Brakes

[admin]

The FreeRadical is designed to work with disc brakes and with direct-pull cantilever brakes (also called long-arm-cantilever, Linear-pull, or V-brakes). We chose not to make the frame compatible with regular cantis to ensure riders had the increased stopping power of direct pulls.

700c users who don’t have V-brake levers have a number of other options available to them, including the Travel Agent, Mini V-brakes, or disc brakes.

26" users who can't change to V-brake levers because their shifter and cantilever brake lever is integrated can use the Travel Agent and V-brake calipers along with their original cantilever lever. Or, even better, they can upgrade to disc brakes.

The FreeRadical will work with hub brakes, though some don’t seem to have enough stopping power for a fully loaded bike on hilly terrain. There is disagreement about this issue. Always test your load and brakes on the flats before hitting the hills.

Don't know if you have direct-pull brakes? Look here.

Warning! Please see our complete S.U.B. Use Warning before hauling cargo!

[eddiespaghetti]

hey there! has anyone tried an xtracycle set up with a nexus 8 with the hand pulled hand brake and v brakes in the front? it would be nice to do away with derailers. thanks, eddie

[wcadkins]

Hi - I am putting together my Xtracycle, and so far so good. I have a Wasatch Cycle Works BUB brake (early day linear pull) that I will be using on my Bridgestone MB3.

How do most people route their brake cables? There seems to not be much discussion or pictures of the cable routing for brakes and derailleurs. Is the brake cable just left dangling behind the seat tube down to the Xtracycle? Seems kind of messy. Any other ideas for a top tube routed brake cable?

Thanks,
bill

[kismert]

Shimano now offers their new 'Multi-Purpose' Hub Roller Brake, part BR-IM70-R, with an enlarged, 150mm finned scooling disc, and 'hyper' structure.



It is compatible with their 3-, 4-, 7- and 8-speed Nexus hubs.

They run about $60, and look like a reasonable upgrade if you are concerned about your old roller brake on your Nexus-equipped Xtra.

But: The beefier brake arm may be a challenge to mount, as it is not as bendable as the old version.

[Trinity Bicycles]

I know the Free Radical is designed for v or canti brakes, but I may want to put a centerpull brake on the rear of one. The braking power should be sufficient, and I have other reasons which I won't go into here.

Of course this assumes the free radical is drilled at a bridge that could serve as a brake bridge. I'm assuming such a hole exists for fender mounting.

So . . . what would the brake reach be for the 700C and 26" models?

[Trinity Bicycles]

I believe I answered my own question. It doesn't look like the centerpull will work best. I plan to put the xtracycle on a 650B bike, and it looks like using the Paul brake on a 26" trailer will work best. The brake reach difference between the 26" and 650B wheel will only be 12.5mm.

[madziakg]

When I put together my Xtracycle, I used a set of Avid BB5 disc brakes that I borrowed from another of my bikes. I bought a 203mm rotor for the rear wheel, and everything works hunky-dory.

I see that all of the disc brake conversion kits available come with a Rear Caliper Protector. What exactly does this protect the caliper from? I've hauled full loads of groceries in my Freeloaders, and have not had any problem with the cargo interfering with the brake caliper. Maybe I've just been lucky so far?

If I do decide that I need the Rear Caliper Protector, is it available for purchase separately?

[JohnLee]

When I put together my Xtracycle, I used a set of Avid BB5 disc brakes that I borrowed from another of my bikes. I bought a 203mm rotor for the rear wheel, and everything works hunky-dory.

I see that all of the disc brake conversion kits available come with a Rear Caliper Protector. What exactly does this protect the caliper from? I've hauled full loads of groceries in my Freeloaders, and have not had any problem with the cargo interfering with the brake caliper. Maybe I've just been lucky so far?

If I do decide that I need the Rear Caliper Protector, is it available for purchase separately?

I didn't use the one that came with my Xtracycle.
I haven't had any trouble.

[peterkinne]

Some disc brakes have a mechanism that can be actuated by pressing from the outside, which slows down or stops your wheel. The caliper protector is there to keep that pressing action off of the caliper itself. It's less about protecting the caliper from damage, though you certainly want to avoid bashing it too badly even if your brakes don't get actuated by bulky loads.
Some people will get along just fine without the protector there at all.

Peter at Xtracycle.

[carnutt]

I used regular linear pull V-brakes on my FreeRadical installation with STI brifters and a Travel Agent. Although the Travel Agent doubles the cable pull at the brake, it also halves the force available at the pads. The result is inadequate braking at the rear wheel for any reasonable amount of force applied at the brake lever.

I found that re-arranging the Travel Agent by running the cable straight thru the device with the cable engaging only the larger half of the pulley, I was able to generate acceptable braking force with a moderate effort at the lever. If the rear wheel is reasonably true, the brake pads can be set close enough to the rim so that the cable pull produced by the STI lever is adequate to engage the brake, and retaining the Travel Agent provides for a screw-type fine adjustment of the brake pad-to-rim clearance.

Regards,
Bob P.

[garth]

Hey, I am putting together my bike and my free radical brake mount says 203mm. I have 160mm, can I use my 160s or do I need to find a 203?
I am not too concerned about burning out the 160s, as I am riding entirely on the flats. I have 160s on the front as well.

Thanks, Garth