[Scope]

I have a 2009 Trek 2.3 with the generic crap brakes. What are the best brake calipers for the money that will work with the 2009 105 levers?

Thanks.

 

[darkmother]

Throw a set of good pads on your crap brakes and you will have brakes that rival, or outperform some very $$$ equipment. I like kool stop pads myself.

 

[Scope]

I have tried kool stops. There is just no leverage in these damn brakes!

 

[FatTireFred]

tekro w/ good pads

 

[wim]

I have tried kool stops. There is just no leverage in these damn brakes!

You may be laboring under a misapprehension. Enough "leverage" to enable front brake lock-up is something you don't want. Enough "leverage" to lock up the rear brake is something you want even less. Given those two facts, it's difficult to understand your problem. Do you have extremely weak hands?

 

[Scope]

Well I took out a 2010 2.3 that has 105 brakes and the bike stops so much better than my 2009 which has generic brakes. I have way better tires and lighter wheels on my 2009 which should make my 2009 stop quicker.

 

[wim]

Well I took out a 2010 2.3 that has 105 brakes and the bike stops so much better than my 2009 which has generic brakes. I have way better tires and lighter wheels on my 2009 which should make my 2009 stop quicker.

1. Pads. 2. Pads. 3. Pads. 4. Brake adjustment. 5. Brake lever ergonomics. 6. Perception not based on facts, like deceleration values recorded). 7. and dead last: Brake brand and model.

 

[SilverStar]

Add me into the "Koolstop pads" camp...turns the crappiest generic brakes into stopping powerhouses!

 

[MR_GRUMPY]

I have a 2009 Trek 2.3 with the generic crap brakes. What are the best brake calipers for the money that will work with the 2009 105 levers?

Thanks.

105 calipers.

 

[josephjcole]

Wow a lot of suggestions for new pads for an OP who said he has tried kool stop pads. My wifes entry level Trek bike also has horrible brakes, squeezing them they feel like mush, and afterwards the springs aren't strong enough to come immediately back to the starting postition. So she has horrible brake rub for 30 seconds after the initial braking. I adjust her brakes the same way I adjust mine, so I don't think it's an adjustment issue.

To the OP: almost any road caliper brakes will work fine with your levers. I would think a used set of 105's or Rivals off of ebay would be your best bet, assuming you don't want to spend too much money.
Joe

 

[FatTireFred]

"no leverage" in dual pivot brakes???

 

[matchmaker]

105's, since I replaced my generic crap brakes with them, I actually feel safe out there. And no, sometimes it is not only the pads, you have to replace the whole thing.

 

[ziscwg]

I have some tekkro 530 crap brakes on my cdale. They sucked first ride. Granted, I'm used to 180 mm mtb disk brakes, but these just felt wrong. So, I replaced the pads and holders with Shimano Ultergra. What a nice brake setup I have now. I can stop confidently going downhill at 35 mph to 0 coming to a stop sign (Black Rd coming from Skyline blvd)

 

[Kuma601]

Mostly in the pad compound. If you want to spend for calipers, ~$75 for 5600, $90 for 6600, $125-$140 for 7800 on that auction site.