whatever13
Likes Bikes
Hi all, currently commuting on a entry level road bike, with tektro brakes (probably 105 level?) which I upgraded to koolstop salmon pads. It's in pretty good condition but the brakes have never been powerful - I have ultegra on my other bike and they have loads more power in all conditions.
Previously I have stuck to fair weather commuting but over the past few months I have been getting out in all weather. The problem is I am really not happy with the performance of the brakes in the wet, they have always taken a bit of manhandling even in the dry (as you would expect from brakes like these - and that's fine), but when riding in the rain they just seem to give up. A bit of drizzle or a wet road is ok, but when it's properly raining I wrap my hands around the whole lever and pull like hell and still it's a long slow stop. The pads are properly adjusted and I clean the rims and pads as required (can't do much in the middle of a rainstorm!). I'm not locking up the tyres (which are 23c btw).
I ride defensively and take all this into account so I've not had any major incidents but it's the unexpected that bothers me. I don't want to stop riding in the wet as frankly I'd probably never get out in with the weather we've had lately.
I have the opportunity to upgrade to a cyclocross bike with Avid BB7s for a changeover of probably $500-700 (including fitting some decent 28c tyres) once I sell my bike but I want to make sure that the disc brakes really will make a big difference in proper rain. (I also have to convince the finance minister - but that's a separate battle)
My question (after all that) is, for those of you on cable disc brakes (and say 28c+ tyres) how much better than entry level road brakes are they in the wet?
Previously I have stuck to fair weather commuting but over the past few months I have been getting out in all weather. The problem is I am really not happy with the performance of the brakes in the wet, they have always taken a bit of manhandling even in the dry (as you would expect from brakes like these - and that's fine), but when riding in the rain they just seem to give up. A bit of drizzle or a wet road is ok, but when it's properly raining I wrap my hands around the whole lever and pull like hell and still it's a long slow stop. The pads are properly adjusted and I clean the rims and pads as required (can't do much in the middle of a rainstorm!). I'm not locking up the tyres (which are 23c btw).
I ride defensively and take all this into account so I've not had any major incidents but it's the unexpected that bothers me. I don't want to stop riding in the wet as frankly I'd probably never get out in with the weather we've had lately.
I have the opportunity to upgrade to a cyclocross bike with Avid BB7s for a changeover of probably $500-700 (including fitting some decent 28c tyres) once I sell my bike but I want to make sure that the disc brakes really will make a big difference in proper rain. (I also have to convince the finance minister - but that's a separate battle)
My question (after all that) is, for those of you on cable disc brakes (and say 28c+ tyres) how much better than entry level road brakes are they in the wet?
