Promax Decoder R cable actuated disc - Cannondale Topstone
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Promax Decoder R cable actuated disc - Cannondale Topstone
Test rode a Topstone yesterday. Sore level. Loved the bike and it checks every box for what I want it to be. Riding around with flat pedals, Light touring/bikepacking and occasional recreational gravel rides. I have 2 dedicated road bikes for serious rides.
Loved the bike except the brakes. They feel extremely weak and I couldn't even lock up the rear trying to lay around and fishtail on dirt. Don't know if it's a matter of adjustment or they are really crappy.
The guy at the shop was super nice but I'm not sure I buy the idea that they will get better once they bed in better. I have zero experience with disk brakes, mechanical or hydraulic. I am however an experienced rider who always used rim brakes since a kid and I never had problems locking up a rim brake or any bike.
I don't want to turn this into a disk x rim brakes debate. I'm just wondering if it was a matter of adjustment or they are really bed. I hear that the TRP Spyres are the benchmark for mechanical disks and I plan to tes ride the checkpoint AL4 that comes with them.
Any input would be appreciated.
Loved the bike except the brakes. They feel extremely weak and I couldn't even lock up the rear trying to lay around and fishtail on dirt. Don't know if it's a matter of adjustment or they are really crappy.
The guy at the shop was super nice but I'm not sure I buy the idea that they will get better once they bed in better. I have zero experience with disk brakes, mechanical or hydraulic. I am however an experienced rider who always used rim brakes since a kid and I never had problems locking up a rim brake or any bike.
I don't want to turn this into a disk x rim brakes debate. I'm just wondering if it was a matter of adjustment or they are really bed. I hear that the TRP Spyres are the benchmark for mechanical disks and I plan to tes ride the checkpoint AL4 that comes with them.
Any input would be appreciated.
#2
Senior Member
I can confirm that properly bedding in the brakes makes a significant difference. I can also confirm that mechanical disc vs hydraulic disc is also a world of difference. If you have a large hill near you, take it for a ride & bed the brakes.
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#3
Reno/Seattle/NYC
You didn't mention a budget, but if you liked everything else about the Topstone the other option is to jump to the 105 model, which has hydro discs. They were great for me right out of the shop.
#4
Senior Member
In my experience, hydraulic brakes are the same an mechanical when it comes to bedding. The two new bikes I have had with hydraulic brakes were terrible when new. Once they got a proper bedding, they worked great. In the case of my mountain bike, I would almost say they work too good. The one time I didn't properly bed in the brakes and just started riding, they never got better. I almost think they got worse.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I'm not sure you'll have a much different experience on the Spyres if they're also not bedded in correctly. My girlfriend recently got a bike with TRP Spyre-C mechanical brakes, and they weren't bedded in at all. They really lacked stopping power at first, but as they get used they seem to be improving.
You didn't mention a budget, but if you liked everything else about the Topstone the other option is to jump to the 105 model, which has hydro discs. They were great for me right out of the shop.
You didn't mention a budget, but if you liked everything else about the Topstone the other option is to jump to the 105 model, which has hydro discs. They were great for me right out of the shop.
As for the 105 model it's a big jump in price for a bike to be ridden around with flip flops and a rack to go get groceries. It'll from time to time see a gravel event, or overnight trips on rail-to-trails
#6
Senior Member
#7
Senior Member
If you do get the Sora Topstone I'd swap them for Juin Tech, compressionless housing and Swisstop pads.
#9
Senior Member
Another thing to consider is the pad material. Not all are created equal, and a manufacturer might not spec the highest performance pad if trying to keep a bike under a certain MSRP. This may be hard to tell when buying, but is an option if it's a bike you already have.
#10
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Bikes: 2021 Canyon Endurace SL8, 2019 Cannondale Topstone Sora, 2002 Giant Yukon
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Has anyone replaced the pads on these brakes, I tend to use the rears to slowdown when in a paceline as the braking is more gradual and I think I've worn them down to the point where they could be replaced. unfortunately the Promax site is of little help. I did find some info on the JagWire site where models below claim to fit, but I cannot find them online.
DCA016
Sport Semi-Metallic
DCA716
Sport Organic
From just looking at them online they look similar enough to these, so what have people used to replace pads?
https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Dis...a-698652550022
DCA016
Sport Semi-Metallic
DCA716
Sport Organic
From just looking at them online they look similar enough to these, so what have people used to replace pads?
https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Dis...a-698652550022
#11
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
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the last time I worked in a bike shop, bedding-in disc brakes was part of the assembly. I would never let a bike on the sales floor that didn't have brakes adjusted and rotors bedded-in for optimal stopping power for the same reason this thread was started: customers will ride the bike and think "these brakes suck!"
I've worked on some bikes equipped with Promax components and they are generally junk, but the brakes should and will perform better when the rotors are bedded-in with the pads.
I've worked on some bikes equipped with Promax components and they are generally junk, but the brakes should and will perform better when the rotors are bedded-in with the pads.
Last edited by mack_turtle; 09-09-20 at 02:22 PM.