Help choosing new brakes

[Matthew_T]

I currently have these:

However, age seems to have gotten the better of them and they now work very poorly. I am changing cables and casings, but need a little help on a new brakeset as I cannot find exact replacements to these.
The current brakes have one singular pin going through them, side pull, single pivot.

The only ones on CRC are dual pivot but they do have a single pin. So would they still fit?

 

[Poacher]

Re-greased inners and Koolstop continental blocks would work wonders - no really pressing need for new brakes, just some maintenance!
£4 a pair at Spa: http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s104p1591, probably ~£6 at your LBS.
PS Do you have any cable cutters, or are you keeping it long for swapping to the back brake? Same goes for the cable clips on the computer sensor. Sorry, couldn't resist it!

 

[Matthew_T]

Re-greased inners and Koolstop continental blocks would work wonders - no really pressing need for new brakes, just some maintenance!
£4 a pair at Spa: http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s104p1591, probably ~£6 at your LBS.
PS Do you have any cable cutters, or are you keeping it long for swapping to the back brake? Same goes for the cable clips on the computer sensor. Sorry, couldn't resist it!

The photo was taken a long time ago.

I already have some koolstops on the front and they did help (marginally) in the wet. How do you regrease the cables?

 

[Poacher]

The photo was taken a long time ago.

I already have some koolstops on the front and they did help (marginally) in the wet. How do you regrease the cables?

Quick and easy way to gain some improvement is to apply grease where the cable enters the outer at brake and at lever, and operate the brake a few times. Slow and thorough way is to undo the cable gripper at the brake, withdraw the cable all the way through the outer, grease it by pulling it through a large blob of grease in your hand, then thread it back through the outer and re-attach it at the brake. It can be a bit of a PITA if you don't manage to keep the barrel end in place in the brake lever and have to juggle it back into position. Also problematic if the end of the inner is frayed - when fitting a new inner, cut it to leave just an inch or so free past the brake, degrease the end and apply some solder to stop it fraying.

 

[Poacher]

PS salmon koolstops work better in the wet than the grey ones, but wear more quickly.

 

[Matthew_T]

Quick and easy way to gain some improvement is to apply grease where the cable enters the outer at brake and at lever, and operate the brake a few times. Slow and thorough way is to undo the cable gripper at the brake, withdraw the cable all the way through the outer, grease it by pulling it through a large blob of grease in your hand, then thread it back through the outer and re-attach it at the brake. It can be a bit of a PITA if you don't manage to keep the barrel end in place in the brake lever and have to juggle it back into position. Also problematic if the end of the inner is frayed - when fitting a new inner, cut it to leave just an inch or so free past the brake, degrease the end and apply some solder to stop it fraying.

Thanks. Will give it a go.

 

[HovR]

Looking at those they're very entry level single pivot, which to be frank aren't up to much! A friend had them on his bike and his were exactly the same.

If you're on a budget I'd recommend the Miche Performance brake set. £18 for two calipers with brake pads, bargain! I have these on my Dawes in combination with the Cane Creek SCR5 brake lever and performance is excellent, although I am using after market Ashima pads.

Due to your outer cable being a bit long you will also have some losses in the cable due to extra bends. And yes, Dual Pivot will work with your bike. Are your current brakes attached at the rear of the fork crown with a hex nut or the standard allen key fitment?

 

[Matthew_T]

If you're on a budget I'd recommend the Miche Performance brake set. £18 for two calipers with brake pads, bargain! I have these on my Dawes in combination with the Cane Creek SCR5 brake lever and performance is excellent, although I am using after market Ashima pads.

Due to your outer cable being a bit long you will also have some losses in the cable due to extra bends. And yes, Dual Pivot will work with your bike. Are your current brakes attached at the rear of the fork crown with a hex nut or the standard allen key fitment?

I Have had a look at those brakes and the levers arent a problem. When there is no tension on them, they spring back fine.
I have had a look at the brakes and it seems like it is the actual brakes which are causing the stiffness. (But what can you expect from a 5 year old set?)

I will take a pick of the nut when I get the moment.

 

[Psyclist]

I'm getting 105 callipers and Swisstop green pads for my Forme. The pads and callipers are terrible on mine.

 

[Matthew_T]

Right, just ordered the Miche brakeset, new cable outers, and ferrules.

Hopefully that will be it for a while.

 

[fossyant]

With your levers, if you are keeping them, I know you have taped them because of scuffs etc, but a cheap way to reduce that issue would be to use wet and dry sandpaper to tidy them up. Even better if you can borrow a dremmel type tool.

 

[Matthew_T]

With your levers, if you are keeping them, I know you have taped them because of scuffs etc, but a cheap way to reduce that issue would be to use wet and dry sandpaper to tidy them up. Even better if you can borrow a dremmel type tool.

My dad has some sandpaper that I can use. It isnt the highest priority though. I just need to be able to ride the damn thing!

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Right, just ordered the Miche brakeset, new cable outers, and ferrules.

Hopefully that will be it for a while.

It might be worth cleaning your rims with rubbing alcohol and sanding off any sharp edges/dings so that it doesn't mess up your brake pads. And make sure your new pads are centered in order to have equal wear on both pads.

 

[Matthew_T]

New brakes and cables fitted. Had a bit of a problem where the length of the pin wouldnt fit. Solved it now though.
Job for tomorrow is to fit the new cassette.