Sora or 105 brake calipers

neoandsam

My current winter workhorse is starting to show its age and it needs new brake calipers. I currently have cheap old sora which have done a good service but the rears dont realease properly so once depressed they dont fully open....ive checked the cable and all seems good so i think the spring may be giving up. With this being the case im looking to get some new ones. Is there much difference between sora and 105 calipers for road bikes (rim brakes not disc)..,i would like ultegra but i dont think they go with 5700 sti gear levers.

Any thoughts? Or would ut be cheaper to source new spring or take existing caliper apart and try and fix? My technical workshop ability is poor to very poor though. :roll:

Thanks

slowbike

Ultegra (6700 at least) ones do work with 5700 levers - they work with Sora levers too ...

markynulty

Yep, I have got full 6700 group on my bike apart from the shifters which are 5700 (prefer aluminium levers for racing on) and it all works a treat.

macleod113

i think you should choose what you want. can you justify the additional cost, do you need a better version. if so then go for it. do a good search as prices can be so wide ranging between retailers.

i wouldnt mess around taking brakes apart to replace a spring but thats a personal choice. plus check out ebay if you only really need a rear? maybe save a few quid?

nigelgos

If your buying new I'd get 105 or above and not another Sora set. The pads on the Sora aren't removable from the shoe so you end up buying new shoes. I've found my 105's to be an improvement to the Soras I originally had.

kajjal

I upgraded the tektro brakes on my Trek to 105 which was a big improvement. Mainly due to them being so poor for me.

neoandsam

Thanks all for ur advice.....i think i may go for the 105 and save a few pennies..however saying for £6 more per caliper i could get the ultegra...def not going to attempt a repair

slowbike

Second hand brakes come up quite often in the classifieds.

desweller

90% certain it's not the spring and it just needs a clean - remove the wheel, take the pads off, unclamp the cable and squirt plenty of WD40 into the pivots while working the caliper with your hand, I bet it will free off.

thefd

My 105 (5700) rear calliper was sticking and I took it off and gave it a good spray with WD40 - after a bit of playing with it it now works a dream. Have you tried that as a cheap alternative?

yoonhocoleshin

6800 is good!
In a little while, New 105 brake will be released !
so I think buying 105 brake is not good!
6800 users told me, It is awesome. Braking power is like a Dura-Ace.

rolf_f

DesWeller wrote:

90% certain it's not the spring and it just needs a clean - remove the wheel, take the pads off, unclamp the cable and squirt plenty of WD40 into the pivots while working the caliper with your hand, I bet it will free off.

This. Infact, probably 99% not the spring. Dismantling these things is pretty simple - really just the one bolt. If you aren't confident with bike mechanics, this is a good place to start as there's nothing to lose (aside from the odd washer!) - if you find yourself struggling to reassemble - just post on here or take it to the LBS. If you never try you never learn.

Bar Shaker

The Ultegra are forged dual pivot callipers. Worth every penny of the extra £6!!

The pads are really good too.

nammynake

Whichever you choose get some decent pads - they make a huge difference.

SwissStop are not cheap but they work very well and last a long time. Anything that allows me to descend Hardknott in the rain is OK by me!