Problem with D/A 9-speed brake calipers

I finally upgraded the bike (an Eddy Merckx) from the Dura Ace 8-speed to 9-speed component group,
but I'm having a problem with the front brake calipers. The first 9-speed caliper set I mounted in
the front had a bad alignment problem. One arm was toed in excessively while the opposite side was
toed out by the same amount. I never had a problem like this with the 8-speed Dura Ace calipers that
they replaced. The rear calipers are fine.

I exchanged the defective calipers at the shop where I purchased them, but the new set does not
entirely fix the problem. One side of the new front calipers is now OK but the other side is still
toed in excessively. The fact that it is different from the first set tells me that Shimano is not
exercising good quality control on these components. I could return them for a third set but this is
getting ridiculous.

The shop suggested using a brake toe-in tool to bend the calipers into alignment but I think this is
a bad idea. The Park Tool Web site actually recommends against it, too, although they make the tool
and they recommend it only for older type calipers (not the new dual pivot alloy ones).

Has anyone else encountered problems like this? Any chance there is a simple fix?

John

john-<< The first 9-speed caliper set I mounted in the front had a bad alignment problem. One arm
was toed in excessively while the opposite side was toed out by the same amount. >><BR><BR> << The
shop suggested using a brake toe-in tool to bend the calipers into alignment but I think this is a
bad idea. >><BR><BR>

May have a fork with a not well drilled hole...Too bad shimano has waited until 2004 to have brake
of this price have toe in adjustment...

May ask for some Campagnolo brakes...won't have a quick release but you will be able to adjust
the toe in.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

> May have a fork with a not well drilled hole...

I did think of that, but then the same fork has been used with two previous generations of Dura Ace
brake calipers without the problems I'm having with the new ones. Maybe I should just wait for the
next generation with adjustable toe-in.

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <vecchio51@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030702083731.02927.00000002@mb-m10.aol.com...
> John-<< Maybe I should just wait for the next generation with adjustable toe-in. >><BR><BR>
>
>
> Or Campagnolo-adjustable toe in for lots of years.

Tektro makes excellent replacement cartridges that have toe-in-ability, that you can use on your
Shimano calipers.

--
Robin Hubert <cv2572@earthlink.net

John Kaufmann wrote:

> I did think of that, but then the same fork has been used with two previous generations of Dura
> Ace brake calipers without the problems I'm having with the new ones. Maybe I should just wait for
> the next generation with adjustable toe-in.

The Kool Stop "Dura" holder kits feature adjustable toe in, also superior pad material.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brake...tml#duraholder

Sheldon "Salmon" Brown +-----------------------------------------------------------+
| A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; | an optimist sees the opportunity in
| every difficulty. | -- Sir Winston Churchill |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton,
Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts
shipped Worldwide http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

Sheldon Brown wrote:
> The Kool Stop "Dura" holder kits feature adjustable toe in, also superior pad material.
I think 50% of all these brakes have this problem. I have 3 bikes and 2 have these non-perfect
brakes. I never understood why they didn't do anything about it.

My french mechanic uses "la molette" to adjust this, as does my mechanic here!

Greets, Derk

I wrote:

>>The Kool Stop "Dura" holder kits feature adjustable toe in, also superior pad material.

Derk a écrit:

> I think 50% of all these brakes have this problem. I have 3 bikes and 2 have these non-perfect
> brakes. I never understood why they didn't do anything about it.
>
> My french mechanic uses "la molette" to adjust this, as does my mechanic here!

Not a good idea with modern aluminum calipers. Aluminum is a "work hardening" metal, and becomes
brittle when bent repeatedly. Could snap off.

(For the benefit of those who don't read French, a "Clé a molette" is an adjustable wrench.)

Sheldon "Clé Anglaise" Brown +------------------------------------+
| France, France...if not for you, | the world would be alone! | --Victor Hugo |
+------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772
FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

"Sheldon Brown" wrote:

> The Kool Stop "Dura" holder kits feature adjustable toe in, also superior pad material.
>
> http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brake...tml#duraholder
>

I can't quite figure out from the picture how these things work, but it sure sounds like it's worth
a try! Thanks for the tip.

John