MacRetro chat and rides thread

[epicyclo]

Re: Re:

What I've read so far BB7's seem to be the bench mark for mechanical disc's, is that true?????
Anyway thanks guys

So far. It's a cable brake so how well it works is dependent on the quality of the cable and of the lever.

Use a cheap brake outer and it will compress, thereby using up lever travel. Use a crappy lever and it will flex, thereby also wasting lever travel. Combine the 2 and you get brakes like a hydraulic with air in the system, ie woeful. I suspect that thee folk who complain about BB5s or 7s have mastered the art of crappy cabling.

I use solid outer as much as possible and good levers. The result is a mechanical brake with no wasted travel and a good feel. I replaced some very expensive hydraulics with BB7s because they worked better IMO.

I have the TRP mechanicals on one bike. They have a double piston action and are very nice. Avid had better look to its BB7 laurels because the TRPs are easier to set up.

 

[RobMac]

Re:

Very useful Brian thanks

 

[clubby]

Re:

Have 2 sets of BB7s and quite like them. They are a pain in the arse to set up compared to hydraulics. Once set up they work fine but not the outright power or feel of hydraulics. It's probably the feel that I think they fall down on.
If I was buying, I'd still go hydraulic.

 

[kaiser]

Re:

What Clubby said, I bought a pair for the Pug and they have been absolutely fine and as Brian said everything I've picked up points to quality cabling being a significant factor. I've used Jagwire but I'd try Yokozuna which allegedly work very well. But the performance of the new Shimano brakes and the price would have me picking hydro every time, the BB7s still have there place but it would be in the instances where hydro levers won't work (drop bar bikes when using bar end shifters for instance).

 

[epicyclo]

Re: Re:

..It's probably the feel that I think they fall down on...

That's your cables, not the brake. Try mine sometime.

If you want the hydraulic feel, use solid outer like I have here:

 

[RobMac]

Re: Re:

Brian do you have OCD?

 

[kaiser]

Re:

Come off it Rob thon is no even close! Mixed hubs/rims/tyre manufacturer, in fact that rear rim has a braking surface!!. Seat collar is not matching. Black brake bolts don't match the domed silver ones elsewhere. And the stem is too shiny. I do really like that bike though, very much so

 

[clubby]

Re: Re:

..It's probably the feel that I think they fall down on...

That's your cables, not the brake. Try mine sometime.

If you want the hydraulic feel, use solid outer like I have here:

Or just buy hydraulics

 

[epicyclo]

Re: Re:

Brian do you have OCD?

That was before it became my roadbike...

 

[velomaniac]

Re:

He does have OCD though :roll: