Date:         Fri, 10 Aug 2001 20:55:14 -0700
Reply-To:     Bruce Grove <bruce@BRUCEGROVE.CO.UK>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bruce Grove <bruce@BRUCEGROVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: Disc brake calipers
Comments: To: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Andrew wrote:
> >A couple of questions  for the brake  experts on the list.
> >Does the later 'floating' brake caliper have any braking advantages over
> >the early two piston fixed caliper design?
>
> Definitely. These things really save lives.
>

What, how can you spout such drivel.....

> >Was the change purely for accounting reasons i.e. only one piston, one
set
> >of seals etc?
>
> No. The manufacturers, being responsible people, realized that the old
> fixed calipers did not work at all well as safety equipment, as they do
not
> float.
>

Aha, now I see, good point, I'd forgotten about the aquatic qualities of
floating
calipers :-)

However, this is a fairly common question on motorcycle lists as well and
I suspect the answer is exactly the same, i.e. no they don't perform as well
as multi-piston calipers, but that doesn't mean they are bad.  They do tend
to require less maintenance though and there's not as many pistons to
seize...
So in essence yes, it's a cost saving measure..

Bruce