more powerful brakes in front and the stiffer brakes in the rear. With the spongier feel from the longer rear cable and housing, they feel more alike.

As others have said there is no magic to brakes. They don't have to match. You do want front brakes you trust. In a pinch, that is the brake that's going to save your butt. But there are lots of good ones of all types.

Another option - this will cost you a few bucks but you get exactly what you want. Have a fork made for you. The builder can braze on canti bosses, match the old fork's dimensions and headset dimensions and not force you to mess with a new stem. Want fender eyes of Lowrider bosses? Now's the time. A really cool fork crown? My Mooney is riding its second fork. Nicer than the first.

Ben

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBinNY (Post 19304857)

Ever hear the phrase "never bring a knife to a gunfight"?

This applies to pepper spray also. The folks that represent a real danger to you won't threaten, they'll simply brace you when they have the opportunity. And, they'll most likely be armed with a knife or gun. So, unless you're super cool, and super fast and accurate in a crunch, odds are the pepper spray won't work out in your favor.

OTOH - those nuts that are all talk may cause you to take action that isn't called for, (in the eyes of the law) and depending on the jurisdiction may cause you legal trouble.

So carry the spray if it makes you feel better, but IME the best defense for the sort of thing you experienced is to walk purposefully and project strength as you move away.

.....................methinks you were meaning to post this in: http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...34-maceup.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanMM (Post 19306613)

.....................methinks you were meaning to post this in: http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...34-maceup.html

Yep. Thanks.