Back in May I bought a second hand Giant road bike. I have ridden around two hundred miles on it since. A British summer being what it is, these rides included sun, heavy rain and even hailstones. I said it was a vast improvement over my Carrera. But I wasn't impressed with the brakes. The Carrera has Shimano Sora's which aren't brilliant, but were better. I planned to upgrade, and when the bottom bracket bearing started to seize I took the opportunity to have the Shimano Tiagra 4700 fitted whilst the bike was in for the warranty repair.
I was watching the tour of Britain and during the pre start section an expert and ex racer was explaining the difference between rim and disk brakes; which was better and why. He mentioned disks are more dependable in the wet, could require less pressure to work, and maybe have improved modulation, they could be heavier though and slowed wheel changes. But then he said something that puzzled me; rim brakes were for pros or at least more experienced riders. He said newer riders wouldn't know how to anticipate the delay you get with rim brakes, especially in the wet. So that makes me a pro, I think. Although my mountain bike has twin piston hydraulic calipers and bigger than standard rotors, so I maybe not that much of a pro.
This pic shows the new brakes, it was taken straight after a ride. It's used all year round even in hail and thunderstorms.
What did I think of the upgrade?
The brakes look almost indentical to the originals, but are totaly different. There is no lag, they bite straight away, and are much more powerful with retardation in reserve.
I could modulate the force easily, the original brakes just had to be grabbed as hard a possible to slow down. I'm sure it would be possible to lock the front wheel with the Tiagra's.
When Ross said I'd notice a massive improvement, I was a little sceptical. How wrong I was.
I wonder how much it would add to the price of the bike if they were on there to begin with.
This pic shows the new brakes, it was taken straight after a ride. It's used all year round even in hail and thunderstorms.
What did I think of the upgrade?
The brakes look almost indentical to the originals, but are totaly different. There is no lag, they bite straight away, and are much more powerful with retardation in reserve.
I could modulate the force easily, the original brakes just had to be grabbed as hard a possible to slow down. I'm sure it would be possible to lock the front wheel with the Tiagra's.
When Ross said I'd notice a massive improvement, I was a little sceptical. How wrong I was.
I wonder how much it would add to the price of the bike if they were on there to begin with.
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