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forum
recommendations: need to sort out my brakes... lack of power
I need to sort out my brakes... they feel quite under powered
I'm running the following
Front Brake:Tektro R538
Rear Brake:Tektro R538
Brake Levers:Shimano Sora
Shifters:Shimano Sora
Rims:Alex Race24
Will a change of pads help? If so which ones would you recommend?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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7 comments
I run 538s on my bike (with Apex levers) and a pad change can make all the difference; the stock pads were pretty ordinary but I'm running BBB Techstop pads now and they're very good.
Do you mean that you have to pull very hard on the levers to feel like the brakes are doing anything, or that you're having to pull them a long way in to the bars before they bite?
The first implies new pads are needed or that your cables are poorly routed or knackered. The second implies you need to adjust your cable lengths so that the pads are closer to the rim.
What sort of distance is there between pads and rim at the moment?
When you say underpowered what do you mean? is it impossible for instance to lock the wheels up should you wish to?
I'll check the pad/rim distance at some point...
just seems to take an awful amount of braking to stop he bike
Are you sure its not your tyres that aren't gripping?
As for pads I agree with Dave the BBB's are very good and reasonable priced.
Swissstop Flash Pro Black.
New pads will always help with braking. As you have listed your levers and shifters separate then i'm guessing they are not STi's? i.e Drop bar levers?
If they are flat bar, look at the end of the lever, maybe unscrew the tensioner a little, see if it gives you a greater braking force
Just incase i'm wrong and they are STi's, i'll also add this >>
I'm not going to pretend to be an expert with brakes, but there are a few people around who might confirm what i'm about to say and elaborate on it for you, although i'm unsure if it relates to Sora shifters.
I'm sure there is a way to adjust your shifters (a spring tension?) that can give you more or less braking force on your levers?