cubastreet Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 I just bought a tandem. It's basically an early 90s mountain bike with an extra seat and crank. It's got hydraulic rim brakes which need a bit of a tickle. I'd like to keep them if they're not too much trouble, but if they're not worth it I'll chuck some V brakes on. Anyone know anything about them? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transom Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Magura rim brakes German made quite strong but a decent set of v-brakes is just as good - they push parallel to the rim not on an arc which is good they use mineral oil not brake fluid - same fluid as shimano discs need syringes and bleed fittings to bleed but I’m sure there is a garden irrigation fitting in right thread rather than spending lots on a bleed kit have a good look at the rims for wear they can put a lot of force on rim and on a heavy tandem with grunty pads they will wear thru a rim quite quick - worth letting tyre down and getting a feel for the thickness of the rim to adjust pad angle need to undo the ALLEN screws a bit to let the caliper move in the housing - wiggle it til it’s lined up squeeze brake lever Check it’s lined up on rim right and do bolts back up quick release lever (schnellspanner in German lol ) is so you can drop one side off quickly to get wheel in and out edit - they look like really old ones maybe even a copy - don’t see a quick release on them and the brace looks bolted solid Pics of whole bike please Anything else ya wanna know ? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubastreet Posted May 2, 2020 Author Share Posted May 2, 2020 Thanks, awesome info. There's a thumb screw on the right side of the brace to release it. None on the rear though. There's no branding anywhere that I can see, but they look well made so maybe very early Magura. Neither are leaking so I guess I should be able to get them working OK. Looks like it originally had a cantilever on the front and a Ubrake on the rear. I'll have a play in the weekend (still Friday here in murica) and take a couple of pictures. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteretep Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 doesnt look like magura to me, my dad had a set on an old bike that didnt look alot like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transom Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Yeah they look like a really early magura from before they went to signature neon green or red powder coat on the brackets possibly a copy or an obscure American brand competitor working principle is the same - more photos of the lever and any other logo may narrow it down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubastreet Posted May 3, 2020 Author Share Posted May 3, 2020 All the brakes needed was adjusting with a 2.5mm Allen key. They're fantastic, though the pads have gone hard. I've ordered some kool-stops, which I think are made the same place I bought the bike. There's no markings on the brakes other than the IC sticker. I took it out for a solo run and it handles pretty well. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwipeewee Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 They are IBC hydraulic rim brakes. Not Magura. I have some on my Fat Chance. https://www.thebicycleguys.com/products/ibc-hydroceps-940-hydraulic-rim-mountain-bike-brakeset-970-g-new-in-box-nos 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubastreet Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 That's them! Makes sense as the bike was bought in Seattle. I'm hoping this guy is right that magura pads can be easily made to fit. https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/1752648/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transom Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 You know if you ride a tandem by yourself you really should have a blow up doll on the passenger seat ... Other thing to look at is the crank phasing between the two sets of cranks - you would think that having the cranks perfectly aligned was compulsory but if you off set them slightly just 2 or 3 teeth on the chain then you are not both at top dead centre at the same time actually makes smoother and easier power - my old cycle shop boss had a fleet of racing tandems and the old Barry touring tandem cyclists do the same 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubastreet Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 Makes sense I guess, not for the OCD cyclist though. Sheldon said that 90 degrees was quite common but I don't think I'd like that in the corners. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwipeewee Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Yes, you can make magura pads fit. That is what my bike is running. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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