Upgrading brake calliper – worth it?

So... here’s my first proper post :) Hello everyone who went on the ride east ride :)

Basically I’m thinking about upgrading my very basic (but perfectly serviceable) front brake calliper (Radius) on my fixed wheel track bike which I use for commuting.

As I’m doing a bit of a triggers brush approach to collecting all the nice components before finally getting a nice lugged steel frame, I’m happy to part with a fair amount if the quality is there and will last – I do tend to take care of my kit, but when I took the rear calliper off my bike I managed to break the spring quite easily!

Anyway, I just wondered – is it really worth it? Or are they all much of a muchness?

Will I notice the difference between my Radius and say a Shimano 105? Will I notice even more of a difference between the Radius and a Dura Ace calliper? Do I need to think about anything else – ie I eventually intend to upgrade the lever to a nice Paul cross-top I have seen, but don’t have the cash to buy everything at once – do these high end Shimano or Campy callipers work alright with no-name or different brand levers?

Finally, any recommendations for callipers/levers I should be looking at? Any good deals out there?

Cheers!
Jonathan

Is it a single pivot you have at the moment? Upgrading to a dual pivot 105 should make you smile. Much less force needed to use the brake.

Different levers will effect the feel of the brake in the same way regardless of it's brand. Why go for a crosstop and not a Tektro mtb lever? I find the mtb lever better for feel but I guess it means the cable doesn't look as tidy.

I'd agree - a 105 would make an excellent upgrade (perhaps adding some Swiss-Stop pads too) and you should notice a difference.

As for levers, I like the Dirty Harry BMX levers but I'm equally at home with road bike levers - all quality levers will feel good but you may notice a difference in how they work and how your braking feels ovedrall - modulation, grabbing etc.

Hey j0nathan, just saying congrads on your first proper post!

See you on the street!

You will be staggered how much difference a caliper makes.

go 105 or even tiagra. dont spunk cash on DA.

get a really nice brake cable too, DA ones are slick.

Like others said, if you have a single pivot caliper on now, upgrading to a dual pivot will make you happy. Buttery smooth action and easier to modulate.
As far as levers go, I just installed an Avid FR5 on my commuter/cruiser/errand bike and I'm very happy with it. Build quality is very good for the price, almost zero play. And looks good too anodised black:

double pivots give you more power.

some brakes give you more bling.

Agree, a 105 is a very strong brake. Need to bear in mind difference between V and non V brake lever if going for MTB style as a V lever will not work correctly (in case you didn't know)

Are these reasonably easy to fit?

Ive a langster whcih i am ken to upgrade but have very little confidence in my own mechanic skills!

Pretty straightforward provided that your fork is drilled. Do make sure your caliper is intended for front use, they have a longer bolt than rears. And if you have cartridge brake shoes make sure they face the right way forward, so the friction of the rim doesn't slide the rubbers out of he shoes.

Thanks for all the responses!

Hi Chainbreaker - hope you're good and enjoying the roadworks on Moorgate - slashed my arm on a fence going on the outside of a bus. Everyday a different story around there.

Anyway - I was bored after work yesterday so I cycled around a couple of Evans and picked up the 105 as it's on sale - £35.

It's lovely - really smooth and super grippy without bringing you to a shuddering halt. Definitely a more quality item than the stock calliper.

Thanks @Zed for the cable upgrade tip - gonna do that next month when I get the new lever (thanks all for the suggestions) as well as getting another Gatorskin for my front wheel (changed the back wheel to one the other day as fed up of all the punctures - it is SLIIIICK!!!)

@Timull - It was well easy and fun to fit. Came with instructions too. Brakes are generally pretty easy to deal with - just tighten the hell out of them!

Brakes are generally pretty easy to deal with - just tighten the hell out of them!

But be careful with overtightening if you're using carbon forks and pinching the bars with the lever clamp.

*and nice snide tag. Thanks.

Brakes are generally pretty easy to deal with - just tighten the hell out of them!

?

Good choice with 105s :)
You just need to get some nice pads like koolstops.

Don't make a mistake with rebuilding your bike and replacing the frame at the very end (if i understood your intentions)

?

'Just tighten the hell out of it' is the worst piece of advice ever hence the comic book guy reference.

Anyone have any experience with Paul Components levers? This is the one I was thinking of going for: http://www.paulcomp.com/crosslever.html

£46 and out of stock on the Tokyo Fixed website, when I went in store they wanted £53 for it though.

Felt solid.

That's pretty fucking expensive for a brake lever. Try ordering off the internet. Now that yo've seen and felt one in real life ordering off the internet is less hit&miss

I got a mate who lives in NY to order it and from the US site and someone's going to bring it back for me. Ch-ching.