elnathano

Hi there,
I've recently had my front caliper stolen (Shimano 105 BR-1050; recessed, 47-57 reach) from my dear mid-80s commuter road bike, and am having a very hard time finding a fitting replacement caliper. I'm wondering whether I might use the occasion to upgrade to something else. Any recommendations on:
a) where to find a replacement caliper of the original type;
b) what to get instead? I'd like to stick with a (vintagey, ideally) Shimano. I'm wondering what might fit the bill for old recessed mid-reach models; whether to opt for dual-pivot brakes in case; whether to consider getting super-SLR's instead of the SLR's I've had.
I generally don't know much about these things, so any guidance would be much appreciated. Cheers!

Andrew R Stewart 

Are you sure of the reach and model? I don't remember a long reach 105 caliper. My quick look up for images shows only shorter reach (39-47 aprox) versions.

I have to say that if I'm right about reach the replacement options are rather great. If you really do need the 47-57 reach the options are still reasonable. I would strongly consider dual pivot calipers of the early 1990s from Shimano. They should still work well with your levers yet provide greater power and modulation. Andy

Jeff Wills

Velobase shows a 47-57mm reach 105 brake caliper:
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano BR-1050, 105 (47-57mm)

I agree that a dual-pivot caliper would be superior. One of my all-time favorite brakes are RX-100 calipers: simple, un-fancy, simple to adjust and stayed adjusted.

elnathano

Thanks, Andy! I'm sure of both, yes--still have the rear caliper, and briefly talked about model with a savvy mechanic, who suggested that the usual 39-49 wouldn't do. The Velobase (see Jeff Wills's link below) listing info is consistent with my knowledge of the bike overall (roughly '86 KTM Strada, with Shimano 105 groupset).
Any favorites from 1990s dual-pivot Shimanos you mentioned, Andy? Cheers!

elnathano

Thanks, Jeff--I'll check these out!

Andrew R Stewart 

I'll have to save VeloBase for the future. I run Shimano R650 and R451 on a few bikes and for a modern dual pivot with 50-55mm reach these are my favs. I have had Campy NR/SR calipers since 1976, so for a single pivot they're still my choice.

Even though I've worked on a few thousand bikes' brakes I still note how such a simple system of levers and cables can feel so widely different between various brands and grades. Andy

davidad

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shimano+1...sl_2hulflvl6_b

HillRider

Andy, long reach Shimano 105 DP brakes do exist. I have a pair, engraved BR-1055 and 47-57 mm, installed on a 2013 Surly Pacer. Mine are nutted, not recessed mount, and I use drilled out recess nuts as bushings to mount them on this bike which is set up for recessed brakes.

I got these brakes attached to a 1985 Trek 400 I bought used in late 1999 and kept them after converting the Trek to a fixie for my son-in-law. He fitted an old single pull long reach caliper as a front brake so the 105's were surplus until I got the Surly.

Jeff Wills

The 105SC brakes are virtually identical to the RX-100's I referenced earlier. The 105's are painted, the RX-100's are polished.

HillRider

That's interesting. Mine are painted as you mentioned but I thought RX-100 was a step below 105 in Shimano's pecking order of the time. I'm surprised the RX-100 brakes have a better finish.

Jeff Wills

Cheaper finish. As far as I can tell they are identical otherwise. I think the pads were cheaper on the RX-100, too: one-piece vs. pad with holder.