I hadn't realised they only have brakes on the front. I'd like to have a closer look at the double brake set up on the pink trike - looks very clever!
Thanks Oscar's Dad. I had these forks custom built. I was not satisfied with the braking power, using the original set up. I do a lot of riding in the hills west of Harrogate and needed a reliable and powerful set of brakes for the long and steep descents. I tried at first to work within the limitations of the original forks by adapting the bosses to accept modern cantis and the brake bar to take a dual pivot brake but still found them lacking in bite.
Mini Vs were easily the most powerful brake types, for the kind of set up I a using. (Campag Ergo levers and no desire to alter drastically the look and style of the fork to accept a disc brake, which would have required a different crown). So I went to Bob Jacksons in Leeds and they found a lugged crown that exactly matched the original with which to built me a new set of forks. I also took the opportunity to convert to an Ahead steerer. This allowed for a lighter build and a great deal more convenience and a range in both choice and quality, that modern componentry provides.
I'm very happy with the results. The forks perform as they should, comfortable and with no deflection in the front wheel under cornering or pumping hard out of the saddle. The brakes are as powerful as I need, silent and give me complete confidence in all conditions. I'm happy with the aesthetics, thinking they keep some of the original feel and design, while delivering me with a thoroughly modern and contemporary performance. In the general scheme of things, they didn't cost a great deal either.
Here is a picture with the original forks as I was building it up, the first time round.
