Shimano 105 BR-5500

Price Paid:  $18.00 at Limbros

Bike Setup:
Mixed components: Shimano 105 (front derailuer), Tiagra (rear derailuer), 105 (brake set and hub), Sante (crankset), Sora (STI), Ritchey Comp (handle bar and stem), Alex rims, Amoeba seat post (carbon), Reynolds Ouzo comp (carbon fork) and Specialized (frame)

Summary:
105 brakes are a must to have brakes for starter racers like me or any one who rides road bikes...

Strengths:
Strong braking power...
Doesn't flex...
Affordable...

Weaknesses:
nO so far...

Similar Products Used:
None... my first road machine...

Price Paid:  $48.00 at Jenson USA

Favorite Ride:
Any ride

Bike Setup:
01 LeMond Nevada City
All Sora except the 105 brakes
Conti Gatorskins 700x25
Weyless 6061 lightweight dual bolt seatpost
Selle Itali carbon prolink

Summary:
Bought the 105's, to replace the generic Trek/LeMond calipers on a 01 Nevada City bike. Dramatic improvement in stopping power. The front caliper had no noticeable flex. The OEM calipers were flexy, and at my size, 240lbs. I thought I was hurting the. I do a lot of riding in my neighborhood so good brakes are very important too me. Coming off of a hybrid bike, I was dissapointed with the OEM brakes. While these brakes don't haul you to a stop like the V Brakes, the 105's are a vast improvement over the generic OEM calipers.

I swapped out the stock brake pads for some Aztec Formula 1 red brakes pads, and they made a huge difference over the stock pad. From my short experience, the 105's are in a league by themselves..

Strengths:
Price, total was $58.33 including tax and shipping. Great deal at Jenson USA. Quality, and stopping power. Forged construction

Weaknesses:
So far none

Similar Products Used:
V brakes on a hybrid, and generic cast OEM calipers and pads

Price Paid:  $0.00 at stock

Bike Setup:
TCR2, Shimano 6500 Ultegra Wheelset

Summary:
Shimano's 105 calipers are a tough, solid, less-expensive version of their slicker big brothers, Ultegra and DuraAce -- and that's all there is to it. The basic engineering and design seems to be the same, albeit resulting in a slightly less finished, less pretty, and tad heavier component. Don't be mistaken, however... the 105 set is race worthy, and though Ultegra and DuraAce have come to overshadow it, there's no denying that it's a smooth-functioning, durable and attractive grouppo, brakes included.

Stopping power varies with the rims you're using, but in general, I've found that when properly adjusted, the 105s clamp down like a vise and don't let go. Braking is responsive, prompt, and smooth.

I've had a little trouble keeping my front calipers properly aligned on their master pivot; they seem to "swing" over time. After a week or so of use, I'm inevitably noticing one pad striking the rim before the other. It's subtle, but a bit frustrating. No amount of tightening the frame bolt seems to prevent this action. I haven't ever heard this identified as a common 105-caliper ailment, so it's likely little more than a freak quirk.

All in all, an excellent value.

Strengths:
Stopping power, durable construction; a very suitable alternative to Ultegra or DuraAce.

Weaknesses:
My front caliper regularly moves out of alignment; possibly a unique annoyance. Easily corrected.

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Price Paid:  $0.00 at Gatto Cycles Murrysv

Bike Setup:
2000 Schwinn SuperSport GLX

Summary:
These brakes are fine and dandy. They have never given me any problems, they have allot of power, good modulation and all that.

Strengths:
Works great

Similar Products Used:
RSX Calipers

Price Paid:  $66.00 at Performance (I think)

Favorite Ride:
West Oaks to Fulsher

Bike Setup:
1997 Diamond Back Expert (Steel) with 105 group, Ultegra cassette, Aerohead wheels.

Summary:
They work. Kinda expensive, but would have to say it was a safe purchase cause I knew they were good stuff. Easy to adjust, IMHO, and reliable.

Strengths:
Name, stopping power

Weaknesses:
Price

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Sora and various generic.