Used brakes worth the price?
#1
Quidam Bike Super Hero
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Stone Mountain, GA (Metro Atlanta, East)
Posts: 1,135
Bikes: 1995 Trek 800 Sport, aka, "CamelTrek"
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 331 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
282 Posts
Used brakes worth the price?
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bop/d/atlanta-promax-bike-brake-calipers-both/6958196247.html
Might want them for my Trek 800 Sport.
Might want them for my Trek 800 Sport.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Posts: 5,773
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 453 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times
in
87 Posts
Link is dead, but generally for brakes, unless they are mid-level or up, no.
You need to factor in missing components (do they have all the original mounting hardware) brake pads, for a set of cheap brakes, just replacing the pads can significantly add to the cost, instruction and fit, do they fit? and do instructions come with them (if your asking the question, you probably need instructions on how to fit them)
You need to factor in missing components (do they have all the original mounting hardware) brake pads, for a set of cheap brakes, just replacing the pads can significantly add to the cost, instruction and fit, do they fit? and do instructions come with them (if your asking the question, you probably need instructions on how to fit them)
#4
Senior Member
New they are worth about $30. So it's a savings of $15. If they are in good nick you might want to take a chance. If you are not hurting for cash then go new. It really all comes down to condition here. From the photos they look a bit rusty. I'd personally go new from what I can see, or find another seller.
#5
Quidam Bike Super Hero
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Stone Mountain, GA (Metro Atlanta, East)
Posts: 1,135
Bikes: 1995 Trek 800 Sport, aka, "CamelTrek"
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 331 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
282 Posts
New they are worth about $30. So it's a savings of $15. If they are in good nick you might want to take a chance. If you are not hurting for cash then go new. It really all comes down to condition here. From the photos they look a bit rusty. I'd personally go new from what I can see, or find another seller.
#6
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 880 Times
in
527 Posts
I have promax calipers on a hybrid, though I replaced the levers with Tektro and will likely replace the calipers soon, because I have found them a bit fiddly and the spring perch is a bit sloppy. They do work ok though, so I'll wait until I find a better set at my local Co-op. The ones in the pic look a bit beat up and rusty, but that may be an artifact of the poor photography. The seller will take $10 if you meet him - I think that's an ok deal if they look better in real life and the pads are still good. Up to you though. What's wrong with the ones on your bike now?
#7
Quidam Bike Super Hero
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Stone Mountain, GA (Metro Atlanta, East)
Posts: 1,135
Bikes: 1995 Trek 800 Sport, aka, "CamelTrek"
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 331 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
282 Posts
Overall, nothing. Probably originals and, although functional since lbs did a free adjustment, one rear spring is a bit balky....
I love coincidences, when they work.... Looks like "not this time"
I ride on....
I love coincidences, when they work.... Looks like "not this time"
I ride on....
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
One of the things that I discovered working on bikes is how much difference there is between even mid level brakes and cheap brakes. The cheap ones can be made to work all right, they just require constant fiddling to keep them working and retracting to my satisfaction. I HATE cheap brakes.
The truth is, unless you spend most of your riding time sprinting from corner to corner or unless you let your downhill speed build up too much, you really don't use your brakes all that much. Lots of folks are perfectly satisfied with some pretty crummy brakes.
The result of those two statements is that when bicycle manufacturers look for a place to save a couple of bucks on new bike specifications, the first place they look is at brake costs. If you are looking for the line between a quality and a not so quality new bike, look for Avid or Shimano brakes.
The truth is, unless you spend most of your riding time sprinting from corner to corner or unless you let your downhill speed build up too much, you really don't use your brakes all that much. Lots of folks are perfectly satisfied with some pretty crummy brakes.
The result of those two statements is that when bicycle manufacturers look for a place to save a couple of bucks on new bike specifications, the first place they look is at brake costs. If you are looking for the line between a quality and a not so quality new bike, look for Avid or Shimano brakes.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.