7700 brake calipers

[TronnyJenkins]

I'm considering some of these for subs to 7403 calipers on a build, but I've read they're flexy and don't stop as well. Would I really notice this difference between these and 7403 SLR calipers?


Secondary question: can the holders be replaced on the 7403 calipers to hold modern blocks like the 7700s?

[Big Dan]

7700/6500/5500 calipers are great brakes.
Never heard anything bad about them.
I'm using 5500 right now on my rain bike.

[sales guy]

I'm considering some of these for subs to 7403 calipers on a build, but I've read they're flexy and don't stop as well. Would I really notice this difference between these and 7403 SLR calipers?


Secondary question: can the holders be replaced on the 7403 calipers to hold modern blocks like the 7700s?


Firstly, they are AWESOME brakes. Not flexy at all. They work very well. This is Shimano's best groupset in my opinion.

Second, yes, you can use the 7700 brake holders on the 7400 series brakes. The holes in brake arms are standard. They'll switch over no problem.

[cmbicycles]

I don't think you would notice much difference between 7403/7700 calipers (although the 7700 are their nicest looking brakes Imo).

If you swapped to newer pad holders on the 7403, say with 7800 or generic, you would get some orbital adjustment for the brake shoes as well. I don't think they used the convex/concave washers until 10s... but any other shimano compatible brake blocks would likely adjust just as well and you could upgrade pads to salmon koolstop and probably notice more difference from the pads than you would from just the calipers.

[11.4]

7700 calipers are superb and stiff. More to the point, compared to 7403's, the leverage is much stronger so you'll get a lot more stopping power with much less grip action.

[TronnyJenkins]

All good news!

The purists will hate me, but this bike is going to have low profile carbon rims hence the concern about stopping. Mostly for the fact that I just love the look of black or dark rims with no silver brake tracks and gumwalls. I have Mavic Open4CDs on two bikes, but I can't stand when the anodizing starts thinning.

[berserk87]

I found my 7700 brake calipers to be merely mildly inconvenient to forward momentum. They seemed weak to me. I rode them for 16 years and was not in love with them. I would not call them awful, but I thought that the calipers were the weak link in the 7700 group.

I went from 7700 to 9000 last year and the most obvious improvement to me was the calipers. The 9000 are stiff and work well.

It could be that weight of the rider is coloring opinion on this issue. I'm about 200 normally, and 190 during a good year. It takes more braking juice to stop my hefty carcass.

[rccardr]

I have both 7700 and 7403 and find them both to be equally adequate as speed reducing devices, assuming that cables, housing and pad quality are equal. And at 205, it takes some good caliper to slow me down.

[josephr]

7700 are very good brakes, but ever since Shimano changed the pull ratio, their brakes have gotten so much better. I've no experience with carbon rims, but I imagine a shorter pull would give better feel with the softer pad material.

the problem I ran into with 7700 brakes are the cable stop/adjustment using a plastic threaded insert and eventually the threads wear out and they won't hold in the brake arm. The Ultegra corresponding series are similar and adjusters supposedly work and can find on amazon. However, I wouldn't be surprised if another Paceliner weighed in and said they do not fit/work.

I searched high and low for the actual DA replacements and finally sourced some NOS out of california warehouse that only sold to dealers with contracts. My closest dealer was a guy out of Colorado and had to wait for him to place a minimum order. By the time they got to me retailwise, it was a couple of months and they were pretty spendy....I can't remember exactly but want to say they were about $75 for the pair.

Assuming you already own the calipers and adjusters are in good condition, I'd say ride the heck out of 'em.

[GregL]

My $0.02: 7700 are fine brake calipers if properly set up AND if used with quality aftermarket brake pads. As originally sold, 7700 did not provide the same level of stopping power as 7403. Shimano took a lot of mass out of 7700 as compared to 7403. The caliper arms simply weren't as stiff. The original 7700 pads were IMO the worst brake pads ever sold by Shimano. One long downhill and 7700 pads were full of metal shards from the rims. Worse stopping power AND rim damage, give me some of that...

The solution was to use Kool Stop pads instead of Shimano. One I replaced the OEM pads with Kool Stop salmon pads, the change in braking was dramatic. While not as solid as 7403 or 7800, 7700 brakes with Kool Stop pads were very good.

Greg

[berserk87]

The solution was to use Kool Stop pads instead of Shimano. One I replaced the OEM pads with Kool Stop salmon pads, the change in braking was dramatic. While not as solid as 7403 or 7800, 7700 brakes with Kool Stop pads were very good.

Greg

Yes - I forgot about this. I switched to Kool Stop pads (I use the combo salmon/black pads) during my 7700 days and never went back. They were an improvement over the stock pads. I've been running Kook Stop pads on my 9000 group too.

[GregL]

Yes - I forgot about this. I switched to Kool Stop pads (I use the combo salmon/black pads) during my 7700 days and never went back. They were an improvement over the stock pads. I've been running Kook Stop pads on my 9000 group too.
I'm running Kool Stop salmon pads on 9000 calipers. The stopping power is amazing. Grab too much front brake at speed and a nose wheelie is a distinct possibility.

Greg

[sales guy]

I like the stock Shimano pads. I don't want a massive grab on the rim. I had no issues with the stock shimano pads on the 7700 brakes. Which btw, are the same model/material as on the 7800, 9000 and 9100. They do make 2 other versions. But the stock pads are the same across the Dura Ace run.

[TronnyJenkins]

the problem I ran into with 7700 brakes are the cable stop/adjustment using a plastic threaded insert and eventually the threads wear out and they won't hold in the brake arm.

Hrmm. Well, I don't already own any... and this issue seems to be a potential hassle. I'm on the lookout for the 7403s truth be told, and noticed some 7700s on the forum for sale. Thought they might make a good sub, but now I'm thinking I'd be happier in the long run if I'm patient and get the ol' SLRs.