Author Topic: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes  (Read 4170 times)

zzpza

Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« on: 28 May, 2009, 09:36:46 pm »
I have an old (not that old really - early 1980's) Raleigh Sensor. The frame is made of Hi-Ten steel. The problem is that I'm used to modern brakes now, so found the single pivot Weinmann Alesa brakes not quite up to scratch. So, armed with a power tool, some HSS drill bits and a set of Tektro dual pivots, I set to work.

Starting point





N.B. You only need to drill out the rear side of the crown. The front stays the same size.

After a 7mm drill bit

After an 8mm drill bit

Dual pivot lovelyness  8) ;D :thumbsup:

I wouldn't recommend this procedure on anything other than a steel bike.

rogerzilla

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Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #1 on: 28 May, 2009, 09:38:37 pm »
Or buy nutted dual pivot brakes  ;)
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

zzpza

Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #2 on: 28 May, 2009, 10:22:05 pm »
Or buy nutted dual pivot brakes  ;)

that's a silly idea when you have POWA TOOLZ!!!  :o :o :thumbsup: 8) ;D :P

Zoidburg

Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #3 on: 29 May, 2009, 02:14:11 am »
The best way to do that is with a step drill bit, looks like a cone.

robgul

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Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #4 on: 30 May, 2009, 08:05:52 am »
I'm with Roger on this using nutted brakes  .... or in reality I would have probably just pulled the levers on the original brake a bit harder :thumbsup:

Rob

Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #5 on: 30 May, 2009, 09:52:06 am »
I've done that conversion too  :thumbsup:

Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #6 on: 30 May, 2009, 07:15:26 pm »
Me too - on my Aende road bike. Good nutted brakes were no longer available and it wasn't that difficult. Slightly harder at the back (seat tube in the way) but no great problem.

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #7 on: 01 June, 2009, 03:12:25 pm »
What dp brakes are available nutted?  I haven't seen any.
Getting there...

Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #8 on: 01 June, 2009, 07:05:50 pm »
Tektro and Alhonga, used to be one or two Shimano as well.

Karla

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Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #9 on: 06 June, 2009, 11:56:32 am »
To be honest, rather than getting special brakes I'd recommend just modding the frame.  I've done it too and it's really easy - just drill out a couple of  holes.

Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #10 on: 17 June, 2009, 11:17:26 am »
but mr rogerzilla sold some alhonga's to me for such a good price, why waste time drilling out some forks.....

Raph

Re: Upgrading a frame to take modern brakes
« Reply #11 on: 24 October, 2009, 06:47:04 pm »
I've done that mod on a few old frames to fit dual pivots. I don't really have any nostalgic feelings towards single-pivots, not even the top-of-the-range campags that I used to think were great at the time. If the frame is a piece of history then maybe worth keeping it original, otherwise might as well modify it.