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Rim brakes for gravel bikes? Cane Creek explores the option with prototype eeBrake for big tires

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Known for pushing the limits of bike design, the bikes of Rob English almost always attract a lot of attention. At Sea Otter though, it wasn’t only the bike that was drawing a crowd. The gorgeous English Cycles all road bike was running a unique set of brakes custom made by Cane Creek.

eeBrakes all road prototype

When it comes to rim brakes, some models struggle to fit much bigger than a 28mm tire. Not these. The prototype eeBrakes from Cane Creek were designed to fit up to a 44mm tire–like these 700c x 44mm Snoqualmie Pass tires from ReneHerse.

eeBrakes all road prototype

As of the show, Cane Creek had no plans of taking them to production, but obviously, they could if there was demand.

Rob English all road bike

Dura Ace derailleur with hollow cage

one piece cassette

The bike was loaded with incredible parts including a one-piece CNC machined cassette and other Cane Creek products like the eeWings titanium cranks. For more on this bike, check out Ron’s ‘awesomely interesting’ bike round-up.

cane creek eewings purple adjuster

Cane Creek eewings purple adjuster

Elsewhere in the booth, Cane Creek was showing off their new purple eeWings preload adjuster rings which will replace gold as an option.

Cane Creek Hellbender Lite

Cane Creek Hellbender Lite Slamset 70

The other news came in the form of their new Hellbender Lite bearings with a hybrid steel and aluminum bearing design for the best blend of weight and durability. Get the full rundown on the new headsets here.

canecreek.com

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Chris
Chris
2 years ago

Zack, what size rim outer width (min – max) are they designed for? Is it wider than than the current model that is sold? These could be good fit for people running really wide clincher rims even with 28mm tires.

Greg
Greg
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

I doubt it, as the reach measurement would be wrong. You wouldn’t be able to adjust the pads high enough.

Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Greg

Chris is talking about rim width, not diameter

John
John
2 years ago

These are awesome!!

K-Pop is dangerous to your health
K-Pop is dangerous to your health
2 years ago

I saw this bike a Sea Otter, and while Rob makes stunning machines most rim brake road/gravel bikes aren’t clearing big tires unless you go with a custom frame. >1% or less of the ridership. Cane Creek can surely explore, but they’re not going to find many raising their hands.

Bigschill
Bigschill
2 years ago

There are other options like Centerpull brakes. The Rene Herse version can fit up to 55mm tire. The advantage is that you can use flexier fork blades than disc brake forks for a much smoother ride. The caveat is that this only works with custom frames as the Centerpull brakes work best when the pivots attach to special braze on.

satanas
satanas
2 years ago
Reply to  Bigschill

The RH centrepulls will not clear 55mm tyres; 47-50 maybe, without fenders. Wider than that needs cantis, V-brakes, etc.

Edy
Edy
2 years ago

My finances cannot afford these brakes going into production

Zac
Zac
2 years ago

What is that derallieur pulley?

Ciaran
Ciaran
2 years ago
Reply to  Zac

Absolute black

Gordo
Gordo
2 years ago
Reply to  Zac

Looks like an Ogle. He’s only on IG…

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