Planet-X own brand brakes

Ribble rider

Hopefully someone can help me out!!

Recently bought a new P-X SL Carbon with SRAM Rival fitted. However, it is equipped with their own brand forged brakes. They are very light and definitely look the part. However, I don't seem to be able to centre the calipers. I am used to Shimano and Campag brakes which have an adjustment screw, or grub-screw, which you can use to space the brake blocks evenly and equally from the rim edge. The P-X brakes have a similar adjustment screw, but it appears to do naff-all on either the front or rear brake.

Anyone got the same brake set that can give me some advice??

Avoneer

Main bolt too tight and binding slightly stopping each arm moving freely?

Pat...

Ribble rider

No, If anything the arms are moving far too freely and I dont seem to be able to tighten them any further.

hopper1

There is a collar, between the brake and the frame. If you look closely at this you will see a very small grub screw (tiny allen key in bag!).
Back this off a turn , or so, then rotate your brakes to centre using a spanner.
Retighten the grub screw....
I wont be near my bike until Tuesday, otherwise I'd take a couple of photo's to make it easier to see.

Ribble rider

Hi , cheers for the info.
However, I have already tried this and it makes no difference! It is as tight as it will go and the caliper arms are still moving far too freely! In fact, the brake cables are actually pushing the caliper arms across - thats how freely the arms are moving!
Think I'll give PX a call.

hopper1

Ribble rider wrote:

Hi , cheers for the info.
However, I have already tried this and it makes no difference! It is as tight as it will go and the caliper arms are still moving far too freely! In fact, the brake cables are actually pushing the caliper arms across - thats how freely the arms are moving!
Think I'll give PX a call.

Yes, do that.
When I initially tried to sort mine, I couldn't, so I called them.
Got a really helpful email from their tech guy... Job done.

Ribble rider

Got it sorted! Long last!!
Grub-screw holes on both caliper collars had not been fully tapped! I could tighten them fully, but they were not gripping the shaft. Had to strip the calipers and tap the holes properly - NOT impressed for a new bike build - obviously not tested!! :x :x
Brakes now working properly.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Love the SL Carbon, but not very impressed with the build quality!!

herusix

Are the brakes these ones:-


If so I'd be interested to know what there like ,besides the set up problems.
Are they stiff,whats the braking power like.

Cheers

hopper1

I've had a set of the CNC Ultralight brakes for a little while now...
I don't think that they are as powerful as the SRAM Force brakes that they replaced.
They are certainly more fiddly to release when needing to remove the wheel... The anodised red bit is not a quick release... :evil:
I may put them onto a TT project build and put the Force back on my 'best' bike.
I wouldn't buy another set, though :roll:

herusix

hopper1 wrote:

I've had a set of the CNC Ultralight brakes for a little while now...
I don't think that they are as powerful as the SRAM Force brakes that they replaced.
They are certainly more fiddly to release when needing to remove the wheel... The anodised red bit is not a quick release... :evil:
I may put them onto a TT project build and put the Force back on my 'best' bike.
I wouldn't buy another set, though :roll:

Is there no quick release whatsoever on these ,like campag brakes.

Are they better powerwise than older single pivot brakes, I'm toying with the forged versions rather than the more costly CNC ones for a Shimano build.

hopper1

herusix, there is a QR, but it's just not 'quick'!
Doesn't open up with the same speed, or technique as Shimano/SRAM...
I've not known it to flex, so I'd say that they are alright for single pivots.
Only difference between CNC and forged is weight.

itboffin

I have these, look good but a royal PITA to remove wheels and set up, also like the OP said they move around no matter how much you tighten.

Where's the QR?

Edit: I see the single screw but does that make them single pivot? if so someone should tell PX because it says dual pivot in their ad.

hopper1

itboffin wrote:

Where's the QR?

Edit: I see the single screw but does that make them single pivot? if so someone should tell PX because it says dual pivot in their ad.

The little red anodised bit (on mine) is the QR... Not very effective! I find that if I set the pads really close to the rim, thenI have to back off the brake using the knurled adjuster nut, in order to operate the 'QR'!

Unless they have changed the design, then I believe that they're single pivot brakes, like mine.

There is a collar/sleeve between the brake and the frame, look carefully and you will see a tiny grub screw (tiny allen key in pack, with brakes!). Tightening this grub screw should hold your calipers firmly in place, if it doesn't, then maybe you have the same problem as Ribble Rider...