Cable disc brakes - what's best?

tangled_metal
tangled_metal Posts: 4,021
edited February 2017 in Commuting general
Got my "one bike for everything" being fettled. It's my only bike (well apart from my bso and the old road bike kept for sentimental reasons but isn't roadworthy). It's used for commuting through to touring with day rides included. This fettling got me thinking what else would improve it.

The current brakes are BB7 cable actuated brakes, these are single piston or operates on one side of the rotor. This means the piston pushes the pad on one side against the rotor which is then forced against the other pad which doesn't move.

My query is whether dual action brakes are noticeably better? Should I consider changing the BB7s to say trp spyres? What other cable actuated disc brakes are worth switching to? Budget won't be huge for this so hydraulics are out due to this and maintenance reasons.

What to replace the BB7s with? Is it really worth the change?

Comments

  • andy9964
    andy9964 Posts: 930
    From what I've read, Spyres seem to be top of the tree for cable calipers.
    However, have a look at the Juin Tech R1's - cable/hydraulic. They are £150 a pair, only £30 more than Wiggles Spyres, and may be worth the extra.
    Have a word with Bender, IIRC he's testing some, and I'm sure they can be gotten for around £125 from somewhere
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    I have a couple of mates I spoke to about this when I was building my monstercross bike. They recommended I go for BB7s as they found that, while the Spyres were smaller, sleeker and lighter, they just didn't have the same stopping power the BB7s have and even with non-compression outers they felt spongy.

    I've found the BB7s to be more than I need, they'll stop me as well as my Deores did on red/black MTB trails. The single pad movement is a bit of a extra work but I've found you know when the pads are wearing a click or two gets the brakes back to functioning properly.

    I'd stick with them to be honest. I do wish that the plastic bits weren't red though!
  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    I'm a big fan of Spyres, I use them on two bikes and am very happy.

    With that said though, there is very little difference in performance (when properly set up) against Avid BB5s (and so presumably BB7s) when properly set.

    The plus points for the spyres are:
    - Dual piston means no risk of the static pad seizing.
    - Ongoing adjustment easier - simple twist of barrel all that is generally required, same as rim brakes
    - Lighter that any other cable-actuated disk brakes

    So if you are happy with the performance of the BB7s and have no need to replace them I wouldn't bother.

    One last thing to add - spyres can currently be had for £50 a piece on probikekit assuming you get them on the 3 for £150 deal. Handy if you want to fit them to one and a half bikes.... :lol:
  • davesnothere
    davesnothere Posts: 620
    I've run BB7s on my hardtail for years, never had a problem with them. I'm a big lad and the bike is not light but have always had confidence in them stopping me
    GET WHEEZY - WALNUT LUNG RACING TEAM™
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    I can recommend the Juin Tech R1s, IMHO better than the Spyres they replaced. I got mine here http://www.edgesportsuk.com/store/juin-tech/road-cx/juin-tech-r1-hydraulic-cable-pull-disc-brake-set-green-cyclocross-cx-road.html
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    Anyone taken a punt on these ebay specials yet?
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cable-Actuate ... 4FrTBayx3A
  • penguin_of_death
    penguin_of_death Posts: 219
    TimothyW wrote:
    With that said though, there is very little difference in performance (when properly set up) against Avid BB5s (and so presumably BB7s) when properly set.

    BB7s are noticeably better than 5's, partly because they are easier to set up, mainly because they have much bigger pads

    Personally I'm running BB7's and CX77 and I found the CX77's easier to get set up and work consistently than the BB7
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Yeah Juin Tech review here:

    https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/08/03/ju ... ic-brakes/

    MINE are still fine but a couple of people have reported sticky pistons. That said, I have had that with all sorts including Shimano SLX.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • awavey
    awavey Posts: 2,368
    TimothyW wrote:
    I'm a big fan of Spyres, I use them on two bikes and am very happy.

    With that said though, there is very little difference in performance (when properly set up) against Avid BB5s (and so presumably BB7s) when properly set.

    The plus points for the spyres are:
    - Dual piston means no risk of the static pad seizing.
    - Ongoing adjustment easier - simple twist of barrel all that is generally required, same as rim brakes
    - Lighter that any other cable-actuated disk brakes

    what pads do you use with your Spyres, or would recommend then ? as IME with them so far, whilst I can see the benefit of the caliper design, I think Id be considering going back to rim brakes on my next bike as Ive not built alot of faith in their stopping power ability after nearly 2 years of using them, and the bikes been LBS serviced twice, so afaic theyve been setup as near to correctly as Id expect to work properly.
  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    These are the pads I usually use - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/clar ... -prod55871

    Unfortunately I wouldn't trust an LBS to set up cable disk brakes at their best - as my LBS have previously done a fairly rubbish job with them. I wrote a little post about getting the best out of Spyres here:
    viewtopic.php?f=40004&t=13073248&p=20016834#p20016834

    Compressionless brake outer makes a big difference (especially at the rear) so if you don't have it, might be worth getting some.

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