little help with long reach brakes please

[bking]

Took delivery of an "all rounder" from Mr Kirk. Ordered Campy Chorus without realizing i need long reach brakes (bike was built to take a fender). All i really find is polished tectro brakes. Anyone know of any other solutions? The wheels are black as well, so hoping to go that direction.
thanks.

[eddief]

not sure about how hi quality, but i am sure good enuf:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=48623&category=34

[sean]

I've used the Tektro long reach (come in both black and silver and logos polish off). They actually work quite well. Just remove the stock pads and replace with Kool Stop.

BUT- What about Paul Racers

http://www.paulcomp.com/images/racerd1thumb.jpg

They have a max 67mm reach. Longer than the tektro.

[Peter B]

You'll need a hanger for the straddle wire for the Pauls. Easy at the front end but might be an issue out back on a smaller frame. The Shimano BR-R650 (http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&major=1&minor=7&description=BR-R650+Long+Reach+Brake+Calipers&vendorCode=SHIM ) is an Ultegra-level long reach caliper, but only available in polished silver. Check also the Velo Orange Grand Cru (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/brakes/calipers/grand-cru-long-reach-brakes.html). Finally, Tektro (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/brakes/calipers/tektro-r539ag-long-reach-brakes.html) make some as well.

[jlwdm]

I use the Paul Racer Medium on a similar type Spectrum set up. Campagnolo Chorus 11.

Jeff

[Lionel]

+1 or racerM, using them on my recently built Zank and very impressed.

[classtimesailer]

I'm very happy with the Shimano BR-650s. Read up on the Racers as they may require some fiddling with. The Racers are classy though and if you're not a Shimano guy, and need black, the Racers are the best "match" with your Chorus and Kirk Check with Mr. Kirk regarding fork/bridge spacing etc.

[bicycletricycle]

The shamans and Paul mediums are both great, if you frame was not built for racers I would go with the shimanos. I don't now if there are any black options besides the pauls, I think the teltro website shows some medium reach in black.

[oldpotatoe]

not sure about how hi quality, but i am sure good enuf:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=48623&category=34

These actually work really well as do the shimano medium reachers..both good brakes.

[AngryScientist]

not sure about how hi quality, but i am sure good enuf:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=48623&category=34

i had these on my old fixed gear bike. good brakes, but the hardware rusted out badly very quickly. cheap chrome plated hardware. if you ride the bike in wet conditions, i'd look for something else, especially for a nice bike like the kirk.

[Mr Cabletwitch]

I had those tektros in silver before and they were actually a really good brake. You can get cane creeks in long reach too, but the tektros are honestly better. I had both.

[dawgie]

I've used both the Tektros and the Shimano long reach brakes. The finish is a little nicer on the Shimanos, but the Tektros work great if you replace the pads with KoolStops.

[mister]

you probably need a 47/57mm reach brake
i have shimano's on my bike
they work well

[Grant McLean]

not sure about how hi quality, but i am sure good enuf:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=48623&category=34


yup, eddie nails it with the first response!
no need to look further than these for another
option in black, they're darn fine stoppers.

-g

[krhea]

You can also go the center pull route. I did on my custom and they work great. I also have a couple pair of Tektro long pulls, one in black and one in silver and they're great as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/IMG_1494.jpg

Black Tektros:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Redline%20rain%20bike/IMG_4511.jpg

[cody.wms]

I've used both the Tektros and the Shimanos. I found the Shimanos to be a much better brake (stiffer). I've never really liked any of the Tektro brakes I've used.

But if you're not as fat as I am, the difference may not matter.

[christian]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Wanta%20frame/IMG_1494.jpg

Post more pictures post haste.

[Dave Wages]

I really like the Tektro R538 or 539's, they have a special quick release which allows them to open far wider than most other brakes. This seems like kind of a no brainer option since longer reach brakes exist partially so you can run wider tires, but some brakes you'll end up needing to let the air out of your tires in order to remove the wheel, PITA IMO.

I do agree with other folks that the brake pads are kind of sub par, but even including the $$'s for replacing those, they're still a super value.

My two bits,
Dave

[PaMtbRider]

I have a set of the Tektro brakes that the hardware rusted on pretty quickly. The Shimano have a nicer finish, but I don't notice any other difference between the two. If you are using these with Campy levers you have the added advantage of opening the brakes at the lever, and the caliper, to make it easy to get wide tires in and out.

[bking]

Fellas, thanks very much for the help. While i'd love to have additional choices, looks like the Tektro black will get it done. I'm in Las Vegas so rain is not much of an issue...at least here. Bike was built to travel (SS et al) so it may see some rain, but it sure won't live in it.

Thanks again

[dhoff]

I've used the Tektro long reach (come in both black and silver and logos polish off). They actually work quite well. Just remove the stock pads and replace with Kool Stop.

BUT- What about Paul Racers

http://www.paulcomp.com/images/racerd1thumb.jpg

They have a max 67mm reach. Longer than the tektro.
I love my Paul Racers. Phenomenal brakes. I use the center mount version as I didn't want anything on a touring bike that I couldn't replace in the middle of nowhere.