Or are they an abomination? Or maybe a cool abomination?
These are track brakes made to install onto track bikes not equipped with brake mounting holes. Made by Dia-Compe, the BRS-101 track brakes actually are standard reach-- offering 43mm to 57mm of reach....though because the actual placement of the caliper itself is somewhat flexible, that brake pad reach number loses some of its relevance. Just nice that there is wider range than available on a short reach road brake.
I can't in my right mind see these as awesome additions to anybody's whip. They will undoubtedly spoil a track bike's pristeen looks. You not only have the brake caliper, but additional mounting plates and hardware.
BUT if you have a brakeless track bike and your boss says "no brakes! no job!", you have three options: get these brakes , get a new bike, or quit your job. In the interest of giving the working cyclist in that unenviable position an option, the SomaFab Shop will pick up a few of these.
A friend of mine has a track bike he built many years ago loves the frame and is currently riding it with a freewheel and no rear brake just the front. This is something he needs! I am sure there are other people out there in the same situation.
ReplyDeleteThese brakes are for professional keirin riders to use when training on the road here in Japan. It is illegal to ride without a brake on public roads here. They are not new and have been around for years. It is funny that they are being talked about so much.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Japan.