Why are brakes 9 or 10 spd ?

justa
justa Posts: 64
edited April 2009 in Road beginners
Newbie question !

Why are Ultegra brakes called 10 speed ? Surely that doesn't mean they wouldn't work with a 9 speed set up ?

just wondering....

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    as they also do the gears..... they only work with a 10spd set up.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • justa
    justa Posts: 64
    really why ?
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    Do you mean the brake calipers?.
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • justresting
    justresting Posts: 292
    because on a road bike ( drop handlebars ) the brake on the bar is also the gear changer
    ' From the sharks in the penthouse,
    to the rats in the basement,
    its not that far '
  • Diogenes
    Diogenes Posts: 1,628
    To summarise, the levers (10 speed) would pull a "9 speed" set of brakes but they would not change the 9 speed gears (different pull length on the gear cable), hence as the levers change the gears and pull the brakes, they are sold as 10 speed so folk do not confuse and try to mix and match incompatible set ups.

    D :D
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    But if the OP is referring to calipers only it doesn't matter.
  • justa
    justa Posts: 64
    oops - yeah sorry I meant the Calipers

    They are described as 10 speed...
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    in that case it may just be the shop showing that they are matched to the 10spd STI´s

    Over the years the groups have gone through a few changes in finish and colour.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    Shimano labels all the components of a groupset with the number of gears. The number of gears is basically relevant to the shifters, cassette and chain only. Ever other drive train component is pretty much agnostic when it comes to numbers of gears. Brakes, of course, are not a drive train component, so it matters not a jot (unless you are dealing with Dura Ace 7900). You could run ancient Modolo Speedy brakes or brand new Mavic SSC calipers, and both would work. Imagine an Ultegra seat post from a 10 speed group... I have one, and it works just fine with my 10 speed Campagnolo bike :D

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