Frek Story Video (Youtube)
02-14-23, 06:51 PM
#26
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I'm about to direct mount a set of racers to a 70's Bridgestone 400. After upgrading the bushings to brass they really are great brakes. Are there other sources for the braze ons besides RH? Not that I have an issue buying from them but it seems weird that he has the market cornered on them.
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02-14-23, 08:09 PM
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Steve nailed it on his reply, but I should add that a pair of MAFAC RAIDs can be had for under $100 including shipping through eBay France sellers. The "4 dot" brakepad replacements are readily available for $25 (made by the Oregon company Koolstop). I have them on a few bikes, and I like their good balance of stopping power and modulation over cantilevers, as Steve pointed out.
Apologies for the crappy pic. All I've been shooting so far are progress pics.
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02-14-23, 10:02 PM
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The video popped up on my YouTube page and was a great watch! Lots of posters in this thread who’ve made me want to take some welding classes and get silly with some solder and steel.
02-15-23, 03:57 AM
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Removing a big source of play in the system (toss the stirrup/yoke and replace plastic bushings with bronze) certainly seems like it would make a significant difference. If it didn't, I think people would have moved on by now, as it adds time and expense to the process and locks you into one wheel size.
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02-15-23, 08:21 PM
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Racers mounted on brazed-on posts would be a great option for a bike designed around 700c x 32 tires with fenders, and as Bulgie says, you could maybe even squeeze in 38mm tires with fenders, but they don't give you enough room for the 42 mm tires and fenders on this bike.
Been reading through some of the 650b conversions on here, and you all are very inspiring! But make it look too easy!
02-20-23, 03:48 PM
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I just found out about the video (and this thread) today, and it was a pleasure to watch. Really dig the re-use of Presta valve nuts as cable guides, @lonesomesteve! Keeping the little bits out of the landfill as well. 
