Anybody got these Planet X forged brake calipers?

[Globalti]

These look like a bargain: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/BCPXFOR/planet_x_ultra_light_forged_brake_calipers#basket

I saw a pair on a Planet X bike yesterday on the Cat & Fiddle and was astonished at how small they looked. The rider told me they are amazingly powerful. My only concern would be how they compare with the Ultegras on my Roubaix - but I'm 72 kilos so not a heavyweight.

Any thoughts?

 

[amaferanga]

They work as well as any other callipers. I wouldn't describe any calliper brakes as amazingly powerful though. I have some of the CNC ones which are exactly the same design and I'm very happy with them.

 

[martint235]

Yep I have them on Lelly. Combined with Koolstops, they work pretty well. Not sure I'd say they were "better" than the brakes on the Giant (Shimano) other than the rims on the Giant are more worn so it doesn't brake as well in the wet as Lelly.

 

[Globalti]

No quick-release cam on them though?

 

[martint235]

No quick-release cam on them though?

What's a cam? They have quick release. There's a tube connected to the cable that fits under the little red arm (which is usually horizontal unlike in the pic). Push the blocks together, gently pull the cable out and bingo. I have lost a couple of cable ends though by pulling too hard.

 

[Rob3rt]

What's a cam? They have quick release. There's a tube connected to the cable that fits under the little red arm (which is usually horizontal unlike in the pic). Push the blocks together, gently pull the cable out and bingo. I have lost a couple of cable ends though by pulling too hard.

You have lost the part the secures the cable in place a couple of times when pulling hard on the brakes or just the little cable end to stop fraying? If the former is the case either you are not tightening them properly (not saying this is the case) or they are a brown trouser moment waiting to happen! I was thinking of buying some of the CNC ones when I upgrade my groupset next spring (buying up parts over winter as and when I see good prices then assembling in the new year).

 

[martint235]

Lost the thing that stops the cable from fraying. The thing that holds the cable in the caliper is fine and tightened ok.

 

[Globalti]

Ah, OK, you pulled off the ferrule by pulling down on it.

I think I'm going to order a pair. My only concern is that with a Shimano-type cam you can still brake if you forget to close the cam whereas with these, if you forget to reconnect the cable you're in for a shock on the first hill.

 

[Rob3rt]

Lost the thing that stops the cable from fraying. The thing that holds the cable in the caliper is fine and tightened ok.

That is good news

 

[martint235]

Ah, OK, you pulled off the ferrule by pulling down on it.

I think I'm going to order a pair. My only concern is that with a Shimano-type cam you can still brake if you forget to close the cam whereas with these, if you forget to reconnect the cable you're in for a shock on the first hill.

Yep that's true. I think you'll only forget once though! I've also not suffered a buckled wheel yet on Lelly so not sure what you'd do then.

I did have some issues where my levers weren't tightened up enough (although I didn't realise it at the time) so if I hit a bump, the front wheel would lock up. With a standard QR, I'd have been able to open it but on these because the cable was tight I couldn't do anything (this was an occasion where I lost the end bit!). Also they can be a bit of a faff when your hands are cold.

Although all that sounds negative, they do look great!!

 

[Rob3rt]

They don't have cable tension adjuster mechanism either?

 

[martint235]

They don't have cable tension adjuster mechanism either?

Yep they have the usual barrel adjuster on mine anyway.

 

[dodgy]

I had the CNC versions of these on my Dolan (now sold on). I used them on two holidays to the Alps (Col de Joux Plane, Colombiere etc) and braking is fine, but only 'fine'. They're not as powerful as plain old Ultegra level.
Also, the individual components that make up the brakes do feel a little delicate (apart from the actual main CNC part), the grub screws are tiny and prone to round off if you're not careful.

However, they are very light indeed.

In future I would (and have) stick to stock brakes from Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo instead. The extra weight is a small penalty for the confidence they bring.

 

[Rob3rt]

Yep they have the usual barrel adjuster on mine anyway.

Sorry I just misunderstood your previous post.

 

[Globalti]

Well I've just ordered a set, will try them on the Roubaix and If I don't like them I will put them on Gti Junior's Triban 3 as the standard brakes are a bit ropey.