As I want my BB7's suspension to work flawlessly under every conditions (braking too), I thought I should fit a floating brake caliper. I wrote to Balfa UK to ask if they have any left, and they replied, that it actually doesn't change much on BB7 because of high pivot location, which minimises brake-jack (plus, they don't have any left to try this for my own).

But, in my book, EVERY single pivot is prone to that problem and riding BB7 without floater for full season confirms that. I've also made some "tests" similar to those on Kona D.O.P.E. movie (pulling the brake with rear wheel lifted and no spring mounted in the shock to see if the wheel bounce up) and the brake definitely caused noticable squat of the suspension.

On the net, some people say that it's only excesive weight, and some, that it's essential accesory for the BB7.

What do you think? Do you have a floater mounted? Does it work like it should or is it pointless?

It made a huge difference for me. All single pivot frames have a problem with brake jack, High pivot included.
When it gets late in the season after the rains at Whistler, there can be a lot of washboard sections. These bumpy sections used to cause the back end of my bike to lock up under braking. After installing the Balfa floating brake I noticed my bike was smoother in the rough sections.

As far as excessive weight. Who ever told you that is on crack. The factory floating brake is a hollow aluminum rod. It's the lightest component that has ever been bolted onto my bike.

http://www.therapycomponents.com/floaterfaq.htm

bb7 def has brake jacking, when i'd sit on my bike with no brakes applied the suspension would cycle freely, when i'd hold the rear brake(while stationary) i could feel the brake jacking effect when compressing the suspension.

The frame i have was cracked near the brake caliper and drop out, and repaired(before i bought it). This seems to be a trouble spot for bb7s, I'm thinking this may be caused by the torsional force of brake jacking on the dropout area.

I'd like to get a floater going on my bike, does anyone know where you can get one ?

They are very difficult to find. Keep checking Pinkbike, NSMB or you could go after market.

http://www.therapycomponents.com/floaterfaq.htm

There isn't really much to the floater. You could make one yourself if you're handy.

brake therapy's site isn't even from this century hahah, there shits based on hub space too, so fuck that lol. Think they're in bed with kona too, theyre acting all like they just invented the floating brake aha

think i'll have to get one made along with some link plates, shouldn't be too hard(i hope, all 2dimensional stuff more or less, tie rods can be sourced and bought as far as i know)

I was going to order new linkage plates and an axle but after going through a few sets in no time I decided the design sucked. I don't care about weight and have had my BB7 up around the 59 pound mark so I had a set of stainless plates made along with a solid stainless axle. They cost me around 150 bucks with the axle and I have not had any problems what so ever. They also help to tighten up the frame. It would be cheaper to have alum. plates made because the material is less expensive and it is much easier to machine. As for the floating brake problem, get someone who owns one to remove all the parts and trace them, measure them and post the dim. on here for other people to copy. You could have the mount made for 50 bucks and the the rest is just a few rod ends with threaded out pipe. Its pretty easy stuff to make.

If there is enough call for these then we can make them for you guys.

Its fair to say, we have had many enquiries over the last few years but 1's and 2's dont really justify a production batch. We have several FC brackets here that we can replicate for you.

The only thing we dont have immediately to hand is the arm so we do not know the exact length. If someone can let me know this we can work out some pricing. Hopefully, it will be the same length as one of our other brands FC arm so we can use those which will help keep costs down.

J

Are you asking for the dimensions of the factory floating brake? That I can measure for you.

I forget to check this site.. but if you guys need measurements I am happy to take them of mine, just drop me an email: nelsonjm@macpod.net


As far as it making a difference, yes, it does! It also caught me offguard a bit.. I think it was intended for a smaller rotor than what I have in the rear 203mm.. but a few shims seems to have solved that. I haven't bottomed out in a while however.

To answer this question, yes it does... if you are not braking properly or you are over braking. If you are are a more advanced rider it does not make a huge difference.