1987 Shimano 105 BR-1050 calipers with R55C-4 pads
04-16-18, 12:52 AM
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1987 Shimano 105 BR-1050 calipers with R55C-4 pads
I just replaced the brake pads on my Miyata 712's 1st gen 105 brake calipers with used 105 BR-5600 shoes and new Shimano R55C4 pads. After several test stops from ~12mph for both old & new, the new pads yielded stops from 19" to 43" shorter than the old setup. Not scientific, but improvement went beyond those simple #s anyway. Confidence into corners was doubled. The only regret was not having done this simple swap sooner. If you're not running these pads or something similar, do your old brakes a favor & put some in. You will be amazed.
Of note: The 105 brake calipers are the LAST OEM components on my 712 as it was delivered in 1987; & they continue to function well after 31 years & nearly 40k miles. Crashes & wear have killed all the other parts more than once, but the frame & brakes march on as though invincible.
Contemplating having used something for so long & over so many miles made me realize that not just my Miyata & 105 brakes are vintage, but.....I am too. <sigh>
Thanks for letting me share.
Of note: The 105 brake calipers are the LAST OEM components on my 712 as it was delivered in 1987; & they continue to function well after 31 years & nearly 40k miles. Crashes & wear have killed all the other parts more than once, but the frame & brakes march on as though invincible.
Contemplating having used something for so long & over so many miles made me realize that not just my Miyata & 105 brakes are vintage, but.....I am too. <sigh>
Thanks for letting me share.
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04-16-18, 08:06 AM
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Good post. Those are light calipers, and once a person has figured out how to align them and stop them from tilting R or L (think cone wrenches), they are decent stoppers and well-liked by triathletes looking to shave grams.
04-16-18, 03:16 PM
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I still run 1050 calipers on my Cannondale SR500 and Schwinn Tempo. I've never seen the need to swap them.
04-16-18, 07:46 PM
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Classic period Shimano technology downline trickle: Dura Ace 7400 begat Shimano 600 6207, which begat Shimano 1050 105. IMO, the best series of single pivot brakes ever produced.
Not just rim squeezers, but real brakes.
Not just rim squeezers, but real brakes.
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04-17-18, 01:09 AM
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Cool, I was unaware of the timeline there. I'm currently rehabilitating an '87 C-dale SR500 with all early 105. (Single pivot calipers) It seems pretty tight stuff, except for the rear caliper, on which it seems the QR ratcheting system is kablooey? I've enjoyed a good mix of 105, Ultegra 600 and RX100 brake calipers (albeit mostly DP) over the last few years and have yet to run into this problem until now. That late 80s - mid 90s generation of Shimano calipers has - by far - the best QR adjusters of any brake I've ever used. I'm wondering if a PO had disassembled them and lost a part or something?
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
04-17-18, 08:39 AM
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Tim, I think those calipers have the teeny ball bearing sandwich in the QR. If they have been disassembled, then likely the balls are missing.
So to speak.
In which case, a straight up replacement might be your best bet.
So to speak.
In which case, a straight up replacement might be your best bet.
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04-17-18, 10:41 PM
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1st time photo post. Sorry, they're kinda big.
1. new pads left, old pads right
2. front caliper w/new pads
3. rear caliper w/new pads
1. new pads left, old pads right
2. front caliper w/new pads
3. rear caliper w/new pads
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Last edited by LKA; 04-17-18 at 10:43 PM. Reason: description
