TRP Spyke Brakes Installed, Finally !
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TRP Spyke Brakes Installed, Finally !
Bought a pair of TRP Spyke brakes and the Jagwire CL brake cables to replace my stock entry level Tektros about a month or so ago, and finally got around to installing the Spykes. If I would've known how easy it was to set up these brakes I would've done it sooner, and I upgraded from the stock 160/140 to 180/160.
The set up was pretty easy, though I've serviced and replaced bicycle discs many times before, this was the first time using the 20mm PM adapters. The instructions could be a little bit better with the adapters, there's no mention of having to use the conical washers, and I always thought that PM adapters didn't need these washers at all. Problem is, the longer bolts that are supplied with them are to long without the washers, so you need to use them, and there's nothing referencing how the washers go together. After a bit of confusion, I figured it out, but why TRP doesn't make this more clear is a bit bothersome.
The nice thing about the TRP's is that the 180mm Spykes come with the 20mm PM adapters and hardware and they also include the IS adapters if you need them. Though the 160mm do not come with the PM adapters, so I decided to order 2 - 180mm brake sets so I would have the 2 adapters I needed and just swap the 160mm disc from the front to the back since it only has 2000 miles of use. That way I saved a little money not having to buy another 20mm PM adapter, and it worked just fine.
The only other issue I had with the Spykes was the inboard 3mm adjuster on both calipers was locked up solid, it took a lot of force to break them loose so I could adjust the inboard pad. They must have been backed out the adjuster at the factory using a power tool because I thought I was going to break my allen wrench trying to adjust them. When they did break loose, there was a very loud "SNAP" and had thought I might have broke something, but they both were fine, and the adjusters moved freely afterwards. The outboard adjusters were just fine, they moved with no issues, so if you buy these, make sure you check that the adjusters on both sides work freely before you install them.
Setting up was simple, leave the calipers a bit loose, pull the brake lever a couple times and hold it to center it, tighten down the mounting bolts, and adjust the inner and outer pad, and you're done ! The feel is so much better from my stock Tektros, and I didn't install the compression less brake cables yet, and I hear that makes them feel even better, so I'm looking forward to that.
For anyone that cares about weight, they weigh in at the advertised 169g compared to 194g that the Tektros weighed, though I didn't think of weighing the adapter so that may even them out.
The set up was pretty easy, though I've serviced and replaced bicycle discs many times before, this was the first time using the 20mm PM adapters. The instructions could be a little bit better with the adapters, there's no mention of having to use the conical washers, and I always thought that PM adapters didn't need these washers at all. Problem is, the longer bolts that are supplied with them are to long without the washers, so you need to use them, and there's nothing referencing how the washers go together. After a bit of confusion, I figured it out, but why TRP doesn't make this more clear is a bit bothersome.
The nice thing about the TRP's is that the 180mm Spykes come with the 20mm PM adapters and hardware and they also include the IS adapters if you need them. Though the 160mm do not come with the PM adapters, so I decided to order 2 - 180mm brake sets so I would have the 2 adapters I needed and just swap the 160mm disc from the front to the back since it only has 2000 miles of use. That way I saved a little money not having to buy another 20mm PM adapter, and it worked just fine.
The only other issue I had with the Spykes was the inboard 3mm adjuster on both calipers was locked up solid, it took a lot of force to break them loose so I could adjust the inboard pad. They must have been backed out the adjuster at the factory using a power tool because I thought I was going to break my allen wrench trying to adjust them. When they did break loose, there was a very loud "SNAP" and had thought I might have broke something, but they both were fine, and the adjusters moved freely afterwards. The outboard adjusters were just fine, they moved with no issues, so if you buy these, make sure you check that the adjusters on both sides work freely before you install them.
Setting up was simple, leave the calipers a bit loose, pull the brake lever a couple times and hold it to center it, tighten down the mounting bolts, and adjust the inner and outer pad, and you're done ! The feel is so much better from my stock Tektros, and I didn't install the compression less brake cables yet, and I hear that makes them feel even better, so I'm looking forward to that.
For anyone that cares about weight, they weigh in at the advertised 169g compared to 194g that the Tektros weighed, though I didn't think of weighing the adapter so that may even them out.
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I haven't installed the Jagwire compression less cables yet, can't imagine how much better the " feel" will be, I'm told it's night and day, we will see......