Horizontal/Track Dropouts with Disc Mount

[seanile]

Is there anything like this that's sold somewhere that isn't a paragon slider or rocker? I can't find anything on ceeway/hj/bikelugs/nova/paragon/etc..
It would be used for SSCX, the important part being the caliper is on the inside and doesn't get in the way of removing the wheel.
Is a gusset with disc tabs mounted to it the only option?

[bencooper]

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V1, about half way down this page: What

[11.4]

That's an All City Nature Boy, and that disc setup doesn't work very well. The caliper is canted so the pad contacts the rotor at a funny angle and you don't have much leeway for adjustment. The tabs aren't that precise and take shimming, and if you bend anything, you'll have a tough time getting it straight again. And out of the box, the tabs need to be cleaned off and filed down a bit for the best results.

The best solution I've found is some studs flush on the chain stay that the caliper bolts onto. It's lower profile and you don't need big spacers that increase vibration, and you can run the housing in a number of ways, including up the seat stay with a banjo if you want to go that way.

I've also seen some experimental setups where the caliper hangs under the chain stay. I'm curious why the caliper has to be on the inside of the stays -- it means that if dirt accumulates it won't clear out as easily (and that's a knock on the All City disc design as well). Why reinvent something that works? Until the industry builds for flush studs on frames, I'd just leave the caliper where it's most commonly found right now.

And by the way, for a single-speed, why discs? Mind you, I like hydraulics a lot, but on a single speed canti's or mini-V's will be more than enough, you're just putting weight back on the bike again, and you also are putting more hardware at the hub so you collect more dirt there. With a single speed, if you jam up the cog area, you are SOL because the chain has no slack to ride over any junk that ends up there.

[seanile]

interesting points, thanks for your input. the reason why i was planning it be on the insides of the stays is due to the horizontal nature of the dropouts; sliding the wheel horizontally in-and-out of the caliper with the access of normal caliper mounts would be like trying to pull the wheel out with fenders getting in the way..the inside position eliminates lateral interference. however, i hadn't considered the accumulation of gunk, nor the issue of the angling and shimming required.

the reason for discs was for purely aesthetic reasons because i wanted to ride the bike as a front-brake only fixed gear off season and would rather not have canti posts sticking off the stays (would have a second road caliper-capable fork made). but given that i just discovered some plastic plugs for the removable canti posts, i may go that direction after all.

thanks for the input and knowledge, much appreciated.

[Jake Rosenfeld]

The Coture (Coconino/vulture:) drops are fanfriggintastic. you cant buy them but you can look at how they solved the problem.

check Steves blog, I'm sure you can mine a photo or two.........

[seanile]

^interesting execution. curious how the wheel does sliding in and out.

[Will Neide]

I've also seen some experimental setups where the caliper hangs under the chain stay. I'm curious why the caliper has to be on the inside of the stays -- it means that if dirt accumulates it won't clear out as easily (and that's a knock on the All City disc design as well). Why reinvent something that works? Until the industry builds for flush studs on frames, I'd just leave the caliper where it's most commonly found right now.

And by the way, for a single-speed, why discs? Mind you, I like hydraulics a lot, but on a single speed canti's or mini-V's will be more than enough, you're just putting weight back on the bike again, and you also are putting more hardware at the hub so you collect more dirt there. With a single speed, if you jam up the cog area, you are SOL because the chain has no slack to ride over any junk that ends up there.

Just to touch a few points without throwing this on a complete tangent. The build up of dirt and mud on the caliper isn't an issue when mounted on a chainstay, at least, no more of an issue when mounted on the seatstay. Aesthetically, it's more integrated with the bike and the caliper blends in a little more visually. It's also easier to mount racks on the rear when the caliper on the chainstay. Yes, I know you can still mount racks when it's mounted on the seatstay, but there is a little less complexity when you don't have the caliper in the way.

Singlespeeds and discs......contrary to popular belief, we don't always ride/race singlespeed because they are lighter. And we still like consistant braking. So, your choice of braking apparatus is an independent choice from your drivetrain and the two really have no relation on each other. FWIW, CX Worlds just put disc brakes on the top step and bottom step of the podium. Not bad for "heavy technology" from the 90's.

To the OP, I don't think there is anything commercially available for a chainstay mounted, horizontal tab drop out. I'd agree with Ben on going with the tab and making your own.


Edited to add: All my bikes have chainstay mounted calipers. 2 of which are singlespeed (CX and MTB).