Top quality mechanical disc brakes short list
12-04-22, 06:13 AM
#51
I知 a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,422
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 699 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
647 Posts
Has anyone tried the mechanical calipers that VO is carrying?
12-04-22, 12:52 PM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 445 Post(s)
Liked 1,041 Times
in
441 Posts
I recently picked up these Onirii/ZRace BR-05 cable hydraulic brake calipers from AliExpress for less than $45 USD. I also have GRX hydraulic and Juin Tech F1 calipers on my other bikes for comparison. I recently tested the brakes on my usual uphill/steep downhill route. Braking power is equal if not slightly better than the Juin Tech F1s when properly setup. They're a bit more finicky compared to Juin Tech calipers, but allow cable barrel adjustments and pad space adjustments with a hex wrench. You can also dial them further if your brake levers also have pull adjustments. I barely have to squeeze the brake lever before locking up the rotors and that's using regular, non-compressionless brake housing. Also the cable clamp sits closer to the rotor allowing a straight path for the brake cable, unlike the F1s that have the clamp on the outside bending the cable.
The BR-05 are not as good as full hydraulic, but for the price, plus the ability to add compressionless housing and stronger brake pads, these have to be the best value calipers on the market right now. They're equal and in some ways better than the Juin Tech F1s.
The BR-05 are not as good as full hydraulic, but for the price, plus the ability to add compressionless housing and stronger brake pads, these have to be the best value calipers on the market right now. They're equal and in some ways better than the Juin Tech F1s.
12-04-22, 01:06 PM
#53
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,605
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10947 Post(s)
Liked 7,474 Times
in
4,181 Posts
I definitely don't own them, though I've been curious- $350 is a serious cost to incur just to try something out when brakes that cost half as much work equally well.
And for $120 more you get hydraulic brakes and 105 shifters. https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...ed-119868.html
I've seen multiple video reviews of the Growtac and read a dozen site reviews too. They seem to be well made and simple.
I guess the upside is they cost $140 less than Paul Klampers and you still get the matchy matchy colors. Cool.
And for $120 more you get hydraulic brakes and 105 shifters. https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...ed-119868.html
I've seen multiple video reviews of the Growtac and read a dozen site reviews too. They seem to be well made and simple.
I guess the upside is they cost $140 less than Paul Klampers and you still get the matchy matchy colors. Cool.
12-04-22, 02:53 PM
#54
I知 a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,422
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 699 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
647 Posts
I definitely don't own them, though I've been curious- $350 is a serious cost to incur just to try something out when brakes that cost half as much work equally well.
And for $120 more you get hydraulic brakes and 105 shifters. https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...ed-119868.html
I've seen multiple video reviews of the Growtac and read a dozen site reviews too. They seem to be well made and simple.
I guess the upside is they cost $140 less than Paul Klampers and you still get the matchy matchy colors. Cool.
And for $120 more you get hydraulic brakes and 105 shifters. https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...ed-119868.html
I've seen multiple video reviews of the Growtac and read a dozen site reviews too. They seem to be well made and simple.
I guess the upside is they cost $140 less than Paul Klampers and you still get the matchy matchy colors. Cool.
12-04-22, 02:58 PM
#55
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,605
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10947 Post(s)
Liked 7,474 Times
in
4,181 Posts
He went into detail with which he tjiught was better for feel, performance, etc etc.
https://www.pathlesspedaled.com/2022...growtac-equal/
12-04-22, 03:04 PM
#56
I知 a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,422
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 699 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
647 Posts
gotcha. Russ at PLP reviewed both as a compare/contrast along with a hybrid brake.
He went into detail with which he tjiught was better for feel, performance, etc etc.
https://www.pathlesspedaled.com/2022...growtac-equal/
He went into detail with which he tjiught was better for feel, performance, etc etc.
https://www.pathlesspedaled.com/2022...growtac-equal/
