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drilling out brake holes to accomodate recessed bolt brakes?

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drilling out brake holes to accomodate recessed bolt brakes?

Old 01-28-09, 11:30 AM
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drilling out brake holes to accomodate recessed bolt brakes?

I am trying to fit a modern brakeset on an 86 trek 400. The rear is not designed for recessed bolt brakes. Is there anything wrong with drilling out the hole to fit the bolt?
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Old 01-28-09, 11:35 AM
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It's usually easier to use another front brake in the rear, with a 6mm nylock nut instead of the recessed nut.
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Old 01-28-09, 11:46 AM
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I had my LBS do this yesterday on my 1984 Trek 500 and couldn't be happier. I was converting to 700c wheels from 27" and thus needed long-reach brakes, which are in short supply for the old non-recessed bolt type. They said it was a significant step towards modernizing my frame and I totally agree, I can use any kind of new brake on my frame now. They charged me $40.
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Old 01-28-09, 12:10 PM
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I've done it on a fork, but not on a rear bridge. Don't see why you shouldn't though!
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Old 01-28-09, 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Basil Moss
I've done it on a fork, but not on a rear bridge. Don't see why you shouldn't though!
The trick on the rear is that you don't have enough space to get your drill in there. My trick is to clamp the drill bit in my vice grips and rotate it by hand. You don't have to drill out very much metal so it's not as bad of a job as it sounds.
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Old 01-28-09, 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
The trick on the rear is that you don't have enough space to get your drill in there. My trick is to clamp the drill bit in my vice grips and rotate it by hand. You don't have to drill out very much metal so it's not as bad of a job as it sounds.
You can drill all the way through and then use a shoulder washer to cap the rear side. Cinelli actually made their bridges that way and supplied two shoulder washers. Install one on the rear if you use a recessed bolt; install both if you use a standard bolt:



Here's what I use when I need to counterbore a hole for recessed bolts:

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