Are eeBrakes worth it?

[ocslick]

I think I have to go for the eeBrakes, have a friend who is giving me a deal too hard to pass up and I don't like the look of SRAM Red + Dura-Ace brakes (I'm a Shimano person normally).

[professerr]

I swapped out a pair of new Sram Red Aerolink with some EEs I bought on sale long ago (for a bike I sold). I think the EEs modulated better, i.e. I could better control the amount of braking force. I felt more confident braking on wet roads because of that — less worry about locking a wheel. But the Srams did seem to feel more powerful, i.e. it took less squeezing effort to produce the same braking force. The difference isn’t huge, however, and I wonder if I did a double blind test whether I’d really be able to tell the difference.

EDIT to above para: I had a brain fart — the brakes I replaced with EEs were Dura Ace, not Srams (which were on a different bike).

And of course I recall the EEs weigh half as much.

I don’t really like the look of EEs, fwiw.

[verbs4us]

If steampunk is a priority, go EE.

[dana_e]

No

[fogrider]

If you have to ask, no. If you want better braking, get disc. If you're a weightweenie, running tubies, then ok get them.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by fogrider

If you have to ask, no. If you want better braking, get disc. If you're a weightweenie, running tubies, then ok get them.

Expensive as EE brakes are, they are still way cheaper that converting to disc brakes (which requires new frame, fork, wheels, brakes, and brifters - on a practical level, completely different bike).

[CAAD]

Originally Posted by fogrider

If you have to ask, no. If you want better braking, get disc. If you're a weightweenie, running tubies, then ok get them.

Classic paceline reply that brings no real substance to the original question. Especially when it has to do with lightweight components.

[CAAD]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

Expensive as EE brakes are, they are still way cheaper that converting to disc brakes (which requires new frame, fork, wheels, brakes, and brifters - on a practical level, completely different bike).

Just for a marginal improvement in wet weather braking situations.

[Wakatel_Luum]

I have Campagnolo Record 12 on one bike and the latest EE's on another and the Campagnolo work a bit better. The EE's look cooler though.

[fogrider]

Originally Posted by CAAD

Classic paceline reply that brings no real substance to the original question. Especially when it has to do with lightweight components.

Wow. Really? It seems to directly answer the question! A bit tough and cheek, but yes, if you have to ask, the answer should always be No! These are expensive and as many have said, not really necessary. And a classic paceline reply would to go with rim brakes, and die on that hill! I said if you really want better braking go with disc! How is that a bad advice.

[Andy340]

The main trade off for eebrakes seems to be cost - if that is not a showstopper, and you like the looks, then go for them. You won’t loose braking power or modulation like other light weight rim brakes (I had the Planet X cnc calipers that were scary bad/flexy on steep descents).

[Talrand]

Originally Posted by CAAD

Classic paceline reply that brings no real substance to the original question. Especially when it has to do with lightweight components.

I'll take 'classic paceline' over your pointless BikeForums-style whinging.

[54ny77]

i run both sram red (new gen) and ee, and both stop excellent.

and ee's occasionally fall out of center alignment just as much as any other brake. rare for me, but it happens. not sure what bad stuff you're reading about 'em but i have them and use them and no issues worth fretting over. it's a 5 second adjust every several months or so.

[Turkle]

I've never used EEbrakes, but I think they look really cool on a bike. I used to see them on bikes out on 9W occasionally when I lived in NYC. Matchy-matchy anodizing can make a bike look pretty nifty. Plus coffee shop points, so there's that too.

[NoMoreParagon]

Switched from Super Record to eeBRakes.
I am a huge sucker for their special edition El Platino and found here on PL a kind soul selling them.
They are gorgeous. If you into something aesthetically unique there is nothing comparable in the market.

But there are two aspects here I'd want to highlight:

1. Installation: installing them ain't as easy as Campy or the other fishing rods maker's calipers. Particularly on the rear brake, cutting the hose to size is as finicky as important in the overall feel.

2. Tune up: after install you think you are done, but you still have to get brake shoes toe angle right. An aggressive toe angle, particularly if you use grippy pads such as the Campy red ones for carbon rims.
After that, centering and spacing pads from rims is really a piece of cake, easier than the other two.

Bottomline, I'd do the switch over and over again. Once tuned, they are a joy to ride (and look at).