Center-pull vs. Sidepull brake fender clearance
 

I'm attempting to build up an old univega bike frame I recently purchased. I'd like to have fenders on it all year round for commuting to work. Do center-pull brakes give more fender clearance than sidepull? I was going to order some brakes online. I'm a bit new to this stuff and learning. Any opinions regarding fender clearance or other comparisons between the two types of brakes would be appreciated.

thanks,

shawn

not necessarily. I have a very old bike with "mud guards" (a 'fender' is a guitar, or a car panel :)) -- which I haven't ridden for about 5 years -- and it has old, side-pull Shimano 600 brakes. The brakes weren't really an issue, but fitting the guards on the 'normal' road frame was generally a bit annoying, having to occasionally make adjustments to prevent tyre rub. However, it is do-able

The brakes themselves usually aren't the problem. The distance from the mounting bolt to the underside of the calipar is about the same with most brakes. The distance from the dropouts to the brake bridge (or fork) will give you a range of rim size/tire size combinations and the clearance between the tire and the brake bridge for each of the combos will determine how much room you have for fenders. Univegas were built back when manufacturers thought about these things so there is a good chance you'll be able to pull it off. If the bike was built for 27" wheels it was designed for standard reach brakes (now called long reach, 57mm) and you'll probably be able to fit a fender in there. Standard reach brakes were available in centerpull, sidepull and today in modern dual-calipar sidepulls. If there isn't enough clearance you can gain some with 700c wheels and the brakes may be able to still reach the rims. With this combo you'll also be able to use fatter tires, which are nice on a commuter. If the distance to the rims is too great for the brakes you may want to go to DiaCompe 750 centerpulls, they have a lot of reach.

If you want to venture onto the cutting edge of commuter bike possibilities you can check out how some guys have set up older frames with 650B size rims with nicely plump tires and fenders.

Well, I agree that "mud guards" more accurately describes the component, but I'll bend to inertia and keep calling them fenders.

MKahrl, I looked up the Diacompe 750 centerpulls and they have a reach of 62 to 78mm. Long reach ultegra brakes (rivendell bikes sells them) have a 57mm reach. I built up a 700c wheel to learn how to do that. I measure roughly 55mm from brake mounting bolt to center of my rim. I'm guessing I should go for the 57mm reach ultegra brake.

But why the heck is a 700c tire smaller than a 27 inch as you imply in your message? 27 inches is about 686mm.

Thanks,

shawn

I use Shimano dual pivot long reach with 32mm tyres and fenders (UK: mudguards). The clearance you have depends on the positioning of the frame brake bridge.

Shawn,
27 inch wheel roughly describes the outside diameter of the tire. I say roughly because using a 27x7/8" tire will have a smaller outside diameter than a 27x1 3/4" tire. What matters for placing the brake pads, and fitting tires, is the rim's bead seat diameter. For 27" rim it is 630mm and for 700c it is 622mm. To switch from 27" wheels to 700c on the same back the brake pads have to come down half the difference in diameter or 4mm. Which can be done on some bikes, especially if the bike designer planned it that way. If you've made it to the Rivendell site there is a wealth of information there from a guy who thinks a great deal about rims, tires, handling, fenders and a lot of other things and builds bikes to try these ideas out. Another good source for tire size explanations is at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html.

Sounds like you're on the right track. If they fit you' can't get much nicer than dual pivot Ultegra. Some people shy away from centerpulls because they were used on both expensive and inexpensive bikes and there's not much snob appeal in that. But they stop just as well when used with modern pads.

Awesome! Thanks, now tire sizing makes a little more sense to me. Well, actually it doesn't make the best sense, but I understand it now. My mud guards should work with my 700c wheels.... only one way to find out.

shawn

Good luck Pele ;) I hope your biking debut is as astounding as the great mans footie debut was!

(p.s. most older road bikes do leave enough room for mudguards. they don't always have eyes for the screws though. if you are missing those, you might need clamp on a la sks race blade. this site may help? mudguardman.co.uk if it doesn't, at least there are lots of pretty pictures of guards...)