I want to add a front caliper brake to a bike with only coaster brake - is this safe? The store says &quot;Your bike would require drilling through the crown of the front fork in order to mount the brake caliper. This procedure would compromise the structural integrity of the fork, and isn't recommended.&quot;
Considering I think having only a coaster brake is maybe 7/10 safe, and my lack of muscle memory/confidence with it reduces to probably 4/10... how unsafe will that compromised fork structural integrity be? i.e. would I be better or worse off?
This is a 'ride to the shops' bike riden very sedately and doesn't get banged about in storage.
Edited to add photo (I can't take any more as I dropped the bike off with the store today - this was their emailed response after they'd looked at it)
This is common practice and many DIY types do that.
The problem for the shop is that by doing to work they become liable for the result, and if something does go wrong the general result is that your face hits the road, hard. That's expensive almost regardless of the details, and no bike shop wants to take the rsik.
Partly because a replacement fork already drilled is cheap compared to the labour cost of pulling the fork out drilling the hole/prepping a new fork, then reinstalling it. You're looking at about 30 minutes labour ($50?) and probably $20-$30 for a new fork. I'm disappointed that the shop didn't quote you for that option, which may mean they don't do that level of bike mechanicing.