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I have a hybrid bike and I am converting it to drop bars.

My problem is, as I am going to install STI's, I need to change brake system as well. I am using V brake types, how can I understand if I can install caliper brake or not?

1- V brake is mounted on holes on the frame, are caliper brakes' start-end distance(I mean the distance between those holes and the wheel touch point) same with V brakes'?

2- Or, since my bike's frame is wider than a normal road bike(and using wider tires), is the distance between the mount holes OK or too wide?

This is the random v brake image http://bicycletutor.com/images/bike/v-brake-400x280.jpg I am asking about the horizontal and vertical distances here.

This is the most detailed image of my bike I can find http://www.sedabisiklet.com/images/products/3/622015171123_200.jpg, sorry I couldn't find any photos from behind or front, so I can't show you more details.

edit: Found some better pictures of my bike. Please check them.

back enter image description here http://i.imgur.com/Hj0ccPg.png seems there is a hole like you mentioned. Not designed for mudguard (middle one, rear holes are for mudguards) I think

front enter image description here http://i.imgur.com/XccwDqP.png there is a small hole there, under the cable

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  • Appears to be a Merida Crossway 200, which has been discontinued and may never have been sold in English-speaking countries. The "Crossway Urban 300" seems to be the new version.
    – Móż
    Apr 6, 2016 at 2:15
  • You may find that the tires you currently have won't fit under the arch of a set of road brakes. I tried to put larger tires on a road bike once and you'll find there really isn't much room in there. Something to look at before you go purchasing parts.
    – Deleted User
    Apr 6, 2016 at 2:48
  • It is Merida Speeder 200-V (2015), it is still being produced (black color as 2016), I don't know if English speaking people using it.
    – count_campeador
    Apr 6, 2016 at 6:23
  • This bike has 700x32c tires, I've installed 700x28c Marathons on mine. Yes, I'm curious if caliper brakes can be used with wider (not 23 or 25) tires and frames designed for these wide tires.
    – count_campeador
    Apr 6, 2016 at 6:27
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    The critical measurement is distance aka reach from mounting hole to rim. In road bikes this measurement is far smaller than in your bike. Some extra long reach brakes might reach far enough, but I'd play it safe and go with cantilevers. Caliper brakes work best with short reach, longer brake arms are more flexible and feel spongy.
    – ojs
    Apr 6, 2016 at 20:46

2 Answers 2

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Caliper brakes attach differently to V brakes, they have one pivot bolt in the centre rather than one each side. In your first photo there's a bolt that is in the right place although it's there for a mudguard/fender not a brake:

enter image description here

A caliper brake actually needs a hole right through there, and has a long bolt that goes right through. On your bike there are two chainstays there, with a brake bridge across. The problem is that it might not be strong enough to take an effective brake, since it's probably designed just to hold a mudguard. It will look something like this:

enter image description here

At the front, your fork is probably drilled to take a caliper brake and that part will definitely be strong enough. If it's not drilled you can probably get away with drilling it.

One alternative is to use cable pull adapters, the most common model being "travel agent".

It's likely to be cheaper to sell that bike and buy another one that has drop bars, than to convert the bike you have. Even if you use second hand parts for most of it, the new extra parts you need will add up.

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  • Edited my question, added a few more photos, please check them out.
    – count_campeador
    Apr 6, 2016 at 7:02
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    Those look fine for cailper brakes, it looks as though the bike was designed to take them.
    – Móż
    Apr 6, 2016 at 9:55
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Forget the calipers.Just install cantilever brakes. They are compatible with STI levers. v-brakes use the same boss placement as cantis.

It's too bad that all cantis seem to be lousy in my experience, but they do the job.

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