SRAM brake upgrade?
11-09-12, 06:47 AM
#1
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SRAM brake upgrade?
Recently I purchased a Cannondale Synapse Carbon 6 Apex. The other day, I was browsing craigslist and found a almost brand new set of SRAM Force brake set for $80. Do you guys think it's worth upgrading? Honestly, I don't think I will NEED the performance of the Force brakes. If money is not an issue, would you upgrade or save it for something else? If I buy the Force, I could probably sell my Apex for $30. So it's really a $50 upgrade. Things that make you go hmmm...
11-09-12, 08:15 AM
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The Force brakes will be a bit lighter - about 20 grams total, which really isn't much. And they might feel a little more powerful, but again, I'm not sure how noticeable that will be.
In my opinion, having solid brakes is pretty important. If you don't feel like the Apex brakes are doing a good enough job, by all means, upgrade to Force. But I don't think you will see a dramatic improvement.
In my opinion, having solid brakes is pretty important. If you don't feel like the Apex brakes are doing a good enough job, by all means, upgrade to Force. But I don't think you will see a dramatic improvement.
11-09-12, 08:18 AM
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Personally, I'd be disinclined to make brakes my first upgrade, but if you feel like the Apex brakes aren't good enough, that's entirely discretionary, and no one can really tell you you're wrong about it.
11-09-12, 08:24 AM
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If you want better braking consider a brake pad upgrade (depending on what's on there now).
11-09-12, 09:01 AM
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Recently I purchased a Cannondale Synapse Carbon 6 Apex. The other day, I was browsing craigslist and found a almost brand new set of SRAM Force brake set for $80. Do you guys think it's worth upgrading? Honestly, I don't think I will NEED the performance of the Force brakes. If money is not an issue, would you upgrade or save it for something else? If I buy the Force, I could probably sell my Apex for $30. So it's really a $50 upgrade. Things that make you go hmmm...
11-09-12, 09:03 AM
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My Apex about throw me over the bars as it is. I'd put the money toward something else to save a mere 20 grams. Save another $5-10 bucks and don't eat breakfast. I bet you lose more than 20 grams 
. Clip you toenails, there goes 10 grams easy 
$50-80 bucks is a set of tires.
. Clip you toenails, there goes 10 grams easy $50-80 bucks is a set of tires.
11-09-12, 09:05 AM
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11-09-12, 10:31 AM
#9
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I also recently picked up a Synapse 6 Apex. I don't know about upgrading within SRAM, but I have to admit that the Apex brakes were underwhelming. They worked but not as well as Shimano brakes that I am used to. So I committed heresy and installed a set of Ultegra 6500's that I had in the parts box. Night and day difference. Much better feel and modulation. And they were much easier to set up.
That said I found that I prefer SRAM hoods and shifters for the same reason. Shimano is a bit mushy, but SRAM is crisp and just feels right.
YMMV. Enjoy the bike, I've fallen head over heels in love with mine.
That said I found that I prefer SRAM hoods and shifters for the same reason. Shimano is a bit mushy, but SRAM is crisp and just feels right.
YMMV. Enjoy the bike, I've fallen head over heels in love with mine.
11-09-12, 03:22 PM
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well, I never road apex, but ride a full force bike now and I love it. My previous road bike had microshift brifters and some cheap cannondale brakes so when I got the force brakes it was a NIGHT and DAY difference in braking. for me personally, $50 isn't a big deal so yeah, I'd probably do it as a cheap way to start upgrading the bike a bit more. I really love my force groupset as a whole.
11-09-12, 08:10 PM
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I think you guys have convince me enough. I'm happy with the Apex' performance. And just that minute weight advantage doesn't seem very appealing so I'll pass. Thanks for all the replies.
11-09-12, 09:31 PM
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All the calipers do is move the pads. The pads do all the stopping. The only real difference in calipers is weight (and that is a very insignificant difference). They all pretty much squeeze the same. I don't really think there is such a thing as a caliper upgrade.
11-09-12, 11:06 PM
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This isn't entirely true. A lot of the brake feel has to do with the brake levers being used, but the setup of the caliper can make a big difference in braking. If you are a lighter weight rider it may not be a big difference but at 250lb brakes are important to me, especially since on downhills I can easily hit 40+mph coasting while you little guys are trying to spin out a 53/11
11-10-12, 12:46 AM
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This isn't entirely true. A lot of the brake feel has to do with the brake levers being used, but the setup of the caliper can make a big difference in braking. If you are a lighter weight rider it may not be a big difference but at 250lb brakes are important to me, especially since on downhills I can easily hit 40+mph coasting while you little guys are trying to spin out a 53/11
11-10-12, 07:22 AM
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+1 on upgrading the pads. I put some cool stops on my rival breaks, if I ever upgrade it will be pure upgraditis, as there will be no functional improvement.
11-10-12, 08:56 AM
#18
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I ride Force on two of my road bikes and love it. Their brakes are on par with dura ace which are the BEST brakes in the world.
BTW, Force is NOT the same as apex minus some weight. Better quality, modulation, stiffness, etc.............You get what you pay for.
BTW, Force is NOT the same as apex minus some weight. Better quality, modulation, stiffness, etc.............You get what you pay for.
11-10-12, 05:32 PM
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well then you sir don't know jack **** about modern bikes and brakes. a Caliper is NOT a caliper. there are springs in them and there are adjustments that can also be made to those springs in my force caliper. depending on how you have them setup and the type of levers you are using there is a totally different feel. why do you think there are different brake levers for v brakes versus cantis? there are different pull ratios within different braking systems.
11-10-12, 08:34 PM
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I have a Synapse 6 but it came with crappy Tektro brakes not Apex. I changed the pads to koolstops and the brakes still sucked. Finally changed the whole group except for the shifters for the '12 Force group. With the upgraded group, Dura Ace wheels and Fizik seat I now consider it a Synapse 3+.
