Klunker Multi Speed Conversion And Caliper Brake Hack

I recently converted one of my old single speed, coaster brake klunker bikes to a multi speed replacing the wheel set and adding a derailleur. This meant having to add a rear caliper brake. The frame I chose didn’t have a mount for a brake, only a fender mount which the hole isn’t oriented the right way for a brake. To make it work I used a hack I got from @mikezdesign on Instagram.

Pictured above I already have the brake mounted but you can see the part I’m holding is what I used as my adapter. It’s a part off of a cantilever brake. I inserted it in the fender mount hole from below and bolted it at the top along with a contoured spacer from the caliper brake. I then put the caliper brake post/bolt through the hole of the adapter and bolted it with a washer on the backside of the adapter.

Hopefully between my description and pictures you understand what I did. I’ve only been on a couple short rides but so far it’s working fine.

And here’s the complete bike with it’s multi-gear upgrade.

The wheel set is from Nova’s old MTB, the shifter and derailleur probably off of a cheap old MTB I found in the dumpster. These parts were most recently on my Fuji folding bike which I tore down and stashed away. I had to spread the rear triangle to fit the new wheel which is a 8 speed but I’m only able to get 5 of those to work with this derailleur. The crankset has 2 chain rings but I’m not going to bother with a front derailleur. I would remove one of the chain rings but they are riveted on. As is I do have the option to manually move the chain between the 2 if need be.