Will I need a long reach?
 

I have a Bridgestone, 1984 I believe, and I am wondering if I need a long reach brake if I decided to go with a 700c wheel in stead of the 27's.

...do you want us to bring over a ruler and measure it for you?

Snap, I have my tape measure right next to me.

Let us start this measuring party!

that's what she said.

I can work it well. ;)

No need for being insultingly sarcastic, I was just wondering if anyone had a Bridgestone and knew off the top of their head.

how would anyone know which bridgestone frame you have?

Rather than simply perpetuate the internet snarkfest, I'll tell you that many older brakes have impressively adjustable reach. You're looking at a 4mm drop in wheel radius; if you currently have a 27" wheel mounted, you can just have a look and figure out whether there's enough travel. But really, it's so easy to find/borrow a 700c wheel, I'd just grab one and check.

Thanks Kyselad.

You will most likely need a medium reach brake in the range of 50mm-60mm. It's probably around 55-57mm from center of brake pad bolt to the center of brake mount hole on frame. Pretty much old center pull brakes (Dia Compe 610) and new Tektro R538 & 536 brakes will work.

If the bike was built to take fenders, a touring bike, for instance, then you'll probably need long reach brakes.

Probably not if it was a top end racing bike.

The Classic and Vintage forum could tell you right away but you'll need to know which Bridgestone model you have.

My wife's Bridgestone Kabuki needed some tweaking to make the stock brakes work. It was tight.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0790.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0788.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0782.jpg

(that is of course not the stock paint or decals)

Without pics, or even a model number, I can't tell you for sure, but I'm going to venture a 'Yes' anyway. Given the inflated price on many old Bridgestones, I'm willing to bet you have a lower end model, and the budget 'sport touring' bikes almost always had greater clearance than their more competitive counterparts. Given the general Bridgestone philosphy, even on the days before Peterson had really taken over, long reach calipers seem likely.

It's elementary my dear Golfer.

Unless of course you have cantilevers, or a racier bike, or I just made a stupid mistake.

And it's always possible to simply re-use your current brakes if you have the 4mm of vertical adjustment. Or else if you have enough metal to file out 4mm of adjustment space.

Nice use of the front reflector bracket!

^^^^
BF meme of all women riding pink mixte conversions now has evidence.

Thanks. :) Most people don't know what it is and/or give me hell about "wedging stuff behind the brake" and how it will cause catastrophic failure. :rolleyes:

After I spent a considerable amount of time and money building this bike she never really rode it and I ended up giving the frame to a friend. :( If she's going to ride these days she rocks a lavender colored Scott hybrid.

Bummer.

My sister built up a bike exactly like that one, even with the same style bars! The wheels are different, though, but she spent some 400$ building it up, but it just sits in the garage. :(

Nice conversion. But I decided to stick with the original wheels anyhow. I am going for a very classy look anyhow. By the way, it's a Bridgestone 400. Thanks for the advice all.

:eek: Are you implying that a pepto bismol pink bike with purple sparkle stickers creating a double entendre is anything less than "very classy"?! :lol: :thumb: