Brake upgrade?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Brake upgrade?
After riding more I am starting to realize the brakes on my new Specialized Allez are not the best; I kind of expected this, as most reviews mentioned the brakes as a weak point. The current brakes on the bike are Tektro caliper brakes.
Just curious if I would need to upgrade both the caliper and pads, or if I could get away with throwing on some stickier brake pads?
Just curious if I would need to upgrade both the caliper and pads, or if I could get away with throwing on some stickier brake pads?
Last edited by bran1986; 04-29-20 at 11:06 AM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Memphis 10
Posts: 193
Bikes: 2021 Canyon Endurace SL8, 2019 Cannondale Topstone Sora, 2002 Giant Yukon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 148 Times
in
57 Posts
What's your budget.
New brake pads will be the cheaper first option, compressionless housing brake cable would be a second step and finally new calipers
New brake pads will be the cheaper first option, compressionless housing brake cable would be a second step and finally new calipers
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I don't really have a budget, just looking for something with a bit more stopping power for around town (traffic lights, stop signs, etc.) If I can get away with just replacing the pads, that would be great.
Last edited by bran1986; 04-29-20 at 11:54 AM.
#4
Banned.
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 821
Bikes: Wahoo of Theseus, others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 67 Times
in
46 Posts
Pads can be very expensive and probably won't do much if there is not good tension. Amazon has one v brake kit for 25 bucks and one for 40 bucks, both are all inclusive. I got the 40 buck one recently but it did't arrive yet. Should be adequate but if not then one shamino btr4000 brake for front or back is 15 bucks more, so still much cheaper than if you got all the parts separately.
#5
Senior Member
This is a really good thread on the subject you're asking, lots of ideas - Shimano vs tektro road calipers
I also found the review that in cycling weekly that talks about how the brakes don't have good initial feel. The same review goes on to say the stock wheels are on the heavy side and your shifters are claris so tiagra might be an upgrade path - I added that last bit.
I think your frame has the carbon fork so the frame is shared throughout most of the lineup which means the frame is worth putting money into.
Make sure the brakes are setup the best they can be before needlessly throwing money at the issue.
I also found the review that in cycling weekly that talks about how the brakes don't have good initial feel. The same review goes on to say the stock wheels are on the heavy side and your shifters are claris so tiagra might be an upgrade path - I added that last bit.
I think your frame has the carbon fork so the frame is shared throughout most of the lineup which means the frame is worth putting money into.
Make sure the brakes are setup the best they can be before needlessly throwing money at the issue.
#6
Full Member
I have a 2020 Allez Elite. I’ve owned it for maybe 2 months. About 2 weeks ago I took the Axis 1.0 calipers off and put on Ultegra calipers. They made a noticeable difference in stopping power as far as braking authority. I had little confidence in the feeling of the stock Axis 1.0s. Ultegra calipers feel so much better, I highly recommend them.
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
www.mp-aviation.com
Likes For InvertedMP:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,102
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 822 Post(s)
Liked 1,955 Times
in
941 Posts
I have a 2020 Allez Elite. I’ve owned it for maybe 2 months. About 2 weeks ago I took the Axis 1.0 calipers off and put on Ultegra calipers. They made a noticeable difference in stopping power as far as braking authority. I had little confidence in the feeling of the stock Axis 1.0s. Ultegra calipers feel so much better, I highly recommend them.
#9
Recreational Road Cyclist
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MetroWest, Mass.
Posts: 546
Bikes: 1990 Peter Mooney road bike
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 255 Post(s)
Liked 252 Times
in
134 Posts
You might start with some Kool Stop salmon pads. If they don't do the trick for you, you can use them to improve whatever brakes you put on next.
Likes For BCDrums:
#10
Half way there
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,956
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 986 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times
in
526 Posts
I've never had to do panic stops for traffic lights or stop signs. Are you saying that your brakes are not up to the gradual slowing required for these devices?
#11
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2761 Post(s)
Liked 2,534 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Biggest changes would come from better pads and compression less brake housing (if that is not what you already have.
As far as getting new calipers, I’ve had Tektro, Cane Creek, and Ultegra calipers. Once they are all running good pads and housing, there is a performance difference, it is not all that much IMO.
As far as getting new calipers, I’ve had Tektro, Cane Creek, and Ultegra calipers. Once they are all running good pads and housing, there is a performance difference, it is not all that much IMO.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
This is a really good thread on the subject you're asking, lots of ideas - Shimano vs tektro road calipers
I also found the review that in cycling weekly that talks about how the brakes don't have good initial feel. The same review goes on to say the stock wheels are on the heavy side and your shifters are claris so tiagra might be an upgrade path - I added that last bit.
I think your frame has the carbon fork so the frame is shared throughout most of the lineup which means the frame is worth putting money into.
Make sure the brakes are setup the best they can be before needlessly throwing money at the issue.
I also found the review that in cycling weekly that talks about how the brakes don't have good initial feel. The same review goes on to say the stock wheels are on the heavy side and your shifters are claris so tiagra might be an upgrade path - I added that last bit.
I think your frame has the carbon fork so the frame is shared throughout most of the lineup which means the frame is worth putting money into.
Make sure the brakes are setup the best they can be before needlessly throwing money at the issue.
I just got the bike a few weeks ago but am already loving it. I can definitely see upgrading to Tiagra or better in the future, but for now the Claris work perfectly fine for me.
Brakes were looked over by the bike shop and myself and seem to be adjusted well.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I should have been a bit more clear. I meant traffic lights and intersections in general. I ride in a city that is on a huge upswing and is getting busier by the day. I would just feel more confident with a little more bite if a panic stop were needed.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think I will start with the Kool Stop Salmon pads recommended in here and then move on to the Ultegra calipers if needed.
Last edited by bran1986; 04-30-20 at 10:16 AM.
Likes For bran1986: