Thadcorn

I am looking to upgrade my BB7s on my Straggler. I thought about going to hydraulic, but the price of the new levers is pretty high. Does anyone have any recommendations for an upgrade from BB7s? I would love to hear your comments

cale

I like the TRP Spyres. They are very similar to caliper brakes for setup and maintenance. The hoop design allows adjustment of both pads with a turn of the cable tension screw just as you find on a caliper brake.

In terms of performance, they are substantially easier to modulate than traditional rim brakes but don't have the feel of a hydraulic. That's probably due to cable stretch.

Regardless of your choice, I have found that compressionless cable housing makes a spongy mechanical brake feel more solid.

chriskmurray

Klamper | Paul Component Engineering

Every Paul brake I have owned has always impressed me! These are like a hoped up version of the BB7 with much better materials, finishing and bearings.

DogBoy

I agree with this. I have some Spyres from a bike I sold that I will be putting on my touring bike for this reason.

austex

TRP HyRd will get you a hydraulic caliper with a cable actuation, so you don't have to change levers...

BluesDawg

What are the perceived shortcomings of the BB7 brakes that you are wanting to see improved in upgraded brakes?

allroader55

The Spyre TRPs get reviewed well. I have them, and while not trouble free they have been good enough. I've never ridden BB7 so can't make direct comparison. The Spyre Hy/Rd would be my choice if I could justify upgrading.

Henry III

I vote for the HyRd or Spryes. What shortcomings of BB7's? Please....They're like the cottered cranks of disc brakes. They do what they're intended to do but beyond that.

fietsbob

One thing I found helped (short of replacing functional BB7s.. Avid Speed Dial Levers, (came on the bike))

Turning the little knob, I can reduce the cable pull on the front, but not the back, that way, and soften the modulation a bit..

austex

Cable-pull/hydraulic caliper hybrids would be an improvement. TRP HyRd or Juin Tech R1 are two options. Compression-less housing will help any cable brake.

BluesDawg

I meant that question for the OP. What specifically is he wanting to see improved?

Mr IGH

Nothing is better, some hydro are just as good but why bother? Properly adjusted BB7 work very well. Over on the MTB forum it's amazing how many riders stick with BB7 for low cost, ease of adjustment/maintenance and reliability.

Andy_K 

Are we talking about with flat bars or drops? Because the MTN version of BB7's are indeed an excellent brake, especially when paired with Speed Dial levers as fietsbob suggests. The road version, on the other hand, are not nearly as good.

TRP Hy/Rds are significantly better than the road BB7s.

fietsbob

significant internal caliper part is the little crown like ring attached to the actuating arm,

that is the big change between the road, Steeper ramp, and the MTN a more progressive slope.

Like a hill which has a longer run-up to the pass Vs one with a shorter-steeper one..

that steeper ramp is how they shorten the cable pull required..


TRP has a double acting cable brakes .. spyre or spyke .. 1 short, the other long pull .

Mr IGH

I'm talking flats and drops, they both work very well. Complaints are due to lack of proper set-up knowledge/execution which lets to lots of internet braying...Hee Haw!

Andy_K 

That's a ridiculous thing for you to say. Could it not be that complaints are due to other people having a lower tolerance for mediocre braking than you have? I'm not saying the road BB7s are terrible. They are better than most mechanical disc brakes made for short pull levers and many mechanical disc brakes for long pull levers. They are not as good as the MTN version (and I can't see how having used both you could dispute that), and they aren't as good as Hy/Rds.

Mr IGH

I always chime in on BB7 threads so that others can understand BB7 road or MTB work just fine if one takes the time to learn how to adjust them properly. I ride my road BB7 with an aggressive club, in a pack with the need to have "feel" for the purpose of maintaining one's position around corners. Several other members use road BB7s, no issues whatsoever.

I explain the need for hydros the same as $5,000 bicycles, people like to consume. It's their right to buy and ride whatever they choose.

GeoKrpan

Soma has a dirt drop called Gator. It has a 22.2mm diameter which means it's compatible with MTB brake levers and shifters. Road handlebrs are 23.8mm. You could use state of the art MTB dual piston hydraulic brakes which are way cheaper than road hydraulics and can survive a crash. I could not find a pic of the bars with MTB controls installed. Cable dics feel stone age compared to the latest hydraulic discs.
I've seen Tektro Draco II brakes for $50 a wheel, lever, caliper, hose, pre-bled, with bleed kit included. I've used them and they are as good as my Shimano M615s.

Gator Handlebar | SOMA Fabrications

Jarrett2

I went from BB7's to Hy/RD's and wished I hadn't.

fietsbob

TRP has a fully hydraulic Drop bar lever- disc set, but you have to drop the Brifters and have a different Shifter .

on 2nd or 3rd set of pads on your BB7s.. ? what others have you tried?

I replaced the stock ones with Kool Stop - 'organic compound' and noted the improvement , quieter , but still stops fast.

Andy_K 

What problems have you had?

Jarrett2

Just hard to get them adjusted well compared to the BB7's.