eyeheartny

Picked up my new '11 Spec. Allez Comp w/Apex on Friday evening-- 58 miles over the last two days and loving the bicycle overall. The one thing that doesn't feel right is the braking. The brakes are adjusted right (very short "throw" on the levers until the brakes contact the surface) but they don't feel very strong.

Specialized ships the bike with Tektro brakes and pads. When I was test-riding other bikes, I felt that a set of new Ultegra brakes felt the most impressive-- those connected instantly and felt powerful. The brakes on my new bike feel weak-- they take a long time to engage and never feel really strong. I noticed it quite obviously when coming to stop lights on my ride today.

Will new pads make a difference, or should I look for some SRAM brakes that might be a bit stronger? I'd rather not get a whole new set of brakes, but I'm not happy with the way these feel. If it's just about pads, I'll happily get some new pads and use these brake calipers.

Thanks!

2ndGen

Solution: SwissStop Brake Pads

https://www.swissstop.ch/Road.aspx





I have OEM Tektros too.
I just upgraded to these (save 140 grams [1/4 pound])
for $160. shipped and they come with SwissStop Pads.

https://www.planet-x-usa.com/pCNC%20U...ht-Brakes.aspx



Any set of Shimano brakes from 105-up will drastically improve your braking.

rdtompki

I'm not familiar with Tektro brakes, but us tandem folk really need effective brakes and Salmon or Black/Salmon Koolstops are very well thought of. Swiss Stop are also highly regarded. First thing I might try is cleaning the rim; I wonder if the rim could have some sort of film affecting stopping. It's hard to imagine a single with modern calipers having a stopping problem.

eyeheartny

Awesome. So I can just get the pads themselves (here's a link I found: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...62.1767.0.html) and swap them myself, or is that something I should have the shop do for me? Or do I want the ones that come with holders already? I'm probably going to skip upgrading the brake calipers themselves if I can get better braking with new pads.

2ndGen

Pay your local shop the $10. they'd charge to put them in for you and adjust them until you learn.
That way, you can haul arse on that bike with confidence.

You might be able to use replacement pads or might need the holders too.
Either way, it's the best $20.-$30. you can spend on your bike right now.

eyeheartny

Happy to, just not sure they carry SwissStop stuff. But if any replacement/upgraded pads will work (the KoolStops mentioned above, maybe?) I might just go in, mention the braking issue, and see what they say.

2ndGen

SwissStop or Kool Stops.
Can't go wrong with either.

BarracksSi

Tektro pads suck. Getting new pads may have been the best bang-for-the-buck upgrade I've ever done.

ShootingCoach

My "Dale" Synapse had mediocre brakes when I bought it. I installed a new set of Scott Mathauser pads from the vintage parts box, and now have brakes that rival the discs on my Kona Dew Drop.

TLCFORBIKES

Competitive Cyclist is overpriced. Go to your LBS and get the pads. The shop will have them or can get them -- no problem.

Accordion

My CAAD9-5 had pretty crappy stock brakes. I put a lot of miles on them and then switched out the pads to Kool Stops. Made a big (although not what I would call monumental) difference.

I guess what I'm saying is that with my Tektro brakes and Kool Stop pads I've never had the need for more stopping power.

TLCFORBIKES

The Tektro R750 comes with Kool Stop pads. I would consider all other brake pads used for Tektro brakes as being bad. But at the cost of Tektro brakes - replace the pads and you will have a good pair of brakes.