Non Plus Ultra Long Reach Brakes

[Saab2000]

The Hampsten Single Speed should be arriving this week. Just what I don't need - another hungry bike to feed. But it'll be a cool one I think!

About the only relevant thing the bike isn't coming with that I don't have is a set of brakes. The bike needs long reach for fender clearance and I'm tempted to just go with the Shimanos. I assume the BR-650 are the best Shimano calipers out there. Any reason not to use them? I doubt I will use tires larger than 28s.

There's no Campagnolo option is there? Other than the Delta brakes which I think would work as they're highly adjustable for reach.

Is the Shimano the best caliper out there with the best performance and least drama?

[Too Tall]

I use that brake and recommend it every chance I get.

[chancerider]

Yes. That is a solid brake. You won't be disapoointed at all. Your other option would be Tektro, but just go w/ the BR650's and be done with it.

[Saab2000]

Sounds good kids. I assumed as much. No drama and high quality.

[hampco]

as i mention here the r600s look nicer and the velo-orange grand cru work great - but the 650s are fine...

[Saab2000]

as i mention here the r600s look nicer and the velo-orange grand cru work great - but the 650s are fine...

Thank you. The definitive answer.

[Lionel]

Hampsten single speed? I missed that turn. You found it used or new one ?

[Saab2000]

Hampsten single speed? I missed that turn. You found it used or new one ?

Used. Bottom feeder here always lurking in the classifieds here and elsewhere and on eBay. Great bikes like this pop up from time to time. It's also how I snatched up my Pacenti.

FS: Hampsten Single Speed

Really looking forward to it! I have no idea exactly how I'm going to use it but I assume I'll get a full wardrobe of Rapha City Clothing and ride around some fashionable (and relatively flat) city.

I currently have a Redline Conquest cyclocross bike that I've built up as a winter single speed. It's a nice ride but I sort of want to build it up with actual cross parts and some tires as some of my buddies to some off road riding. Having gears and more rubber would make that one more usable for more types of riding.

I have ridden it as a single-speed on some serious rides and as long as they're not too hilly it works. Last year I rode a 156 miler with it with a 42x16 and it was OK at speeds up to 25 mph. Above that it was a bit tricky as I'm not a great spinner. This year I installed a 44 in front and that's what I plan to use on the Hampsten. I'm also halfway considering thinking about a Rohloff internal or even a Shimano Alfine 11 Di2 when (if) that ever becomes available. Or I might just keep it as a single speed. They are lighter and have less mechanical drag than a geared bike and in relatively flat riding you don't miss the other 19 gears very often. Pick a middle gear and just go with it. 44x15 or 44x16 is likely.

Chris King makes a single-speed hub which would be really cool.

[Lionel]

I see. Cool. My single speed Colnago is also on 42x16. Trying to remember last time I got it out of the garage. A real shame.

[Saab2000]

Where you live it's hilly. I don't think I can imagine using such a bike in Europe. When I lived in Switzerland I used all 16 gears and then all 20 when that became available. Single speeds are cool but have a very narrow range of usefulness. Where I currently live in Michigan it's at the limit of how a single speed road bike can be used and even here I have to pick and choose routes based on terrain. They're not for everyone.

[Lionel]

Where you live it's hilly. I don't think I can imagine using such a bike in Europe. When I lived in Switzerland I used all 16 gears and then all 20 when that became available. Single speeds are cool but have a very narrow range of usefulness. Where I currently live in Michigan it's at the limit of how a single speed road bike can be used and even here I have to pick and choose routes based on terrain. They're not for everyone.

Yeah you're right. I built it when I was in the bay area. I can still find flat rides here where it would be OK. I have to somehow commit to at least one single speed ride this winter. That and at least one MTB ride.

[christian]

As Steve says, Shimano BR-600. I stumbled upon a new set in a bike shop at 175th/Broadway a few weeks ago and liberated them from the display case (but that pair have already gone to a Salonista). They're out there, though.

I know some peeps like the Grand Crus, but I strongly feel brake arms (and crank arms) should be forged, not machined from stock.

[GAAP]

That Hampsten looks nice.

Have you considered Paul mid-racers? Excellent brakes and tons of clearance & stopping power.

You may also want to wait until you get the frame and check what actual brake reach it was built for. I run 28s w/fenders on my personal bike and I use regular Campy Athena Skeleton brakeset.

Good Luck.

[darkmother]

Nice bike. I'll look forward to seeing some pictures of it built up.

I wish more road bikes were designed around mid reach brakes, they make a bike so much more versatile.

[pruckelshaus]

Nice bike. I'll look forward to seeing some pictures of it built up.

I wish more road bikes were designed around mid reach brakes, they make a bike so much more versatile.

We're headed in that direction, thankfully. Much better than the days of super short reach Aero Gran Compe's and 19mm wide tires being all the rage...

[GAAP]

We're headed in that direction, thankfully. Much better than the days of super short reach Aero Gran Compe's and 19mm wide tires being all the rage...

and to go one direction further, brake reach will be a memory when disc brakes become the norm. I would wager sooner than you think.

[nahtnoj]

The one area where the Tektro shine is the quick release - they open really wide. Enough to clear a cross tire easily. Just another data point.

[solfege]

Where you live it's hilly. I don't think I can imagine using such a bike in Europe. When I lived in Switzerland I used all 16 gears and then all 20 when that became available. Single speeds are cool but have a very narrow range of usefulness. Where I currently live in Michigan it's at the limit of how a single speed road bike can be used and even here I have to pick and choose routes based on terrain. They're not for everyone.

I use mine (cheapo specialized steel frame, mix and match parts) as a commuter. It's perfect (and I mean perfect) for short trips around town here in Philly, which is quite flat for the most part. If I had to ride in the few places in town that aren't flat, I'd have a geared commuter. As it stands, this is ideal.

[bikinchris]

Cane Creek makes a brake with 57mm reach. Black only.
Delta brakes do have a lot of reach adjustment, but they barely clear 23mm tires. The whole brake adjusts up and down, not the pads. Definitely not for fenders.

[pruckelshaus]

Cane Creek makes a brake with 57mm reach. Black only.
Delta brakes do have a lot of reach adjustment, but they barely clear 23mm tires. The whole brake adjusts up and down, not the pads. Definitely not for fenders.

If Cane Creek do, they're not listed on their web site.