Chainsnapper
Retro Newbie
Hi all,
First post on here and wondering whether anyone can help out. I picked up this 1989 Kona Fire Mountain from the "recycling centre" for a fiver for use as a commuter. Tyres perished, frame a mess so decided to "rat bike" (I hate to use that term but it is what I'm doing) it, Cream Schwalbes from Charlie, stumpy stem, black electrical tape on frame, etc. The thing is, the rear seatstay mounted U-brake seems to be missing a spring as it's next to useless and doesn't return fully when the brake lever is released. I was wondering what I could use in it's place? Don't shoot me but could I get away with a bmx brake on the rear? The old U-brake bosses are larger in diameter than canti bosses so would they be larger dia than bmx brake bosses as well? If so what would my best options be?
Also the rear noodle for the brake cable is all rusty inside and it's nigh on impossible to run a cable through cleanly, are there any decent clip on guides for brake cables out there?
Apologies for coming across as technically incompetent (even though I am, a bit) but any help/tips would be gratefully received, cheers.
First post on here and wondering whether anyone can help out. I picked up this 1989 Kona Fire Mountain from the "recycling centre" for a fiver for use as a commuter. Tyres perished, frame a mess so decided to "rat bike" (I hate to use that term but it is what I'm doing) it, Cream Schwalbes from Charlie, stumpy stem, black electrical tape on frame, etc. The thing is, the rear seatstay mounted U-brake seems to be missing a spring as it's next to useless and doesn't return fully when the brake lever is released. I was wondering what I could use in it's place? Don't shoot me but could I get away with a bmx brake on the rear? The old U-brake bosses are larger in diameter than canti bosses so would they be larger dia than bmx brake bosses as well? If so what would my best options be?
Also the rear noodle for the brake cable is all rusty inside and it's nigh on impossible to run a cable through cleanly, are there any decent clip on guides for brake cables out there?
Apologies for coming across as technically incompetent (even though I am, a bit) but any help/tips would be gratefully received, cheers.