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SRAM Red Brake Calipers w/Ultegra 6800

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SRAM Red Brake Calipers w/Ultegra 6800

Old 01-16-16, 11:12 PM
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SRAM Red Brake Calipers w/Ultegra 6800

I have a 2012 Specialized Roubaix with SRAM Apex. I upgraded the brake calipers to SRAM Red as part of an attempted upgrade. Then, I got a sweet deal on an Ultegra 6800 groupset ($535 new) and I'm moving the whole thing to Ultegra. My question: Can/Should I leave the SRAM brake calipers on with the new Ultegra set or am I better off with going with the Ultegra all the way? My LBS guy says the Red calipers are stronger than the Ultegra.

Side note: I built another bike with the new Ultegra group and was blown away with how much better the braking and shifting was than the Apex. Of course, it's a much higher end set, but I thought the SRAM red calipers would have made the APEX braking comparable-it didn't.

I'm aware that I could just install both and check it out, but I'm lazy.
Any help appreciated
Thanks
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Old 01-17-16, 04:29 AM
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Those LBS guys...
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Old 01-17-16, 10:28 AM
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Red and Ultegra both being high-end-ish gruppos, I'd bet they both work about the same. If you are really lazy, leave the Red in place. Making a change would threaten you credentials as a lazy person.
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Old 01-17-16, 10:37 AM
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I'd rather have a matching groupset. I have 6800 and mine stop on a dime even with carbon clinchers
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Old 01-17-16, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by rms13
I'd rather have a matching groupset. I have 6800 and mine stop on a dime even with carbon clinchers
+1
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Old 01-17-16, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by rms13
I'd rather have a matching groupset. I have 6800 and mine stop on a dime even with carbon clinchers
The new Shimano 9000/6800/5800 brakes are SLR-EV. They recommend that those calipers only be used within that generation of Shimano levers that are matched to them.

Of course, they'll kinda work with any lever, but it may not be with the optimum power and controllability.

I like Shimano, but SRAM and Campy also make equally great groups. I would say stick within a manufacturer and generation for best results. Mix and match usually results in some type of frustration. SRAM and Shimano cassettes are the rare exception, they are very interchangeable.

Last edited by andr0id; 01-17-16 at 11:02 AM.
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