bmx brake - pro or mini size?

ellis said:

BMX gurus - what is the size difference between a pro and a mini?

I'm building up a BMX and a regular MTB v-brake (a Koski, in my case)
does not fit right, which does not surprise me because BMX sizing is
obviously different that 26" MTB.

20" BMX bikes typically use u-brakes or sidepulls:

http://www.cyclonecycles.co.uk/store/images/029.jpg

The pivot point is above the brake pad instead of below it like it is with
v-brakes/cantilevers.

Quoted message said:

Secondly, and this is a bit odd question, I have a beater MTB with a
700c rear wheel (that's all I had at the moment) that I use for
grocery getting. I have a rear rack with a basket and it gets heavy
with full bag of grocery, and I'd love to stick a v-brake in the
back. Would a BMX mini v-brake work in that situation - since the
arm reach is smaller?

No, but Mavic apparently makes a v-brake converter called "Caliper
Adjusters" here:

http://www.mavic.com/ewb_pages/p/produit_accessoire_REHAUSSEURS_DE_TASSEAUX.php?gamme=asphalte

That'll work with the 700c rear wheel.

--
Phil

ellis said:

BMX gurus - what is the size difference between a pro and a mini?

I'm building up a BMX and a regular MTB v-brake (a Koski, in my case)
does not fit right, which does not surprise me because BMX sizing is
obviously different that 26" MTB.

Secondly, and this is a bit odd question, I have a beater MTB with a
700c rear wheel (that's all I had at the moment) that I use for
grocery getting. I have a rear rack with a basket and it gets heavy
with full bag of grocery, and I'd love to stick a v-brake in the
back. Would a BMX mini v-brake work in that situation - since the
arm reach is smaller?

TIA.

And by the way there are also adaptors to put v-brakes onto BMX bikes, but I
can't find the link right now. Sheldon knows/sells them.
--
Phil

Here is another option for your MTB:

http://www.xtracycle.com/fancy-brake-from-paul-chico-this-brake-makes-possible-p-50.html

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:9D9bg.13053$8q.4347@dukeread08...

Quoted message said:

ellis said:

BMX gurus - what is the size difference between a pro and a mini?

I'm building up a BMX and a regular MTB v-brake (a Koski, in my case)
does not fit right, which does not surprise me because BMX sizing is
obviously different that 26" MTB.

20" BMX bikes typically use u-brakes or sidepulls:

http://www.cyclonecycles.co.uk/store/images/029.jpg

The pivot point is above the brake pad instead of below it like it is with
v-brakes/cantilevers.

Quoted message said:

Secondly, and this is a bit odd question, I have a beater MTB with a
700c rear wheel (that's all I had at the moment) that I use for
grocery getting. I have a rear rack with a basket and it gets heavy
with full bag of grocery, and I'd love to stick a v-brake in the
back. Would a BMX mini v-brake work in that situation - since the
arm reach is smaller?

No, but Mavic apparently makes a v-brake converter called "Caliper
Adjusters" here:

http://www.mavic.com/ewb_pages/p/produit_accessoire_REHAUSSEURS_DE_TASSEAUX.php?gamme=asphalte

Quoted message said:

That'll work with the 700c rear wheel.

--
Phil

Hey, thanks, Phil! I actually slapped on an old road caliper, and it kind
of works. The only thing is the pad to rim contact isn't 100%, it's not
even 75%, but since it's a grocery bike and I don't plan to go any fast on
it... not to mention too cheap to spend money on this bike, this will have
to do.

Although I have a vague plan to turn another steel MTB frame into a touring
bike with 700c wheels and a drop bar, so for that project I will look up the
Mavic thingies.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Here is another option for your MTB:

http://www.xtracycle.com/fancy-brake-from-paul-chico-this-brake-makes-possible-p-50.html

Quoted message said:

Hey thanks, nice piece of metal, but a little too pricey for my grocer. But
it's good to know.

Dear Ellis, & list:

A "pro" size frame is generally an adult sized bike, whether its a 20"
or a cruiser. A mini is a child's bmx bike, the smallest size, built
for rider 5 years to 8 or so. There's some bigger minis sometimes they
call them juniors (especially 24" wheels) or experts, then up to "pro",
Pro XL, etc. It can all be a little confusing and there is not a lot
of standardization.

BMX bikes have been running V-brakes since they came out. Popular
brakes include the Paul, SHimano XTR and XT, plus the usual Tektros and
Odysseys etc. The Mini V brakes are sometimes seen on minis and
juniors, They seem to be just the ticket for 'cross and hybrid frames,
too. BMX bikes sometimes have the canti studs placed a little off.
It's all because of the horizontal dropouts and 3/4" to 1" of available
axle positions. You need a wide range of slot positions in a V brake
to fit. Shimano used to make a DX version of the LX V brake. It was
red powder coated and had an extra 1/8" or so of slot for pad
adjustment.

I have started building BMX bikes with a cable disk brake. I've found
that if you orient the caliper properly the pads get a good bite on the
disk throughout the 3/4" of axle adjustment range that most riders are
likey to use.

good luck

jn

"Thursday"