I am puzzled as to why caliper brakes remain standard on road bikes. I recently bough a Cannondale Road Warrier flat bar road bike to replace my Giant Cypress hybrid for commuting. I was concerned that the brakes (Cannondale double pivot calipers) might not be as good as the v brakes on the hybrid, but was assured that they would be fine. Sure enough, the braking power is much less with the calipers. With the v brakes, modest pressure could stop the bike so easily that if you pushed much harder the wheels would skid. With the calipers, I have to give it almost everything I have to get to the point where the bike will stop fast, or to get anywhere close to causing a skid. They are adjusted properly, and have been like this with pads that are new, worn, or replaced. Rims are nice and clean.
Is there something about calipers that is supposed to compensate for this rather limited stopping power?
Chero
Is there something about calipers that is supposed to compensate for this rather limited stopping power?
Chero