ee cycleworks brakes

[Lemule]

An old topic I know but does anyone have any long term use of these brakes?

[bikewithnoname]

I've had them for about 4 years. They remain the best brakes I've ever used in terms of weight vs power vs modulation. I've never had any isues with them in tersm of reliability, they are a bit of a pain to clean, but other than that they're great.

[nismosr]

same here my first pair is about 3 years old and bought another one last year ..no issue and easy set up and centering.

[mdeth1313]

As someone mentioned, they might be a pain to clean, but they still work really well when dirty.

[sugarkane]

had my set for over 10000kms, awesome brakes. took me a while to warm to the look of em but that was put to rest as soon as i had them in my hot little hands..
worth every penny and the new ones with the black pivots are so nice!! do need to be cleaned a bit more than a set of DA brakes for instance but who would let a WW bike stay dirty for long any way?

[eric]

Two years and still working fine. Mine don't get cleaned that often- I ride much more than I clean.

Compared to my previous benchmark tuned 7800 brakes they're way better- more power and modulation. I'm using Sram 2012 red levers.

I did have some problems with the return springs being too stiff. I've had some nerve problems in my left (front brake) hand after doing 5 hour rides up and down very technical descents. Actually it started when I was using a set of KCNC CB1s... The newer EE return springs were stiff enough to trigger it. So I asked Craig for a set of the softer original springs. They work fabulously- the brakes are very light, have even better feel and zero problems with brake return. The Sram levers have their own return springs and while I don't clean the bike that often I do maintain it well.

[rmerka]

They're great brakes. The only cons I see to the ones I have are price of course, and maybe clearance as the arms are fairly short and fat. I had one incident where I broke a spoke on the rear wheel and when it went out of true it rubbed ferociously on the pads. I was 50 miles in to a 95 mile ride. I opened the back brake up all the way thinking that would be fine to get home. When I opened the caliper up all the way I didn't realize that the tire would then rub directly on the arm of the caliper and ended up cutting through the tire about 15 miles later. Then I just repaired the flat and tire, and took the brake off the bike and rode home with just the front brake. I don't think I would have had this problem with a brake that had longer thinner arms.

As to cleaning, yes they are more difficult to clean but I feel this is offset with not having to worry about lubing the pivot points. I think it's a wash that way. I'd buy the same brakes again if I was building a new bike.

[Lemule]

Thanks for all the replies.Always good to get real life long term reviews.

Think that's made my mind up.Better get saving.

[mike]

excellent brakes. only downside is looks.

[Lemule]

I don't mind the lo[quote][/quote]oks.[list=][/list]

Got that partisan bike build raw industrial look.

Maybe not the smoothest slickest looking brake but suits certain builds.

[barsook77]

Great brake. No issues and I'm not exactly lightweight @ 175.

Looks???

EVERYBODY comments on them to the plus side.

Tip on cleaning. I use my home steamer and they are factory fresh clean in under two minutes with just a trace of water vapor. Actually I started to use the steamer on the entire bike. No caustic chemicals or disassembly needed and now the shop has to look elsewhere for revenue.

[Lemule]

That's a good tip.I'm going to try that.

[bura]

@ barsook77: I am here with mike that these brakes do look like they are designed by some ambitious new graduated "here is what I can do different" guy.
IMO best designed brakes are the DA 7900.

[Lemule]

Each to their own but I quite like the look of the ee brakes so that isn't an issue for me.

I can understand why people don't however.

Hopefully I can get this bike build done and prove they look good.

[barsook77]

@ barsook77: I am here with mike that these brakes do look like they are designed by some ambitious new graduated "here is what I can do different" guy.
IMO best designed brakes are the DA 7900.

Ya know, when I look at a new product, the first thing I ask is: How much better does it function than what I currently use?

These brakes are awesome when I'm looking for controlled bleed off of speed ripping down my Cat 1 mountaintops.