I’m currently in the process of rebuilding a 1980s Panasonic Sport. Right now, it has Dia Compe downtube shifters (which I plan to keep) and a set of Dia Compe side-pull brakes. As far as I can tell the modern equivalent to the current brakes is the DC730, the pads are mounted at 56mm right now and they’re about dead center in the pad adjustment.
I’d like to convert it to center-pull because they look rad as fuck, but I’m worried I don’t have enough room with my current handlebar/shifter setup. The attached pictures are of the current handlebar setup in profile, and the current front brakes. I’ll also be switching the brake levers to TRP RRL SR aero levers.
My question is whether I have enough space to mount a front cable hanger for the center-pull brakes. Between the aero brake routing, the downtube shifters, and the little space available on the bar stem, do you think I’ve got room?
PS don’t crucify me for my wrap job, I did it myself and it was my first time 🙁
Ru_okay_annie on
Yes. Should work.
maxthecat2720 on
Honestly center-pulls are annnoying. I’ve worked on them quite a bit and they can be a pain to tension. Also, you would need cable hangers for them to work properly, something like [this](https://www.ebay.ca/itm/174609489444). I wouldn’t do it.
Matt_tc on
I think you might just about get away with it if you get the dia compe cable hangers that replace a spacer on the headset. Maybe you could consider raising your stem a little if you need a few mm more space. As for the brake pads the slots could well be slightly too small for the posts on modern pad holders, I know my old weinmann ones were. It’s only a few minutes work with a file to shave a bit off them though. Can’t see any compatibility issues if the brake drop is right, you’ll need a cable stop at the back but there are plenty of options that attach to the seat post binder bolt.
Fizzyphotog on
See if you can get an especially long cable hanger to give the cable a little more space to curve. Some of them sit right below the headset and that would be tight with the cable coming out at handlebar level and needing to turn both back and down in a few inches.
Paul components makes a part called the Funky Monkey in a 22.2 diameter that could mount on the quill stem. You’ll want to research the stack height to make sure it’ll fit along with the clamp for the friction shifters.
It’s likely that others make a similar part; I’m thinking Problem Solvers might.
ETA: the Paul part ain’t cheap. Also for the rear housing stop, Surly and others make a rear cable hanger that acts as a housing stop that mounts on the seat post bolt.
7 Comments
I’m currently in the process of rebuilding a 1980s Panasonic Sport. Right now, it has Dia Compe downtube shifters (which I plan to keep) and a set of Dia Compe side-pull brakes. As far as I can tell the modern equivalent to the current brakes is the DC730, the pads are mounted at 56mm right now and they’re about dead center in the pad adjustment.
I’d like to convert it to center-pull because they look rad as fuck, but I’m worried I don’t have enough room with my current handlebar/shifter setup. The attached pictures are of the current handlebar setup in profile, and the current front brakes. I’ll also be switching the brake levers to TRP RRL SR aero levers.
My question is whether I have enough space to mount a front cable hanger for the center-pull brakes. Between the aero brake routing, the downtube shifters, and the little space available on the bar stem, do you think I’ve got room?
PS don’t crucify me for my wrap job, I did it myself and it was my first time 🙁
Yes. Should work.
Honestly center-pulls are annnoying. I’ve worked on them quite a bit and they can be a pain to tension. Also, you would need cable hangers for them to work properly, something like [this](https://www.ebay.ca/itm/174609489444). I wouldn’t do it.
I think you might just about get away with it if you get the dia compe cable hangers that replace a spacer on the headset. Maybe you could consider raising your stem a little if you need a few mm more space. As for the brake pads the slots could well be slightly too small for the posts on modern pad holders, I know my old weinmann ones were. It’s only a few minutes work with a file to shave a bit off them though. Can’t see any compatibility issues if the brake drop is right, you’ll need a cable stop at the back but there are plenty of options that attach to the seat post binder bolt.
See if you can get an especially long cable hanger to give the cable a little more space to curve. Some of them sit right below the headset and that would be tight with the cable coming out at handlebar level and needing to turn both back and down in a few inches.
I think they need a frame mount above the brake to work
[https://preview.redd.it/centerpull-brakes-any-good-v0-h77bw0mbppyd1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da1fd6947283271da62427baa9f1eeb0315ac39f](https://preview.redd.it/centerpull-brakes-any-good-v0-h77bw0mbppyd1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da1fd6947283271da62427baa9f1eeb0315ac39f)
Paul components makes a part called the Funky Monkey in a 22.2 diameter that could mount on the quill stem. You’ll want to research the stack height to make sure it’ll fit along with the clamp for the friction shifters.
It’s likely that others make a similar part; I’m thinking Problem Solvers might.
ETA: the Paul part ain’t cheap. Also for the rear housing stop, Surly and others make a rear cable hanger that acts as a housing stop that mounts on the seat post bolt.