Just want to share my thoiughts on a new aquisition:



Don't know if I can realy call them brakes, but dang!, I was surprised how super small and light these CLB Compact Professional brake calipers are when I finally got them from Mike Fraysee.
Super lightweight is the result of the miniturisation and the light alloy used on the calipers, but what concerns me is the puny size of the brake pads, with about maybe only 1/2 to 2/3 the size of "normal" brake pads. In comparison, my Mavic 440 calipers look posivtively gigantic in comparison and so does the Campy Deltas as you can see in the pics, and I consider those as compact in size already.
I've always wanted to eventually get these CLB brakes after my first encounter with them reading catalogues and biking publications that marvelled about their light weight (Weighs way under 100 grams for each caliper) and small size. Now that I have them physically, I realize what they were saying. Now I'm wondering if I'll ever install these on the bike...maybe just to try and see if it can slow it down enough to not be "death brakes"

Chombi

If you understand the concept of "coefficient of friction" you'll realize that the smaller pads are not necessarily at a disadvantage when it comes to stopping force. Of course there are many other variables in play, but if the brakes are well engineered then they may work just fine. However, I would expect the pads to be a) shorter lived, b) more expensive to replace, or c) all of the above.

You lucky devil... these brakes are one of my "grail" items, and the brakes I had spec'd for my vintage weight weenie build, Jenny. Couldn't find them though! I can't wait to hear your review of them, they have attained mythical status in my mind. I went with Galli Super Criteriums/titanium instead but nothing beats the look of those CLB's to me.

Congrats - super cool...

But I do know about advantages of larger braking "swept areas". I think that a larger braking area wil be an easier approach to best braking power than formulating a higher coefficient of friction through different/special braking materials. If your braking swept area is so small to start with, the chances of the material holding up to the heat and wear (which also result in brake fade) is much less if you increase the swept area for braking as you will not ask too much of the braking materials to start with because of better heat dissipation and less load on the pads and braking surfaces.

Chombi

I'll go ahead and try it on my Vitus Carbone in the next few weeks and tell you how they are on the road. It might stay on the bike for a while if things work out as the Carbone relates to the CLB as the lugs on the bike were made by the company.

Chombi

I raced my Peugeots for years in Spain with those CLBs and they worked wonderously. In the mountains, everywhere. You'll have no problem what so ever stopping with these brakes! I had been keeping my eyes out for them for years, but once I left Europe I had not seen them again.

I've sold a set or two of those CLB's on ebay, always prove a popular listings.

A pair of "Course" model calipers are being auctioned at eBay right now. It has just a few minor differences from the Professional model. Very nice ultra lightweight CLBs none the less.

Chombi

The CLB Professionals were (and perhaps still are) the lightest caliper brakes on the market. Of course for the full effect you need to use CLB's aluminum cable housing as well.

Yep, I'll be checking out "Yellow Jersey" very soon to see if they still have those.........

Chombi

Do you have the levers as well? I'm pretty sure I have a set of CLB Pro levers here if you're interested.

...hence my comment about shorter lived/more expensive

Replace the pads with salmon KoolStops and enjoy great braking.

Sure John, I'll be interested! PM me with a desciption of their condition and what you might be asking for them!

Thank you,

Chombi