My front brake is a mess…no doubt about it. However, the rear brake works pretty well (2001 Ultegra from a friend). The front is an ancient Modolo Flash carried over from my old bike and requires an actual wrench to adjust the cable…and the quick-release…doesn’t. Probably something to do with the gallons of acidic sweat that drip on it from my face in the Floriduh heat. Sooo…I am in the market for a new front brake (rear brake isn’t necessary to replace). I’m 155lb with a 20lb BP Stealth BP-2 in black, so a nice black brake would look cool but isn’t essential. I’ve been using single-pivot forever, but apparently double-pivots have better control and tend to pull in more evenly left/right. The single-pivot is a pain because it always wants to push the rim to one side…very annoying. Apparently the double-pivot doesn’t seem to do this?
Anyway, it seems my options are basically buy a set of brakes F/R Shimano 105/Ultegra for $60/75 or a single DA front for $112. A pair of Record at $220 is way too much, but a pair of Chorus at $130 isn’t totally unreasonable. Basically I don’t want to spend much over $100. The Cane Creek 200SL is supposedly a nice brake too at $100.
My criteria are:
Cost ~$100 or less (somewhat flexible)
Good modulation and braking force
Reasonably lightweight
Easy to adjust
Durable for my gallons of sweat
Obviously with a 20lb bike I am not concerned about the absolute lightest components out there, so stuff like AX isn’t necessary. Anyone have any suggestions? Should I just replace both brakes anyway with something like the new Chorus or Ultegra? I am leaning towards the DA front right now.
I’d go for the DA front since you need to replace it anyway. The new DA is lighter than the previous DA ones. It’s dual pivot and supposedly even improved stopping power. Then put a pair of Kool Stop pads on them for the best modulation with least amount of rim markup compared to the DA pads.
suggestions? get one, it’s always good to have a front brake.
seriously, when I built my Saber, I was going to use old single pivots, but I decided to get dual. you could always try ebay. If you want, I’ll send you a single pivot front (and rear, if you want it) for free.
Chorus differential brakes. The front has more braking power than rear. Very durable and the parts subject to wear are replaceable and more importantly… available. Aint cheap but they sure are pretty.
I’ve got a similar problem although the original brakes are whatever comes stock on the cervelos. I’ve got an old sora equipped road bike that is a permanent trainer bike now. I took the brakes off and put them on my P2k and they don’t seem to be gumming up like the Cervelo brakes did. You can tell the quality is low, but the corrosion doesn’t seem to be there. It hasn’t quite been long enough for a definitive answer but it would seem that any Shimano brake is going to be an improvement.
I think the only reason I wouldn’t want the Mavic brakes is there is no quick release lever. If I flat in a race I don’t want to even think about trying to readjust a brake to change my tire. Is there a reason I should get either the Cane Creek SL or the DA brake if I go for just the front?
I run the Cane Creeks both front and back. They stop ok, and have decent feel if you have good levers (Syntace or VisionTech). I do have to adjust the rear between my training wheel and my disc. They are stupid light, and look cool.
I’d get the DA front, every bike needs some new jewellery sometimes… keeps 'em happy and preening.
I have single-pivots on the race bike, double on the road bike. The double is noticeably more effective, and easier to center and adjust. But I don’t dislike the singles enough to replace them.