Brake Caliper drop

Glencarraig

Hi lads, can somebody explain the difference between "normal" and "long reach calipers", apart from the obvious 8mm or so!!. Are the 57mm calipers for frames with mudguard clearance or can you use the 49mm with mudguards?

lescol

Scroll down the page to "Reach" http://www.sheldonbrown.com/calipers.html:D

victorcarrera

Same link without smiley.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/calipers.html

IM0

just to save you, with long reach brakes on my Kinesis racelight, there is hardly any clearance with mudguards stones almost jam in there [small chip type ones]

Glencarraig

me@ucd wrote: »

just to save you, with long reach brakes on my Kinesis racelight, there is hardly any clearance with mudguards stones almost jam in there [small chip type ones]

I have a Giant SCR3 bike for use in the winter which i was thinking of upgrading with some decent gear. First to be done has to be the brakes. I think the whats on it now are tekro or similar, i have no confidence in them, was thinking about going with 105 or Ultegra, but not sure if they can be got in long reach, I have full mudguards with 23mm Schwalbe Blizzard tyres and have no problem with clearance.

lescol

I think Shimano only do two long reach calipers

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=27807

and

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=D0055

Hope this helps

Lumen

When I was investigating long reach brakes a while back I found these:

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/brakes/calipers/grand-cru-long-reach-brakes.html

Tasty.

Glencarraig

Thanks for the info guys, was really hoping that I could get 105 or Ultegra calipers, but Mr. Shimano probably thinks that mudguards are for wimps!!, does anybody have any experience of the Shimano 450 or 650 calipers and their ability to stop a bike quickly if necessary!

papac

Glencarraig wrote: »

I have a Giant SCR3 bike for use in the winter which i was thinking of upgrading with some decent gear. First to be done has to be the brakes. I think the whats on it now are tekro or similar, i have no confidence in them, was thinking about going with 105 or Ultegra, but not sure if they can be got in long reach, I have full mudguards with 23mm Schwalbe Blizzard tyres and have no problem with clearance.

I would try a good set of new pads and a very careful setting up of your current calipers before you splash out on a new set.(If you haven't tried already).
Keeping your rims clean helps also. (I use nail varnish remover with acetone-there's a massive before and after difference)Clean the surface of the pad at the same time.This prolongs rim life also by removing abrasive grit imo.
In my experience Tektro/generic calipers are fine for normal riding once they are well adjusted and have good pads fitted.I really don't think there will be much gained by using even the best long drops.(They really good racing calipers are all short reach as you have probably realised.)

ktz84

Glencarraig wrote: »

Thanks for the info guys, was really hoping that I could get 105 or Ultegra calipers, but Mr. Shimano probably thinks that mudguards are for wimps!!, does anybody have any experience of the Shimano 450 or 650 calipers and their ability to stop a bike quickly if necessary!

I have the R650 (Ultegra level ) and they are very good brakes. They stop me and my panniers of shopping without any problems.

I think the R450 are tiagra level.

paddymacsporran

I have tiagra brakes on the winter bike, they were pretty poor compared to sram red on the good bike.

Changed the tiagra pads for swisstop green ones, made a massive difference for the better!

Glencarraig

Thanks for all the advice lads, paddymac, I think tiagra only comes in 49mm which I dont think will give me m/guard clearance, will probably have to have a look at the R450 or 650.

paddymacsporran

Was really referring to the pad change and the improvement it gave brakes at the cheaper end of Shimano's range, not the drop length bud.

Same applies on any drop I would think!