Syscrush

Hey all. I'm hunting for parts for a thorough rebuild and spiff-up of my wife's city bike - a Giant Via. One of the things that drove the initial purpose was the dual-pivot calipers - at the time discs were not so common, and most other bikes of that type & price range had v-brakes or side-pulls.

The calipers are really long reach - looks like 65mm. We can find new replacements from Tektro, but would like to go with something more fancy if possible. We love the looks of the Velo Orange Grand Cru calipers, but the reach isn't long enough:



Does anyone other than Tektro make good dual-pivot calipers with this much reach?

Crankycrank

There are also these extended pad holders which gives another 7mm of reach. (Top Row) Brake Pads and Holders | BDop Cycling

70sSanO

You could get Paul Racers. They are center pull and are not cheap. They have good reviews.

John

himespau 

Rene Herse Center Pulls?

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop...backing-plate/

Syscrush

I've been wondering about center pulls but had kind of assumed that they were too outdated and wouldn't make sense - thanks very much for the pointers, you've started me on some interesting research. I like that they're expensive and should have much less flex than the ultra-long dual-pivots - but we'll see if my wife likes the looks or not. She might be just as happy with some custom powder-coated Tektros...

cs1

Why spend the money when you can get a Paul’s for less?

himespau 

Because the title says they want the fanciest.

Rick

Paul's is the fanciest.

J.Higgins 

That's where my money goes.

Syscrush

That looks great, and is probably what I'd choose for my own bike, but IMO the thinner straddle cable and the pull with a wheel give the Herse an edge in fanciness:


I suspect my wife will prefer the looks of a Grand Bois, though:

himespau 

Does the Grand Bois have the backing plate or does it require studs brazed on to the frame? Can you just buy the straddle wheel from Rene Herse and use it with other brakes? In the end, as with everything else with bicycles at this time of shortages, it may end up depending on who has what in stock when you are ready to buy.

hokiefyd 

I had my first experience with center pulls only a few years ago, on a 1970 model Peugeot (I'm a young'un). There's somewhat regular discussion in the C&V board regarding how under-rated center pull brakes are and how well they can perform compared with more modern brakes, especially with good brake pads. My Peugeot has its original MAFAC Racer brakes, a design which the Rene Herse ones closely resemble, and I've found them to be excellent stoppers with some Kool-Stop salmon brake blocks, even with the somewhat flexy MAFAC front stem cable hanger.

It's not yet been mentioned, and perhaps you already know, but center pull brakes will require cable hangers/stops in order to work. Most use a stem cable hanger for the front and a seat post cable hanger for the rear, if the bike doesn't already have a cable hanger for a center pull or traditional cantilever brake.

Syscrush

Jitensha says they can sell them with a backing plate, but I don't think that plate is from Grand Bois. It seems like any backing plate should work with any caliper, given that there aren't frame-specific calipers (though there are variables for reach and tire clearance).

I just got off the phone with Mariposa, who are local to us - they're not sure about the supply chain right now but they do sell Grand Bois. They also sell Paul and have Gran Compe in stock.

As I suspected, my wife much prefers the sleeker, more delicate look of the Grand Bois over the Paul and Herse calipers.

himespau 

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that paul or rene herse sell the mounting bracket outside of their brakes.

It looks as though the Dia Compe 610 that Velo Orange sells will work on a frame without the braze ons and might have a look more similar to the Grand Bois.

Edit: Whoops, they might not have enough reach.