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Just renovating my 1985 Mercian Audax. New Campag. Khamsin wheels and Ultegra brakes. The rear caliper shoes do not line up with the rim, 5mm+ to high. Front is fine although shoes at the lower limit. Any ideas?
1985 - the original wheel size may have been 27 inch, a bit bigger than 700c.
It'll be built for 27" not 700c most likely. A long-drop calliper might work.
Did the bike oiginally come with 27 inch wheels instead of the slightly smaller 700c?
Edit - doh!
About a 7mm difference in diameter IIRC.
It always amuses me that 29" = 28" < 27"
They probably need long drop brakes designed to go around mudguards etc shimano usually do non-series (R-500, R-600, etc or else tektro do) brakes that fit.
27" is bigger, so surely they'd be at the upper limit not the lower limit?
I've got at least 1 bike with different sized calipers f/r so don't discount that!
Thanks very much chaps I think that's solved the problem. Must remember in future to look for the obvious. Should have gone for a new frame with discs.
27" is bigger, so surely they'd be at the upper limit not the lower limit?
the bike would have been built for 27" a bigger wheel, Khamsins are 700c a smaller wheel.
Old calipers won't reach new rim.
Should have gone for a new frame with discs.
Bung it up here, I'll puts disc mount on it for you - problem solved 😉
do you have the correct drop brake callipers? 49mm or 57mm drop.
give mercian a call on monday with the frame number and they will tell you what wheel size it is. im sure its a caliper drop issue not wheel size.
If it has mudguard mounts it will be long drop brakes you need. I'm getting rid of a par of condor ones if you want them, vgc, £10 posted the pair
If your feeling really flush you can get a framebuilder to chop the stays and forks down to size to give proper 700c conversion. Generally about £250-350 for that inc a new (basic) paint job
I wouldn't do it that way - that'd change the wheelbase and other things. I'd just move the bridge down a bit. You'd actually want the seat stays longer, not shorter, if you were going down that route.
And swap the fork out? Though generally find the rear needs a dew more mm of drop.
Or you could build up some 27" wheels, though quality rims that size are hard to find, tyres aren't so bad as long as you like continental