Tandem Cycling - Bengal Disc Calipers Which Model?

For those of you using the Bengal calipers, which model are you using? Their website http://www.bengalperformance.com.tw/ shows different models. Only the MB700T model is described as being actuated with caliper or cantilever brake levers. Their other mechanical models are described as being actuated with linear pull brake levers.

Curtis

We are using the MB700T with Duraace brifters. Present set up is a Hope V2 203mm rotor and ebc sintered pads. Our best combo so far with the Bengal and very good performance. We are leaving for a ride on the coast of Turkey for two weeks so will have even more input on this set up after the trip. We just completed Cycle Oregon and it worked great and was absolutely quiet. When we used a Avid rotor it would get very noisy on a long steep descent.

We are using the MB700T with Duraace brifters. Present set up is a Hope V2 203mm rotor and ebc sintered pads. Our best combo so far with the Bengal and very good performance. .

Did you have to make any modifactions to the Bengal Calipers? I am using the V2's with Avid calipers but had to make modifacations.

I did not have to modify it in any way just bolted the rotor on and adjusted pads to thickness as the Hope is slightly thicker but well within the capacity of the Bengal.

We are using the MB700T with Duraace brifters. Present set up is a Hope V2 203mm rotor and ebc sintered pads. Our best combo so far with the Bengal and very good performance. We are leaving for a ride on the coast of Turkey for two weeks so will have even more input on this set up after the trip. We just completed Cycle Oregon and it worked great and was absolutely quiet. When we used a Avid rotor it would get very noisy on a long steep descent.

Thanks for the input. Where did you source the calipers?

Curtis

Thanks for the input. Where did you source the calipers?

Curtis
Alex at mtbtandems.com he ordered them as we have hope V2 brakes on our 29r Ventana Mtn tandem which we bought from him. This is how we discovered how quiet the rotors are.
Mark

Thanks for the input. Where did you source the calipers?

Curtis

http://www.pro-liteoz.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=91

Disclosure: I work for this place.

akexpress and jacks1071,

Thanks for the sourcing information folks. I appreciate it. They didn't turn up on a search, but looking around Precision Tandem's website I found that they offer the Bengal calipers as well. Thanks again.

Curtis

The link above for a source is a very good price even with $50 shipping for the calipers. Crank 2 in California also sells the calipers as do most Santana dealers as they are now a standard item on Santana tandems.
the pads we are using are the EBC gold sintered metal pads model CFA 421 HH

I'm still thinking about trying one of these on our tandem, but am wondering about the differences to the Avid BB7. So can anyone answer these questions:

Is the pad position easy to adjust (Avid BB7 are super-easy with the two knobs)?
Are replacement pads easy to source (Avid BB7 are quite widely available)?
What is the size of the brake pad? I've heard that this is quite important in terms of braking power, heat capacity, etc., the Avids have a reasonably large pad, so how do the Bengals compare?

TandemGeek's recent blog post contained some useful info on these brakes (see here (http://tandemgeek.wordpress.com/2012/09/24/bengal-brake-update/)), but still didn't answer these questions.

I'm still thinking about trying one of these on our tandem, but am wondering about the differences to the Avid BB7. So can anyone answer these questions:

Is the pad position easy to adjust (Avid BB7 are super-easy with the two knobs)?
Are replacement pads easy to source (Avid BB7 are quite widely available)?
What is the size of the brake pad? I've heard that this is quite important in terms of braking power, heat capacity, etc., the Avids have a reasonably large pad, so how do the Bengals compare?

TandemGeek's recent blog post contained some useful info on these brakes (see here (http://tandemgeek.wordpress.com/2012/09/24/bengal-brake-update/)), but still didn't answer these questions.

Chris, tandemgeeks article, or at least one of them, mentioned that there is not direct outside pad adjuster. You utilize the cable barrel adjuster, taking up cable length to adjust the outboard pad. I thought that the inboard pad needs to be adjusted via a tool, similar to the Avids, except the Avids most times can be done by hand.

As mentioned by AKEXPRESS, the pads are the same as Hayes, so fairly common, but not Avid common.

This topic still always has me wondering how people accomplish routine maintenance on the brakes also. Even here in Flat Florida, the discs and therefore brake pads get munged up with crud. Prior to any serious ride, I always wipe down both discs with Brakleen. If the tandem has seen maintenance prior to a big ride, all pads are removed, measured, and cleaned with brakleen. Once the brakes get dirty, and it could be just leftover soap residue, they become far less effective, stopping in longer distances, probably generating far more heat than stopping.

PK

PK

Is the pad position easy to adjust? Yes. I discussed the brakes in a bit more detail in the second 1/2 of my first Blog entry back on March 10th (http://tandemgeek.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/bengal-mb700t-disc-brake-the-start-of-a-new-product-test/). In short, while they don't have Avid's tri-align system, it's still a simple set-up and adjustment process. The in-board pad is adjusted using 5mm allen wrench, but also needs a 2mm allen wrench to loosen & re-tighten a fixing screw on the adjuster. The outboard pad relies on reaction / actuation arm positioning for adjustments, which isn't a big deal.. as it doesn't take much lever travel to lock up the rear wheel with the EBC Gold pads.

Are replacement pads easy to source? Yes, they use a pad that's common with some of the Hayes brakes (CFA421HH). Just plan ahead and pick up some spares to have on hand... which is pretty much SOP for any disc brake pads.

What is the size of the brake pad? It's only about 2/3's the size of the Avid BB7 pad. But, the pads are much easier to replace: no spring. They are held in place by magnetic force, so you just lift them out and pop them back in.

Is the pad position easy to adjust? Yes. I discussed the brakes in a bit more detail in the second 1/2 of my first Blog entry back on March 10th (http://tandemgeek.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/bengal-mb700t-disc-brake-the-start-of-a-new-product-test/). In short, while they don't have Avid's tri-align system, it's still a simple set-up and adjustment process. The in-board pad is adjusted using 5mm allen wrench, but also needs a 2mm allen wrench to loosen & re-tighten a fixing screw on the adjuster. The outboard pad relies on reaction / actuation arm positioning for adjustments, which isn't a big deal.. as it doesn't take much lever travel to lock up the rear wheel with the EBC Gold pads.

Are replacement pads easy to source? Yes, they use a pad that's common with some of the Hayes brakes (CFA421HH). Just plan ahead and pick up some spares to have on hand... which is pretty much SOP for any disc brake pads.

What is the size of the brake pad? It's only about 2/3's the size of the Avid BB7 pad. But, the pads are much easier to replace: no spring. They are held in place by magnetic force, so you just lift them out and pop them back in.

I've never touched that 2mm screw before on mine, what am I missing? Are you supposed to loosen it off before using the 5mm bolt to adjust the pad?

I've never touched that 2mm screw before on mine, what am I missing? Are you supposed to loosen it off before using the 5mm bolt to adjust the pad?

Yes... It's a set screw for the pad adjuster.

You'll see the M4 Set Screw adjusted using a 2mm allen wrench is mentioned several times in the Bengal instructions.

http://www.bengalperformance.com.tw/download/mechanical_en.pdf

Seems like I learnt something new - my M4 screw must be loose as I've adjusted my pads a couple of times without issue. I guess thats some sort of lock screw to stop the adjustor from being able to un-do?

http://www.pro-liteoz.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=91

Disclosure: I work for this place.
We're away overseas at the moment, and won't be back until January next year. Obviously, I am keen to get a hold of the pair for our Santana Arriva, but how many have you in stock and will there be any still there when we get back to Australia?

Cheers!

We're away overseas at the moment, and won't be back until January next year. Obviously, I am keen to get a hold of the pair for our Santana Arriva, but how many have you in stock and will there be any still there when we get back to Australia?

Cheers!

There is like 7 sets left. I'm not planning to re-order them at this stage, I only ended up with so many because I couldn't find them for a reasonable price so I met the minimum order quantity with the factory and am selling off the remainder.

Couldn't say if we would still have them in January. If you wanted to pay for them I'd be happy to hold shipping until you return.