Zorro5614 Posted April 25, 2017 Share Hi guys I have a 2016 Giant TCX SLR 2 gravel bike using TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc brakes. I have upgraded my rotors from Tektro 140mm to Shimano RT66 160mm front and back. Braking performance is however still extremely disappointing. Do you guys have any affordable options without having to change my Shimano ST5800 105 shifters? From some research my main options looks to be the following SwissStop Organic brake pads Compressionless brake cable housing TRP HY/RD mechanical/hydraulic calipers Would appreciate any advise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V12man Posted April 25, 2017 Share Start with Compression less cables Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted April 25, 2017 Share Never felt a cable disc brake that was not crap. Have hydraulic ones on my road bike, only option. Kom, bikebloke and Dexter-morgan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted April 26, 2017 Share I use mechanical calipers (some generic ones) on my 'MonsterCross' bike and even though I would concede they do not feel great (spongy) they have no lack of braking power. Tested them just last week when an errant driver wondered across into the emergency lane suddenly .... locked the back wheel on tar! They do however need to be setup with as little tolerance as possible and that the wheel still spins freely ... also try to check it every so often. Anyway that's my experience and on 160mm rotors BTW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Brown Posted April 26, 2017 Share Have only felt cable disc brakes on MTB and have to agree with Simon123 that they suck. There's the pricey Hope mechanical to hydraulic "adaptor" , or TRP or Shimano hydraulic levers, that would be the best option IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudi-h Posted April 26, 2017 Share the whole point of going to discs is to improve braking, and as it has been proven with MTB's it doesn't seem possible to make cable disc brakes with comparable performance to hydraulics. so IMO, if you don't go hydraulic discs its best to stick to caliper brakes. Simon123 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted April 26, 2017 Share I have cable actuated disk brakes, whatever the hell that means, in my CX bike and it's crap. Changed rotors and pads... Go hydraulic if you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lechatnoir Posted April 26, 2017 Share The Spyre mechanical disc brakes are apparently the best cable disc brakes to be had. I have them on my Defy, and also was not that impressed. But... try sanding the pads a bit (sand paper on flat surface) and cleaning the rotors thoroughly with alcohol. Further improvements for me were had from new rotors (icetech up front) and lately I'm running metallic Shimano pads up front as well - got wet a few times and the noise from the organics!!! Don't both upgrading the shifters. Pads and rotors is all you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorro5614 Posted April 26, 2017 Share I think the brakes come with Tektro brake pads, a brand I don't really trust. Should I look for a Shimano option? Organic vs sintered? Think I will give this a go and then maybe later look at a mechanical/hydraulic hybrid option if there is no improvement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongoose! Posted April 26, 2017 Share Build my first gravel "monster bike" with Sora shifters and Sora (STI specific entry level CX) mechanical disc callipers.Braking was okayDid a few upgrades on the build of which one was Sram Red 10 shifters.Because the Sram Red shifters are carbon and supper stiff braking performance improved drastically. Was really amazed on what difference a brake lever could do with the same calliper / rotor But guess that is not the answer you looking for heard some people are using these CNC aluminium cable brake housings and say it also improves braking on cable brakes. Edited April 26, 2017 by Mongoose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorro5614 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Where can one order compression-less brake cable housing, seems hard to find locally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lechatnoir Posted April 27, 2017 Share Where can one order compression-less brake cable housing, seems hard to find locally Each time I do a search, Jagwire pops up. Wiggle and CRC are good bet. Locally? Who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbon29er Posted April 27, 2017 Share Hi guys I have a 2016 Giant TCX SLR 2 gravel bike using TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc brakes. I have upgraded my rotors from Tektro 140mm to Shimano RT66 160mm front and back. Braking performance is however still extremely disappointing. Do you guys have any affordable options without having to change my Shimano ST5800 105 shifters? From some research my main options looks to be the following SwissStop Organic brake pads Compressionless brake cable housing TRP HY/RD mechanical/hydraulic calipers Would appreciate any adviseBuy these:https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/243042-brakes/ Or these:https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/245208-complete-groupsets/ Or work through the process of changing the housing, then the pads, then the cable, then the callipers and finally add hydraulic fluid with all the changes that entails to all the above plus the levers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbon29er Posted April 27, 2017 Share Each time I do a search, Jagwire pops up. Wiggle and CRC are good bet. Locally? Who knows?Jagwire is as floppy as a 70 year old's pork sword without Viagra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted April 27, 2017 Share Jagwire is as floppy as a 70 year old's pork sword without Viagra.Well there goes my "mood" this morning, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lechatnoir Posted April 27, 2017 Share Jagwire is as floppy as a 70 year old's pork sword without Viagra.Zero chill. But good to know your frame of reference, as disturbing as it is. [emoji16] [emoji3] Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now