Shimano R650 v Tektro R540 brake calipers.
dolan_driver
Posts: 831
I am trying to put the finishing touches on my Dolan Hercules and I need a pair of brake calipers. I am using the older Shimano Ultegra ST-6510 Flight Deck STI levers.
I looked at getting a set of Shimano Ultegra 6700 calipers but it seems these are designed to be used only with the 6700 brake levers, something about the levers being designed in such a way as to be able to generate the extra leverage necessary to properly operate this caliper.
The other options I have come up with is either the Shimano Ultegra R650 caliper or the Tektro R540.
The Shimano R650 caliper is described as having a ""57mm drop". I can't say that I know exactly what they are talking about here. Is it the case that the arm on which each brake block is attached is a little longer than standard, perhaps to accommodate a mudguard as well? Will the R650 caliper still fit the Hercules frame and work fine or is it designed only for winter bikes?
I have a set of Tektro calipers (I don't know which version) on my training/winter bike and I find them to be excellent. My previous, prehistoric, bike had centre-pivot 105 calipers, so the Tektros are quite an improvement. I have read that the Tektro brake blocks are very poor and need to be replaced but the Tektro brakes I have are quite good so the R540 is a caliper that I think can also be considered.
If anyone can offer any information on either brake caliper, I'd be grateful. I'd like to go with the R650 brake but if it won't work with my frame/brake lever combination (or is a poor brake) I will go with the Tektro brakes. Thanks.
DD.
I looked at getting a set of Shimano Ultegra 6700 calipers but it seems these are designed to be used only with the 6700 brake levers, something about the levers being designed in such a way as to be able to generate the extra leverage necessary to properly operate this caliper.
The other options I have come up with is either the Shimano Ultegra R650 caliper or the Tektro R540.
The Shimano R650 caliper is described as having a ""57mm drop". I can't say that I know exactly what they are talking about here. Is it the case that the arm on which each brake block is attached is a little longer than standard, perhaps to accommodate a mudguard as well? Will the R650 caliper still fit the Hercules frame and work fine or is it designed only for winter bikes?
I have a set of Tektro calipers (I don't know which version) on my training/winter bike and I find them to be excellent. My previous, prehistoric, bike had centre-pivot 105 calipers, so the Tektros are quite an improvement. I have read that the Tektro brake blocks are very poor and need to be replaced but the Tektro brakes I have are quite good so the R540 is a caliper that I think can also be considered.
If anyone can offer any information on either brake caliper, I'd be grateful. I'd like to go with the R650 brake but if it won't work with my frame/brake lever combination (or is a poor brake) I will go with the Tektro brakes. Thanks.
DD.
0
Comments
-
Upgraded my girlfriends Giant Dash hybrid from the stock Tektro calipers and levers to R650 long drop calipers and R780 levers and it's worlds apart, braking is fantastic and easily on par with my Ultegra roadie when braking from the drops. Modulation is excellent0
-
Thanks for the input, itsnotarace. Would the long reach arms on the R650s be too long for a race frame like the Hercules SE that apparently only has clearance for 23mm tyres?
I've just had a look at SRAM Rival brakes. These seem to get some good reviews and one or two bad ones. They are very light, though, and of the three brake sets I'm considering, are the cheapest. Anybody have any thoughts on these brakes? Thanks.
DD.0 -
Yes they would likely be too long. Long drop calipers by definition means the brake track is further away from the frame mounting point, to help accommodate larger tyres such as 28c.
Shimano 105 calipers will work fine with your Ultegra levers0
