Shimano Ultegra Road Shifters & KCNC C7's

[RichardL]

I currently have 2013 Ultegra 6700 STI shifters paired with 2013 Ultegra BR-6700 brakes. The brakes work very well. However, they are heavy at 320 grams/pair. I am thinking about swapping the brakes out for a set of KCNC C7 brakes to save around 150 grams. My concern is the pull ratio of the STI brake levers, which could affect effort and modulation. Do you think the Ultegra brake levers would work well with the KCNC brakes?

[gary_a_gooner]

It should work.

But you can probably save more weight by taking a dump before the ride.

[ergott]

But you can probably save more weight by taking a dump before the ride.

Who purposefully holds it in and goes for a ride?

[gary_a_gooner]

Who purposefully holds it in and goes for a ride?

I go faster at the end of my rides because I can't hold it in any longer. :butt:

[Tony]

I currently have 2013 Ultegra 6700 STI shifters paired with 2013 Ultegra BR-6700 brakes. The brakes work very well. However, they are heavy at 320 grams/pair. I am thinking about swapping the brakes out for a set of KCNC C7 brakes to save around 150 grams. My concern is the pull ratio of the STI brake levers, which could affect effort and modulation. Do you think the Ultegra brake levers would work well with the KCNC brakes?

I friend recently installed the KCNC C7 brakes on his bike that has Dura Ace 7700 shifters and ultegra brakes. He mentioned that they are not as powerful as the ultegra brakes but work well. They look nice!

[RichardL]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I am willing to sacrifice a little bit of stopping power for 150 grams of weight. By the way, I usually take a dump early in the morning before my ride :)

[dave thompson]

I won't even mention that 150 grams is 5.29 ounces but 6700 brakes are pretty darn good. The C7 brakes are OK but not up to Shimano standards.

[aramis]

My ultegra 6700 brakes work so well, I wouldn't swap them out to save weight, at least if you swap them out use a pair of brakes designed to work with them.

From a description of the 6700 levers:

"Using these levers with older Shimano brakes is not recommended. The feel will be "hard," and there will be very little modulation in braking power."

[JimmyTango]

I currently run 6700 levers with tektro calipers that came stock on a 5600 kitted Allez, and the braking is fine... numb, but the bike slows and stops when I want it to.

[fogrider]

My ultegra 6700 brakes work so well, I wouldn't swap them out to save weight, at least if you swap them out use a pair of brakes designed to work with them.

From a description of the 6700 levers:

"Using these levers with older Shimano brakes is not recommended. The feel will be "hard," and there will be very little modulation in braking power."

I find little modulation with shimano brakes, they are powerful and grabby...not good when riding in a pack.

[RichardL]

I won't even mention that 150 grams is 5.29 ounces but 6700 brakes are pretty darn good. The C7 brakes are OK but not up to Shimano standards.

I don't disagree that the Ultegra 6700 brakes are very good. However, 5.29 ounces is more than a quarter pound or roughly the weight of four Garmin 500 cycling computers or four large eggs. Pretty significant.

[dave thompson]

Sorry I was being so flip. I didn't realize the staggering difference.

[cachagua]

I don't respect anyone's commitment to saving weight 'til they get their teeth pulled. Don't need to chew gel, after all. . .

[shovelhd]

I find little modulation with shimano brakes, they are powerful and grabby...not good when riding in a pack.

I don't use my brakes much when riding in a pack. 7900 with Reynolds pads. Not grabby at all.

[Joachim]

However, 5.29 ounces is more than a quarter pound or roughly the weight of four Garmin 500 cycling computers. Pretty significant.

Someone should tell DC Rainmaker that all those garmin computers on his bike are heavy.

In all seriousness, unless you are counting grams for the Mt Washington hill climb, the 5.29 onces is not going to make a difference. On weight weenies they will tell you different and on slowtwitch you will be less 'aero' with the heavier brakes. What is your current p/w at FTP? And if you want really light brakes with great stopping power that work well with shimano pull ratio, I have a set of EE brakes for sale in the classifieds. Weightweenie approved.