Tektro Brakes, Replace for 105 or Just the Pads?

[smokeysmoo]

Do the callipers work between ranges ok then? I have the 2014 Defy 1 with 105 shifters. Wasn't sure if Ultegra would be compatible.

Any short reach calipers will work with your shifters, Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra or Dura-Ace.

 

[Paul.G.]

So did I....and yes, they really were pretty awful, even with different pads. I have Miche brakes and Clarke pads on the new bike and I'm very happy with them.

+1 for Miche

 

[bpsmith]

Just been looking at the Ultegra 6700 callipers. Are they much of an upgrade over the 105 5700?

Reviews suggest that the Ultegra pads are comparable to Swisstop too.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Just been looking at the Ultegra 6700 callipers. Are they much of an upgrade over the 105 5700?

They'll be ever so slightly lighter, that's it. The sort of weight difference you'll never tell unless you actually weight them.

Reviews suggest that the Ultegra pads are comparable to Swisstop too.

I've never used Ultegra brakes/pads, but I do have Dura-Ace brakes on my CAAD and even the DA* pads where made of cheese IME

*I'm not convinced that 105/Ultegra/DA cartridge pads are any different from each other TBH.

 

[bpsmith]

Ok cool. Looks like 105 callipers with an aftermarket pad is the way to go then. Will consider sometime soon. Cheers.

 

[yello]

Tektro brakes and Koolstop pads... and no complaints.

But then maybe I'm not as demanding.

 

[I like Skol]

Tektro brakes and Koolstop pads... and no complaints.

But then maybe I'm not as demanding.

Similar to Yello, I have Tektro calipers with the original pads on my road bike and IMO they are more than adequate. If I were to upgrade to Tiagra or 105 it would only be at pad change time and then only for the sake of aesthetics and groupset completeness. I wouldn't be expecting a leap in effectiveness.

I'm no slowcoach but maybe I don't slow down as much as others?

 

[mrbikerboy73]

I replaced the poor Tektro's on my Defy 1 with 105 calipers and pads. They were about £50 from Merlin cycles. They look better and more importantly, work far better too! But I'd imagine replacing the pads would help loads and be a cheaper option.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Much difference between the two? I'm pondering R450 or 651 for my Giant SCR2.0 - brakes look the same, but I'd be interested in your thoughts as someone who's used calipers from both ranges.

The Ultegra brake set immediately felt much much firmer and more responsive than the Tiagra and Tektro sets I had had before. Nothing to do with the pads or setup, they are just better engineered and lighter too.

 

[John the Monkey]

The Ultegra brake set immediately felt much much firmer and more responsive than the Tiagra and Tektro sets I had had before. Nothing to do with the pads or setup, they are just better engineered and lighter too.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[fossyant]

I'm using the Shimano BR-A550's long drop on my fixed, with Clarkes pads, and it stops on a sixpence - can even lift the rear wheel with panniers !

 

[grimpeur]

The Ultegra brake set immediately felt much much firmer and more responsive than the Tiagra and Tektro sets I had had before. Nothing to do with the pads or setup, they are just better engineered and lighter too.

Don't let some of the contributors (RolfF and Lesfirth) in the following thread hear you saying these things. Weirdly, they seem to think all brake callipers are equal:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12969446

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Don't let some of the contributors (RolfF and Lesfirth) in the following thread hear you saying these things. Weirdly, they seem to think all brake callipers are equal:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12969446

No, please do.

I have all three still, I 'll do an autopsy on them and highlight the differences.