Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Shimano brake calipers: Tiagra vs. 105?

crashed today and broke my front (Tektro) brake.

was thinking of replacing it with a Shimano brake (it's a frankenbike anyway).

looks like I can get a Tiagra brake for half the price of a 105 ($25 vs. $50).

my gut says go for the 105 based on the great reviews I have read, but I hate to waste money if Tiagra is as good.

I'm 275# so stopping power is impt

I like my Tektro R540's. Is that what broke?

I can't speak to the brakes specifically, but generally the 105 components set is significantly superior to the tiagra.

I like my Tektro R540's. Is that what broke?

Yep

I can't speak to the brakes specifically, but generally the 105 components set is significantly superior to the tiagra.

good point. I have been happy with my Tiagra FD but brakes are another story

My bike came with 105 brakes, so the only thing i have to compare them to is the Tektro brakes on my mtn bike which are being replaced as we speak. I have had nothing but problems with the Tektro brakes on my mtn bike, so the lbs is swapping everything out with a different setup under warranty. Those 105's are awesome brakes on my road bike though.

I can't speak to the brakes specifically, but generally the 105 components set is significantly superior to the tiagra.

Not really. Tiagra components are actually pretty darn good these days! I doubt there's anyone here who could tell Tiagra brakes from 105 brakes in a double-blind test... Either one will likely be a huge step up from Tektro.

Not really. Tiagra components are actually pretty darn good these days! I doubt there's anyone here who could tell Tiagra brakes from 105 brakes in a double-blind test... Either one will likely be a huge step up from Tektro.

Read this many times in the road cycling section. From what I've read the Tiagra level is pretty close when compared to 105's.

Before I purchased my 2010 model Trek Madone 4.5 last year, I read all the on-line reviews I could find. There were two complaints that were a constant theme... 1.) the seat. Went on my first ride ... yup, that seat was awful. Replaced it straight away. And the other complaint,... 2.) the Tiagra brakes. "Everybody" said that they didn't have adequate stopping power for that bike. Since I'm bigger and heaver than the average person, I changed them also. I went two steps up with Ultegra brakes. They weren't all that much more than a 105 brakeset.

My bike came with 105 brakes

I see from your sig that you have a Raleigh Revenio 3.0. I assume that's the bike you're referring to. I spent a lot of time test riding one of those. I especially loved that fact that it's just about the only bike in its class that has full 105. Everyone else substitutes Tektro brakes on their 105 bikes to save money. Raleigh doesn't, and still manages to keep the price below most of their competitors. It's a nice bike.

Either of them will work just fine but swap out the pads for some Salmon Yokozuna's and you will be good to go..

http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=Scott-Mathauser+Brake+Pads&vendorCode=YOKO&major=1&minor=8

Either of them will work just fine but swap out the pads for some Salmon Yokozuna's and you will be good to go..

Stock brake pads are almost universally bad, from what I've seen. Kool Stop's pads seem to be the universal upgrade suggestion. I've got their salmon-colored pads installed on most of my bikes and have been pretty happy with them...

Stock brake pads are almost universally bad, from what I've seen. Kool Stop's pads seem to be the universal upgrade suggestion. I've got their salmon-colored pads installed on most of my bikes and have been pretty happy with them...

The yokozunas are a little nicer than kool stop and they don't have that flared tip so if you like to run your brakes tight to the rim it is easier to setup..