columbia1spring

I want to upgrade my Axis 1.0 brakes, front and back on my road bike. NOT DISC. On the brake it says 42-52mm I was all set to buy some Shimano 105's and I did notice that on some adds it says short pull, while other adds don't say anything. I was under the impression I can just buy a set and be done with it. Should I be concerned about long and short pull?

fietsbob

Other than better pads Mostly you are spending on Aesthetics. [axis , WW2? the bad Guys?]

Road brakes are short pull .. its the reach that is the 42-52.

only want to shop online ? Good Luck

veganbikes

Better pads can make a world of difference. If you are currently using single pivot brakes, then dual pivot will be a good upgrade but after that as fietsbob pointed out it is mostly looks and also sometimes weight savings. Dura Ace brakes with lower end pads don't perform super well, they might look nice but if the pads suck they aren't going to perform as well.

SwissStop, TRP, KoolStop, Yokozuna, Shimano (105 and up) generally make good pads.

columbia1spring

Going online and looking, then getting advise from here is an awesome way to be educated so when I do go to the LBS I don't seem like a bumbling idiot. Besides most, not all LBS have your wallet in mind at alltimes!!!

badger1

Not enough information. Axis 1.0 suggests Specialized ... is that what you have? Road bike ... which one/what year? Tiagra? 105? Latest, or earlier iterations?

New/current Dura Ace/Ultegra/105/Tiagra do have different (slightly) 'pull' for brakes than the earlier versions. That aside, yes .. changing to better pads will help but newer/better calipers also are more solid/less flexy, so are 'better' brakes. You simply need to be sure you buy the right calipers.

gregjones

Basically after a certain point, pretty much being dual pivot, the only thing higher end brakes do is save a wee bit of weight and stoke egos.

There are two things that you can do:

1: Buy "better" brakes and find that they really don't make a lot of difference, then buy KoolStop pads.

2: Skip the expense of "better" brakes and just buy the KoolStops.

ltxi

Shimano 105s are a good price/function break point. I use Ultegra for a few bucks more, but that's kinda a just because thing.

gregjones

Actually a timely thread for me. I was down to needing brakes to build an old buddy again.

I ordered these yesterday.

SRAM Apex at $44.10 with shipping. KoolStop fronts and you're in under $65. Hard to beat.