Long reach

[mgkaplan]

What is the significance of "long reach" when describing a brake calipeer?

 

[11ring]

It means the arms are longer so it will work if your frame mounts are high.

 

[Retro Grouch]

It means the arms are longer so it will work if your frame mounts are high.

If I may amplify a bit. Bike frames that have been designed with clearances for fenders or larger tires often require long reach brakes. The trade off is that the longer arms have disadvantaces because they will flex a little more and you lose leverage and ultimate brakeing power.

To determine if your bike needs long reach brakes you need to measure (im millimeters) the vertical distance between the brake mounting hole on your frame or fork and the brakeing surface of your rim.

 

[Eastway82]

If I may amplify a bit. Bike frames that have been designed with clearances for fenders or larger tires often require long reach brakes. The trade off is that the longer arms have disadvantaces because they will flex a little more and you lose leverage and ultimate brakeing power.

To determine if your bike needs long reach brakes you need to measure (im millimeters) the vertical distance between the brake mounting hole on your frame or fork and the brakeing surface of your rim.

And to elaborate further, most modern road caliper brakes are designed for around 50mm between the mounting hole centre and the rim centre. Medium reach might be 60mm, long reach 700 or even further.