viper_04649

I have a Royal H rando bike. when I built up the bike last year, I chose the Dia-Compe/Gran-Compe 610 from Velo Orange and the Velo-Orange PBP rims (19mm) They look great, and don't pinch my fenders. I am running 28mm tires with 40 mm fenders. The problem is, when I hit the brakes, it is more like I am making a suggestion for the bike to stop. Very little stopping power. With the bike on the stand, i can see the brake arms flex.


I have been looking at viable options. I seem to have come down to narrowing it to a few:

New brake pads: mine are really worn, even with only about 500 miles on them. (do not think that this is a good fix)

or

New brakes: I have been looking at 3 different models: the VO Gran-Cru Long reach , Tektro R539, or Paul Medium Racer (honestly, out of my pricerange, but leave it here for comparison.)

Ascetics aside. What is my best option? Is the VO really worth the $130 increase over the Tektro? Are any of the Tektros better? What will stop me well?

canam73

My only experience with longer brake calipers is Shimano BR-R600s. They stopped fine for 180lb me on velocity rims.

KendallF

I have used the Tektro long reach brakes (well, one set of Tektro's and one set rebadged by Nashbar) on three or four different bikes with good results. FWIW, I weigh 185ish and I've used them going down Spanish mountains on my travel bike; they stopped well.

I think the difference is the double pivot vs. the single pivot. You get more stopping power with less hand force. All of them flex in the direction of wheel travel, that's not the issue (unless they're chattering).

robertkat

Those are really nice brakes and is what I would recommend. The new VO are said to be even better than the Shimano. I will say that there is one possible reason you do not like your current brake set up - using those Gran Comp (or any make really) center pulls on a center-mount bracket. They can be very flexy. On my Soulcraft I have Paul Racer Medium center pulls and love them. However, they are post mounted, not center mounted, so they are solid with no flex. If you wish to use the Paul brakes, send your frame bake to have the proper mounts brazed on, or go with the Shimano or VO dual pivots calipers.

This is my bike, so you can see what I mean about mounting the Paul brakes:

viper_04649

I can see it flexing with the bike on a stand, with the wheel stationary.

Hangtownmatt

I went with the Tektro 539AG's from Velo Orange for $40. The reason I chose these was because they were available in the "nutted" version. Haven't used them yet so I can't comment on their performance.

isermaniac87

I did the exact same thing. These tektros are are great brakes. I'm 190 and have no trouble stopping.

viper_04649

I realize this now
The reason i didn't do this was a: the cost of pauls and b: i am not a fan of using proprietary mounting.

I guess what i am really try to find out, is it worth going up to a VO or r600 brake at over $100 more than the tektro? I am sick of bumping into people and being nervous on steep declines.

Hangtownmatt

That's good to know. Are you using the pads that came with the brakes?

shelbyfv

I use the Tektros with Koolstop pads. They work as well as the Ultegras I have on another bike. Also, they are nice and shiny, look good on a retro bike.

Rocket-Sauce 

I like the Miche Performance brakes. They are very inexpensive, but get great reviews and compare favorably with much higher priced brakes.

MajorMantra

Shimano R650s are really good IME. Got mine cheap(ish) from Ribble.