Deep drop brakes --57mm-calipers--what`s best?

JamesB
JamesB Posts: 1,184
edited July 2012 in Road buying advice
I`m currently running set Tektro deep drop brakes for full mudguards / 25 mm tyre clearance. Brakes are c 5 years old and feel so ineffective :(:( cf set Campg Chorus std brakes on closer clearance frame.

I`ve fitted new set pads--Swiss Stop green, but still less than good stopping power. Using Open Pro rims.

So is this just a fact of life re deep drop brakes, they will be soft, or are there any better ones out there ? On frame brakes are set at about 50- 52 mm drop so full deep drop brakes may not be required.

ta

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,336
    There isn't much on the market... you can try the Ultegra ones (probably marketed in a different way), but generally the Tektro are OK... cables still in good order?
    left the forum March 2023
  • JamesB
    JamesB Posts: 1,184
    cables still in good order?

    probably, replaced about a year ago, run smoothly etc :) ; just seems to be so much flex on caliper arms themselves :(
  • I use Shimano deep drops (on an otherwise campag bike); when set up well with decent pads like swiss stop they give the same stopping power as the chorus on my other bike.

    Clearly cant say whether its the callipers thats causing your issues, but you should be able to get equal performance from deep drops.

    What levers are you using (maybe the pull ratio isnt optimal), and what state are the brake tracks of the rims in?

    jon
  • JamesB
    JamesB Posts: 1,184
    Campag Record levers, and rims are in good condition, newish rear, OK front..........
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    Assuming the pull ratio is OK with Campag levers, it's hard to find better than Shimano BR-650 (or R650). I tried to save money by buying Ambrosio ones (partly tempted as it was an Ambrosio frame), but ended up throwing them away and buying the Shimanos. You can usually find them reasonably discounted, and I have never regretted it.
  • I also have record levers, so, at the risk of wasting £50, it could well be worth giving the r650's a go!
  • JamesB
    JamesB Posts: 1,184
    Can`t find any R650 at less than £40 EACH so it`s nearer £80 replacement costs :(
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,336
    JamesB wrote:
    Can`t find any R650 at less than £40 EACH so it`s nearer £80 replacement costs :(

    Front only? The rear brake doesn't do much anyway...
    left the forum March 2023
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    JamesB wrote:
    Can`t find any R650 at less than £40 EACH so it`s nearer £80 replacement costs :(

    You can get the R650 for less than £50 the pair at Ribble Cycles.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • jeepie
    jeepie Posts: 497
    I've got these on my bike -> http://www.wiggle.co.uk/miche-performan ... liper-set/ with Koolstop Dual compound blocks. Very pleased with them. Perhaps not as good as my Ultegra brakes on my best bike, but for long drop ones I'm happy. As they are cheap might be worth a punt if you are desperate for options!
  • JamesB
    JamesB Posts: 1,184
    You can get the R650 for less than £50 the pair at Ribble Cycles.

    thanks for that, will give them a go ........
  • JamesB
    JamesB Posts: 1,184
    Set up now with R650s and with previous brake pads, ie Swiss Stop Green, and notice quite a considerable improvement, so does seem to ahve been a good upgrade from Tektros; braking much more positive feel and more confidence inspiring
  • rjsmith
    rjsmith Posts: 1,924
    Good choice. I've used the R650s for a few years and really rate them. More positive feel than the cheaper (but great value) R450s.