drop bolt, was [CR]Long reach brake caliper

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 19:08:01 -0400
From: "Harvey M Sachs" <sachshm@cox.net>
To: frasertri@cinci.rr.com, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: drop bolt, was [CR]Long reach brake caliper


I have no memory of where I got it, but I'm using a Weinmann 500 with (no-name) drop bolt on my '73 Raleigh Competition fixed gear conversion. Squeeze lever, caliper moves, bike slows. what's to worry about? :-) harvey sachs mcLean va

Hi Folks - I'm new to this list, and I am in search of parts for a 1955 Mercian road and path frame that I recently acquired.

For the short term, because I want to use this bike, I have built it up with modern components, but in the longer term I would like to put appropriate period componentry on her!

The immediate problem is brake caliper reach - it seems that to use 700C wheels I need 60mm of reach for the (front) brake caliper, and I can't seem to find anything except the rather wimpy looking Tektro 715.... That one seems as though it would flex a lot during braking.

One option I have discovered is using a drop bolt (available at Harris Cyclery) and a regular reach caliper. Has anyone used one of these, and if so, did it work well? I'd like a pretty effective brake, since I'll use this bike fixed wheel.

Thanks guys!
Fraser Cunningham, Cincinnati
1955 Mercian road and path
1984 Mercian King of Mercia