Brake Calipers: Tektro RX40 vs Dura-Ace ?

Mike said:

I am looking for a set of dual-pivot brake calipers. I came across

the

Quoted message said:

overview specifications for a set of Tektro RX40 calipers and they

are

Quoted message said:

seemingly very similar to Dura-Ace, but a quarter of the price. Has

anyone

Quoted message said:

used the RX40 models? What is their quality? Are they a high-end

product?

Quoted message said:

Thanks!

Not specifically the RX-40, but many other Tektro calipers and cantis
and they are very nice quality...great value.

I don't care for them. I have a set on my TT bike and the springs are weak
and don't return the cable with enough force for internal cable routing on
the rear brake. They are well known for weak return springs. Also, they
are kind of heavy and bulky and a little on the flexy side. Basically they
perform like the cheap brake that they are.

I'll be getting rid of them soon. Wasn't worth the money I saved.

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am looking for a set of dual-pivot brake calipers. I came across the
overview specifications for a set of Tektro RX40 calipers and they are
seemingly very similar to Dura-Ace, but a quarter of the price. Has anyone
used the RX40 models? What is their quality? Are they a high-end product?

Thanks!

Mike said:

I am looking for a set of dual-pivot brake calipers. I came across the
overview specifications for a set of Tektro RX40 calipers and they are
seemingly very similar to Dura-Ace, but a quarter of the price. Has anyone
used the RX40 models? What is their quality? Are they a high-end product?

They come standard on some Cannondale bikes (Cannondale Theta it says,
but it's Tektro). I've got a pair on mine. Thumbs Up.

--
BMO

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am looking for a set of dual-pivot brake calipers. I came across the
overview specifications for a set of Tektro RX40 calipers and they are
seemingly very similar to Dura-Ace, but a quarter of the price. Has anyone
used the RX40 models? What is their quality? Are they a high-end product?

Thanks!

I have a set on my Road Bike...done a couple of 1000Km's with them, and no
problems at all. Good quality.

Dave Quail

Is your problem with the calipers or the levers? What kind of levers
are you using? Weak return spring could be a bad/poor lever, you should
look at that first.

bfd said:

Is your problem with the calipers or the levers? What kind of levers
are you using? Weak return spring could be a bad/poor lever, you should
look at that first.

I think this line of questioning is on the right track. If you closed
your eyes, and used the same pads, it would be hard to tell the
difference between a set of $5 dia compe/weinmann 500 sidepulls and a
set of $50 campagnolo nuovo record brakes. normally, it's only when
you open you eyes that you can tell the eye candy from the dogfood.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

Agree, other things to look at are brake pads and cables. What kind are
you using? I use single-pivot Campy cobalto brakes with Ergo levers,
Kool-stop continental (salmon colored ones) and modern cables. My
brakes work extremely well. I don't see "newer" dual pivots being
"superior" other than the power brake feel, which I don't care for.
Check your levers, pads and cables, makes sure they're all up to snuff
before changing your calipers.

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In article said:

I am looking for a set of dual-pivot brake calipers. I came across the
overview specifications for a set of Tektro RX40 calipers and they are
seemingly very similar to Dura-Ace, but a quarter of the price. Has anyone
used the RX40 models? What is their quality? Are they a high-end product?

_ I've gone through one set of brake pads with the ones on my
bike and they work just fine. I ride on some steep hills and
am a chicken descender so my brakes get a lot of work.

_ The one suggestion I would make is to replace the original pads
with Kool Stop Salmon pads. The black ones that come with the brakes
can hold grit and chew up the rims.

_ Booker C. Bense

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I run the long reach dual pivot model on two bikes and DA on two other
bikes. I agree with the those who say the Tektros are just
fine...after you replace the original black pads with anything else. I
use Kool Stop black pads and they make the Tektros and the DA's equal
for the type of non race riding I do. Sometimes aebike.com has Tektros
at ungodly good prices. Don't buy them all. Save some for the other
guys.

Quoted message said:

I don't care for them. I have a set on my TT bike and the springs are weak
and don't return the cable with enough force for internal cable routing on
the rear brake. They are well known for weak return springs. Also, they
are kind of heavy and bulky and a little on the flexy side. Basically they
perform like the cheap brake that they are.

Tektros often don't come properly adjusted from the factory, and it's a bit
of a black art figuring out how to do so. It's the pivot bolts that are the
problem, and either too loose or too tight and you have lever return issues.
Also, get rid of the stock brake pads and put some basic KoolStops in them.
Salmon or black, doesn't matter that much, but they'll make a big
difference.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

One of the reps for shimano several years back said that the lower end
calipers back then were just as good as the dura ace stuff in terms of
stopping power. Pads, proper setup and good cables and housing will
make a much bigger difference than model.

Andres

Quoted message said:

One of the reps for shimano several years back said that the lower

end

Quoted message said:

calipers back then were just as good as the dura ace stuff in terms

of

Quoted message said:

stopping power. Pads, proper setup and good cables and housing will
make a much bigger difference than model.

Andres

I wonder what he did after shimano canned him............

I did a review of the rx40 a couple years back. compared them to DA and 105
they took the middle position. all doing with spring tension difference the da was the most responsive and the 105 the least. the rx40 weight is about the same as the ultegra. as everyone else has commented its all in the pads. the salmons wear to fast and are usually a couple bucks more but braking is more significant.. not recommended on a racing bike more for commuting.
Comment on single pull vs dual pull. dp brakes are quicker responding,they also are easier to feather. (racers know what Im talking about) also they wear the pads more evenly than single pulls.

In short unless you are a "Weight Weenie" the RX 40 is a great value
(30 years of experience.. Cat:3) 😎

notryt said:

I did a review of the rx40 a couple years back. compared them to DA and
105
they took the middle position. all doing with spring tension difference
the da was the most responsive and the 105 the least.

how do you figure that? the shimanos share the same spring and have the
same length lever arms.

besides, "responsive" implies reaction time, and that means momentum. i
defy you to detect the momentum differential for the slight mass
difference between the moving parts of the different models.

Quoted message said:

the rx40 weight is
about the same as the ultegra. as everyone else has commented its all in
the pads. the salmons wear to fast and are usually a couple bucks more
but braking is more significant.. not recommended on a racing bike more
for commuting.

the pad is not the caliper, buddy.

Quoted message said:

Comment on single pull vs dual pull. dp brakes are quicker
responding,

how do you figure that? their velocity ratio for activation is lower.

Quoted message said:

they also are easier to feather. (racers know what Im talking
about)

well, i used to race and i haven't a clue what you're talking about.

Quoted message said:

also they wear the pads more evenly than single pulls.

no they don't. the "c" arm has significant "cosine error" [to quote
jobst brandt] and it wears very unevenly.

Quoted message said:

In short unless you are a "Weight Weenie" the RX 40 is a great value
(30 years of experience.. Cat:3) 😎

dura-ace are cold forged, the ultimate in high strength and fatigue
resistance. tektro are just die cast [thixo-formed], and that means
their mechanical properties are inferior.

quote='jim beam'notryt said:

I did a review of the rx40 a couple years back. compared them to DA and
105
they took the middle position. all doing with spring tension difference
the da was the most responsive and the 105 the least.

how do you figure that? the shimanos share the same spring and have the
same length lever arms.

besides, "responsive" implies reaction time, and that means momentum. i
defy you to detect the momentum differential for the slight mass
difference between the moving parts of the different models.

Quoted message said:

the rx40 weight is
about the same as the ultegra. as everyone else has commented its all in
the pads. the salmons wear to fast and are usually a couple bucks more
but braking is more significant.. not recommended on a racing bike more
for commuting.

the pad is not the caliper, buddy.

Quoted message said:

Comment on single pull vs dual pull. dp brakes are quicker
responding,

how do you figure that? their velocity ratio for activation is lower.

Quoted message said:

they also are easier to feather. (racers know what Im talking
about)

well, i used to race and i haven't a clue what you're talking about.

Quoted message said:

also they wear the pads more evenly than single pulls.

no they don't. the "c" arm has significant "cosine error" [to quote
jobst brandt] and it wears very unevenly.

1. I believe I did state that braking ability had more to do with the pads than the brake calipers themselves.

2.when it comes to physical strength of material all 3 are basically the same wouldnt matter if they were forged in the fire of Mordor and the spring strength or more acurately, the tension IS different you can feel on the release allthings like brake handles/shifters being equal.(I can also tell if my my bike seat has been moved up/down 2mm or if Im using a 42 or 44mm handlebar or a 100 or 110 stem)
3:Wrong again, single pulls wear more on one side more than on the other,
specifically the non-pulling side (the side away from the brake cable).
Of course with anything your results or amount of wear may very.
4: Feathering is gently touching a brake to slow down slightly while
attempting to maintain a constant rhythm. (not cadence)

(30 years of experience.. Cat:3) This is why I know!!! 😉