Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,193
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
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Changing to 700c rims significantly increases leverage/power, but also increases the "pad dive" angle to the extent that wider 700c rims are not used.
Some Trek's have dark-anodized Matrix rims that challenge the original brake pads getting any grip, and any Shimano pads seem to harden early on and provide doubly poor braking power.
The straddle cable can be shortened for increased power, but it's been 25 years since I went looking for them (in cases where the straddle cable wasn't adjustable at one end).
My Trek 720's braking power increased quite dramatically when I fitted 700c Module-4 rims and premium brake pads, almost too strong with RSX STI levers!!!