BRAKES - Tektro r741, SRAM Apex, or SRAM Rival? Please help me decide.
10-09-12, 03:31 PM
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BRAKES - Tektro r741, SRAM Apex, or SRAM Rival? Please help me decide.
I知 needing to upgrade my brakes from some old single pivot brakes to some dual pivot brakes. I have a single speed road bike and use it to get around Seattle which can be VERY hilly, and at times, really wet, so I need some good brakes. I知 only looking to spend around $100 or less for a brake set. Can anyone shed some light on the Tektro r741 (about $75 online), the SRAM Apex (about $60 online), and the SRAM Rival (about $100 online).
I believe all three use Swiss Stop brake pads. The Tektro set weigh 300 grams, the Apex set weigh 308 grams, and the Rival weigh 287 grams.
Do any of the three have a ratting quick release? I知 just looking to get the best bang for my buck. If you have another suggestion for a brake set, please let me know and why.
Thanks for your time!
I believe all three use Swiss Stop brake pads. The Tektro set weigh 300 grams, the Apex set weigh 308 grams, and the Rival weigh 287 grams.
Do any of the three have a ratting quick release? I知 just looking to get the best bang for my buck. If you have another suggestion for a brake set, please let me know and why.
Thanks for your time!
10-09-12, 04:04 PM
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SRAM Rival has a ratcheting release, with 8 positions, and I find SRAM barrel adjusters to be amazing.
Don't know about apex, but it comes on Force and Red, I assume it would trickle down.
Don't know about apex, but it comes on Force and Red, I assume it would trickle down.
10-09-12, 04:13 PM
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I can't speak to any of them specifically, but I found great performance in the Tektro R539. Their quick release has a trigger lock, and I believe their other calipers do too. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Tektro product, especially if the price was better than the competition. Their levers, on the other hand...
10-09-12, 04:17 PM
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+1 on tektro. I can't stand the release mech on R539's, but R540's are pretty damn nice.
10-09-12, 04:38 PM
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Another +1 for tektro; it's all you need, just swap out the stock tektro brake pads for kool stop salmon pads and you're golden if not better off than a stock sram caliper. Just go for Shimano Dura Ace type pads.
EDIT: I've never heard of a pair of tektro's that came with swiss stop pads, they usually use in-house pads.
EDIT: I've never heard of a pair of tektro's that came with swiss stop pads, they usually use in-house pads.
Last edited by Leukybear; 10-09-12 at 04:50 PM.
10-09-12, 05:15 PM
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dura ace 7800 used ebay
best brake
best brake
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10-09-12, 05:31 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by double0eskimo
I知 needing to upgrade my brakes from some old single pivot brakes to some dual pivot brakes. I have a single speed road bike and use it to get around Seattle which can be VERY hilly, and at times, really wet, so I need some good brakes.
The RX100 brakeset is one of my favorites, as it appears to be the same forgings as the Dura-Ace, but with basic washers between the rotating caliper arms instead of the fancy ball-bearing assemblies. Little difference in performance, and you can typically get RX100s on Ebay for real cheap.
The problem with used brakes or bargain generic brakesets is seldom the quality of the components or hardware, but setup. The pivots get dirty over time, and become sticky. I have seen some get loose over time, which poses a safety hazard. This requires disassembly and retensioning. I have seen some that are either too loose or tight right out of the box - this is a problem with the cheap brakes. If you are prepared to service calipers, you could get a real deal by reviving an older out-of-tune brakeset.
10-09-12, 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Mayer
Shimano's dual pivot brakes were right from the very beginning. I think the Dura-Ace 7403s are the best road brakes ever. Shimano's SLR brakes from the same era are all good.
10-09-12, 10:33 PM
#10
Fresh Garbage
Believe it or not, Sora brakes are pretty damn good if you want to keep your costs down on new - probably not the lightest or prettiest.
Last edited by hairnet; 10-09-12 at 10:37 PM.
10-10-12, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by TMonk
dura ace 7800 used ebay
best brake
best brake
the mother****er has bearings!!!!
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Originally Posted by yummygooey
crabon/campy/rapha/roadie-bro.
next step is recumbent.
next step is recumbent.
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10-10-12, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by hairnet
Believe it or not, Sora brakes are pretty damn good if you want to keep your costs down on new - probably not the lightest or prettiest.
10-10-12, 03:04 PM
#13
Fresh Garbage
yeah, the Sora have that weird painted-on silver finish. It isn't pretty but I got mine fore $10 so I'm not complaining.
10-10-12, 09:58 PM
#14
Still kicking.
I'm using an ultegra brake.
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