Do brakes make a remarkable difference?
06-09-10, 12:46 PM
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Do brakes make a remarkable difference?
Hi friends,
First question, if i had a set of tiagra and ultegra brakes, and they both had 6700 pads, all things being equal, will they have the same braking power? Yes?No? Why? Brake arm stiffness?
I was shopping around for some brakes when i noticed a local company, Soul offering dual pivot brakes (Frixion) at 250g for about $75 usd.
https://bikesoul.com/2009/index.php?o...d=16&Itemid=29
The strange thing is that Dura Ace is at 310+g, and a whole lot more expensive. I'm not that concerned about the weight, but i thought this point might be worth taking note of.
I've heard concerns that brakes that are too light may be conpromising on stopping power. True? False?
Please let me know what you think.
Thanks
Teo
First question, if i had a set of tiagra and ultegra brakes, and they both had 6700 pads, all things being equal, will they have the same braking power? Yes?No? Why? Brake arm stiffness?
I was shopping around for some brakes when i noticed a local company, Soul offering dual pivot brakes (Frixion) at 250g for about $75 usd.
https://bikesoul.com/2009/index.php?o...d=16&Itemid=29
The strange thing is that Dura Ace is at 310+g, and a whole lot more expensive. I'm not that concerned about the weight, but i thought this point might be worth taking note of.
I've heard concerns that brakes that are too light may be conpromising on stopping power. True? False?
Please let me know what you think.
Thanks
Teo
Last edited by teokiatuan; 06-09-10 at 01:19 PM.
06-09-10, 01:12 PM
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Those lightweight brakes are single pivot making them inherently less powerful than dual pivots like the DAs. That said, good quality (and properly adjusted) single pivots can still be pretty powerful, and certainly sufficient.
06-09-10, 01:16 PM
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The brakes in the link are in fact dual pivot...
06-09-10, 01:20 PM
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Some cheap brakes are flexy, it's not necessarily related to weight. As stated above, single-pivot will have less leverage than dual-pivot, but aside from that, pads are far more important.
06-09-10, 01:28 PM
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The ones that are $70 are singles, but now I see you said dual in your OP (which are $100). Maybe you meant a local price?
One thing that I think gets discounted when comparing brakes is that the choice of levers makes a difference too. For example switching from crappy Tektros to Shimano R600s on one of my fixed gears greatly improved braking feel and response.
One another bike, also with R600 levers, a Sora brake works really well and gives all the stopping power you could need.
One thing that I think gets discounted when comparing brakes is that the choice of levers makes a difference too. For example switching from crappy Tektros to Shimano R600s on one of my fixed gears greatly improved braking feel and response.
One another bike, also with R600 levers, a Sora brake works really well and gives all the stopping power you could need.
06-09-10, 01:30 PM
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not all manufacturer weight claims are spot on.
weight isn't the only thing that matters.
there are a ton of cheaper and lighter parts compared to DA.
as already mentioned, pads, like koolstop salmon, make the biggest difference.
weight isn't the only thing that matters.
there are a ton of cheaper and lighter parts compared to DA.
as already mentioned, pads, like koolstop salmon, make the biggest difference.
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06-09-10, 01:53 PM
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06-09-10, 02:14 PM
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06-09-10, 07:56 PM
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i do like the looks of those, and i think soul is a great company
06-10-10, 08:34 AM
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I considered rerouting my brake cables to do this but after "discovering" the proper way to brake and shift simultaneously (front brakes on, right hand downshifts in anticipation of revving back up) I'm fine with the standard setup.
06-10-10, 09:41 AM
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06-10-10, 10:14 AM
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I set up my most recent bike with the right hand lever hooked up to the front brake. I'm liking it a lot, and I think the cable routing looks much nicer.
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06-10-10, 10:39 AM
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Ultegras require much less force than Tiagras to apply the same braking power. Makes a big difference when you're on the hoods.
Careful when you're in the drops. N00bs may endo.
Careful when you're in the drops. N00bs may endo.
06-10-10, 11:38 AM
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06-10-10, 12:09 PM
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Not an answer to your question: but here are basically the same ultra-light brakes but for $100 less and have a state-side vendor:
https://www.planet-x-usa.com/pCNC%20U...ht-Brakes.aspx
https://www.planet-x-usa.com/pCNC%20U...ht-Brakes.aspx
06-10-10, 12:25 PM
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Not an answer to your question: but here are basically the same ultra-light brakes but for $100 less and have a state-side vendor:
https://www.planet-x-usa.com/pCNC%20U...ht-Brakes.aspx
https://www.planet-x-usa.com/pCNC%20U...ht-Brakes.aspx
06-10-10, 03:30 PM
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I just bought a new caliper. The Tiagra and Sora brakes are identical except for the paint job. Identical right down to the part numbers on the BOM (look at the drawings on their website). Sora is cheaper. If you want a Tiagra, just buy a Sora and save the money.
As you step up the Shimano model line you get forged parts replacing cast, meaning they're smaller for the same strength and thus lighter. You get ball bearings replacing nylon bushings making the brakes smoother actuating and nicer feeling. I see nothing that would cause better braking force except the pads.
As you step up the Shimano model line you get forged parts replacing cast, meaning they're smaller for the same strength and thus lighter. You get ball bearings replacing nylon bushings making the brakes smoother actuating and nicer feeling. I see nothing that would cause better braking force except the pads.
06-10-10, 04:39 PM
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after using 5600 105 brakes i used ultegra 6700 and on the first test ride i nearly went over the bars. the pads were so much more effective. i didnt squeeze that hard.
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06-10-10, 04:57 PM
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Mavic Brakes are the most powerful I've used, if that is a necessity.. I have put them on all my bikes.. Couple the brakes with good pads and you can stop in any conditions..
06-10-10, 05:03 PM
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The difference in braking is huge, and I'm 225 lbs. I actually have to worry about locking up wheels in a quick stop which I never had to before. Now I can come down from a 40+ mph hill with one finger on each lever.
I'm not saying the braking before was terrible, but with the better brakes it's dramatically better.
