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Currently the only bike that gets any use is my Caadx, which I picked up for buttons on bike to work. Its ace, i love how its cheap and versatile, and I don't constantly want to make it lighter or replace all the bits...its perfect for what I want it for as is..other than the brakes..which are pretty hopeless
It came with pro max render brakes which having read a few reviews before I got the bike didn''t fill me with confidence. I'm not fussed about modulation, feel etc, however I am keen that they actually stop me..which they do.....just
I'm now thinking of an upgrade. BB7s or TRP Spyres are on the cards however are they going to be noticably better, or is the only way forward a full hydro set, which will obviously cost significantly more
Changing pads and compressionless cables may improve the renders, but am I just trying to polish a turd?
I’ve heard positive things the TRP HY-RDs. However you might want to check out this recent post https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/trp-spyre-or-cable-hydraulic-or-full-hydraulic/
My SRAM Rivals are epic FTR.
No experience of the Pro Max brakes, but I've got BB7s on one bike and TRP Spyres on another, both work really well, and I've had no issues with either.
The BB7s took a bit of fettling and setting up to get perfect, but the Spyres came fitted to a bike and have been great from the get go.
There's a reason they're the two go to mechanical brake models, as they are actually good at stopping you!
I had the pro max, they were appalling!
I’ve got a Spyre and a Hy-rd, I think the Spyre is better, the half hydro doesn’t offer enough benefit for the extra faff.
I’ve also got a set of Rival hydros, they’re much more like it. I’d say go Spyre or full hydro personally.
Are the pads glazed? If so, take the pads out and remove the glaze with sandpaper.
wifes tour de fer has promax brakes
they work welll and stop a fully laden touring bike pretty damn quickly.
that said evans seemed to try and make them work as badly as possible from the shop.
A friend had Promax brakes years ago. They worked fine. I would check the pads for wear and replace them if they are worn or contaminated, clean the rotors with alcohol and then sand them, and also work some lube into the cables. BB7s are a better brake, but there's no point replacing the Promaxs if it's just worn or contaminated pads or the cables are dragging.
I had trp hylex they were very good but the hoods are very long it made for a slightly odd fit
I personally prefer bb7 but I have them on my mtb and I've another set to out on my other mtb when I get round to it to change the stock degree
I just prefer bb7 don't know why it makes no sense but there you go 🙂 I have tried some other cable discs and they were gash
I dunno how much is being used to good hydraulic brakes but I just refurbed a jump bike (-is) with some (Shimano something) mechanical brakes. They really feel bad... but if I grab a handful they do slow me down quite a bit and even stop me... The plan was a low maintenance - cheap bike... but I'm sorely tempted to stick some Deore's on. (Partly for cycling to/from but also it just feels bad not having what I now consider to be working brakes)
I've got TRP Spyre on my old cross bike, they're very good and stop me easily. Also dead easy to adjust pads.