Spa Cycles Allen Key to Nut Conversion Bolt

Spa Cycles' Allen Key to Nut Conversion bolt may not sound exciting but if you want to boost the braking performance on an old bike believe me it is. That's because this is the simplest means of bestowing the benefits of modern dual pivot braking (without resorting to drilling or similarly permanent surgery) to older framesets. Shaving a few grams over OEM types, it's perfect for classic TT mounts, old road bikes and you'll only need one for a road fixers running a single.

While, the Campagnolo faithful might feel left out Robin at Spa Cycles says that from looking at exploded diagrams of Campagnolo brakes he is pretty sure the bolt will work with older versions of the big C's brakes. And while £7 might seem a lot for one bold I doubt a fasteners merchant would better the asking price unless you were buying in considerable bulk.

Machined in sunny Bristol from 6A14V-a titanium alloyed with zinc and vanadium (six and four percent respectively) it's 73mm long, cut to Shimano pattern so a straight swap for the Japanese giant's RX100/ R450 /R650 road callipers and Tektro R358/538 models too. In practice it should work with any Tektro brake and everything short of Dura Ace from Shimano - it may work with DA too, but as the man from Spa said 'that's a bit of a law unto itself'. Why Ti? Well, other materials, including Cro-moly were considered but Spa says the wonder metal bore the least risk in terms of potential quality control issues. Aside from Shimano brakes I've managed successful transplant amongst some other marques including Miche and a lesser known XLM unit with adequate room for mudguard hardware.

Installation is simply a question of extracting the original bolt and slipping this in place, remembering a generous helping of TI paste to the threaded sections to prevent galvanic corrosion. Offer everything to the frame/fork drilling, snug tight, wire up and dial braking to suit. Despite suggestion from some clubroom oracles, there's been no discernable flex resulting in judder when braking and adjustment has been unnecessary in the three weeks, two hundred and thirty miles testing.

Verdict

Cost Effective means of modernising braking on older bikes