Road bb5s v bb7s

MrTibbs
MrTibbs Posts: 21
edited August 2012 in Road general
Cx bike came with bb5s - wondering if an upgrade is worth it. Anyone upgraded road discs from bb5s to bb7s - if so what's the conclusion?

Comments

  • arthur_scrimshaw
    arthur_scrimshaw Posts: 2,596
    Not upgraded but bb7's are supposed to work better, easier to set up etc. I've got bb5's on my CX and after a bit of a learning curve am quite happy with them. At the start I was considering upgrading to 7's but now got the hang of setting them up and tweaking them occasionally.
  • MrTibbs
    MrTibbs Posts: 21
    edited August 2012
    Ok, thanks
  • arthur_scrimshaw
    arthur_scrimshaw Posts: 2,596
    If you're finding them a pain this helped me more than the youtube setup guides

    http://www.ecovelo.info/2011/04/15/a-fo ... sc-brakes/
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    The main difference is that BB7s have both inboard and outboard pad adjusters - doesn't make much difference to the functionality of the brake, just easier to set-up / adjust in situ. BB7 pads are slightly bigger so probably gives a little bit more braking power, but as an upgrade I wouldn't say it was worth it. FWIW latest Shimano STi lever cable pull-ratio doesn't work best with BB5/7 - some folks finding it tricky to get right. If working correctly, you should be able to 'hold' the bike on edge of a steep drop-off. Using decent / semi-sealed cables helps too - I use Goodrich, outers are noticeably stiffer than regular cables which means they don't compress / spongey braking.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..

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