Originally Posted by
BlazingPedals
BB-5s suck, IMHO. I bought one and it was so pitiful I refused to put it on my bike; so I put a used BB-7 on instead. 7s have about twice the pad surface area but in my experience they still require constant tweaking. A step up from that is the Tektro Spyre/Spyke. On those, both pads move, making for much better operation and almost eliminating rotor warping issues, as well as requiring a lot less fussing. Hydraulics are still better -- more powerful, operate more smoothly, and once they're set up they require very little in the way of adjustments. Even a low end hydraulic will be better than a mech.
You post this of course after I order BB7s to replace my Tektro Auriga hydraulics. I've had to bleed only once but just don't like the idea of fluid. Poured over endless info on mechanical and although not everyone a fan of BB7s seemed the best pick. And red knobs to turn for neanderthal shade tree mechanics like me.