Brake reach measuring? Am I doing this right?
07-22-16, 05:00 PM
#1
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Brake reach measuring? Am I doing this right?
So I measured my bike from rim to the brake mounting hole and it 4-4.5 inches which converts to arround 101-114mm. Yet I mostly see brakes in 39-49mm. The highest I've see on Amazon is 99mm.
Am I measuring wrong. How can my bike's brake reach be so much longer than the size of which brakes are supposed to come in?
Bike: Firmstrong 26" Single speed urban lady beach bike.
Brakes: Only came with back pedal brakes which is why Im looking to buy front hand brakes
Am I measuring wrong. How can my bike's brake reach be so much longer than the size of which brakes are supposed to come in?
Bike: Firmstrong 26" Single speed urban lady beach bike.
Brakes: Only came with back pedal brakes which is why Im looking to buy front hand brakes
07-22-16, 05:04 PM
#2
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Did you contact Firmstrong?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
07-22-16, 05:08 PM
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Yes I did but they have not gotten back to me. I first called and was told by the woman on the phone that she could not get in touch with any of the mechanics and that she would call me back when she did. I then tried their online chat service on their website. I was also told that they would email me regarding my question on the types of brakes recommended for this bike. I haven't received any email yet.
Last edited by julec69; 07-22-16 at 05:13 PM.
07-22-16, 05:33 PM
#4
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Yes I did but they have not gotten back to me. I first called and was told by the woman on the phone that she could not get in touch with any of the mechanics and that she would call me back when she did. I then tried their online chat service on their website. I was also told that they would email me regarding my question on the types of brakes recommended for this bike. I haven't received any email yet.
It's a bike company. Ask to be transferred to the shop where they build and pack the bikes. Don't get the info second hand. Get it directly from someone who works on the bikes.
07-22-16, 05:36 PM
#5
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
It's amazing what google will find if you type in "Beach cruiser brakes"
https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-Calipe...ps_ft_g468_i14
You can contact Tektro to see which hand lever would be best.
https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-Calipe...ps_ft_g468_i14
You can contact Tektro to see which hand lever would be best.
07-31-16, 04:14 PM
#6
Banned
Flip tape over the world is Mostly using the metric system.
yes its a Long ways between the rim and the mounting hole.
a wheel with a drum brake Hub resolves that.
yes its a Long ways between the rim and the mounting hole.
a wheel with a drum brake Hub resolves that.
07-31-16, 04:26 PM
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Yes, you measured correctly, and yes also, your reach is longer than what is typically offered in brake calipers.
There are two reasons for this.
1- a bike maker may spec this reach to provide for very fat tires, or to allow the use of a larger wheel on the same fork, so your issue isn't surprising to me. It simply means that the bike company chose to provide for larger tires/wheels than the use of a front brake.
2- caliper brakes have limitations which get worse with longer reach. The longer arms impart greater flex, and there's a point after which it's difficult for them to be made well enough to work. This is why mtn bikes rarely use a caliper, and opt for canti style (or disc) brakes instead.
However, Dia Compe did at one time offer some 105mm reach brakes intended for BMX, and if you search long enough you might find one.
There are two reasons for this.
1- a bike maker may spec this reach to provide for very fat tires, or to allow the use of a larger wheel on the same fork, so your issue isn't surprising to me. It simply means that the bike company chose to provide for larger tires/wheels than the use of a front brake.
2- caliper brakes have limitations which get worse with longer reach. The longer arms impart greater flex, and there's a point after which it's difficult for them to be made well enough to work. This is why mtn bikes rarely use a caliper, and opt for canti style (or disc) brakes instead.
However, Dia Compe did at one time offer some 105mm reach brakes intended for BMX, and if you search long enough you might find one.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
07-31-16, 06:09 PM
#8
Banned
Another clever bodge from the BMX world, is an adapter plate you bolt on,
and the horse shoe like plate will have the brake posts that are typically brazed on frames
to mount U , or V brakes on the adapter plate's posts.
precisely to replace the less than effective long reach side pull caliper.
more cruisey type cruisers rely just on the rear coaster brake, which casual & un hurried is usually enough..
./
and the horse shoe like plate will have the brake posts that are typically brazed on frames
to mount U , or V brakes on the adapter plate's posts.
precisely to replace the less than effective long reach side pull caliper.
more cruisey type cruisers rely just on the rear coaster brake, which casual & un hurried is usually enough..
./
07-31-16, 10:57 PM
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Anyway, Porkchop BMX sells a caliper with 108 mm reach, which looks like it'll fit your bike. It's the longest-reach caliper I know of. Like FBinNY points out above, longer-armed calipers typically don't perform as well, so you may not be able to achieve stop-on-a-dime braking with this.
1080 extra long reach BMX cruiser bicycle brake caliper - BLACK | Porkchop BMX
08-01-16, 05:26 AM
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Let's back up the bus a bit, for a moment.
Do you want front brakes because the coaster brake does not seem to be doing the full job?
If YES, could it be they are not adjusted correctly? or maybe the reaction arm is a bit loose?
Even if you are looking into it just to have "extra" braking power,
it wouldn't be a bad thing to make sure the coaster brake is at 100% performance level via proper adjustment.
Do you want front brakes because the coaster brake does not seem to be doing the full job?
If YES, could it be they are not adjusted correctly? or maybe the reaction arm is a bit loose?
Even if you are looking into it just to have "extra" braking power,
it wouldn't be a bad thing to make sure the coaster brake is at 100% performance level via proper adjustment.
