Nashbar full 105 carbon frame... $900... thoughts ?
11-01-17, 10:24 PM
#51
Banned.
Not to me. Modulation is different. 105's are easier to set straight, stay straight, less effort to stop harder, more adjustable, look better, etc. Tektro's don't put enough pressure on the rim, to me. They will get the job done, you will stop, but it doesn't have the same feel to it as a good brake. Its like stock tektro is trying to stop an SUV and a 105 upgrade turns it into stopping an compact car. Mushy brakes vs decent drum brakes describes it
11-01-17, 10:38 PM
#52
Senior Member
Not to me. Modulation is different. 105's are easier to set straight, stay straight, less effort to stop harder, more adjustable, look better, etc. Tektro's don't put enough pressure on the rim, to me. They will get the job done, you will stop, but it doesn't have the same feel to it as a good brake. Its like stock tektro is trying to stop an SUV and a 105 upgrade turns it into stopping an compact car. Mushy brakes vs decent drum brakes describes it
11-01-17, 10:44 PM
#53
Banned.
. Worth it? Probably not. Probably better to just get a pair of swiss stop pads , keep the tektros and call it a day.
11-01-17, 10:53 PM
#54
Senior Member
That is true. But, the feel is different from a set of 105s. I came from those brakes and went to 105. Just gamble on a pair and try them. You will notice a difference . Worth it? Probably not. Probably better to just get a pair of swiss stop pads , keep the tektros and call it a day.
. Worth it? Probably not. Probably better to just get a pair of swiss stop pads , keep the tektros and call it a day.
11-01-17, 11:13 PM
#55
Banned.
Bunch of wanks on here. Oh, the metal is made of xxxx, which performs 10% better in x conditions, the spring tension is xxxx,
. Put an electric saw chain on your bike, then go for a SRAM chain, let me know if you feel a difference. They work the same, made of roughly the same materials, but the feel is different. Gee, can someone explain to me how a Ferrari is better than a Civic? They both have windows, seats, and engines. The principles are the same, operate in the same laws of physics.
11-02-17, 03:05 AM
#56
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I had two bikes with Trektro brakes and replaced the front on each with a Tiagra brake and felt that the bike stopped noticeably better. Was it flex? Was it placebo?
I didn't do repeated trials. I might be completely wrong. I don't care.
I didn't do repeated trials. I might be completely wrong. I don't care.
11-02-17, 05:49 AM
#57
Senior Member
I can explain exactly how a Ferrari is better than a Civic (and vice versa). My brakes feel fine, so I'm not looking for subjective impressions. Shimano replacements are a little heavier and $80, plus time to install them.
I want to know what makes Shimanos better. I've seen people say the Tektros rust, but mine haven't. I've seen people say the Tektro pads are poor quality, but I replaced those 2,000 miles ago, and they worked perfectly for those first 3,000 miles.
I want to know what makes Shimanos better. I've seen people say the Tektros rust, but mine haven't. I've seen people say the Tektro pads are poor quality, but I replaced those 2,000 miles ago, and they worked perfectly for those first 3,000 miles.
11-02-17, 10:00 AM
#58
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My bike came with Tektro, but I don't remember the model. I upgraded to 5800 brakes they were on sale at PBK or Merlin for $50. The 5800 look better and were easier to adjust for me. Stopping power appeared to be better, but I don't have any data modeling "brake feel".
Love to see the data you have on your Tektro's though.
Love to see the data you have on your Tektro's though.
11-02-17, 10:11 AM
#59
Senior Member
11-02-17, 04:00 PM
#60
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It could be a design issue---the Shimano shape might provide more leverage. It could be flex, where the Tektros give just that little bit. I don't know.
Having made the same swap on two very different bikes (all-steel, Al-CF) and having found exactly the same results ... it isn't science but i am not a scientist. I am a cyclist, and I spent $35 bucks per bike to feel a lot better riding them.
11-03-17, 07:35 AM
#61
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Well, if you didn't measure and quantify, you must be wrong - 70 bucks out the window!
11-03-17, 09:51 AM
#62
Senior Member
Sigh. I'm not looking for measurements or quantification. I'm just looking for an explanation. Do the materials differ? Does the geometry differ?
If I could buy a pair of Ultegra for $35 I'd do it. The cheapest I'm seeing is $90, though. I think I'll buy a new seat before I replace the brakes.
If I could buy a pair of Ultegra for $35 I'd do it. The cheapest I'm seeing is $90, though. I think I'll buy a new seat before I replace the brakes.
11-03-17, 02:37 PM
#63
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My new bike came with Tektro R312, dual pivot, stops great. I'm 70 and don't have a lot of grip power in my hands. I could lock them up. But, I upgraded to Shimano Claris, becuse I wanted the Group set to match and the Claris Dual pivot work equally as well. KB
11-03-17, 03:34 PM
#64
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Geometry? Materials? You are not looking for "measurements or quantification," you claim. Really?
Nobody said Ultegra was significantly better. I have two different generations of Tiagra 94500 and 4600) and find them both better than the Tektros I replaced with them. I also have an Ultegra-equipped bike. I think the Ultegra brakes flex more ... so I can modulate better?
People suggest 105 or Tiagra .... and I am sure if you shop carefully online you can find them in great shape for a lot less that $70 per pair. In fact, I would never buy new any more... a full groupset is so cheap, I wouldn't pay a significant fraction of the groupset price for a single piece.
That said, you might find some NOS or new-take off parts.
Here is the only question that matters, though ....
What Is Wrong With Your Brakes Now?
If you don't need new brakes, why are we even talking?
You come to a decision. You make a choice. We have given you all the information you need. if you cannot pull the trigger, maybe you don't need to.
11-03-17, 03:47 PM
#65
Senior Member
I need more information.
11-03-17, 04:21 PM
#66
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I'm getting back into road cycling after a two decade hiatus. I test rode a Giant Contend 1 this past weekend. It's a sharp looking bike at a great price. However, I wasn't very impressed with the braking power. The spec sheet says the brakes are Tektro TK-R312 with Shimano Sora levers. I would really like to stay under a thousand dollars for my first road bike back, but afraid I'll have to move up in price to get better braking performance. Either that or upgrade the brakes to shimano.
11-06-17, 01:20 PM
#67
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you don't really need an Engineering degree to see the difference here IMHO 
Good
Not so good, ( but maybe OK in a place with no real Mountain descents
)
notice the long, flimsy arms and thinness of material just above brake pad and below pivot point
Good
Not so good, ( but maybe OK in a place with no real Mountain descents
)notice the long, flimsy arms and thinness of material just above brake pad and below pivot point
11-06-17, 02:57 PM
#69
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Not to me. Modulation is different. 105's are easier to set straight, stay straight, less effort to stop harder, more adjustable, look better, etc. Tektro's don't put enough pressure on the rim, to me. They will get the job done, you will stop, but it doesn't have the same feel to it as a good brake. Its like stock tektro is trying to stop an SUV and a 105 upgrade turns it into stopping an compact car. Mushy brakes vs decent drum brakes describes it
Much like with nearly everything else, until you have something better, you don't realize how bad something actually is. Brake calipers are an excellent example of this. I have NEVER upgraded brake calipers and thought, "hum, not sure I can tell a difference."
11-06-17, 03:02 PM
#71
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11-06-17, 03:06 PM
#72
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Pros and cons list. They reasonably light. They are flexy, low on power, not sealed well, not as adjustable as better brakes, springs a bit weak, pivots gum up quickly and wear out causing the brake to rub on itself.
You can get used 6800 Ultegra brakes for $30-$40 each and $40-$50 each new.
You can get used 6800 Ultegra brakes for $30-$40 each and $40-$50 each new.
11-06-17, 03:45 PM
#73
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The Tektro 741 would be a better caliper to compare as its quality is at least closer to Ultegra 6800 calipers. Better still would be to compare Ultegra brakes to TRP's offerings, since TRP is the quality division of Tektro. Compare the 6800 to a TRP R979 or TRP R879. The design is significantly different from the dirt cheap budget Tektro R312 you showed a pic of.
These are what you compared. comeon
Tektro R312 Brake | Chain Reaction Cycles
Shimano Ultegra 6800 Road Brake Caliper | Chain Reaction Cycles
11-06-17, 04:01 PM
#74
Senior Member
My Cannondale Synapse Carbon came with a set of Tektro brakes and they are awful. Since they were the top end offering from Tektro I don't think there is any good Tektro brake.
11-07-17, 05:31 AM
#75
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I've had the Nashbar Carbon 105 for a couple years. I have no problem with the bike. Yes, it has Tektro brakes. It has always stopped without any issue. Maybe I'm not doing it right.
The bike weighs 18 lbs. with a Brooks C18 seat. Weighed it on my digital fish scale. Maybe not scientific, but probably pretty close.
No creaking, AT ALL.
Is it the best bike ever? Probably not. Beyond that, the bike has been perfect, in every way, for me.
I think mine was about $1,000. For $1,000 I don't think I could have done much better.
Just thought I would weigh in. No complaints.
The bike weighs 18 lbs. with a Brooks C18 seat. Weighed it on my digital fish scale. Maybe not scientific, but probably pretty close.
No creaking, AT ALL.
Is it the best bike ever? Probably not. Beyond that, the bike has been perfect, in every way, for me.
I think mine was about $1,000. For $1,000 I don't think I could have done much better.
Just thought I would weigh in. No complaints.