Vintage calipers on 700c frame?
02-26-12 | 02:56 PM
#1
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From: Joliet, IL
Vintage calipers on 700c frame?
I'm replacing my cracked late 70's Trek frame with a 90's Schwinn Traveler that I got for cheap on ebay. I know most of the parts will swap over. I know that I'll need a 700c wheelset, but I've been wanting a new wheelset anyway. The only thing I'm not sure of is the brake calipers. Will I need to buy more modern road calipers or will the 70's Dia Compe calipers from my Trek work if I adjust the brake pads up higher? Has anyone tried this? Most of the information out there is on making old calipers reach 700c, not the other way around.
02-26-12 | 03:05 PM
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From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
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are the brakes the type that use a recessed nut or external nut to mount to the frame?
other than that, it may or may not work due to reach, but it's hard to guess if that when you don't have the frame and wheels.
other than that, it may or may not work due to reach, but it's hard to guess if that when you don't have the frame and wheels.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
02-26-12 | 03:13 PM
#3
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Put some External nut old Campag Brakes on my Recessed nut built, RB1,
just put a flatwasher under the nuts .. front and rear brake..
but wheel change size was same.
Radius of a 622/700c wheel is 4mm less than a 630/27".
measure the slot in the brake arm.
just put a flatwasher under the nuts .. front and rear brake..
but wheel change size was same.
Radius of a 622/700c wheel is 4mm less than a 630/27".
measure the slot in the brake arm.
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-26-12 at 03:18 PM.
02-26-12 | 03:22 PM
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From: Fairplay Co
Bikes: Current 79 Nishiki Custum Sport, Jeunet 620, notable previous bikes P.K. Ripper loop tail, Kawahara Laser Lite, Paramount Track full chrome, Raliegh Internatioanl, Motobecan Super Mirage. 59 Crown royak 3 speed
This is a big maybe issue my luck on getting older brakes to work on newer frames and vice versa from working at the local bike coop is about about 50/50.
02-26-12 | 03:40 PM
#6
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Your seem to think your 90's Schwinn Travelers has 27in wheels; are you sure? Most of 90's travelers I have seen had 700c, with the 80 Travelers having 27 in wheels. BTW, best way to use external nutted brakes on recess is to drill out some recessed nuts and then run the brake bolts through
02-26-12 | 04:08 PM
#8
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From: Joliet, IL
I can't measure the reach right now. I'm out of town and just won the frame and wanted to order everything else I needed, but I guess I'll have to wait until I can measure the reach.
I'm just getting overly excited about building up a new bike to tour on in a couple months.
I'm just getting overly excited about building up a new bike to tour on in a couple months.
02-26-12 | 04:19 PM
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From: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
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02-26-12 | 08:40 PM
#10
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Many older bikes, both 27" and 700c, used "long reach" (47 to 57 mm) brakes while newer ones typically used "short reach" (37 to 47 mm) brakes. My '83 Trek 400 used long reach calipers with the OEM 27" wheels but they adjusted far enough to let me fit 700c wheels. A late '80's Vintage Trek required short reach calipers with the OEM 700c wheels. I expect your Trek used long reach and the Schwinn will use either depending on how much tire clearance it was designed for.
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