Tektro

Tektro's 720 are the best cantilevers I've used with drop levers and would be choice upgrades for the lower profile original equipment (OEM) type often fitted to mid range production cross/multi sport and Audax bikes. That said their broad profile and sharp styling doesn't look out of place on older mountain and touring mounts either. Frankly, there's no reason to pay more unless addicted to exotica or desperate to shave every last gram.

Tektro's R538 long drop callipers are aimed at big-tyred tourers and town bikes and they're a good quality unit with a couple of nice touches. The bolts get rusty quickly, and the pads are a bit scratchy, but they're pretty well-made for the money.

Dead ringers for Cane Creek SCR-5V V brake compatible drop levers, Tektro’s RL520 are pretty much all the lever you’ll need whether upgrading the stoppers on a commu-tourer or transforming older mountain bikes into drop bar crossers’ and/or rough stuff tourers. They won’t detract on more expensive bikes either thanks to shapely curves and surprisingly high lustre anodised finish. The only fly in the ointment is their deeply recessed mounting bolt- Allen keys typically found on multi tools don’t have enough reach.

Tektro V brake drops II

Tektro V brake drop levers

Tektro’s R200 are perfect for anyone seeking modern Campag pattern levers on a Cinderella budget and great for stopping laden tourers, lightweight crossers, winter trainers and frisky fixers or indeed any other mount that doesn’t require STI/Ergo shifters.

TRP stands for Tektro Racing Products and is basically the firm’s elite component range. I'd definitely recommend the 920s for those seeking topflight performance on a mid price budget. The lack of increments on the quick release might annoy puncture prone racers who regularly perform roadside wheel swaps, but other than that it's all good news.