Deep Drop Brakes... Best Options?

luketorroni
luketorroni Posts: 73
edited November 2009 in Road buying advice
I'm planning to build a new winter road bike this year but can't decide on the right brakes to go for. I'm going to fit mudguards, so require the deep drop type, 57mm I think.

The two option I have found are:

Tektro R538
Shimano R-650

Any opinions on which is better or worse than the other? Or other alternatives?

Comments

  • Tail end Charlie
    Tail end Charlie Posts: 352
    I have recently got a pair of the Shimanos and they are very good. Easy to fit, look the part and oh yes, stop the bike well!!
    Can't comment on the Tektros.
  • psdrage
    psdrage Posts: 26
    Hi

    I use Shimano R650 on both my Road Bike with STI's and my Flat Bar Commuter which has full Panniers.

    I am a heavy rider (100KG) and they stop extremely well both in wet and dry.

    My road bike had the Tektro R538's which were also good but I replaced them with the R650's which I consider a worth while upgrade.

    Regards

    Peter
  • rjsmith
    rjsmith Posts: 1,924
    Having used both tektro and shimano deep drops, I feel the Shimano are stiffer brakes and therefore better, espcially when the load might be a bit more (all that winter clothing, heavier bike) and the conditions worse.
  • careful
    careful Posts: 720
    I have Shimano 650 on my winter bike. Personally I dont rate their stopping power - nowhere near as powerful as the 105s I have on my other bike (but of course these are short reach). The 650s were improved a fair bit by fitting Swiss stop green pads though.
  • luketorroni
    luketorroni Posts: 73
    Doesn't sound like you rate the Shimano's very highly... are they really that much worse than 105s?

    Has no one else had any experience with the Tektro's?

    I'm still no where nearer making a decision. It's a shame there aren't any other premium options!
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Also depends on what STI's you're thinking of using.
    I have Shimano deep drops with Ultegra 6700... Not good!
    The 6700 has a different pull ratio to general Shimano kit.
    My first experience with the brakes was on a wet, hilly sportive.
    High speed downhilling on wet leafy lanes is erm... exhilerating, to say the least :shock:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • luketorroni
    luketorroni Posts: 73
    That's an interesting point...

    I am going to be using them in conjunction with Campag Athena 11spd.

    I know some might cry at the thought of mixing Shimano and Campag. I don't mind so much, I really just want to find the best deep drop brakes available!

    Doesn't seem like there are many Tektro users here?
  • Chris James
    Chris James Posts: 1,040
    I have Tektro brakes on my Dawes Audax 2006. Can't remember the exact model but they look similar / the same as the ones you mentioned.

    The Tekros pads pick up bits of rim, but swap them for koolstops and they are decent stoppers.
  • Stellite
    Stellite Posts: 544
    www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.as ... HIMBRAR360

    I have just fitted these to my Charge Plug, upgrading from Tektros. They seem ok for the money. Im using them tot he the Ultegra 600 levers.

    There is a similar thread going on over in the road beginners section that might be worth a look
  • Aguila
    Aguila Posts: 622
    I made the upgrade from the tektros to the shimano 650's. they are a lot better, well worth the upgrade. i think the tektros are pretty poor, in my experience they were only maginally better with different blocks too.
    www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=6277
  • luketorroni
    luketorroni Posts: 73
    Do you know if the Shimano R-650s are compatible with Campag 11-Speed brake levers?

    I was wondering if the pull ratio was different or if the outer cable size will fit?

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