Topic: caliper adjusting screw required?

[ike]

I,ve noticed some photos of track machines with the caliper adjusting screw left off. Would this be on purpose? It would seem that without the screw the caliper now would be "floating". Any advantage to this on the street? 

[techy5025]

Aren't the calipers in cars free floating?

Jim

[crazypj]

I,ve noticed some photos of track machines with the caliper adjusting screw left off. Would this be on purpose? It would seem that without the screw the caliper now would be "floating". Any advantage to this on the street? 

The spring holds the moving pad onto the disc and makes it retract slightly, but, of course it means its also rubbing very slightly.  foir racing  you dont have to move the lever so far before the brake is on but you may loose some 'feel'  and it does rattle about a bitI hav'nt tried it so I cant tell you from experience.
Car calipers also have rubber boots like the sliding bike ones to prevent noise and hold caliper in position as the pads wear.
PJ

[Steve F]

Personally, I would use the screw.  If for instance, you're riding for a while, and you go to use the brake only to find there is no resistance unless you "pump" it.  This would be because the caliper piston gets pushed in from vibration against the rotor if the screw wasn't there.  You would have to pump the piston back out to get the pad back in contact with the rotor.  It may never happen, but brakes are kinda important when you need them.