Anything from the shimano SLR-ev generation. Even if you settle for the entry-lower mid range 105 calipers, you're set on some of the best rim braking modulation and power currently available.

I would not call the older 105 brakes entry, lower or even mid.

I wish my 2016 105 brakes were as good as my 2002 models. The feeling doesn't compare. The older ones are far superior.


-Tim-

Tim, I am not knocking 105. It is not exactly on the tippy top of the shimano hierarchy either.

That statement was more of implying that OP didn't have to fork out serious skrill for middle-of-the-road ultegra or even pro-peloton proven dura ace.

If you're referring to 2002 105 5500, that group is decent and I actually do have that specific set of brakes. Even then, I am pretty certain you'll find super SLR family DA 7400 dual pivots and 600 tricolor dual pivots to be equally as superior as that's essentially the trickle down order.

Any info on sizing? Ideally, I'd have it fitted at a shop, but since it's a gift, I'd like to skip that for now. It's the 61cm frame; factory specs. Thanks!

How do you install double straps?

Put them through the slots in the pedals.

In before Leuky posts a pic of his ****ed up double strap setup.

...Metal clips on the bottom or the top?

I dont get it... I've always had them set up like the picture you posted above....

I could swear you had the rear strap unnecessarily looped through the back of your Custom Nuevos like so:

http://nathaniel.typepad.com/photos/...dsc_0516_1.jpg

LOL, you're giving me too much credit. I'm nowhere close to being that creative. :lol:

Any aluminum frames with vintage/lugged styling like the kilo tt? GF wants a lighter bike but likes how kilos look

Kinda no. If you want a lightweight bike that looks like a Kilo, build up a Kilo with lightweight parts.

Can't be done^

Lol true.

There are vintage lugged aluminum and lugged carbon fiber frames, but they are not track bikes. kind of a pain to track one down just for the frame.

Raleigh Technium - aluminum
Vitus 979 - aluminum
Trek 2300 - carbon
Speciaized Epic and Allez - carbon

just to name a few

Are Wabis much lighter than kilos? Found those but not sure how much weight the heat treating will take off

That's a bastard bike list. I would avoid all of those.

These bikes were developmental stepping stones in the evolution of the modern carbon and aluminum bikes we know of today. Manufacturers learned from their mistakes producing these!

The vintage lugged carbon frames such as the 2300, epic, and allez are all glued together. The epoxy that's holding them together, is way past their estimated useful life. Becoming brittle and losing their bond, making tube separation very commonplace under more vigorous riding. The newest of those would turn 18 years old this year. I definitely would not decend a mountain road on one. Alan is another brand that produced similar carbon bikes, avoid those as well.

The same goes for techniums and vitus frames which are also glued together except with aluminum tubing instead of carbon. The instances of separation are lower, although still present, on these than the prior carbon bunch.

Had an 09, and they run small. 6'0" all torso here and I was on a 58. Bought it on eBay so it was a shot in the dark. It fit but was probably the wrong size if I were to be "fitted". Track or street?

Sorry I didn't see this earlier @bastianbike.

Personally, I'm looking for a set of the newest grey Dura Ace calipers. I have not tried them yet and hope they are better. Looking for someone who has upgraded and can provide some feedback before I splurge.

I have Dura Ace BR 7800 on my fixed gear bike. They were about $100 for a pristine pair on ebay and the performance is outstanding.

If you had to weight the importance of levers to calipers in terms of overall braking performance and feel, what would that be? 50/50? 25/75? Etc.

Background: I have a bike with a vintage brake setup (front only) -- a Campy single-pivot caliper and non-aero brake lever. If I replaced just the lever with a Tektro RL340 but retained the Campy caliper, how much difference would that make? Loads? Some? Not at all?

Probably not much.

For what it's worth, I think the Campy single-pivot caliper actually works fine, but the lever action sort of feels like doo-doo compared to a modern lever. Leaning toward replacing just the lever.

Yeah, I mean, it might help if the lever is in crummy shape. Are the cable and housing in good shape? If those are worn, it can make the whole thing feel like a sponge.