I have a Burley Duet tandem that I'm getting into riding condition, and I've been looking to add a drum brake to it. (Didn't have one when I bought it on craigslist, but would have had one originally). The prices for the used Arai brakes seem crazy on eBay, so I picked up this strange brake for cheap:
Used Arai Drag Drum Brake with Cables | eBay

Yes, I know it was a gamble. No, I didn't know exactly what I was buying. But, I don't need high-end and I was hoping it would work. For the price, I took a shot.

It arrived today and I opened it up. First of all, the hub it's attached to came off easily, it wasn't actually mounted with any force. I've never seen the "standard" arai brake in person though so I can't compare to tell what I have on my hands. It is made out of heavy stamped steel.

Does anyone out there have any wisdom on what this brake is, and if it'll work on standard 8/9/10 speed tandem wheels and my frame?

Here are some more photos I took:


Thanks for your help!

Interesting. It's definitely a smaller brake than the usual Arai for tandems, maybe it is intended for a utility bike or something.

On the more common Arai brake, the brake drum and shoes just sit together, they are held together once they are assembled with the axle and everything.

Does the inside of the brake drum have threading to attach it to a hub?

It probably would be fine on minor hills, but I'm not sure you could count on it for any significant descents.

The dual cable attached suggests that this is to support an hand and a foot control. Perhaps on a moped or scooter. Also, it looks like it is made from stamped steel and has low thermal mass. Ignoring whether or not it will thread onto the hub, it might not be suitable for sustained drag engagement during a long descent, but more suited for short term application meant to stop the bike.

This is an Aria brake for a tandem:
Arai Drum Brake Tandem Touring Bicycle Bike Drag | eBay

Please note that Aria is a Japanese company that has made dozens of different drum brakes for bicycle and similar applications - only one model was intended to be a drag brake for tandems. Contrary to reiker's opinion, the tandem drag brake is amoung the least common Aria produced for the world market, which is why the price is high, and it is no longer made.

Also, please note that Arai drag brakes were almost always optional, not standard equipment on tandems.

Take a look at these options:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes-ta...pt603/?geoc=us

Karasawa is currently the worlds's highest volume manufacturer of drum brakes for bicycles; and $88.63 including shipping to the USA is not much to risk....
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I meant common as far as what is found on tandems, but you are correct.

Tandems East has their own replacement drum brake called either a Maddox or Mad Dog drum brake.

You could also check with your local tandem club to see if someone has one they are willing to part with, as people upgrade their tandems, they don't always need the drum brake any more.

If I'm not mistaken, the Arai drum brake usually used for tandems was originally a moped brake.

Wow I didn't realize that Karasawa brake was an option. I guess that would probably give a lot better performance than this brake I've purchased?

I'll try to find some time this weekend to take the Arai brake apart so we can see what's inside and figure out it's deal. Thanks for all of the info everyone!

I don't think you want this funky version of the Arai brake, this is the one that was more commonly used on tandems:

Arai Drum Brake Tandem Touring Bicycle Bike Drag | eBay

And really, rather than getting a used Arai why not get the Maddock brake? Mad Dog Drag Brake (incorrectly called a "Maddox" brake on the Tandems East website)

About the same price but much lighter. And they're really beautifully made.

The Arai brake wasn't intended to be a bicycle brake, so was weight wasn't a consideration. The Maddock just seems like a way better choice.

It could be for a BMX bike, The Gyros have two brake cables at the headset. Most I've seen have the two cables joined back into one cable but it's conceivable that some bikes had two cables running back to the brake.