Rod Brake Conversion.

[endlessmike]

I'm hoping someone can help, Im building up coventry eagle for my girlfriend. The handlebars are set up for rod brakes.

Does anyone know if I would be able to change these so it would take cables?

I can post pictures if needed. Hope someone can help!

Thanks!

 

[Jonny69]

This is going to depend on the shape of the handlebars, whether a rim-brake wheel will fit and whether a caliper brake will reach the wheel rim.

Bars: The stand-offs for the brakes on mine are brazed on the handlebars, but the bars are the same diameter, so I could fit flat-bar style levers and I don't think they'd get in the way once I'd taken the old brake rods off.

Wheels: You'll need to swap to a modern wheel for rim braking, so either a 27" or a 700c. Whether they will fit will depend how much clearance there is, because rod brake wheels are older 26 x 1-3/8" size which is smaller.

Calipers: This is where it might get tricky. Assuming the fork and rear bridge is drilled, you can fit a caliper brake. Something like old Weinmann calipers with the long stud and nutted fitting will probably be best. The issue is whether they will reach the wheel rims. Check the wheels will fit first, then buy your caliper based on how much drop they need (distance from caliper pivot to middle of braking surface).

 

[endlessmike]

Thanks fo that,

I may not have explained properly though. The frame itself isnt too old (late 70's early 80's) but the handlebars are (I bought the frame and all componants but she didnt like the handlebars so bought her own).

The Brake levers are brazed on to the bars, the bars are like a porteur/moustach type shape.

The wheels are 700's the brakes are side pull calipers, and everything has the right reach and drop etc. its just these blasted bars.

any further comment would be great.

 

[Joe of Loath]

Maybe grind the levers off? Although it might be less work to just find some similar bars without anything brazed on.

 

[chipper]

Try removing the lever blades first , undo the nuts at the end . Next , grab hold of one of the four studs on the bars with a pair of grips and try unscrewing it , although they look like there welded , in most cases there actually screwed into the handlebars .