Brake calipers - SRAM v Tektro or Short v Long drop

paulbnix

I have two bikes - a Boardman Road Comp and a self build Planet X Pro Carbon.
They both have SRAM Apex shifters.
They have the same make and age brake blocks.
They share a pair of Mavic Aksiums.
The cables are a similar age.

The Boardman has long drop Tektro R730 calipers and the Planet X has SRAM short drop calipers.

The Planet X braking feels a lot more powerful than the Boardman.
The Boardman braking isn't bad just not as good.

Is the reason likely to be the caliper make (Tektro v SRAM) or the drop (long v short)?
If it is likely to be the drop then its probably not worth looking at changing the calipers.

marcusjb

It's not the drop - I've two bikes with long drop calipers on (R650s on gears and Velo Orange Grand Cru on fixed) and they are both exceptional stoppers and as good as similar priced standard drops.

MountainMonster

It will most likely be down to the SRAM vs. Tektro issue.

diamonddog

^^This

fat_cat

Yep agree with others ^^

Have Tektro brakes on my winter bike compared to 105 on my summer bike and braking performance is considerably worse with Tektro despite having newer pads on this bike

paulbnix

Bumping my post.
I got the Boardman Road Comp out for the wet weather / winter and the brakes were as bad as I remembered especially when the wheels are wet.
So I have now bought and fitted a set of Shimano R650 calipers.
First time out today with the stock pads and the braking was as good as my other bike.

dj58

And if you fit some SwissStop Flash Pro BXP Blue pads to your BR-650's they will be even better.

me-109

Yeah, probably down to the pad compound more than anything.