Upgrading brakes on a tandem road bike
06-19-22, 12:12 AM
#26
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Originally Posted by Msteven
Regarding the TRP HY/RD: These will fail in the event that you have to drag brake on a long descent. These do not have enough mass to dissipate the heat before the caliper body expands and presses on the cylinder, effectively failing in the clamped position, so at least you don't have an open brake situation.
06-19-22, 04:42 PM
#27
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I'm still pretty certain that about the only way the OEM brakes might fall short is in the hills. Arai drums are discontinued but they were/are popular. They are always showing up used or as OEM on secondhand tandems. If I was the o.p. I would pursue no other line of modification but the acquisition (somehow) of a drag brake to supplement the OEM rim brakes. While looking for a used Arai drum I came across this: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/k...-arai/?geoc=US. Seller is first rate. Finding a hub with left hand threads is pretty easy. Fork swaps, frame modifications ... that way lies madness. FWIW.
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06-20-22, 01:02 PM
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Drum brake
We had a 80's vintage Motobecane tandem (interclub) towing our 20 month old daughter in a loaded trailer, front and rear racks (clothes, camping gear) ( I figure we were about 440 pounds total) over the Green Mts. of Vermont. The Arai drum brake performed perfectly. It was controlled by a downtube friction shifter, so it could be set on . Recommend it highly.....which someone would bring it back.
06-20-22, 01:43 PM
#29
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Just piling on the experiences we've crossed the Green Mountains with a trailer weighing at least 40 lbs and we are a 350 lb team plus the bike, with rim brakes, with mechanical discs (BB7) and then with Magura hydraulics. Had 203 rotors which I then downsized to 180 with the hydraulics and still did fine. We do ride pretty fast down those roads and I'm always careful to pump the brakes letting off whenever I can.
06-20-22, 08:26 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by CaliTexan
We opted for TRP Spyke brakes and have been happy with them. I originally spec’d the Hy/Rd, but was persuaded that the increased complexity (on a travel bike with S&S connectors) was probably not worth the marginal benefit. No complaints yet about the durability of the TRP metallic pads after 6,000 miles.
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06-22-22, 01:19 AM
#31
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Don’t recall the details, but could have been referring to some part of assembly / disassembly process, or maybe the adjustment, or maybe the need to remove the calipers (slightly larger/different shape) to get into the cases? Point is that I was told the performance improvement was not large, and as it turns out, we’ve been happy with the Spykes.
07-13-22, 11:14 AM
#33
Newbie
We have what I like to call Active Brake Management on our tandem. Once we're at around 25 MPH, there's an audible warning. Beyond that the Fingernail Brake Actuators are deployed. Thus I never have to worry about bringing it down from great speed. I also tend to alternate between the rear and front brakes on long descents (assuming we're not on gravel), and I tend to brake in intermittent hard short bursts to keep from riding either brake and overheating them or the rims. I think that learning to drive a car in the era of drum brakes taught me lessons I can carry forward about the perils of riding the brakes (any brakes) on long hills.
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07-17-22, 11:37 PM
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You're using a safe and effective braking technique. We used to own an Arai drum brake but were glad to switch to better caliper and then disc brakes.
07-25-22, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Leisesturm
I'm still pretty certain that about the only way the OEM brakes might fall short is in the hills. Arai drums are discontinued but they were/are popular. They are always showing up used or as OEM on secondhand tandems. If I was the o.p. I would pursue no other line of modification but the acquisition (somehow) of a drag brake to supplement the OEM rim brakes. While looking for a used Arai drum I came across this: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/k...-arai/?geoc=US. Seller is first rate. Finding a hub with left hand threads is pretty easy. Fork swaps, frame modifications ... that way lies madness. FWIW.
P1010224 on FlickrThe difference from the Karasawa is significant IMHO. The Arai drum is a casting, not sheet metal and has extended cooling surface area around the shoe assembly instead of being encapsulated by it. I think the cooling is far more effective with Arai.
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