New brakes - Veloce/Mirage/something else?

Yellow Cliff

I'm looking to replace the rubbish brake calipers on my wife's bike so what I need are relatively cheap brakes which will wear reasonably well (used for commuting in all weathers) and work well.

I'm thinking Campagnolo since my Veloce brakes (from about 1998) are excellent and even have ball bearings embedded into the washers. Do the new Veloce (well last years model for cheapness) have these still?

Is there much difference in longevity between the Mirage and Veloce brakes? Any others I should consider?

Thanks!

acorn_user

Does your wifes bike have quick releases in the brake levers? If it does, then Campagnolo brakes are great. I have ridden Avanti, Mirage 8 speed and Centaur, and they all felt great, and worked well. Centaur has a really nice finish, and good pads. It's nice to have the pad holder, because that saves money long term.

Otherwise, you could try Shimano brakes if you need the q/r.

edit : consider some new pads and cables as a budget alternative.

JWSurrey

I take it you're not worrying about needing deep drop brakes for a frame with mudguard clearance, since this would rule out Campag.

There are some funky new calipers mentioned, I think in this month's C+, from Bontrager.... Though they mention the Q/R lever is strictly on/off with no adjustment.

I run Swissstop GHP pads (now available online from Wiggle), which make my deep drop Tektros hugely better, though not as good as my 105 calipers on standard 105 blocks.

You could always give wifey your calipers, and upgrade your own bike :twisted:

Yellow Cliff

Yes - short reach.

I have decided to do without the quick releases - I only find them useful when loading the bike into the car, which is about twice a year and I can just pump up the tyres again instead. I gather that the Campag brakes are really good (and a bargain for the old stock at the moment) and my old ones have lasted incredibly well.

I have got Koolstop dual compound blocks on there - they are fine but I still find the brakes a bit disappointing compared to mine.

I was tempted to upgrade my brakes, but they work so well I have decided that I can't be bothered in case they aren't as good.

It is currently between 2006 Mirage at £17 and Veloce at £23. I am tempted by the Veloce, not that she will care! (she doesn't even think to let me know when they aren't working properly!!).

Thanks for the comments.

Monty Dog

Oldham Cycles have old-model Centaurs for about half-price at the moment

dennisn

Buy the very best set you can afford. Shifters may not shift and tires go flat but brakes are what you bet your life on every time you need to stop. Nothing on the bike is more important.

Dennis Noward

PhilofCas

i've used the lowest grade Campag Xenon for the last 3 year, never thought they lacked power at all, Mirage or Veloce would be absolutely fine