Brake upgrade from no-name dual pivot calipers?
05-22-12, 07:58 AM
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Bikes: 2019 Trek Stash 7, 1994 Specialized Epic 1986 Diamondback Ascent 1996 Klein Pulse Comp, 2006 Specialized Sequoia Elite
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Brake upgrade from no-name dual pivot calipers?
The bike I use for touring came with no-name long reach dual pivot calipers. Replacing the brake pads helped immensely with improving the stopping power.
I'm toying with the idea of upgrading my brakes. Any suggestions out there for a quality dual pivot caliper that would be worth the improvement. My LBS suggested Ultegra or 105. Is Ultegra worth the premium? Are there other good dual pivot calipers out there?
I found a used 105 brake set on Craigslist for $45. I'd have to make a 120 mile round trip drive to pick them up though.
I'm toying with the idea of upgrading my brakes. Any suggestions out there for a quality dual pivot caliper that would be worth the improvement. My LBS suggested Ultegra or 105. Is Ultegra worth the premium? Are there other good dual pivot calipers out there?
I found a used 105 brake set on Craigslist for $45. I'd have to make a 120 mile round trip drive to pick them up though.
05-22-12, 04:01 PM
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Your bike is specified to have "long reach" calipers. That probably rules out 105 or Ultegra which are short reach. Your brakes may be Tektro, which can be decent. If you aren't using Koolstop salmon pads, try them. After that, look to cable issues.
05-22-12, 05:43 PM
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Hmm. My LBS said he had Ultegra calipers that would work for my application for $175. I did a Google search for long reach Ultegra calipers and didn't find anything.
I don't think my current brakes are Tektro - they appear to be spec'd specifically for Specialized. There aren't any identifying marks on the brakes anywhere that I can see.
I did change my brake pads which helped quite a bit. I actually want to replace the brakes on my 80's Trek road bike and thought I use the brakes off my Specialized and get better brakes for touring.
Edit: Thanks for the heads up on "long reach/ short reach" shelbyfv. I had no idea - I figured caliper breaks were all the same. I'll need to see if the brakes from my Specialized will work on my Trek. I'm sure the Trek is short reach, so the brakes on the Specialized may be too long.
Last edited by mtnbud; 05-22-12 at 07:33 PM.
