Brakeless fork mod (final pics 13th)

[oldschoolace]

Having bought myself this for Christmas i soon find myself missing a front brake  




I really wanted the forks to match the frame but in their wisdom WTP only did a brakeless fork for this model.
As some of you will recall i mused the idea of mounting removable brake mounts on two seat clamps so i could run a U brake and not have to drill the forks for a weak traditional caliper.

The tapered forks measure 32mm around the area where a brake would sit and after hours of fruitless searching for seat clamps chunky enough to drill and tap for the brake mounts i decided it would be better to make my own  

Spent a pleasant afternoon in work not actually working but pissing around with some recycled plastic samples i got sent for a job a while back  

This is the prototype (sorry for the bobbins pics)



and mounted in place on the fork with the brake offered up for fit




Pretty pleased how it came out. There is plenty of clearance for the tyre and even the plastic prototype gripped well when tightened up  

Ordering some T6 aluminium tonight and hoping to get them done next week, stay tuned  

[Darren KAP]

       can't beat a head scratching project    can't wait to see the finished job 

[Jaymz]

cracking idea, but begs a  question, obviously the plastic is bendy and opened up around the fork to do the single point up at the back, how is this going to translate to metal?
The only way i can see this working is if the clamp is two peices [kinda like the DC clamps] with the mount on one piece with countersunk holes on either side of the mount for the bolt heads to sit in and tapped holes on the other piece on either side

[bobbbbsy]

cant see it lasting long in plastic or ally ! brake lugs are hardcore for a reason! braze ons ?

[Dannywhac]

Great idea But there's a couple of things - ally won't last too long if you're gonna ride hard, and more importantly you need a bridge that connects the two lug clamps over the wheel otherwise they'll move away from the wheel after a few brakes I reckon.

[oldschoolace]

cracking idea, but begs a  question, obviously the plastic is bendy and opened up around the fork to do the single point up at the back, how is this going to translate to metal?
The only way i can see this working is if the clamp is two peices [kinda like the DC clamps] with the mount on one piece with countersunk holes on either side of the mount for the bolt heads to sit in and tapped holes on the other piece on either side

  just been having the same discussion with my brother. Yeah if i was looking to make these to sell then that would deffo be the way to go. As it is, with the bolt removed the slot in the back of the clamp slides over the fork dropouts lovely. Didnt have to pry the plastic at all 

I concede that over time the aluminium clamp may develop stress fractures but i dont intend to use the front brake all the time, just for the odd endo and stuff. The final design will be a few mili thicker in the thin spots now i know there is definately enough room for it 

[oldschoolace]

Great idea But there's a couple of things - ally won't last too long if you're gonna ride hard, and more importantly you need a bridge that connects the two lug clamps over the wheel otherwise they'll move away from the wheel after a few brakes I reckon.

Valid point about the bridge. I did think of that but i dont want the hole thing to be too bulky. It may well need it anyway but its work in progress at the moment so will get it done and road test it 

[pickle]

or drill the forks and use a plate 

[oldschoolace]

Very nearly went down the road of drilling and u brake plate but couldnt bring myself to drill a hole in my lovely new forks 

[ozone]

couldnt bring myself to drill a hole in my lovely new forks 

Fitting your clamps to fork legs will probably damage the paint (at the very least) anyway so I'd be thinking about.

A - getting another fork which is already drilled and colour matching them to the frame.
B - buying a cheap bike with front and rear brakes to thrash around and leaving your lovely bike well alone. 
C - talking to Kappy about a front disc conversion.    
D - what pickle said....

[oldschoolace]

Well im doing it anyway     

[pickle]

If you're going to go to all that trouble the least you  ;)could do is pull your bars back a bit

[Dannywhac]

If you're going to go to all that trouble the least you  ;)could do is pull your bars back a bit

 

I love the idea of doing this (and yes there are easier ways as said, getting drilled forks etc), but it smacks of a good bit of mid-school make do and mend, if not invent So I'm in 

[Mdbh]

If I was you I'd stop the messing around and weld some lugs on, then colour match the paint! Sorted!

[lk_97]

I have some affix forks with lugs?

[oldschoolace]

 

[ozone]

 

You have no frame of reference.  You are out of your element.   

[lk_97]

I was joking, by the way

[oldschoolace]

I was joking, by the way

  yeah me too with the dude reference   

[dan-dare]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PACE-Alloy-V-Brake-mounts-RC31-Carbon-Rigid-Forks-Good-Condition-RARE-xtr-/320878818997?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item4ab5de36b5

dunno what diameter your forks are.... 

[oldschoolace]

V brakes...  how very dare you sir!!! 

Cheers for that bud  My forks are 32mm though 

Could pad it out with a rubber gasket, which would also protect the paint on the forks but i cant run V brakes... Hate the things 

[lk_97]

Would you be able to make me a set of brake mounts like that? Need some for my frame as it only has chainstay mounts of course, I'll pay

[dan-dare]

V brakes...  how very dare you sir!!! 

mount them higher up the leg for AD brakes....

[oldschoolace]

In all seriousness i did think about that as there is only 0.1mm difference in the mount diameter if memory serves. I think i concluded, wrongly or rightly, that as the v mounts sit 4mm or so closer to the rim it may make installing a u brake a touch tight 

[pickle]

Just buy some new forks and get Dan to colour match the frame