Apex vs rival brakes

exlaser
exlaser Posts: 264
edited June 2017 in Workshop
I own a bike with a full apex group set. I have been offered a set of new rival brakes very cheap. Are they a noticeably better and is it a worth while up grade? Any views are welcome.
Van Nicholas Ventus
Rose Xeon RS

Comments

  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Unlikely to make any difference in all honesty..
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Pad change would more than likely make up any difference but hey, an upgrade is an upgrade so go for it.

    I have Rival brakes running standard SRAM pads on a couple of bikes and really like them - as in never had any issues and work well for the price.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Do they not use the same calipers??
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • exlaser
    exlaser Posts: 264
    Svetty wrote:
    Do they not use the same calipers??

    Good question. Anyone know? They do look very similar.
    Van Nicholas Ventus
    Rose Xeon RS
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    exlaser wrote:
    Svetty wrote:
    Do they not use the same calipers??

    Good question. Anyone know? They do look very similar.

    It almost certainly is the same caliper. I have both Rival and Force brakesets - the caliper casting is identical, the surface finish is different and the Force caliper has Ti hardware rather than steel, so is a bit lighter. In terms of braking ability, I can't tell the difference..
  • Dont know about rival but i upgraded to force from apex calipers and noticed a meaningful improvement in braking power
  • exlaser
    exlaser Posts: 264
    So force is better apex. And rival and force seem to be the same. To get back to my original ask, is rival different/better than apex ?
    Van Nicholas Ventus
    Rose Xeon RS
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    exlaser wrote:
    So force is better apex. And rival and force seem to be the same. To get back to my original ask, is rival different/better than apex ?

    None of them are better/worse. Pads will make the biggest difference to braking ability in any case.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    SRAM pads are good quality, they're made by Swissstop.

    I've had Rival and APEX brakes. Rival felt better, but that could be down to any number of things, including braking surface on the wheels.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Brakes are for cowards.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.