RDhrdNDPUTupWET

I have a 2005 C'Dale r700, it has the Theta C'dale brakes, and I was out on a ride yesterday with some ~25mph decents, I am about 230lbs and was riding with a guy about 170ish...(if I had to bet) any how, on these decents I am grabbing all the brakes I can F & R to slow down for turns, stop signs etc. and not getting a very good response, I am flying by my riding partner(DA brakes)...on to my point I know my weight and high center of gravity on a 63cm bike are contributing factors, but are these brakes just rebadged hooey or could I just get some better pads. Or would some 105 or ultegra brakes make a better investment. Thanks.

jbhowat

They aren't the greatest in my opinion, but I don't think an upgrade to 105 or DA is needed. Get some better pads, some with replaceable pads and a metal carrier (I've fond this improves braking by a lot on my *gasp* Sora brakes). In reality though, traction and weight are your limiting factors. Even the crappiest brakes can lock up the rear wheel, and either lock up the front or lift the back wheel off the ground. You can't really get more powerful than that. A set of Kool-Stops will reduce fade on long descents.

Your weight and technique are probably the single biggest limiting factors in your braking relative to your buddy, though.

martin_j001

Good brakes are essential for us big guys, especially on longer mountain decents. I have DA brakes on mine, and have yet to have any problems--even with the stock pads. (I weigh about 230 too). For the highest end braking performance, stick with Ultegra or Chorus and up. From what I've heard, the new DA stoppers (the 7800 series) are about the best at it thats currently available.

hmai18

I upgraded my Theta brakes to a pair of Ultegra 6500's from Nashbar for less than $100 CDN a month ago when I got my R700. Couldn't be happier with them, but since I upgraded directly, I never had a chance to test out the Thetas.

I'd also recommend the KoolStop pad solution before you go out and buy new calipers though.

rmfnla

Try the pads first; cheaper and very effective. I love my Kool Stops (salmon colored) about $25 for f & r and you can use them on the new calipers if you decide to go for them as well (somehow, when we start thinking about new parts we just sort of end up buying them...).

RDhrdNDPUTupWET

Thanks for all the advice... I am going to try the pads first as I am all about the cheap fix, the thetas seem nice better than some stoock brakes I have seen, Alas I am wanting the upgrade for safeness, If the pads dont show a big enough improvement I will just keep my ee out for a good sale at perf. nash etc. and a copon.
Thanks again.

sestivers

Yeah, try the new pads. Then make sure you transfer them to your new Shimano brakes when you find out that the pads weren't enough.

I had those Cannondale brakes, and I replaced them with 10-year old RX-100 brakes from the Cannondale I replaced. It's pretty bad when 10-year old technology is better than something on a brand new bike. I don't know why Cannondale is wasting everyone's time by putting those crappy brakes on their otherwise nice bikes.