I built up my steamroller today, however I purchased a set of 105 brake callipers, that seem to grab more rubber then brake. Well in all honesty, they manage to grab only rubber, any suggestions from fellow "rollers" out there who know the proper brake setup.

Thanks!
Brett

bikesdirect uses a tektro r356 front brake caliper.

need a set of long reach brakes

Shimano 550 dual pivots fit and work fine tiss what i used on my steamroller

Steve

https://www.surlybikes.com/spew7.html

I use the Shimano Ultegra caliper mentioned in the spew cited above (BR-R600 or something like that). They just barely fit my 2007 steamroller with 700c rims.

I got one from my LBS for $50, could probably be found on ebay for cheaper.

Is UniversalCycles the cheapest place to get a Steamroller (after a discount)? I just sold my GB IRO so I am looking for a new frame..

www.bikesdirect.com is cheap on em but i think only has completes.

Definitely the cheapest place for the frame alone, short of getting a deal through a bike shop.

steamrollers = sex

Yeah I want just the frameset..I think I can get it for a lil over $300 from UniversalCycles,.

Honestly though, how good is the frame? It is nothing too fancy, just plain ol 4130 right? I'm trying to decide between the Steamroller and the Kilo TT (when the frames will be for sale in Feb). Only reason I consider the Steamroller is because of the insane tire clearance.

"Short-reach brakes are the modern standard: 39-50mm brake pad positioning from center of frame bolt to center of pad bolt
Standard-reach brakes are often called “long reach”: 47-57mm brake pad positioning from center of frame bolt to center of pad bolt. Back in the day, just about everything was this size. We still use it on our road frames because we like to have extra clearance for big cushy tires
The Pacer and Steamroller* frames use standard reach calipers, although some short reach calipers will work. Some fine current examples of standard reach calipers are Shimano BR R-600 or BR A-550, Tektro 521AG, 521A, or 520A. Do not use Sidepulls with 53-71mm or 61-78 reach."

The only advantage that the Surly might have is, as you said, the clearance, but strangely, Surly doesn't even fit the frame with braze-ons. So you're supposed to have this "work-horse" frame that fits huge tires and goes anywhere, but you can't even use regular fenders or mount a rack. And yes, they both use the same 4130 steel and are sourced from the same Taiwanese manufacturer, Maxway.

I would just go with the Kilo TT frame for $175, and go buy hookers and blow with the $200 you saved.

Geez, that's ****ing wack. Still waiting on the ugly rob roy that has the "workhorse" features for pretty cheap.

...cheap as in the group buy thing. I haven't heard anything about the progress of it either...it's been about three months since the initial payment, right? time to give a call and an update, since the site doesn't say anything.

Best front brake for Steamroller = drum.