Lousy brake Shimano BR-R451

father_jack

I have BR-R451 brakes on my fixie would changing to Shimano R650 Dual Pivot 57mm Drop Brake Caliper be worthwhile?

I have those on the other bike, and I think even with stock pads on the R650 they were pretty good, better than the R451 (going back a while)

How could two similar brakes offer so different levels of braking performance? They're both caliper, dual pivot, deep drop brakes.

dgunthor

should be a little better, yes.

try some latest dura ace pads with them:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-br9000-r55c4-cartridge-inserts-pair/

father_jack

I'll probably wait until I wear down stock pads, get some kool stops and if it's still poor look into R650 brakeset. The 451 pads aren't in replaceable cartridges so I'd have to buy these

The 650 stop the rims pretty dead but the 451 just seem to slow you down.

http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/m2b0s244p7870/Kool-Stop-Dura-Block-Holder-%2B-1-x-Dual-Compound-1-x-Salmon-Inserts

But it'll be a while I think I've got a few blocks in parts box.

turkeytickler

IME when you are dealing with modern dual pivot caliper brakes its the pads or the combination of the caliper and lever that are the biggest performance drivers. Yes Tiaga will be better than Sora, and 105 better than Tiagra and so-on, but its marginal.

Assuming you are pairing the 451s with Tiagra levers or something with matching actuation, I'd start by changing the pads.