Long/Mid Reach Brakes

[campy man]

Similar to this thread below ... trying to decide between Paul Racer M, TRP RG957 and VO Grand Cru. Lots of great feedback on the Shimano R650 but ... it's Shimano

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...ighlight=rg957

Hoping Paceliners with experience with these brakes can share.

[sparky33]

The VO and TRP brakes are both terrific stoppers. The main difference is aesthetic.

There may be another thread where these brakes are discussed already.

[AngryScientist]

the paul racer M's require a cable hanger, which ideally you would build a bike around, vs an afterthought.

i have both the VO and TRP calipers. both excellent.

[Big Dan]

Originally Posted by campy man

Similar to this thread below ... trying to decide between Paul Racer M, TRP RG957 and VO Grand Cru. Lots of great feedback on the Shimano R650 but ... it's Shimano

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...ighlight=rg957

Hoping Paceliners with experience with these brakes can share.

If you were serious about braking you wouldn't say that.
The R650 is better than all of those.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by Big Dan

The R650 is better than all of those.

disagree.

[choke]

I have Racer Ms (post mounted) and absolutely love them. I've never tried the other two. Another option with comparable reach that are reasonably priced are Dia-Compe 610s. The Paul and Dia-Compe require a cable hanger which some find to be a big deal but it isn't one for me; they would be my first and second choices but I also hate dual-pivot brakes.

One point: all of the brakes that you mentioned are mid-reach (47-57mm) rather than long reach (57-67mm). For some reason many companies call mid-reach brakes 'long reach' these days.

[NHAero]

I'm curious if any of the alternatives to the Shimano caliper have hardware that isn't plated and therefore rusts. Only my Shimano calipers are rust-free. I hate buying what is kinda a re-branded Taiwanese brake from VO or Rivendell and find that it's as rusty a year later as the Tektros on several of our bikes (isn't TRP the same company as Tektro? Doesn't this company make the VO brakes?)

Feel free to correct any mis-assumptions above!

[ripvanrando]

TRP RG957 are one of my favorite all-time brakes. They proudly sit on a bike absolutely abused by rain, salt, and all sort of weather. They look new to me. They work perfectly. Excellent braking force and modulation and plenty of tire clearance.

[ERK55]

Agree w/the above. The TRP’s are great, not that much different from my Campy-labeled brakes. Have the Paul Racer M’s (post mount) on another bike...no complaints. 33c tires on both with room to spare.

[R3awak3n]

the VOs are EXCELLENT. I have a pair in silver for sale. but seriously, they are amongst the best caliper brakes I have used, short, mid or long, doesnt matter.

[Mzilliox]

Originally Posted by campy man

Similar to this thread below ... trying to decide between Paul Racer M, TRP RG957 and VO Grand Cru. Lots of great feedback on the Shimano R650 but ... it's Shimano

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...ighlight=rg957

Hoping Paceliners with experience with these brakes can share.

The TRP is the superior brake of these 3 choices and the best of the mid reach i have tried.

[PaMtbRider]

Another vote for Paul Racer M I've had both post and center mount and can't really tell a difference. I also have a bike with the Shimano 650 which are nice but not any better than the Pauls. The only ones that truly suck are some cheaper tektro (trp) that are rusty and lack power.

[Bradford]

I have the Shimano brakes and they work exactly as they are supposed to work. They stop my 250 pounds going 45 MPH and that is probably more than you are going to need.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Big Dan

If you were serious about braking you wouldn't say that.
The R650 is better than all of those.

Pretty funny...for the OP, Paul’s excellent but again, need cable hangers. The others are a wash, TRP with a slight edge. VO and shimano tied. All mentioned work well. Aesthetics might be the ‘determiner’.

[sparky33]

Originally Posted by NHAero

it's as rusty a year later as the Tektros on several of our bikes (isn't TRP the same company as Tektro? Doesn't this company make the VO brakes?)

I've had Tektro label brakes corrode, but the TRP (RG957) brakes are more durable in that regard and are better all around. The VO Grand Cru brakes are a different animal and probably not related to Tektro...CNC'd and slightly different design, pretty.
Gosh, isn't it nice to live in a time when even the worst components are still very good.