Brakes upgrade and Shimano Sora compatibility

[tobykenobi]

May have posted about this before. Loving my Cannondale road bike (Cannondale CAAD8 7 Sora c. 2014) but the one thing I struggle with is braking. Basically, need to start braking quite early on descents to be sure of stopping a road junction. (Don't really have this problem on my Dawes tourer.)

Have recently changed the brake pads which has improved things a bit but it is still not ideal. Wondering if an upgrade of the brakes themselves would help.

My bike has Shimano Sora 3500 brake levers, if I brought something like these 105s would they be compatible? I had assumed so, but have read some stuff about changes Shimano have made more recently to brake pull ratio (if that's the correct term).

Thanks for any help.

 

[cosmicbike]

They're fine, done the same myself. Worth looking on ebay etc as you can get 105 5700 calipers for about £30 a pair...

 

[tobykenobi]

That was quick! Will go and look on eBay.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Calipers are more important than levers, in this case.

 

[Drago]

I've run Sora levers with 105 calipers, excellent combo. I always like the Sora's for urban use of commuting, and the thumb release button for the downchange was ideal for time spent up on the hoods in traffic etc.

 

[lpretro1]

Those you have linked to are the 11spd groupset ones and strictly speaking Shimano states they must be used in conjunction with ST-5800, ST-6800 or ST-9000 STIs for correct leverage ratio. I don't know about using the 5700 version

 

[wonderloaf]

Strange, looking at the Shimano compatibility chart the 11 speed should be fine with Sora ST3500 STI's unless I'm reading it wrong (probably).

BTW thanks @tobykenobi for asking the question, I'm thinking doing exactly this myself!

 

[DRM]

I have fitted 105 calipers on my Giant Defy, with Tiagra levers, the differance between the Tektros it came with and the 105's is like night & day, they actually stop you, rather than taking an age to stop you. (like stopping an oil tanker!)

 

[tobykenobi]

I have fitted 105 calipers on my Giant Defy, with Tiagra levers, the differance between the Tektros it came with and the 105's is like night & day, they actually stop you, rather than taking an age to stop you. (like stopping an oil tanker!)

Thanks, that's what I'm hoping for.

 

[tobykenobi]

Strange, looking at the Shimano compatibility chart the 11 speed should be fine with Sora ST3500 STI's unless I'm reading it wrong (probably).
View attachment 151251

Thanks, that's how I'd read the chart as well.

 

[wonderloaf]

Don't know if this interests you, but Condor Cycles are selling brand new 105 5700 calipers @ £19.99 each front and rear. P&P applicable unless you buy over £50 or click and collect from their London store. Also if you sign up for their mailing list you get an extra 10% discount on Black Friday. So you could get a brand new pair of 105 calipers for less than < £36.00.
https://www.condorcycles.com/collec...-105-br-5700-brake-caliper?variant=6729847873