Light weight brakes that really work!

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

rockdude
Posts: 180
Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:23 pm
Location: Boulder, Colorado

by rockdude

I have had several light weight brakes but some just don't work well, others are hard to setup and some have no modulation. I have found some I really like but always looking to try something new. What lightweight brake is your Nirvana?

Some of the top contender would be?

M5 Brams
EE Cycloworks
THM's Fibula
Far and Near
KCNC
Ciamillo Zero
2 Serotta's, 1 Spectrum, 1 Van Dessel, 1 Parlee & 1 Carl Strong, & 1 Titus.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



User avatar
btompkins0112
Posts: 2635
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:04 am
Location: Mississippi

by btompkins0112

You can add Planet X CNC calipers. $125 and work very well.

User avatar
Cyklus
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:12 pm
Location: Denmark

by Cyklus

I`m very happy for my kcnc c7 -168 gr pair ;-)

User avatar
G6612
Posts: 279
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:20 pm
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

by G6612

I have TRP 970SL's really like them.

RudyMontana
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 4:17 am

by RudyMontana

I have Camillo Gravitas and would not recommend them to an enemy. Very disappointed at there stopping.

Yes, they are set up correct!

User avatar
FIJIGabe
Posts: 2241
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:07 pm
Location: The Lone Star State

by FIJIGabe

I've got a set of Bontrager Speed Limit XXX. I haven't noticed any appreciable difference in braking compared to the Ultegra 6700 calipers I had before, and they're 223g for the set (measured). They're out of production, but show up fairly frequently on ebay for less than $200.

eric
Posts: 2196
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 9:47 pm
Location: Santa Cruz, California, USA
Contact:

by eric

You should read the Fairwheel brake test.

I tried KCNC CB1s and they were poor. A lot of friction and heavy return springs meant they took more effort just to move the arms. The arms flex and bend a lot so you need more force. As a result you need a lot more force at the lever. I do a lot of climbing which means a lot of descending on technical roads, which means a lot of braking. On long climbing rides with the CB1s my hands would hurt. I started getting nerve problems in my left hand and I can't afford that. So I went back to 7800 brakes, tuned with Ti parts.

Last year I got some EE brakes. They work better than the 7800s, and after I got a set of the older lighter weight return springs, the action is much lighter as well. I'm using them with Sram levers. Some people may find the action too light but for me and my use they are very good. For crits or normal racing I'd want the heavier springs to moderate the braking a bit as it's easy to lock up the rear in a panic stop.

The only drawbacks are the price and the inability to operate the adjustment while riding or use the QR to open the brake while riding.

dvincere
Posts: 198
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:40 pm

by dvincere

btompkins0112 wrote:You can add Planet X CNC calipers. $125 and work very well.



+1
These are the best value WW brakes out there. And I constantly get compliments about their appearance.

handler
Posts: 99
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:28 pm

by handler

I have used the camillo brakes for 6 months. I totally regret that I bought them. And I almost got them for free.

deermatt
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:46 pm

by deermatt

I was also going to say get the planet x brakes. Im building up a new bike now, and had my heart set on the black planet x bakes, but they're out of black until next week or so, so I got a pair of zero gravity in black. They will be getting sold once the planet x are in stock.

Dammit
Posts: 437
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:16 pm

by Dammit

EE all the way

deermatt
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:46 pm

by deermatt

Dammit wrote:EE all the way



no one needs $600 dollar brakes..

User avatar
itsacarr
Posts: 1012
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:55 am

by itsacarr

TRP 970eq work very well with my SRAM setup
Just ride ..

User avatar
rmerka
Posts: 618
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:23 pm
Location: Austin, TX

by rmerka

deermatt wrote:
Dammit wrote:EE all the way



no one needs $600 dollar brakes..


Need being the operative word I fully agree. They sure are sweet brakes though!

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



juanacity
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 12:22 am

by juanacity

Another vote for Planet X. A little fiddly to set up, but manageable and work really well once you get them adjusted. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has experience with them on any of the new wider wheels.

Post Reply