Convert recessed brakes to nutted
 

Hi Everyone, this might have been asked before but i didn't find anything in the search. I'd like to convert new Dia Compe GC610 brakes from recessed to nutted, to fit my old frame. You can see the brakes here: http://www.diacompe.com.tw/product_View.asp?nid=968

Is this just a matter of changing the mount bolt of the brakes ? Unfortunately, I can't find an image of the bolt on the brakes, nor any kind of expanded breakdown drawing of the brakes.

Any help or info would be appreciated !

Many Thanks
Steven

It appears that you can get them in a version that is compatible with nutted and recessed: http://store.somafab.com/dice610.html

Converting an old frame to use recessed is really easy (also searh in classic and vintage)

1) get an extended recessed bolt
2) drill out the REAR HOLE ONLY of the front fork using 8mm bit (or 5/16 and a little wiggling) (and really all you are taking is shavings see the link below
3) use the REAR brake with extended reccessd bolt for the front brake.
4) use the FRONT brake with nuts for the rear brake

see sheldon brown

http://sheldonbrown.com/calipers.html

There is a relatively straight forward way to do this assuming the new fork crown and brake bridge are about the same thickness as the old frame so the mounting bolts will be long enough. It works on most steel forks but not on carbon forks with their very thick crowns. So, if your new frame and fork are suitable, here is how you do it:

1. Get two short recessed brake mounting nuts, the kind that commonly come with recessed mount brake calipers.

2. Drill these two nuts lengthwise with a 15/64" drill bit to clear out the M6x1.0 internal threads and the hex recess. That provides a clearance hole for the brakes 6 mm bolt shank. A 1/4" drill bit will also work but makes for a slightly sloppy although adequate fit.

3. Insert these drilled out nuts into the recesses in your fork and frame to act as alignment bushings.

4. Install the brake calipers through the fork and brake bridge and add the needed washers, and nuts as if you were installing them on a bike meant for nutted brakes.

I did just what I described above to let me use a pair of Shimano 105 dp long reach nutted brakes on a Surly Pacer made for recessed brake mounts. It has worked perfectly.

EDIT: Whoops, I have you going the wrong way. You have RECESSED brakes and want to use them as nutted. Sorry for the mis-direction but maybe it will help someone who wants to install external nutted brakes on a recessed frame.

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm reluctant to drill the frame, but if it's only shavings, I guess traditional brakes could still be mounted even after drilling ? I'm was surprised to see that you can get them with the hardware for both mounts, i'll look into that too. Does that mean the bolt it comes with would probably be longer that "normal" recessed brakes ?

Thanks again !

it is just shavings I have done this twice, no problems. Also if you have the recessed brakes the only other parts you need are a) a longer reccessed nut to use for the front and nuts an washer so use for the back. (if you took older nutted brakes of you might have these in you junk bin0

I had a set of Diacompe centrepull brakes that had regular hex nuts on the spindles. was from an old bike tho.

As far as I know most recessed nut brakes have a spindle with a 6mm thread, the same as a spindle for a hex nut. The spindle is shorter, than the hex nut spindle.
With centrepull brakes, the spindle is usually a bolt that's just pushed into the brakes backplate. Some versions you don't even need to disassemble the brake to get the spindle out, just push the arms about so theres space too wriggle the spindle out.
I would definitely not drill the frame to take recessed nuts. Unless you just cant get hex nut spindles. I see no advantage of them. They make fitting accessories such as racks, guards and reflector brackets, a hassle.