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Brake Calipers from Harris Cyclery

Calipers (Side-Pull)	Cantilevers (Center-Pull)	Cantilevers (Direct-Pull/"V-type")	Caliper Mounting Hardware
Articles About Brakes

Reach Range: Not sure what reach you need? Click Here
39-49 mm	47-57 mm	55-73 mm	63-75 mm	70-88 mm	74-95 mm

Compatibility:

• Hand Levers

  All caliper brakes use traditional "short pull" brake levers, for drop handlebars or upright handlebars

• Frame/Fork Mounting

  Most modern calipers are designed for "recessed" mounting (5 mm Allen nuts.)

  Many older frames/forks were designed for the older system with longer mopunting bolts and exposed nuts (9-10 mm wrench.)

  Recessed caliper mounting nuts are available in several different lengths. Click here for details.

  Click here for a several different strategies for getting around this problem.

• Reach

  The "reach" has to do with the lenght of the caliper's arms. You must choose a caliper with adjustment range that matches your frame/fork and the rim size you plan to use in it.

  Sometimes people use terms such as "normal reach", "short reach", "long reach", "standard reach" and so forth. These terms have no consistent meaning, because fashion as to what is "normal reach" has changed over the years. When buying brake calipers, you need numbers, not adjectives!

  For instructions on measuring the reach requirements of your bike, click here.

Calipers

55-73 mm Reach Calipers (Extra Long Reach)

Tektro R556 55-73 mm Reach Dual-Pivot Calipers $34.95/each

Sold individually - Front (BRC390) or Rear (BRC391)

High quality dual-pivot calipers for older bikes that need a longer reach!

These calipers have a polished aluminum finish (Grey pad holders), and are available in extra long (55-73 mm) reach only.

Aluminum barrel adjusters with rubber O-rings, recessed mount , cam type quick-release.

Tektro R559 Nutted Mount Version Dual-Pivot Calipers $34.95/each

Available Individually!

Same as above but with traditional, exposed-nut mounting bolt.

Sold individually. Front or rear.

Has black pad holders.

The R559 has an upgraded quick-release mechanism.

Note: These individual R559s do not include the radius (half-moon) washers. See related items in cart item.

Front BRC068     

Rear BRC069 

Tektro R559 Nutted Mount Version Dual-Pivot Calipers BRC064 $69.95/set

Same as above but sold as front & rear set only. (These R559's come as a boxed set. The calipers and pad holders have a high-polished silver finish.)

 

47-57 mm Reach Calipers (Long Reach)

 

Tektro R539 47-57 mm Reach Dual-Pivot Caliper Front BRC042 $34.95 Rear BRC044 $34.95 Note: The R539 model has the nicer, polished aluminum brake pad holders. Tektro's latest affordable long reach caliper. These are a super value, high quality with re-fillable cartridge type brake shoes. These calipers have a polished aluminum finish, and are available in long (47-57 mm) reach only. Aluminum barrel adjusters, recessed mount
Tektro R539 47-57 mm Reach w/'Old-Style' Nut Mount Front BRC053 $34.95 Rear  BRC054 $34.95 Note: The R539 model has the nicer, polished aluminum brake pad holders. These are the same as the model shown above but feature traditional, exposed-nut mounting. Great for 27" frame and fork to 700c wheel conversions. Older frames will not accept modern brakes with recessed nuts. Note: These individual R559s do not include the radius (half-moon) washers. See related items in cart item.
Shimano R450 47-57 mm Medium-reach Dual-Pivot Calipers $29.95 each Shimano has come to the rescue of cyclists who want a good quality long-reach caliper brake, either for an older bike or one of the new generation of road bikes with decent tire clearance. Reach range 47-57 mm. These are Tiagra quality level. Sold individually, recessed mount. Sorry. No more traditional nutted mount for older bicycles. These calipers have a satin silver finish, and are available in long (47-57 mm) reach.

 

39-49 mm Reach Calipers ("Short Reach" used on newer "racing" frames)

Shimano Tiagra Dual-Pivot Calipers 39-49 mm reach $34.95 each Sold individually The best value in Shimano's current line of road brakes. These calipers have a polished aluminum finish, and are available in short reach only.

63-75 mm Reach Calipers ("Extra Long Reach")

DiaCompe 750 Centerpull Calipers $64.95 pair DiaCompe's licensed version of the classic Weinmann 750. These are perfect for many 584 mm/650B bikes or others that require long reach and clearance for fenders and wide tires, like the A. Homer Hilsen, Saluki, and Bleriot. They are sold per pair (a bike's worth). Mounting is rear nutted, front recessed. All caliper mounting hardware, including spacers for rear nutted mounting on brake bridges for recessed mounting included. Cable yokes are also included, but not housing stops. The stock brake shoes aren't so hot...for best results, upgrade with Kool Stop salmon, any of the threaded-shaft types, especially the BMX/Mountain model.

70-88 mm Reach Calipers ("Extra Long Reach")

Tektro 984 Extra Long Reach Calipers $19.95 each complete, black only Made for BMX applications, these are also an excellent choice for upgrading older 3-speeds or any other type of bike that needs an extra long (70-88 mm!) reach. The calipers are solid and well finished, with anti-friction sleeves on the springs. These use external nuts for mounting to the frame/fork. The stock brake shoes aren't so hot...for best results, upgrade with Kool Stop salmon, any of the threaded-shaft types, especially the BMX/Mountain model.

74-95 mm Reach Calipers ("Extra Long Reach")

Odyssey 1999 Extra Long Reach Caliper Brake $16.95 each   Now in Silver color! Made for BMX applications, these are also an excellent choice for upgrading older 3-speeds or any other type of bike that needs an extra long (74-95 mm!) reach. The calipers are solid and well finished. These use external nuts for mounting to the frame/fork. They come with a medium-length centerbolt installed for rear external nut mounting, and the package includes a complete long (front) center bolt assembly as well, so you can set them up for either front or rear use. They come with decent BMX-type lever, cable and black housing. The stock brake shoes are pretty crummy...for best results, upgrade with Kool Stop salmon, any of the threaded-shaft types, especially the BMX/Mountain model.

Action© Extra Long Reach Caliper Brake $12.95 each Aluminum caliper in silver color. These have a more traditional look for upgrading older 3-speeds or any other type of bike that needs an extra long (75-91 mm!) reach. These use external nuts for mounting to the frame/fork. They come with a long centerbolt installed for front external nut mounting, and the package includes a complete medium-length (rear) center bolt assembly as well, so you can set them up for either front or rear use. Levers and cable not included. The stock brake shoes are pretty crummy...for best results, upgrade with Kool Stop salmon, any of the threaded-shaft types.

Caliper Mounting Hardware

 

Recessed Caliper Nuts 22 mm BRH491 $10.95 Recessed Caliper Nuts 30 mm BRH493 $10.95

Sheldon Fender Nut Set Also available in X-long version for carbon forks. Traditional fender hardware has not changed since the days of exposed nuts holding brake calipers to the frame/fork. However, most newer caliper brakes use "recessed mounting." This has required mounting the tab on the front of the fork, which reduces clearance under the fork crown, and also rotates the front fender forward so it provides less protection to your feet (and your drivetrain.) The Sheldon Fender Nut permits mounting the front fender tab behind the fork crown where it belongs. In addition, the use of Sheldon Fender Nuts permits periodic removal/re-installation of the fenders without disturbing the centering adjustment of your brake calipers. Standard 6mm "recessed" brake nut with longer internal threading and extension on the back for a 6mm mounting bolt Install brake caliper normally, and mount fender to nut with a 6mm bolt Includes a 13mm front brake nut and a 10mm rear brake nut A pair of Fender Nuts should fit most steel and Aluminum road frames and forks.

For all of these calipers, if you want the very best possible braking,
replace the stock brake shoes with Kool Stop "BMX" shoes.

More Road Calipers from QBP

Long-reach BMX Calipers from QBP

This site also features many
useful articles by Sheldon Brown
and others.

Articles by Sheldon Brown and others
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