Raymond Dobbins asked:
>
>i didn't come up with anything in the archives about this. is it
>possible to convert long reach brakes to short reach by simply cutting
>the mounting bolts? and as far as drop length goes, do long reach
>brakes have a longer drop?
I think you're confusing reach with bolt type.
"Reach" is the same as "drop" though "reach" is the more standard term. This has to do with how far the rim is below the mounting bolt.
Although people commonly throw around the terms "short reach" "long reach" and, worst of all "standard reach" these terms are liable to cause serious confusion, much better to use numbers rather than adjectives for this.
See also: http://sheldonbrown.com/
The other issue is the type of mounting bolts. Older brakes used long bolts that went all the way through the fork crown or seatstay bridge, and were secured with a hex nut, usually requiring a 10 or 11 mm wrench.
Newer frames use "recessed" brake bolts, which are shorter, don't protrude all the way through the crown or bridge. These use "top hat" shaped Allen bolts, and a 5 mm Allen wrench to secure them.
I think from your message that you're interested in using a brake set intended for traditional mounting on a newer frame designed for recessed mounting.
There are a couple of possible ways to do this:
1. Use traditional nuts with oversized washers to keep them from going into the recesses. This is inelegant but easy to do.
B. Convert the brake bolts and use the recessed Allen nuts.
For this option, the original rear caliper will work in _front_ with no modification.
You'll need to cut down the long bolt from the original front caliper. Then you'll need to thread it with a 6 x 1 mm ("M6") die. Make sure you file the chrome off the bolt first if you don't want to damage the die.
Check the reach before cutting the bolts, make sure the brake arms are the right length to work with your frame and wheel size.
Sheldon "Measure Twice, Cut Once" Brown
Newtonville, Massachusetts
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