All Questions
26
questions
7
votes
2
answers
5k
views
How good are '80s Raleigh rod brakes?
I'm interested in getting an old roadster/Dutch bike and I came across a Raleigh Royal from the '80s:
I like that it has rod-actuated brakes rather than coaster brakes, but how well do rod brakes ...
- 3,475
6
votes
1
answer
757
views
How to assemble '70s-era center-pull brake
I've (supposedly) got a 1976 Motobecane Le Champion with what appears to be the original center-pull rim brakes, which unforunately are not in one piece and need to be re-assembled:
As you can see in ...
- 3,475
5
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Can I use Shimano 105's brakes with vintage bike?
Complete newbie here, looking for better stopping power and less rusty calipers.
I have a Nishiki Custom Sport with Dia Compe brakes and I was wondering if I could use the Shimano 105 5800's on them.
...
- 53
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How to find out about my 1970's JC Penny 3 speed bicycle?
I recently got a 1970s jcpenney Lightweight 3 Speed bicycle but it doesn't have a brake on it whatsoever. I cannot find the specs or any information about this bike. Does anyone know where I could ...
- 1,277
4
votes
2
answers
628
views
How can I update the brake system on this vintage Universal La Riviera ladies bike?
I would be really grateful for any advise on how to go about updating the brake system on this vintage Universal La Riviera ladies bike.
The brakes don't work properly so I can't safely ride it. The ...
- 43
4
votes
2
answers
242
views
Is it possible to combine rod brakes with a coaster brake?
I'm restoring an old roadster bicycle with Westwood rims. I love how it looks but the braking is horrible, especially because I live in an area with a lot of downhills.
I don't want to add cable ...
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
275
views
Campagnolo brake spring too stiff
I'm overhauling a vintage Campagnolo caliper brake and the spring is extremely stiff. Unfortunatley I can't find new springs that fit (some almost fit, but are too short). Thoughts?
- 347
4
votes
1
answer
771
views
What is this hook near the cantilever brakes?
I just bought this old school brazilian mountain bike, and it has this little hook thing near the brakes, front and rear. Anyone knows what these are for?
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
New Brake Compatibility with Vintage Bike
I have a vintage Gitane Sprint from the early '80s which came with Weinmann 405s (single-pivot side pulls). I had been thinking about replacing the front brake anyway and then recently broke the quick ...
- 41
3
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Single pivot brake with handlebar levers (Resurrecting an old Colnago)
I have an old Colnago I want to resurrect, which after some Google-ing I have discovered is very similar to the bike here (but in blue):
I want to replace the drop bar brakes with "standard" brakes ...
- 133
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Older Shimano Road Brake Levers vs Newer Ones Quality (SLR vs Super SLR)
I'm owner of relatively new (non STI) levers of low Sora/Tiagra level, they are Shimano bl-r400 (Super SLR).
Now i'm thinking of replacing them with pretty Dura Ace BL-7402 (SLR). These come from ...
- 133
2
votes
1
answer
750
views
Old Peugeot brakes not working in rain
I have an old Peugeot bike that's pretty awesome but the brakes are bad. In good conditions they are weak, and when wet they stop working entirely. I wasn't sure what the issue was with this, and ...
- 83
2
votes
1
answer
166
views
How to create tension in old upright handle bar levers / U brakes?
I have an old bike with a front brake "Weinmann Symmetric". It was not working very good as it stood in a garage for 20 years.
I bought a new cable and new brake pads.
I tried to pull as ...
- 1,509
2
votes
1
answer
371
views
Updating brakes on a vintage tandem
I have a 25 year old Colnago road tandem on which I would like to update the brakes.
The problem I am having is that they are 27" rims and I can't find a proper brake setup that will work.
What ...
2
votes
2
answers
268
views
MAFAC RAID brakes top mount part?
What is the name of this part/mount/adapter that mounts an old school center pull brake to the top of a rear bridge? This is a 1970s MAFAC RAID on a LeJeune Tandem. I'm trying to find an adapter to ...
- 41