Shimano brakes - 105 to Dura Ace; 9 to 10 speed

[[email protected]]

I was inspecting unmounted 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace (all 9 speed
versions) brake calipers and couln't see any performance related
technical differences (other than a few grams and polishing levels and
Phillips vs. Allen screws).

Any one know if there are any real technical differences such as
bushings/bearings or varying bushing quality or spring tension/force,
brake pad compound...etc or even servicing (i.e. one is easier to
adjust/install/repair than another) between Shimano's brakes from 105
to DA? (Sorry, but the lower stuff is getting ugly, esp when 105 brakes
are being sold for 40$ new).

One more thing, any difference to the 10 speed models, other than
esthetics?

Josh

 

[jim beam]

[email protected] wrote:
> I was inspecting unmounted 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace (all 9 speed
> versions) brake calipers and couln't see any performance related
> technical differences (other than a few grams and polishing levels and
> Phillips vs. Allen screws).
>
> Any one know if there are any real technical differences such as
> bushings/bearings or varying bushing quality or spring tension/force,
> brake pad compound...etc or even servicing (i.e. one is easier to
> adjust/install/repair than another) between Shimano's brakes from 105
> to DA? (Sorry, but the lower stuff is getting ugly, esp when 105 brakes
> are being sold for 40$ new).
>
> One more thing, any difference to the 10 speed models, other than
> esthetics?
>
> Josh
>
imo, the 105 is a better mechanical configuration than the dura-ace
because the tensile side of the longest arm is the thickest thus giving
a theoretical fatigue advantage. however, since fatigue in brake
calipers is so rare, i think we can ignore this difference.

other than that, the modern 105 and d-a series all have adjustable angle
pad mounts [a good thing], identical pad materials, same stiffness
springs, etc. apart from weight, there's really nothing to
differentiate their performance.

btw, the 105 calipers you see on sale for $40 are the old ones without
adjustable angle pad mounts, not the new ones. the old ones have a
fixed toe that traps and embeds grit like it was designed to do it and i
think should be avoided.

 

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

[email protected] wrote:
> I was inspecting unmounted 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace (all 9 speed
> versions) brake calipers and couln't see any performance related
> technical differences (other than a few grams and polishing levels and
> Phillips vs. Allen screws).
>
> Any one know if there are any real technical differences such as
> bushings/bearings or varying bushing quality or spring tension/force,
> brake pad compound...etc or even servicing (i.e. one is easier to
> adjust/install/repair than another) between Shimano's brakes from 105
> to DA? (Sorry, but the lower stuff is getting ugly, esp when 105 brakes
> are being sold for 40$ new).
>
> One more thing, any difference to the 10 speed models, other than
> esthetics?
>
> Josh

You summed it up well...105 brakes, even Sora and Tiagra, work great,
MUCH less expensive and will stop you ust fine and dandy..same for
Campag brakes....

 

[[email protected]]

So by absence of knowledge of any differences (rather than a certainty
that there is none), I take it the only technical difference is the
conical washers for the brake pads?

Peter, I don't think I'm too big a snob - my bikes range from 105 to
Record/DA Shimagnolo combo (though my fav is Chorus grouppo) - but that
Tia and Sora stuff is ugly. Can't believe you would lower yourself to
mention those (half kidding). But maybe I am a bigger snob than I think
as I have a hard time (mentally) installing Tektro's on a bike. I think
I'll swap it out for 105s.

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > I was inspecting unmounted 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace (all 9 speed
> > versions) brake calipers and couln't see any performance related
> > technical differences (other than a few grams and polishing levels and
> > Phillips vs. Allen screws).
> >
> > Any one know if there are any real technical differences such as
> > bushings/bearings or varying bushing quality or spring tension/force,
> > brake pad compound...etc or even servicing (i.e. one is easier to
> > adjust/install/repair than another) between Shimano's brakes from 105
> > to DA? (Sorry, but the lower stuff is getting ugly, esp when 105 brakes
> > are being sold for 40$ new).
> >
> > One more thing, any difference to the 10 speed models, other than
> > esthetics?
> >
> > Josh
>
> You summed it up well...105 brakes, even Sora and Tiagra, work great,
> MUCH less expensive and will stop you ust fine and dandy..same for
> Campag brakes....

 

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

[email protected] wrote:
> So by absence of knowledge of any differences (rather than a certainty
> that there is none), I take it the only technical difference is the
> conical washers for the brake pads?
>
> Peter, I don't think I'm too big a snob - my bikes range from 105 to
> Record/DA Shimagnolo combo (though my fav is Chorus grouppo) - but that
> Tia and Sora stuff is ugly. Can't believe you would lower yourself to
> mention those (half kidding). But maybe I am a bigger snob than I think
> as I have a hard time (mentally) installing Tektro's on a bike. I think
> I'll swap it out for 105s.

Well, ya want the brakes to stop ya, little else really matters...it's
kinda like spending lots of $ on a seatpost, when all it does is hold
the saddle, or a stem, when all it does is hold the hbars...Tektros are
great brakes made in a place that has lower labor than Japan..hence
nice brakes for not a lot of $. I took a Paul front OFF my fixie cuz it
made the fork shudder, and installed a Tektro, that stopped fine,
didn't make the fork shudder and was 1/4 the $.
>
> Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:
> > [email protected] wrote:
> > > I was inspecting unmounted 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace (all 9 speed
> > > versions) brake calipers and couln't see any performance related
> > > technical differences (other than a few grams and polishing levels and
> > > Phillips vs. Allen screws).
> > >
> > > Any one know if there are any real technical differences such as
> > > bushings/bearings or varying bushing quality or spring tension/force,
> > > brake pad compound...etc or even servicing (i.e. one is easier to
> > > adjust/install/repair than another) between Shimano's brakes from 105
> > > to DA? (Sorry, but the lower stuff is getting ugly, esp when 105 brakes
> > > are being sold for 40$ new).
> > >
> > > One more thing, any difference to the 10 speed models, other than
> > > esthetics?
> > >
> > > Josh
> >
> > You summed it up well...105 brakes, even Sora and Tiagra, work great,
> > MUCH less expensive and will stop you ust fine and dandy..same for
> > Campag brakes....