Roadmaster Elite Front Brake Issue
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Roadmaster Elite Front Brake Issue
Hello all.
I picked up a bike today at a garage sale for 5 bucks for my neighbor. I was going thru it and found that the front brake pads were at the end of their adjustment, but still were not aligned correctly with the rim.
The front hub is completely seated in the front fork. Both wheels are 26".
What is curious to me is that the front brake is a center-pull style, while the rear brake is a side-pull. Is it typical for a bike like this (early 1980's?) to have two different style brakes? If not, I suspect maybe someone might have replaced the front brake and has thus introduced this issue.
In any case, I am hoping you guys might be able to shed some light on this issue for me. Many thanks in advance.
I picked up a bike today at a garage sale for 5 bucks for my neighbor. I was going thru it and found that the front brake pads were at the end of their adjustment, but still were not aligned correctly with the rim.
The front hub is completely seated in the front fork. Both wheels are 26".
What is curious to me is that the front brake is a center-pull style, while the rear brake is a side-pull. Is it typical for a bike like this (early 1980's?) to have two different style brakes? If not, I suspect maybe someone might have replaced the front brake and has thus introduced this issue.
In any case, I am hoping you guys might be able to shed some light on this issue for me. Many thanks in advance.
#2
Really Old Senior Member
I suspect it's an incorrect replacement.
#3
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,945
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6173 Post(s)
Liked 4,790 Times
in
3,305 Posts
On a bike that old, I just suspect that someone put parts on it that they had available to them. Whether it's correct for the bike really doesn't matter if it suits their needs. All that matters is whether they work good enough.
And whose to say that someone had a bunch of miscellaneous bike parts laying around and put them on a frame they also had and sold it at a garage sale. <grin>
And whose to say that someone had a bunch of miscellaneous bike parts laying around and put them on a frame they also had and sold it at a garage sale. <grin>
Likes For Iride01:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
On a bike that old, I just suspect that someone put parts on it that they had available to them. Whether it's correct for the bike really doesn't matter if it suits their needs. All that matters is whether they work good enough.
And whose to say that someone had a bunch of miscellaneous bike parts laying around and put them on a frame they also had and sold it at a garage sale. <grin>
And whose to say that someone had a bunch of miscellaneous bike parts laying around and put them on a frame they also had and sold it at a garage sale. <grin>
#5
Very Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Always on the Run
Posts: 1,211
Bikes: Giant Quasar & Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Liked 343 Times
in
244 Posts
If that pad rubs on the rubber of the tire you will have a blow out before you know it. Either the front brake is wrong, which is the likely culprit, or you could put a larger front wheel on it (27" or 700C) because it looks like there''s plenty of room for it and then the brake pads might reach. Or you can remove the pads before you damage the tire and just use the rear brake, depends on what kind of riding your neighbor does. This is where lots of extra parts lying around comes in handy. Good luck,
#7
Droid on a mission
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 1,005
Bikes: Diamondback Wildwood Classic
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 317 Post(s)
Liked 280 Times
in
195 Posts
Maybe its the wrong size wheel, big gap at top of fork in pic seems to match frame but that is another possibility of it being changed..... where are you at? (location)
__________________
JoeTBM (The Bike Man) - I'm a black & white type of guy, the only gray in my life is the hair on my head
www.TheBikeMenOfFlaglerCounty.com
JoeTBM (The Bike Man) - I'm a black & white type of guy, the only gray in my life is the hair on my head
www.TheBikeMenOfFlaglerCounty.com
Last edited by JoeTBM; 07-11-21 at 02:37 AM.
Likes For JoeTBM:
#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies everyone. You confirmed my suspicions. My plan is to scrounge up a different brake for the front and hopefully get it to work.
Yeah there is no pressure here. We have 5 bucks invested in the bike.
>> can you cut the slot in the fork 3/8 of an inch deeper to make the brake pads line up?
You read my mind! I thought of that and may give this a try actually.
>> where are you at? (location)
I am in Wisconsin.
Yeah there is no pressure here. We have 5 bucks invested in the bike.
>> can you cut the slot in the fork 3/8 of an inch deeper to make the brake pads line up?
You read my mind! I thought of that and may give this a try actually.
>> where are you at? (location)
I am in Wisconsin.
#9
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,493
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2740 Post(s)
Liked 3,386 Times
in
2,049 Posts
Aican and bdop make drop pad holders, but honestly that bike isn't worth the expense. Best to junk pick or head to the coop for a used caliper with longer reach.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12468418681...UAAOxyhSBR-wqg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12468418681...UAAOxyhSBR-wqg
Likes For dedhed:
#10
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,945
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6173 Post(s)
Liked 4,790 Times
in
3,305 Posts
Are the front and back wheels the same diameter? I mean this isn't something made for 27" wheels and someone put a 700C wheel on the front or similar is it?
I wouldn't slot the hole in the fork, but I might make a plate to drop the hole some.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/home-drop.html
I wouldn't slot the hole in the fork, but I might make a plate to drop the hole some.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/home-drop.html
#11
Newbie
Thread Starter
I might have stumbled onto a possible remedy. I went to remove the pads with the idea of possibly elongating the slot in the caliper so I could move the pads further. When I loosened the nut, the pads naturally settled into a position where they would contact the rim correctly.
So now I'm thinking maybe of using a beveled washer on the stud? Something like this:
Thoughts?
So now I'm thinking maybe of using a beveled washer on the stud? Something like this:
Thoughts?
#12
Very Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Always on the Run
Posts: 1,211
Bikes: Giant Quasar & Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Liked 343 Times
in
244 Posts
Will the calipers spread enough to allow them between the pad and the arm? If so, it's a cheap fix.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,688
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1074 Post(s)
Liked 295 Times
in
222 Posts
I might have stumbled onto a possible remedy. I went to remove the pads with the idea of possibly elongating the slot in the caliper so I could move the pads further. When I loosened the nut, the pads naturally settled into a position where they would contact the rim correctly.
So now I'm thinking maybe of using a beveled washer on the stud? Something like this:
Thoughts?
So now I'm thinking maybe of using a beveled washer on the stud? Something like this:
Thoughts?
brake looks to be steel. Why not simply bend the lower half of the slot?
Likes For dabac:
#14
Newbie
Thread Starter
It crossed my mind to bend it, but was afraid it might break. But now that I think about it, it should be strong enough to take it. I could gently heat it.
Maybe I will try bending. If it works, this would be the simplest fix.
Maybe I will try bending. If it works, this would be the simplest fix.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,835
Bikes: 2016 Fuji Tread, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 674 Post(s)
Liked 738 Times
in
429 Posts
Look at a set of brake shoes for V-brakes. They come with conical washers, one set thin, one thick, for angular adjustment. The calipers may not spread enough to fit them in, but I'd try it with the thin set inboard. If you have another bike with V-brakes, temporarily strip them off it to try it out.
I wouldn't mess around too much with modifying the front brake. When properly adjusted, it's supposed to do most of the work. You don't want your $5 investment leading to major trauma. Sheldon's site says he's never done the drop bolt for a customer, only for himself, and the example shown is a rear brake.
I wouldn't mess around too much with modifying the front brake. When properly adjusted, it's supposed to do most of the work. You don't want your $5 investment leading to major trauma. Sheldon's site says he's never done the drop bolt for a customer, only for himself, and the example shown is a rear brake.
#17
Newbie
Thread Starter
Look at a set of brake shoes for V-brakes. They come with conical washers, one set thin, one thick, for angular adjustment. The calipers may not spread enough to fit them in, but I'd try it with the thin set inboard. If you have another bike with V-brakes, temporarily strip them off it to try it out.
I wouldn't mess around too much with modifying the front brake. When properly adjusted, it's supposed to do most of the work. You don't want your $5 investment leading to major trauma. Sheldon's site says he's never done the drop bolt for a customer, only for himself, and the example shown is a rear brake.
I wouldn't mess around too much with modifying the front brake. When properly adjusted, it's supposed to do most of the work. You don't want your $5 investment leading to major trauma. Sheldon's site says he's never done the drop bolt for a customer, only for himself, and the example shown is a rear brake.
#18
Newbie
Thread Starter
>> Why not simply bend the lower half of the slot?
I did this, and it worked great!! I may bevel the pads now to make fuller contact with the rim, but even as it is the front brake feels fine.
Thanks for the idea!
I did this, and it worked great!! I may bevel the pads now to make fuller contact with the rim, but even as it is the front brake feels fine.
Thanks for the idea!
#19
Very Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Always on the Run
Posts: 1,211
Bikes: Giant Quasar & Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Liked 343 Times
in
244 Posts
Just keep an eye on the wear as they will slowly creep closer to the rubber as they wear down. If it stops you as is, I wouldn't bevel them. But if you need more stopping power up front, beveling might help. Good luck
Likes For Bigbus:
Likes For scoostraw: