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Single pivot brakes!

by behemothprocycling
Sun, Oct 05, 2014 20:53
15

Hi all

Been away for a while but just collected my new Dawes Giro 300 on CycleToWork.

Younger riders may not know what these are but it no only comes with a rear screw-on freewheel (!) but SINGLE-pivot brakes!

Any suggestions for a good cheap upgrade - I've hardly ridden the bike yet but I imagine they're going to be cack!

Cheers 1

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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15 comments

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behemothprocycling | 10 years ago
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Thanks for all your advice folks. Went out in the bib tights this morning and no real difference. I hear what you say about them being too small - maybe I should have gone for xxl in the first place!

Whatever, I'll be down the bike shop when I get paid next friday to try some on properly and go from there. I'll take the bike with me so I can see what happens when I sit on the saddle.

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mtbtomo | 10 years ago
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The pad itself won't be any less comfortable, but I find bib shorts tend to be more comfortable and getting the right size between two similar sizes isn't so important since they stay up better. The OP has a problem with the pad moving which a bib design might prevent a bit better.

I've found Lusso size up quite large comparatively, but pretty good value.

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Simon E | 10 years ago
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Brakes - change the pads first, Kool Stop salmon or salmon & black. You may have to buy the holder too the first time but afterwards replacing the inserts will be half the price.

The pad in waist shorts is no less comfortable than in bibs. Lusso shorts (bibs and waist) are excellent value and made in the UK, plenty on ebay. Shutt VR club bibs are nice and also UK made. They occasionally do great offers, see https://www.facebook.com/ShuttVeloRapide

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mtbtomo | 10 years ago
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Thinking about it perhaps they're too small and slipping down at the back, so the pad comes forward??

I can't recommend the shorts in Decathlon highly enough for the price. £20 for some basic bib shorts or £40 for some pretty decent bibs (700 series). I've got 3 pairs of their 700 series bib shorts.

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behemothprocycling | 10 years ago
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Only some Halfords cheapo ones mate. I probably should have bought better but just couldn't afford it at the time.
Next purchase I guess - will make sure I spend a bit more and try on!

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mtbtomo | 10 years ago
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I'd hazard a guess at a combination of all 3 on this one.

Never had this happen to me though even with shorts too big.

Lycra too thin, pad not a good shape?

What shorts are they?

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behemothprocycling | 10 years ago
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Thanks guys.
Well to be honest at the speeds I'm riding at present they seem ok - I've just been out and averaged a heady 10kmh.........

Grateful for your input! 1

For my next question, the shorts I have seem to bunch the pad all up at the front, so I end up sitting on the saddle without any padding.
Is this likely to be because they are;

1 Too big
2 Too cheap
3 Not bibs?

Thanks in advance - I've been away from cycling for many years and am enjoying being back.

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kennethsross replied to behemothprocycling | 10 years ago
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behemothprocycling wrote:

For my next question, the shorts I have seem to bunch the pad all up at the front, so I end up sitting on the saddle without any padding.
Is this likely to be because they are;

1 Too big
2 Too cheap
3 Not bibs?

Thanks in advance - I've been away from cycling for many years and am enjoying being back.

4th Option - on back-to-front? (only kidding!)

Always good to hear of someone else getting into road cycling. Made a huge difference for me at 55, being out of the saddle for more than 10 years.

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behemothprocycling replied to kennethsross | 10 years ago
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kennethsross wrote:

4th Option - on back-to-front? (only kidding!)

Always good to hear of someone else getting into road cycling. Made a huge difference for me at 55, being out of the saddle for more than 10 years.

21

It did cross my mind - or with them only being from Aldi maybe they put the pad in back to front!

I'm going to head into the bike shop on Friday and see if they can sort me out.

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mtbtomo | 10 years ago
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I don't see the issue? There are a lot of single pivot designs still out there - and still some high end designs too.

Why not try them before deciding they won't be any good? Or failing that buy some decent cartridge pads before going the whole hog on new brakes?

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matthewn5 | 10 years ago
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Just changing the pads to Shimano cartridge pads makes a huge difference.

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DrJDog | 10 years ago
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Newer SRAM red aerolink brakes are single pivot, and they are pretty decent.

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Simmo72 | 10 years ago
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I have veloce and centaur skeleton brakes (they are the same except for the name)
and the rear single pivot isn't great, but I don't have anything to benchmark against. I think a lot depends on rider weight. Spring chickens will see decent performance, big fellas like me, you need to squeeze it more!

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therevokid | 10 years ago
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Hhmmmm .... my campagnolo chorus 11 speed rear is single pivot and not a problem.
I take it the dawes has single pivots both ends ?
Should be able to fit some duals to that and a cheap wheelset to use cassettes !

You may need something like this to get around the "nut fitting" for the existing brakes.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tektro-tektro-r359-caliper-brake-set-47-57-mm...

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jgunnlaugur | 10 years ago
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I've just upgraded an old raleigh frame from single pivots to a pair of the basic shimano dual pivots. Has made all the difference, I can actually stop now!

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-br-r451-dual-pivot-57mm-drop-brake-calip...

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