Brakes

Great performance for braking and shifting; perfect for your winter bike or commuter

A big step forward from the previous version, with excellent performance and 105 looks

Easy to set up and adjust with arguably the best cables available, great non-hydro brakes

Quite possibly the best mechanical disc brake solution out there - more expensive than its predecessor but less expensive than a hydraulics

Very good first incarnation of road hydraulic from Shimano; better will surely follow

A sensible investment in braking power that will change the way you ride or race your cyclo-cross bike.

Currently about the best braking performance you can get from a road lever. Not perfect, but definitely progress.

A very good cantilever brake, but fitting it is not for the fainthearted - and you'd better check they will fit your particular bike first

Lightweight callipers that provide powerful stopping in both wet and dry conditions

All you could want from a cantilever except maybe dual compound pads

Lightweight brakes that pack a punch – but you'll have to dig deep to pay for them