Top Speed, which Brakes?

[Canuk]

A recent article about prototyped, proposed Shimano wireless braking has got me thinking about what faith we put in very thin stranded wire cables, plastic brake pads and springs...

Last year I recorded my all time speed record, descending the Swiss/Italian side of Mont Ventoux. I topped out at 124km/h (77mph), on a long straight before my bottle crashed. Previously I'd done 68mph coming off a decent brae in the very wet and windy west Highlands of Scotland.

I was using Mafac Cantis (bought brand new for the bike), with Swiss Stop blocks and Campagnolo cables. I never felt more sure footed. I was able to overtake cars with impunity, knowing that the next hairpin was an easy ask with such excellent stopping power. The 531 frame was courtesy of the very able frame builders Follis.

I should add that an American couple passed us like we were standing still on a tandem headed straight to hell. I bet they had to pour a gallon of water on the overheated rims!g

What's been your hairiest speed run, and what did you use to stop the dentist bills and an imminent bonjour to the tarmac?

 

[Canuk]

You can fairly rattle the tarmac coming down the slopes of Ventoux

 

[Jonny69]

Topped out a little bit faster than you on the Hobbs earlier. Flicked it up to the 54x13 as I came across the roundabout at the cricket club at the top of Weybridge and ****ing sent it as I went down the hill. I won’t normally stand on Stronglight 59Ds like that because I know I’ll break them. Hit just under 79mph going down the hill but there was no way my Mafac cantis were going to stop me from that speed so I straight-lined the roundabout at the bottom and let Jesus slow me down before I hit the high street.

 

[Jonny69]

This’ll rattle your teeth out.

 

[Old Ned]

Coming down a very long and steep hill on our tandem, on an old version of our local 10 course back in the late '80's, we were pedalling out on 64 x 13 with 8oz tubs at well over 120psi when I became aware of my own mortality should the front tyre blow out. The road is treelined with woods either side and I started to pick out which tree we would land in should this happen. Thankfully nothing did or I wouldn't be writing this......................

 

[M_Chavez]

A recent article about prototyped, proposed Shimano wireless braking

Wait a second, let me check the calendar...Nope, not the 1st of April yet.

I don't like where this world is going.

 

[Walterscot]

Swiss/Italian side of Mont Ventoux

Hate to be a pedant but Mont Ventoux is nowhere near either Switzerland or Italy.

 

[Canuk]

Hate to be a pedant but Mont Ventoux is nowhere near either Switzerland or Italy.

The Ventoux descent takes you to Sault, then Sisteron which is at the foot of the Italian Alps, and the next big mountain Tour finish of Isola 2000 right on the border. One sometimes follows the other in the Tour. It's about 200km between the two peaks.

 

[Canuk]

Wait a second, let me check the calendar...Nope, not the 1st of April yet.

I don't like where this world is going.

Apparently no April fools... Doesn't say explicitly no cables, but then again it does mention wirelessly actuated servos. The all electric bike is just around the next bend. (I won't be on it!)

https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/A-Completely-Wireless-Bike-Brakes-Shifting-and-Suspension,3043

 

[Canuk]

The patent for the above wireless group was filed in 2021, given these big players operate a 5-6 year ahead delivery in production schedules, it could be on a bicycle as early as next year