I want to get a good front caliper installed on my State Undefeated. I'm sure the stock set that came with the bike is adequate, but since I'm only upgrading the front I figure I might as well spring for something nice, but nothing crazy. I'm thinking no more than $100 for the caliper, cables and lever. I'm using FSA Omega compact drops but I want a lever on top like the ones used for flat bars. I like the idea of the Dia Compe Shot lever which has 2 levers in one that both work on the same brake. Dia-Compe Gran Compe Shot lever | Retrogression Does this work on any caliper? Will it fit my bars? As for calipers I've found you can get a Dura-Ace BR-7800 for around $50 new. How do these work for the kind of fixie/track bike I'm using? So many options, so many brands, so many types of brakes and levers. I'm really in the dark on this stuff. I would be eternally grateful for any opinions, tips or suggestions. Thanks!

I am using one of these and I am very happy with it. Also using a Shimano Sora front brake which is adequate. I want to eventually get another SRAM brake like I had on another bike.

Cross Levers | All-City Cycles

You can't beat the Tektro R540 for a very good brake caliper at a very low cost. The incremental improvement in much more expensive brake calipers is small, and not really worth it IMO. Also, a lot of braking quality is in the brake pads, which are easy to change with the cartridge design on those calipers. Tektro R540 brake caliper | Retrogression

What TT said.

I have a Paul E lever mated to a DA 7800 caliper with kool stop pads. No complaints.

As people have said pad quality is most important. I had to put some cheapie pads on my Dura Ace brakes and their performance isn't great. I am probably going to get some of those nicer TRP pads and shoes with the red ano and cut outs or at least get some nicer Kool Stop or DA pads when I get a chance.

qft

Shimano Sora is a great value too. They probably perform about the same. Not sure which is cheaper.

For a minute Nashbar was offering the Shimano 5800/105 calipers for $57. Snapped them up and they offset the absurd price I paid for fifteen year old Ultegra levers. *Great* braking power.

I have an Ultegra Caliper up front. Like most have said, a better set of pads is likely the best bet.

I've had both and the Sora is much nicer except for the painted finished. The Tektros work great but theyre more flexy

i have tektros, ultegra and shimano 105. I found the braking power best at shimano 105, then ultegra, then tektro. I was very surprised to see that even though 105 is cheaper than ultegra, but braking power is better.

Was going to recommend this as well. For like 10 bucks more than the tektro, you get a MUCH better brake.

I have a Sora caliper up front. It doesn't sit just right like I would prefer but it's probably because I can't figure out all the adjustments more so than a design issue. Kool stop pads are wonderful. Your rim design will have something to say about your stopping power. The biggest issue to focus on is getting the right lever with the right clamp size and get that in good looking and safe position. On my rb-021 bars I put a right hand lever upside down near the stem so I can use my left hand on the lever to pull. It's out of sight for the most part and looks great and I feel safe with it. Those all city's mentioned above are an option as well.

Which model Ultegra and 105 do you have ? There was a major design improvement in the 6800 Ultegra and 5800 105 over the previous 6700 Ultegra and 5700 105. My 6800 Ultegra brakes are much better than my old 7800 Dura Ace brakes.

i have Shimano Ultegra 6800 front and back on one bike. On another bike I have 105, but not sure which model of 105 I have. "My 6800 Ultegra brakes are much better than my old 7800 Dura Ace brakes." I know shimano claims that 6800 is improved but when i talk to few people at my LBS they all said that 7800 is better braking power. Overall I feel 105 is much cheaper and equally good(if not better). I am not very pleased with tektro. Yes the price is great but it I feel more secure with shimano.

It's not just a matter of braking "power" but also about modulation and control. Just about any brake is capable of skidding the rear wheel and tossing you over the bars in the front. The more important factor is the control and feel of the brakes and the amount of effort that is needed to operate them smoothly.

Gotta agree, when it was time to replace the pads on the Kilo (some kind of Tektro caliper I'm told) I went with Shimano and the difference is huge.

The 105/5800 calipers have a very even, consistent increase in stopping power, very easy to control. Only problem is they could use a few more mm reach. I have to keep the back wheel slammed or they would dig into the tire.

I'm a big fan of Shimano brakes.

105/Ultegra can be had used on ebay for cheap. Look for used Ultegra 5600/6600 for a great value. My fav. brakes evar are Dura Ace 7800

Have you ever tried the new Dura Ace 9000, Ultegra 6800, 105 5800 ? They are a new design with separate pivots on the outside of the mounting bracket, similar to the old centerpull brakes. They provide a much more even travel and pressure on each side of the rim. Much better modulation IMO.

nice, no I haven't.

If/when I chose to upgrade my two road bikes to 11sp, mechanical Dura Ace 9000 is on the top of my list. I know a few riders that have it and absolutely love it.

Dura Ace 7900 are regularly on ebay for $99. With Jagwire cables and SRAM S500 levers I couldn't be happier. Those 9000's do look tasty though, and the 9010's are light.

Ok I found a new silver Dura Ace 7800 front caliper for $47 shipped. Same site had a silver 5800 105 for $29.99 shipped. Which one? I'd rather have the 105 in black but they want $50 for black. WTF is that? Painted ones cost more I guess? My bike is an aluminum frant with black carbon fork so either one would work really. .

I'd take the 105 5800 over the Dura Ace 7800.

But. . the Dura Ace costs more. Isn't it better? Are you just trying to save me money?