Hi all,

So a few summers ago I replaced the old 27" steel wheels on my old fuji with an updated pair of 700c wheels with sealed hubs.

I've been making do with the original dia-compe/weinmann centre-pulls that came on just about every bike with 27" wheels in the 80's. Now for the sake of improved stopping power and because I think centre-pulls are dreadful looking I've been meaning to update to a dual-pivot side-pull.

Does anyone have any solutions for a cheap, nutted, dual pivot side-pulls? I haven't actually measured yet, but I'm certain I'll need something with at least 70mm+ of reach.

I know velo-orange has them available, but I'm not prepared to spend $75 bucks a pop (plus shipping to canada).

Tektro R559 gives about 73mm's of reach. https://tektro.com/_english/01_produc...e&sort=2&fid=9

I believe those are indeed the same ones that are on the velo-orange site. I was curious to see if anything else was out there, although I suppose this may be my only option.

Also, the side pulls are not going to give you any better stopping power than the center pulls you are now using. Put a pair of Kool-Stop pads on the CP's and the are going to stop better than the Tektro's with any pad.

The Kool-stops look pretty slick too -very pretty holders IMHO.

I think that some of the older single-pivots are quite nice looking. I also like being able to put on fenders without messing around buying $10 worth of special nuts that look worse than the longer bolts on the single-pivot older brakes...speaking of "looking bad."

I think center-pulls look cool.

(FWIW)

I think cantis look cool j/k

Tektro 539s from VO

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...ch-brakes.html

I just put these on a Trek 310 that I had powder coated and came with 27" wheels to start. They stop like crazy when paired with a set of Mavic Open ceramic rims.

Awesome brakes, awesome price.

Could you perhaps elaborate? I was under the impression that modern dual-pivot side-pulls were miles ahead of old centre-pulls in terms of stopping power?

I did consider just dropping some money on kool-stop pads instead of switching brakes, but I guess I'm shallow and still want a sexy new brakes on my bike.

Preynmantis: The reach on those is too short, I need about 70mm of reach.

I'm actually designing a bolt on mount for this exact conversion. It would allow you to mount cantilevers onto a 27" frame running 700c wheels. I'm going to be doing the same style bracket but for a 700c frame to run cantilevers. These should be hopefully cut sometime this week or next.

Something like Moots Mounts?


I am not certain which, if any, model has a nutted mounting bolt but DiaCompe makes a longer reach side pull.



If you have enough reach I agree just trying new pads and cleaning everything my be worth a try.

I'd love to see that. Do I understand you correctly that you'll be putting cantilever brakes on a bike without studs?

I've seen other such brackets for sale online. It's a good idea and I've never seen one specifically designed to put on a 27" fork to run 700c wheels. The ones I've seen are more generic and have some adjustability which only adds bulk/weight, and makes them butt-ugly.

This specific adapter would actually be super-awesome for cyclocross conversions. There are a TON of old 27" forks out there.

Tektro 800A 's are less finished than the R559's but basically the same brake.
Modern Bike has them for about $24 a set, and they stop very well.

both my '70s bikes are 27" -> 700c conversions. the first was fitted with ird b75 side-pull calipers. the brakes work quite a bit better than the vintage dia-compes they replaced, but they look a little out of place. they're bulky. i was hoping i wouldn't have the same issue for the next conversion, but it's almost the same exact reach issue with this english bike (vs the frenchie). the rear on both needed an extra long reach (more than 62mm), and the front was about 55mm on both. there are a few options, including some really nice looking center-pulls. another is using a dia-compe mini bmx caliper for the rear. (search ebay for mini bmx dia-compe if interested. they look nice.) even though those ird b75s look out of place, i opted to go the same route on the english bike conversion. the good news is, harris cyclery sells tektro calipers individually, so i bought the r539 for the front and the longer r559 for the rear. yes, it won't appear as vintage appropriate, but peace of mind goes a long way the next time that truck pulls out in front of me while flying downhill...

you might want to measure first or experiment with an old caliper brake first, if you haven't already. i think on all my conversions (one american made frame from 79 and one taiwanese frame made in 85) i managed to get away with what used to be called a standard, now long, reach brake of about 57mm. and aren't there some braze-on hangers that will be unsightly if not removed? i may very well be wrong about the hangers.

good luck with your project.

That's what the people designing these new brakes want you to believe. The fact is, with a pair of Kool-Stop pads your center -pulls will stop every bit as good as any Tektro side-pull.

I am curious if there is anything to back up this claim. (just out of genuine curiosity)

Me too.
I haven't done a test or anything, but the Tektro brakes, even with the extra-long reach, are great stoppers.

I'm not impressed with the new dual-pivots. They don't seem to track evenly on the rim over their pad life and loosen up on their mount if the rim is bent and the brakes need to wander side to side to follow them.

How is this an improvement over the old single-pivot? Sometimes this "new tech" is just an excuse for someone to buy all new gear. I see why the manufacturers do it. The stuff is so good it pretty much lasts forever. They need to design in obsolescence or people would ride their bikes forever and rarely need a new one.

Or maybe that is just the retro-grouch in me talking. I still prefer cottered cranks...

I'm more concerned with how brakes stop than how well they wander over untrue wheels.



I have found these to stop noticeably better than the single pivot Weinmanns they replaced too. No fussing about getting them centered, easier to modulate, and stronger. ;D

Basically think of a mount that center pull are attached to. It would be the same idea but allow you to mount cantilevers/v-brakes onto a frame without cantilever bosses. I made a thread just last night about the idea.

Sorry Hoyc...don't mean to hijack your thread.

+1

my experience is dual pivots are nice, definitely look cool and work. But I've never had a problem with center pulls. they work great too.

Centerpulls are dual pivot. That is why they were preferred over side pulls until Campagnolos made side pulls.! Put the right KoolStops on so you don't loose the leaverage and you will be fine.