Sacrificing Aesthetics for Low Weight

[Louis]

Just received the latest Excel catalog and I couldn't help but notice the M5 brake calipers. As a pair they’re about 150 g lighter than DA calipers, but because of the truss design they are just about the ugliest component I’ve ever seen. Granted, I’m not a weight weenie, and will never be one, but even if I were a tri-geek I can’t imagine putting that hideous thing on a bike. Plus, they cost $565…

Louis

[SoCalSteve]

Form follows function...

[slowgoing]

I like 'em. Maybe not on a retro bike, but that sure is a feat of engineering.

[The Spider]

sure they might look hideous on a Sachs, Llewellyn or Serotta...but imagine them on a organic stealthy Storck or a Titus Exogrid....something industrial and futuristic with big deep black aero wheels....well then the aesthetic seems more attractive!

[cs124]

sure they might look hideous on a Sachs, Llewellyn or Serotta...but imagine them on a organic stealthy Storck or a Titus Exogrid....something industrial and futuristic with big deep black aero wheels....well then the aesthetic seems more attractive!

yep, they'd look excellent on on a stealth black Parlee with deep carbon rims ;)

[Climb01742]

bet zero gravity brakes are eating into sales of both campy and shimano, hence this ZG "inspired" design. i like 'em too. hey, different strokes and all that. more places to clean, tho. :rolleyes:

[manet]

oh so fun to clean

[Kirk Pacenti]

These reminds me of the early 1990's mtb super-light parts craze....

[slowgoing]

more places to clean, tho.

Those words have never come out of my mouth in that order.

[gdw]

CNC flashback. Trick, lightweight.... unreliable? Anyone here remember Kookla, Topline, Cook Bros etc?

[bostondrunk]

Perhaps the new campy record 2007 calipers will be closer in weight?

[Fixed]

look cool on a bmc