caliper brakes for a 26" frame and 24" wheels?

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Hey good people,
I'm in a bit of a pickle. I'm building a bobber on a 26" cantilever cruiser frame. In the rear,I want to run a 24x3 tire on a 6 speed freewheel.
Here's where I need some advice/help.
Does anybody know of a caliper that can reach from the rear frame mount to the center of the rim (~4.25" or 108mm)and will fit around the tire?

Many thanks,
Dr. T

 

[SSG]

Long reach brakes do exist, however when looking at them online (like ebay) the length isn't always posted so it can be tough to tell what will work. One option would be to make two flat (clamps), these fit against the upper chainstays and hold the brake to the frame by clamping action. You can then mount them wherever you need. These are sometimes used on frames that lack a brake mounting hole.

 

[Chainsaw]

Any good bike shop can weld or braze some new posts on in the positions you need. We had this done on one of Gig's bikes and it cost us around ten bucks.
You could probably buy the posts and do itself to save a little money. The hardest part would be to get them in the right location.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Thanks for ideas guys..
SSG,
I'm having trouble envisioning a flat clamp. Do you know where I can find a picture of one?

Chainsaw,
Are you saying add cantilever brake posts?

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[SSG]

Here's an example, they're basically just flat sheets of metal. http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_482_1210&products_id=2128

 

[deorman]

http://sheldonbrown.com/home-drop.html

 

[user 135]

I doubt you will find a caliper that will fit around a 24x3. You will need to use some sort of cantilever brake and have the brake bosses welded on as Chainsaw said.

 

[Chainsaw]

Chainsaw,
Are you saying add cantilever brake posts?

Cheers,
Dr. T

Yeah Doc, I sometimes see the right words but my brain reads it as something else! :lol: Sorry 'bout that. :wink:

 

[dos cruiser]

You won't find a caliper brake to fit a 26" frame and a 24" wheel with a 3"tire, to long but as Chain saw said a cantilever post welded to your frame will allow you to put brakes on, or if you can go to a disk brake system that will work for you. I'm going to ask for Ponytail Mikes opinion, come on Mike help this man out.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I think I'm gonna wrap my DIY brain around the drop bolt idea.
I did find these:
http://www.bikeworldusa.com/product_info.php/cPath/124_70_81/products_id/2024
They claim to have a 79mm to 111mm reach, they would fit. From the picture, the arms look pretty round, they may fit around the tire, maybe. At $12, I may give them 'a go'.

Stay tuned...

Dr. T

 

[dos cruiser]

Go talk to your LBS that sells cruisers, and ask them of they have any, even if they are on a bike and measure them. lenght and width closed or braked. this sould tell you if it would work. Good luck.

 

[icyuod2]

heres what ya need (long reach brake-i had it previously mounted on a 24x3 - 26" frame) i got mine from my lbs for approx $10

i believe mine is a 1080

 

[Bigcam59]

Back in the day I remember a company made things called "Moot Mounts". They were basically cantilever mounts that clamped around the frame. I don't know if you can still find them, though. The next best bet would be to have a shop torch a set on. That way the brakes will actually be able to stop the bike. I did that on an old Schwinn canti frame i converted into a mountain bike.Best $30 I ever spent.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

This is why I love this site!
Thanks to everyone for your responses.

icyuod2: Thanks! I'm gonna talk to the guys at my LBS about a set of the 1080s. I'll check out eBay too.

Bigcam59: I googled 'Moots Mounts' but came up empty.

I'm getting psyched about this build, here's a quick mock up I did last night. I want to get the brakes figured before I invest in tires/tubes though. The stem will actually sit MUCH lower, right on top the headset. The fork is a real Monark. I still need to figure out how to mount the Elgin (I think ) chainguard. I'll have modify it for the new derailluer.

Cheers!
Dr. T

 

[icyuod2]

i was digging through my junk and found another long reach brake.

i held it up to my 26" springer (with 24x3") to show just how large they are.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

That's awesome news. Are they a 1080 too?
Also, does the first pic show the brake mounted by the kickstand mount?

Dr. T

 

[icyuod2]

the first brake is mounted to a 20" custom frame

its a 1970 uniroyal 20x 2.75 slick with a fender over top. i used to have that brake mounted on a 24x3 on a 26" frame. (thats how i new it would fit)

the second brake doesn't have a size on it, it just says "pse brake"

this 26" frame doesn't have a rear brake mount (just a fender mount) but as you can see, you'll have plenty of room.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Thanks dude! I'm on a hunt...