bianchi10

I just got a set of Planet X brakes from the US headquarter warehouse. I had been researching brakes for a long time but didn't feel confident ordering any of them without feeling or testing them first. I found out that Planet X was based in Portland, OR which is about 15 miles form where I live. I went down and asked if they had any bikes built up with the brake calipers that I could test. They brought me back to their warehouse and let me check out a couple of their bikes. I told the tech that I did not want a dual color though (Original black set is black with a red cam arm). She had a set that she dismantled earlier and said she could put the black cam arm for me which would give me what I was looking for. She also threw on the green swiss stop pads instead of the stock pads that come with them. They were SUPER friendly and wanted to go the extra mile to help me. I told her that I had read about these brakes being difficult to center/install correctly. She said she would install them for me if I needed her to, so I ran home and got my bike. Brought it back and she took it to the back room and set it up. She was very detailed with the install and adjustments. She also took the time to true my rear wheel The quick release seems to have been such a big issue that i thought i would clear the air and tell you it isn't difficult at all. I took some pictures and posted below to show you the process. Literally takes 3 seconds. With a correct set up and green swiss stops, they feel just like my ultegra 6700 calipers. They rate them at 205g, but when she weighed mine they came in at 193g! My ultegra 6700 calipers are 319g just to compare. For $109 they are a great option! When I got the bike home I went on a quick 5 mile ride and they felt great. I didn't notice any difference between these and my ultegra brakes, so for those of you who are using tiagra, tektro or apex and looking for a good brake upgrade this is something i could recommend, especially at a great price! Even if you have an ultegra, DA, force or red and want to save some weight, these will do the trick for sure.

There has been a lot of questions regarding the caliper not having a quick release. This was a concern of mine because there were several people talking about it being some drawn out process or big deal. When I asked the tech about this, she showed me how their system works and it was super easy. Dont really understand what the big deal was. I took some pictures and have included them below to show exactly how it works

IF you are interested in purchasing a set and wanting to see if they will swap out the cam arm, PLEASE do me a favor and DO NOT use me as an example. I would recommend you ask out of curiosity if they can do this for you, but I am sure they do not want to make this an option for each set purchased. I plan on doing doing some work with them in the near future for their grande opening for their showroom with my company and dont want any issues. Thank you.








Here are a couple pictures that will hopefully help give you an idea how to use the planet X quick release

There is a Cam arm that lifts. The cable has a "stopper" attached to it that fits under the cam arm.

Pull up on the cam arm and push down on the "stopper"

HMF

Wow, thanks for the write up. I've been looking for new brakes - I actually don't like my Ultegra 6600's, they feel old - I think these will be my next set

nastystang

These are great brakes, I just upgraded about a month ago. The lack of a quick release is not that big of a deal. I got the all silver ones with the black actuation arm. They are comparable to my 5700 105's maybe slightly better. They look great bianchi10.

TMonk

while not fancy in any sense of the word my favorite brakes are def. dura ace 7800s. reliable, not brick-heavy and excellent stopping power

however im not against aftermarket brakes at all as I have magnesium TRP R970 SLs on one bike. I've been interested in these planetX CNC brakes for a while as they seem to get good testimonies.

LowCel 

I've been using these for a couple of years now, I have them on two bikes. I am very happy with them, I like them as much as the ZG's I used to use at a fraction of the cost.

Biscayne05

Steal @ $109. I have them on my bike.

I thought $135 was a good price for them last year.

foresthill

Thanks for the review. I just ordered a pair. These will go very nicely on the De Rosa!

ericm979

They look much better in all black. The red arm makes the black ones look cheap. They really should make it an option.

I was considering these at one point and was told that the return spring is stiffer than DA7800. Do you guys with them agree? That kept me from using them as I prefer light action brakes.

bianchi10

I have little experience with mine so far, but I think they are lighter than DA and roughly the same as ultegra Maybe a little bit "squishier" than my ultegra, BUT when I say that I mean a very small amount I mean that. These seem to be a responsive brake set, especially paired with the swiss stop pads.

AK404

Dang, those do look sharp. Sound like a steal, too.

eippo1

Nice little writeup. Might give these a run after reading.

canam73

You've ruined the whole look with that fubared rear cable. Start over.

HMF

Are brakes in general meant to be serviceable? I pulled apart a brakeset once and the set screw that keeps the pivot screws in place messed up the threads. Even though I loosened the set screw it felt like it was grinding away at the threads of the brake-arm as I was taking it out. I can't imagine that can be done too many times before the screws just don't hold anymore.

bianchi10

I'll be getting that fixed for sure. Looking at replacing my cables to powercords anyway.

iamtim

Wow, those are rad looking.

eippo1

Just ordered a set of black and reds for my Ti bike. thanks.

Nagrom_

Is the cam arm (that's usually red) aluminum?

Wondering, cause I may de-anodize them if they are.

LowCel 

Just for the heck of it.

NWS Alpine

Powercords don't work with the CNC brakes from people that have tried. Eventually they cut through the cable due to the design using the set screw or not.

bianchi10

Yeah I saw that with a couple members at weightweenies. Might look into other options. Right now my prioritybisbto look at expander plugs. Like the ultra star but I don't know if it will fit. Otherwise ill get the new 2013 cannondale plug that is only 12g as apposed to the stock fsa one I have now which is 50g. Just ordered veloplugs today Also, hope to get those by end if week so I can install my ultra light tubes and new lighter tires.

NWS Alpine

The new compression plug is in stock now. I just ordered one. https://www.cannondaleexperts.com/Can...017_p_106.html

bianchi10

THANK YOU!!! appreciate the heads up, just grabbed one.

MincedFeet

What if you're one of those guys who always forgets to close their brake's quick release?

bianchi10

Then it would only take you one time to learn your lesson ;-)

LowCel 

I'm one of those guys that never opens a brake's quick release.