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Ever not have enough brake?

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Ever not have enough brake?

Old 11-27-10, 04:30 PM
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Ever not have enough brake?

There's a lot of opinions on brakes: Single versus dual pivot, this brand versus the other brand, etc. But has anyone ever not had "enough" braking power?

It seems like unless you are missing a bunch of fingers, pretty much every bike out there is either going to throw you over the handlebars or skid the rear with a solid squeeze of the brakes.

After subordinating my motorcycles to the back of the garage and buying a new road bike after ten years of powered two-wheeling, I'm curious about how much brakes really make a difference in the un-powered world?

Sure, "feel" is something to consider but compared to any modern sport motorcycle I've ever ridden, "feel" on any human powered bike is so much more immediate and easy to modulate that it would seem easy to live with ANY brand name brake set out there. Tactile feedback through a 16 inch solid wire cable gripping a pad on a 700mm rim with 22mm tires on a 28 pound bike gives me tons more immediate and reliable, and rewarding feedback than I ever got through a aluminum lever vibrating on the handlebars of 1200cc motorcycle pushing hydraulic fluid through a master cylinder to six hydraulic pistons squeezing 2 slotted, vented, 320mm steel disks connected to a big aluminum wheel shod with 120/70r17 tires rolling almost ten times faster than bicycle tire.

The feel on my bicycle's Tektro R580's are impressive, but is this only because I'm used to riding on something 20 times heavier and tens times faster?

I'm looking for items to fill my Christmas wish list and wonder if a brake upgrade is worth the money. Thanks.
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Old 11-27-10, 04:41 PM
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If it's a road bike, particularly if ridden mainly in the dry, then no. Otherwise, could be.
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Old 11-27-10, 04:58 PM
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I've had a cable break... Definitely didn't have enough brake

But seriously, the stock pads on many brakes suck balls. Especially "off-brand" brakes like Tektro, TRP, etc.
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Old 11-27-10, 05:12 PM
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Most people prefer the grip and self-centering of a dual pivot. Also, some people experience flex of the arms on light weight and/or long reach brakes. If you already like your Tektros maybe just look for a nice all-weather set of pads like Kool Stops Salmon or Swiss Stops.
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Old 11-27-10, 05:13 PM
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The Shimano Sora brakes that came on my Defy 2 definitely leave a lot to be desired and have resulted in a few close calls. I will be switching the brake pads for nicer ones come Christmastime to hopefully remedy the problem. I think that once you get to a certain level (with a certain quality of brake pads) there really shouldn't be any difference besides feel, like you said, they should all be able to flip you over the handlebars should you ever want to do so.
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Old 11-27-10, 05:26 PM
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Pretty much any brake can lock the wheel. The problem isn't one stop, it's 100.

I've had wrist problems after multiple very long technical descents when using weight-weenie brakes with stiff springs and lots of friction. I like being able to type, so I gave up the weight weenie brakes and went back to 7800s, which are very strong and have a light action.
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Old 11-27-10, 05:27 PM
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on a road bike?

only in the rain (heavy) with carbon rims.

result = massive multi-rider pile-up, curb-to-curb bodies and bikes.
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Old 11-27-10, 06:12 PM
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I think the only time I ever worried about being able to stop ws up in Maine decending down a mountain in Grafton St park
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Old 11-27-10, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by umd
But seriously, the stock pads on many brakes suck balls.
+1

And they suck more than a couple, which is like some sort of prison shower nightmare.
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Old 11-27-10, 06:33 PM
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i never have enough cow bell. had to...
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Old 11-27-10, 06:50 PM
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Yeah, the first time I rode my Raleigh "Superbe" in the rain: side pull brakes, steel rims.

Modern brakes and rims are much more effective.
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Old 11-27-10, 07:38 PM
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No. I know I've made panic stops but not many and they are forgotten. I don't ride in groups often and if they are nervous I leave.

I don't make a practice of riding in the rain fast. If I get caught out in the rain I've learned to start clearing those rims early. Racers may have a different experience.

My brakes are probably the most under utilized part of my bike. I've replaced brake pads because they were old - not worn out.
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