Campagnolo Record

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Shiney Bike UK

Bike Setup:
tarmac, record 11

Summary:
Simply the poorest calipers of the big three--but married to the best levers on the market.

I've had my record 11 groupo for a season now and love everything about it except the brake calipers. The first thing I noticed was the lack of power compared to the dura ace that they replaced. When I put the 7800s back on with the campy levers I had excellant brakes--even better than the straight dura ace.

I have a lot of experience setting up brakes and understand the pad differences as well. The campy 11 calipers simply lack the kind of power required for charging down long twisting desents. Hand fatigue will become an issue.

I've since changed to the even better modulated and powerful Eebrake calipers. While a bit of a pain to clean, this combination can not be beat if power and modulation are the goal.

Strengths:
pretty

Weaknesses:
poor power and modulation

Similar Products Used:
dura ace, rivals, eebrakes

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Pro Cycling Discount

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere in the Sierra National Forrest.

Bike Setup:
Cannondale SystemSix with full Campy Record (Except rear cassete which is Chorus), ROL Volant wheels, Thompson Masterpiece seatpost, FSA K-Wing carbon bars, and a Fizik Arione Ti saddle.

Summary:
I have been using these brakes (Record Skeleton) for a couple of days, and I can tell you that they can slow my big ass (225) down coming down a hill. To me that says alot. I have absolute confidence in these brakes.

Strengths:
Light, and strong braking power with non fade.

Weaknesses:
With the exception of a steep purchasing price, none!

Similar Products Used:
SRAM BB5 mechanical disk brakes on my MTB.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Sycip frame, combination of Chorus and Record components.

Summary:
The other reviews pretty much say it all, these are amazing brakes. My previous bike had Ultegra and with my hands on the tops of the hoods I never felt like I was able to get adequate stopping power on fast descents. Not a problem with the Records (I have 2001 calipers with 2000 Chorus levers). I'm fairly stout, 190lbs, and these brakes stop me with no problem at all. Great control, linear feel, great looking. As one other reviewer wrote, the attention to detail is fantastic, and I like the fact that the rear caliper is paired down to match its work level - keep the weight up front where it's needed.

Strengths:
Stopping power, looks/quality of finish.

Weaknesses:
Price - Chorus brakes are identical except for lacking a few titanium pieces, and stopping power and aesthetics are otherwise identical.

Similar Products Used:
Ultegra, Mirage.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
IF Crown Jewel, Chrous hubs, Athena Ergo, Racing Triple

Summary:
Unbelievably solid feel and control! The opportunities I have to do a long downhill, I have full confidence in my ability to "think" my speed through the curves. In a tight pace line, just a tap on the front lever is all I need to maintain my distance.

Lots of attention paid to details, such as little allen screws for centering, BIG wrench flats for gross centering (no longer need a cone wrench as just about anything will reach in there).

Strengths:
Feel, control, ease of set-up, looks

Weaknesses:
Price! (Let's face it, they don't stop $60 better than Chorus!)

Similar Products Used:
Campy Record (from the 70's), Grand Compe, Shimano 105 DP (8-speed), Shimano 105 DP "HollowTech"

Price Paid:  $225.00 at Gearlink

Favorite Ride:
Outside

Bike Setup:
Principia T28 with Campy Record and Shamal wheels.

Summary:
Great looks, Front brake does most of the work, the rear is IMO cosmetic. I would use these in crits or hairy decents or anywhere serious stopping power is needed. (City biking too)

Strengths:
Looks, Weight,

Weaknesses:
Rear brake is a joke. Doesn't surpass my old ultegra but then the DA versions didnt do any better than the campys either.

Similar Products Used:
DA and Ultegra