I saw this in Triathlete Mag in another picture. You can barely see it in this picture but you can see that it’s not where it usually is. Her front brake caliper is turned around to the back of the fork, a much cleaner position. Giant doesn’t offer the bicycle this way. Why isn’t this done more often
Without being an engineer, or particularly bright, perhaps this has to do with effective braking forces and stresses on the connection points to the bike. It may be that placing it in the front makes the unit and the attachment points less susceptible to fatigue–on MJ’s bike the brake is pulled away by the wheel when the brakes are applied, when in the front, the brake is jammed backed up against the bike structure. For the ordinary consumer, this would be more of a problem if placed in the general marketplace. i.e. more failures??
Monk
I am no engineer either but you are right on the money. My younger brother used to be a pro triathlete and duathlete - he went backwards and forwards with his bike sponsor - to have this cleaner set up - they continually told him neither the brakes nor the fork were designed to take load forces in that direction.
An interesting side note is that you would need to reverse your brake pads also - as they are grooved deliberately for a brake in front of the fork.
At MJ’s level - where precious 100ths of seconds count - and where she doesn’t have a personal investment in her gear - why not try it. To me it would represent one peculiarality in terms of turning clearance on the fork and routing of another cable.
AJ
I really don’t think this is more aero. I’m a total hack when it comes to fluid dynamics, but having a nice clean trailing edge is crutially important for reducing drag. This set up seems to be a total CF in terms of airflow.
Check with Gerard, he can speak with some authority and credibility, I’m just a sales guy.
-SD
I agree that the brakes and fork are not meant to take those forces but I think your logic is backwards (at least for the front brake). When the front brake is attached in it’s normal position, the wheel pulls it away from the fork. When it’s attached as MJ has it, it is actually pushed into the fork. What you said would apply to the rear brake (like Lori Bowden’s Specialized at Kono 2004 when she used 650s on a 700c bike with the rear brake turned around and lowered for the smaller wheel).
DC
but I think your logic is backwards (at least for the front brake). When the front brake is attached in it’s normal position, the wheel pulls it away from the fork.
DC
Monk rides backwards.
I am no engineer either but you are right on the money.
but I think your logic is backwards
So I am either right or I am wrong. However, 100% of people who are not engineers and know nothing about it, agree with me, so* there*!
Actually, I was just throwing it out as a thought for discussion purposes.
And yes, I do ride backwards. That’s so I can keep an eye on you.
And yes, I do ride backwards. That’s so I can keep an eye on you.
A teardrop is the ultimate aerodynamic shape. So, going butt first may be appropriate, unless your head is fatter than your ass.