Brake Upgrade

Shezzer

My bad weather training bike has a really low-end braking system ... Tiagra STIs, cheap Tektro calipers and very cheap BBB brake pads. Not surprisingly, braking performance is less than ideal.

The wheel rims are fine (newish Easton EA50SL) and kept free of crud so don't think there's owt wrong with that side of things.

I plan to change the brake pads to Swissstop Greens but just wanted to know how much difference the calipers and STIs make. Would I notice much difference with, say, 105 or Ultegra calipers?

mister biscuit

STI's - not a lot. they're all pretty stiff. I run sora sti's with 105 calipers on my crappy winter bike (upgraded from the OEM brakes made of cheese) and they're pretty good.

you'll probably notice a big amount of difference in upgrading to 105 calipers - they'll feel a lot less spongey. there isn't much difference in feel between 105 & ultegra calipers in my opinion.

skyd0g

I have just completed a very similar upgrade to the one you are considering. Tiagra STI's & Tektro calipers. I upgraded from the standard no-name one-piece blocks to Koolstops with Shimano compatible holders. Like these:



The difference is PHENOMENAL! 8)
A really worthwhile upgrade! I got mine from Dotbike http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP5993.aspx?utm_source%3dinternal%26utm_medium%3d3%26utm_campaign%3dDPL
And for £17.23 per-pair, not only were they supplied with a set of dual compound pads (as pic.), they also had a spare set of salmon pads.
Probably the best £35 I've ever spent on my bike.
Additionally, the higher quality of the holders meant I could align the pads perfectly.

Shezzer

Thanks fellas, I appreciate your replies.

skyd0g

IMHO, pound for pound, you'll see a marked improvement by simply changing the pads/holders.

There would still be some improvement to be gained by upgrading the levers and calipers, but it will cost a lot more for a much smaller return, relatively speaking.