New brakes or just better pads?

rodgers73

I have bog standard non-branded calipers and Shimano Ultegra pads on them. With fresh pads they seem ok but wondered about upgrading calipers to Tiagra (to match groupset).

Is this worth it or is it a better idea to get some steel cartridge pad holders instead? I'm guessing they're the weakest link in this set up??

Giraffoto

rodgers73 wrote:

With fresh pads they seem ok . . .

Only just OK or perfectly OK? How do they compare with any other brakes you might have experienced? Do you already have powerful, consistent braking with plenty of "feel" from full speed to stop?

From cheap to expensive the improvements are (in no order) lighter weight, stiffer (no juddering, flexing fore-and-aft or bending instead of squeezing your rim) and smoother operation. If your current calipers are letting you down in one of these areas, an upgrade may help you. If not, stick with the calipers and get some Kool-stop pads

rodgers73

Hmm, hard to say as I've only ever ridden 2 other bikes and only briefly on holidays. So, I've not much to put these up against. I wouldn't say I have total confidence in them.

I'm guessing that Tiagra are a decent level of calipre, such that they will be noticeably better than unbranded ones that came on a bike that cost me £600?

Also, any particular Koolstop pad? I hav these on another bike I use occasionally and they seem ok (cant remember which pad it is though)

rolf_f

Get the better pads with the Shimano cartridge fitment. If you are still not happy with the performance, you'll still be able to use the pads and cartridges on the new brakes.

I wouldn't assume that the brakes on your bike are the problem though. I'd (maybe naively) assume that the days of bendy brakes are long gone (I renovated an old bike with Weinmann Centre pulls - you could see the metal bend as you applied force! Fun going down 20% slopes!) - on that basis a caliper is two pieces of metal and a spring and a pivot. There isn't much to them and the expensive ones should just save you a miniscule amount of weight.

If you do change, any of the Shimano brakes should be OK - but a good idea to get dual pivot ones - for the front at least.

trek_dan

On a similar theme my back brake on my Trek 1.5 which is a bog standard Tektro seems utter rubbish. I've upgraded the pads to BBB and changed cable inner and although marginally better I'm not filled with confidence going downhill. Would an upgrade make any difference?

topdude

Don't bother with Tiagra calipers, they will be no better than the no-name ones.
The problem is the cheaper calipers are more compact (shorter arms giving less leverage) and qiute flexy, i went from no-name on a Giant Defy to Tiagra with no improvement.
I suggest at least 105 with swisstop pads and you WILL notice the difference.

stueys

topdude wrote:

Don't bother with Tiagra calipers, they will be no better than the no-name ones.
The problem is the cheaper calipers are more compact (shorter arms giving less leverage) and qiute flexy, i went from no-name on a Giant Defy to Tiagra with no improvement.
I suggest at least 105 with swisstop pads and you WILL notice the difference.

Agreed, I tried various types of pads on my Tiagra to get a vaguely decent stopping effect. They aren't great. Compared against the DA on my other bike there is a noticeable difference between the component sets. I would go 105 minimum.

jonny_trousers

I even think 105s are pretty crappy, relatively speaking. I have them on my single speed and they are nowhere near as good as the Condor branded long reach brakes I have on my Equilibrium (Shimano I believe, but can't remember their number. I've heard they're Ultegra level despite not costing too much). Definitely don't waste your money on Tiagra.

rodgers73

105s it is then. Added to Christmas list!

ajb72

If you don't mind mixing your brands, perhaps you should consider SRAM callipers instead of Shimano 105. Every review of SRAM groupsets seem to comment on how impressive the brakes are, even at the Rival end of the groupsets. SRAM users can no doubt confirm or deny this…….

trek_dan

Ribble have SRAM Apex on for £30 a pair at the moment, seem to get extremely good reviews. Quite tempted to upgrade my bog standard Tektro's with them. Equivalent of 105 but half the price.