Really_bigair

Hi Everyone,

I purchased a new pair of Shimano BR-6800 Brake Calipers to replace the original Promax calipers that came on my Cannondale Synapse. Unfortunately, it appears that the brake arm caliper reach is too short to work with my frame. I can barely get the rear brake shoes to align on the rim, however the front is way too short and will not align on the rim.

Am I doing something wrong? Can't imagine what.

When I ordered the calipers I did not see any reach listed. They were not listed as short reach and they did not have any reach specification listed on the webpage. Are there different reach, ie. short, mid, long, versions of BR-6800 calipers? Did a quick search and did not see anything.

Any suggestions regarding how to resolve this issue? Thanks for any help or suggestions, even if it is "send them back".

blamester

Put them up against your old caliper.
If they are too short try and return them.

shelbyfv

You probably need what is now known as long reach, formerly known as medium reach. There is only short reach 6800. I think the long reach (57mm) brake you want is the 105 level BR-R650. Check that one out, maybe someone who knows will chime in.

fietsbob

Tektro probably makes longer reach double pivot calipers.. Promax was a parts pick to keep the bike affordable...






IDK why so many posting here are unable to measure things ...




...

Iride01 

There are a lot of things they don't tell you. It's pretty much expected that you'll find out what will and won't work when you change to something different than was already installed.

Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's hard to find the info. I might suggest you don't consider changing the crankset and bb if getting OJT and paying a stupid tax bothers you. <grin> We've probably all had similar gotcha's when first learning to DIY.

So yes.... send them back. If you can't get a full refund of all costs, then that is what is called the "stupid tax".

dsbrantjr

Consider it "tuition".

Really_bigair

Thanks for the replies.

It appears that the Shimano BR-6800 calipers are short reach only. Obviously, I was surprised that they would not work with a popular road carbon fork such as my Cannondale Synapse SAVE fork.

For now, I bought a set of Clark brake pads to use with my new Campy Calima wheels. Didn't want to use the old pads they had poor stopping power and a lot of metal/grit impacted into them. Hopefully the stopping power is improved over the old setup.

blamester

Im surprised too. Not doubting you but you measured against the old brake?

Really_bigair

Yes, the caliper arms of the Shimano BR-6800 are shorter than the arms on the original Promax calipers when compared directly with each other.

RocThrower

I'm not sure what year your Synapse is, but it does sound like certain models were designed for long-reach calipers. In this thread, someone had similar issues, and the Shimano BR-R650 that shelbyfv mentioned sound like your best bet. To be honest, I probably would have purchased 6800/5700 brakes too, as I would have thought a bike like the Synapse would be totally compatible.

Kapusta

I find upgrading pads and cable/housing is usually the best bang for your braking buck. I find those parts usually make a bigger difference than the calipers themselves.

Really_bigair

Kapusta, is there a certain brake cable/housing that you have found to perform better than the typical OEM original model? Curious as I have an older bike that I'm considering changing both the brake cables, as well as the shifter cables.

Kapusta

Jagwire Mountain Pro brake cable/housing kit. There is probably a road version, but I assume it is the same thing... maybe shorter housing. The key is the compressionless housing.

For pads I like Kool Stop for v-brakes. I’d do a search for the best ones for your application.

I am not too picky about shifter cables/housing. It all seems to work fine for me.

Iride01 

Shimano makes long reach brakes. At least the 105 tier level has had them at various times. I'd think Ultegra, DuraAce and even less expensive tiers had them too at various times.

Here is one they currently make
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ...0/BR-R650.html

Maybe if your online source sell that version too, then you can get a swap out instead of just a return.

Barry2 

@dedhed turned me on to these

Barry

frogman

Learn something new every day. These are cool !