planet x cnc machined brakes...
- Thread starter swiftylee
- Start date
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Yes I bought some a year or so back for a fixed conversion. They look great and give plenty of stopping power. They are kind of fiddly to set up though, no matter what the PX site says but once done they don't need any messing about with.
I use campag levers which have a small button on the side of the lever which opens the callipers a little when changing the wheel. The PX brake callipers don't have an adjustment on like others. (well mine don't and they may have altered the design since)
I use campag levers which have a small button on the side of the lever which opens the callipers a little when changing the wheel. The PX brake callipers don't have an adjustment on like others. (well mine don't and they may have altered the design since)
Globalti
Legendary Member
I would advise you strongly to go for the forged, not the CNC machined version. I have had both and I was disappointed at how ineffective the machined versions were, so much so that I thought I'd set them up wrong and I studied and measured them carefully. I discovered that the dimensions between the vital pivots are different and the machined versions don't have the same mechanical advantage and are considerably, even dangerously, less powerful. I resold mine on Ebay for the same as I had paid for them.
The forged version are light enough and powerful but fiddly when removing the wheel so in the end I've put them on Mrs Gti's bike, which seldom gets used, and reverted to dependable Ultegras for my own bike. You can pick up Ultegras for under £100 on Ebay if you are patient.
The forged version are light enough and powerful but fiddly when removing the wheel so in the end I've put them on Mrs Gti's bike, which seldom gets used, and reverted to dependable Ultegras for my own bike. You can pick up Ultegras for under £100 on Ebay if you are patient.
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Kestevan
Last of the Summer Winos
- Location
- Holmfirth.
I've got the forged ones on the RT-57.
They were a pain to get set-up correctly - the positional adjustment is fiddly and counter-intuitive (and you need at least 3 hands).
Once fitted though they are powerful, progressive and have never given a moments problems. The wheel release mechanism is not as friendly as the little lever on the Shimano brakes (you have to squeeze the brakes in by hand, and release a metal barrel which hooks under a metal clamp), but isn't too bad. Oh and I believe they are considerably lighter than Shimano 105, and much cheaper than Ultegras..
edit... I've just seen the weight comparisons on the planet-x site..
" tip the scales at just 225g including bolts and pads - massively under the weight of even the best high end brakesets (Dura Ace 7900 brakes weigh 284g)."
Make of this what you will..(personally I'm not sure 59g can be described as "Massive" but hey ho)
They were a pain to get set-up correctly - the positional adjustment is fiddly and counter-intuitive (and you need at least 3 hands).
Once fitted though they are powerful, progressive and have never given a moments problems. The wheel release mechanism is not as friendly as the little lever on the Shimano brakes (you have to squeeze the brakes in by hand, and release a metal barrel which hooks under a metal clamp), but isn't too bad. Oh and I believe they are considerably lighter than Shimano 105, and much cheaper than Ultegras..
edit... I've just seen the weight comparisons on the planet-x site..
" tip the scales at just 225g including bolts and pads - massively under the weight of even the best high end brakesets (Dura Ace 7900 brakes weigh 284g)."
Make of this what you will..(personally I'm not sure 59g can be described as "Massive" but hey ho)
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
I used to have these fitted but then had a problem with them which may highlight a possible design flaw. I braked hard at a roundabout and the little lever actually pulled all the way through so there was no longer any braking power. I had to take the wheel out to reset the brake but from then on every time I pulled hard on the brake lever, it came through the gap. It took me and @ianrauk a good 5 or 6 times to get it set up with limited braking power on the front just to get me home. Now have 105 calipers front and back.
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Maybe not over the full bike, but taken in the context in which they stated it, of course it is massive, it's a 21% weight saving over the DA brakes they have compared them to!
Kestevan
Last of the Summer Winos
- Location
- Holmfirth.
Granted, this is of course the case.
I just struggle to get excited about the fact I may be saving the weight of a mars bar..... otherwise I'd eat less of them, and probably save loads more weight
Having said that, the brakes themselves are fine, and I've never had any problem with them stopping my not inconsiderable bulk, on some very fast/ steep bits.
Globalti
Legendary Member
The forged brakes work as well as Ultegra or 105. It's the CNC version that's very poor. It's not just a machined-down forged brake, the design and dimensions are quite different.
Setting them up right includes tightening the tiny grub screw that clamps the cable, tight enough to hold the cable in an emergency stop but not so tight as to crush and splay the strands, a difficult thing to judge right.
Setting them up right includes tightening the tiny grub screw that clamps the cable, tight enough to hold the cable in an emergency stop but not so tight as to crush and splay the strands, a difficult thing to judge right.
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AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
Anyone know if they are short or long drop? Helpfully, the website doesn't seem to say.
