just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
It is quite possible to mount wide tires under caliper brakes. The short reach brakes (39-49mm) that are on most road bikes made in the last few decades are good for up to maybe 28mm tires. Mid reach brakes (47-57mm), like the Tektros that were on my Salsa Casseroll and the Paul Racer Mediums on my custom Zukas frame, can handle up to about 38mm wide tires. Long reach brakes (57-72mm) can handle up to maybe 45mm or so.
Problem is, the frame and fork have to be built to fit one of these standards. You can't juts put mid reach brakes on a bike made for short reach, the pads won't be in the right place for the rims. That's where disc brakes have a fit advantage. Disc brakes don't know or care what size rims and tires are on the bike. Whatever will fit within the frame and fork will work. Same for diameter. Want to change from 700c wheels to 650B wheels? Disc brakes couldn't care less. If the tire will fit in the frame or fork, the brake will work. Try that with rim brakes and you'll run into lots of problems.