bicycling specific innovations

[Ian F]

I recall there was a similar movement in the motorcycle world to adopt "radial mount" brake calipers some time back. Previously, most calipers were standard tab mount on sliders or just direct with no float. Most MTB brakes seem to be the radial/post mount nowadays with some other types of bikes doing a non-post mount. Why is that?

I asked Drew at Engine about that some years ago and his answer was weight. A IS-51 mount with an aluminum post adapter was lighter than building the frame for a post mount. This was back when he was still doing mostly steel frames, so it may depend on material. Oddly enough, my aluminum Chameleon has a 51mm mount and I've had to use a post adapter to mount the brake. Strange since I don't think any brake manufacturer makes a tab mount caliper anymore.