Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

forum
road.cc bike forum

recommendations: need to sort out my brakes... lack of power

by dave95
Fri, Apr 06, 2012 13:03
7

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.

Add new comment

7 comments

Avatar
dave atkinson | 12 years ago
0 likes

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.

Avatar
stewieatb | 12 years ago
0 likes

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.

Avatar
TheHatter | 12 years ago
0 likes

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?

Avatar
dave95 replied to TheHatter | 12 years ago
0 likes
TheHatter wrote:

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

Avatar
TheHatter replied to dave95 | 12 years ago
0 likes
dave95 wrote:

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.

Avatar
Spangly Shiny | 12 years ago
0 likes

Swissstop Flash Pro Black.

Avatar
Gkam84 | 12 years ago
0 likes

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?

Latest Comments