Brake calipers

Javier said:

Is there a big difference in braking performance and less hand fatigue
between stock no-name brake calipers and higher end calipers such as
Ultegras, Durace and 105's? The area where I ride is full of steep long
climbs and while going down hill is fun braking at the end kills my
hands.

I'd hate to have to reposition my shifters as I have the hoods in a
sweet spot where my hands will not go numb even after two hours of
being in the same position.

1) Get better pads - Kool-stop salmon (not red) colored pads are the
near-universal favorite in this forum. Depending on what you've got
now, they could make a big difference. Try this first as it's cheap.

2) If your calipers are single-pivot, consider dual-pivots. Much better
braking leverage; the price is less rim clearance. If your rims are
true and stay that way, this is not an issue.

To answer your specific question, I can only speak for Campy products:
I've used both the low-end Veloce and the high-end Record and see little
or no difference in braking performance (both are dual-pivot, same
pads). The Records are prettier and just a tad easier to set up and adjust.

Mark

I've got Ultegra pads on my calipers and they are dual pivot. I'll give
the Kool-Stops a shot. I figured the ultergra pads would be good but
then again my LBS is Shimano bias.

Javier said:

I've got Ultegra pads on my calipers and they are dual pivot. I'll give
the Kool-Stops a shot. I figured the ultergra pads would be good but
then again my LBS is Shimano bias.

Never used a Shimano pad I liked. Goes double for the dreck that is
Bontrager.

There's a couple virtual shops on Ebay that offer nice deals on
Kool-Stop stuff.

Javier said:

Is there a big difference in braking performance and less hand fatigue
between stock no-name brake calipers and higher end calipers such as
Ultegras, Durace and 105's? The area where I ride is full of steep long
climbs and while going down hill is fun braking at the end kills my
hands.

No, finish weight and block compound but not 'action'.

Quoted message said:

I'd hate to have to reposition my shifters as I have the hoods in a
sweet spot where my hands will not go numb even after two hours of
being in the same position.

Javier

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Javier said:

Is there a big difference in braking performance and less hand fatigue
between stock no-name brake calipers and higher end calipers such as
Ultegras, Durace and 105's? The area where I ride is full of steep long
climbs and while going down hill is fun braking at the end kills my
hands.

No, finish weight and block compound but not 'action'.

Quoted message said:

I'd hate to have to reposition my shifters as I have the hoods in a
sweet spot where my hands will not go numb even after two hours of
being in the same position.

Javier

Hi Javier, I recently swapped out my front Promax 451AG generic brake
caliper for a Shimano Dura Ace BR-7800. I immediately changed the
brake pads to Kool Max Salmon. I use the Kool Stop Salmon on both
bikes, and have for the last two+ years, so that is not a variable.

For me, I have a smaller, weaker left hand and I have better braking
ability with the new caliper. It's subtle, but besides overall
stopping power, I think the caliper has a better feel to it, allowing
a little more control.

With my right hand, I have no problem locking up the rear, not that I
do that. It just demonstrates what it can do. That said, I like the
feel enough that I plan on replacing the rear with the matching DA
BR-7800, budget permitting.

Shimano has improved the current DA calipers, I don't know if those
changes carry over to the 10-speed Ultegra and 105.
Mike J. might have tried all three by now. Mike, any opinions or
impressions?

So, changes subtle, but for ME, worthwhile.

Once the rear caliper is replaced, all that is original on my 2002
LeMond Tourmalet, will be the frame and fork.

Life is Good!
Jeff

"Javier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Is there a big difference in braking performance and less hand fatigue
between stock no-name brake calipers and higher end calipers such as
Ultegras, Durace and 105's? The area where I ride is full of steep long
climbs and while going down hill is fun braking at the end kills my
hands.

Quoted message said:

Javier

Brake performance is a function of:

- the stiffness of the brake caliper arms
- the mechanical advantage of the calipers
- the setup of the calipers (as in are the pivot points tight, or do the
arms wobble/have play)
- the brake pads.

Regarding the first point, generally the cheaper brakes are heavily built.
Look at some of the new Dura-Ace brakes - there is a lot less metal there
because they are made to be light. So the cheap brakes likely have an
advantage in terms of stiffness. Probably not a major issue.

On the second point, I have not noticed a significant difference in the
dimensions between dual-pivot brakes from different makers. Probably a
wash.

Third point, I've come across some cheap brakes that had play in the arms.
Easy to check. I would suspect the better brakes are built with higher
quality control standards. On the other hand, I recently bought an Ultegra
caliper that must have come out on a bad day in the assembly line. I had to
completely strip it apart and fuss over properly tensioning the bolts and
then setting the grub screws. Not recommended unless you have a supply of
Loc-tite.

By far the most important factor is the pads. Kool Stop salmons. These
will stop you, even reasonably well in the rain.

Javier said:

Is there a big difference in braking performance and less hand fatigue
between stock no-name brake calipers and higher end calipers such as
Ultegras, Durace and 105's? The area where I ride is full of steep long
climbs and while going down hill is fun braking at the end kills my
hands.

I'd hate to have to reposition my shifters as I have the hoods in a
sweet spot where my hands will not go numb even after two hours of
being in the same position.

Javier

Hi Javier,

In your other posts you state that you are 5'5", right? Perhaps you
would find some brake levers designed for smaller hands to be more
comfortable? You might be able to keep them in a comfortable position
on the bars, and still have them closer for better grip/leverage and
braking power. Shimano makes some.

Joseph