Forum menu
I need to replace some brakes, mechanical disk with drop bars. I already have BB7 MTB calipers, have found that with the right set up they can be amazing. Also have some TRP Spykes (the mtb ones) which, tbh, I thought would be better- definitely not as good as the BB7s. I know I'm answering my own question here, but before I buy some more BB7s have I missed something with the Spykes? The reviews and comments here led me to think tgat they would be much better. Maybe I need to get the settings better? Or are the Spyres considerably better than the Spykes?
Having run both I'd say they are pretty on par - I maybe prefer the Spyres a bit.
The Spyres were/are more consistent, whereas the BB7s were maybe slightly better initially but needed more careful set up and then after a bit of use in bad weather I had to fiddle with them regularly to keep them on point.
Spyres have been on my Vagabond for 6 year with the same cables and apart from pad changes and winding in the pads every so often they've just worked very well.
I found Spykes and BB7 MTN fairly equal overall but I prefer BB7s on the drop bar bike now after using Spyres for a few years, and BB7s before that, they just seem to feel a bit better with my SRAM levers. May be different with other levers.
I have a couple of sets of Spyres inc Spyre SLs if anyone wants to swap for BB7 roads. Also some Spykes I'd swap for BB7 MTN in black. PM..
I looked after a mate's bike for a year whilst he was travelling, his had BB7s on, they were excellent.
I used Spyres on my last commuter, they were a bit meh, even with compressionless outers.
Both need an equivalent amount of adjusting. The bearings in the adjustment dials on the Spyres seized up (but I've also had BB5s seize up). Think you just need to keep on top of adjustment and maintenance on either set.
I prefer the MTB BB7's with the MTB pull drop bar levers over the Spyres.
Both good though.
I found bb7s felt better braking than spyres. I thought I could feel the spyres flex but they stopped fine. They were on different bikes so not a fair comparison and it could have been the frame or cable setup.
I found the spyres easier to live with as both calipers moved.
With bb7s I found only 1 caliper would move so I would get the "ting ting ting" from rotor rub. I never got this with spyres.
I've gone with zoom X-tech cable operated hydraulic ones - or rather I did before deciding to upgrade the whole bike.
Never fitted them but they do seem to be good for less than £40 for 2 callipers.
Double acting pistons and a firm feel, although quite heavy.
Might be worth a punt for the money.
I use TRP Hy-RDs just now on my drop bars ,mechanical disk bike ,but found the BB7s and Spyres were fine with good cables and pads.
Juin tech r1's for me, much much better than the spyres they replaced
I had BB7 mtn on my MTB a while ago. I liked them.
For my gravel build I tried TRP Sprye. They were underwhelming, always felt squidgy. The double actuator sounds cool, but I think it makes the brake harder to service. Also pad adjustments need a tool on both sides.
I replaced them with BB7 road. I like them.
Spyre < BB7 road < Juin Tech R1
I've tried all three of the above and the Spyres are my least favourite. However, I've got them on my nice bike as they're the only ones that fit!
I think the spyres use a slightly different pull ratio to the bb7s which is the reason for the mushiness if you switch. You need to be much more careful with alignment to make it work well.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/brake-pull-ratios.144335/
So there is mtb pull ratio, old/sram road ratio and new shimano/spyre road ratio.
If you want to try some Spyres you're welcome to my old ones, reasonably well serviced and come with some posh Swissstop RS (yellow) pads.
Looking for postage and beer money, PM if interested 😎
(it's been a while but I think I remember BB7 feeling more powerful, but having used Spyres more recently I was perfectly happy with them, felt good at the lever, slowed me down, and I welcomed being able to dial in additional clearance on both sides for muddy stuff)
Been surprised by how good spyres are one set up well.
Was always a hydro guy. The spyres came on a bike I bought second hand. Was going to ditch them for hydros. Two years later I have never gotten around to doing it as the brakes are plenty good for me.
Bigger rotors for the win 👍
Had 180s front and back. Switched the rear for a 160 due to frame clearance issues when removing the wheel. Still plenty stopping power.
Haven't even had to bleed them once 😉
13thfloormonk
Full Member
If you want to try some Spyres you’re welcome to my old ones, reasonably well serviced and come with some posh Swissstop RS (yellow) pads.
Looking for postage and beer money, PM if interested
I'm interested! Thanks, that would be amazing 😀 I've sent a DM
I've always liked my (MTB) BB7s; put a new set of pads into my 16 year old front caliper yesterday prior to a week's trip starting on Monday. By contrast, the Spyres I ran on the same bike (but with drops) through 2020-22 never inspired confidence. Go with your instincts. Planning to reinstall drops (and different levers) in the near future, and I'll be trying a road BB7 on the front.
If I'm not happy with that I'll be going down the Juin Tech route, although I have reservations about hybrid brake systems, which seem to combine the worst of both worlds to me (long, draggy cable runs plus the potential for fluid leaks).
If I’m not happy with that I’ll be going down the Juin Tech route, although I have reservations about hybrid brake systems, which seem to combine the worst of both worlds to me (long, draggy cable runs plus the potential for fluid leaks).
My Juin Techs have done 4 years with no issues on my gravel bike (used as winter road bike and summer gravel). No doubt if I was going to outer Mongolia I'd put the spyres back on and adjust my riding accordingly but in the wilds of West Berkshire I'll take the risk of a failure. At the price they are I could live with buying a new set every few years although I am very much against that approach to cycle parts.
Something to consider is the BB7's stick out a long way compared to the TRP brakes. On my bike the rear brake is mounted on the chainstay and the BB7's I moved from my old bike stuck out enough that my heel hit the calliper. I switched to TRP HYRD's because of the lower profile and the issue went away. If the brake mount is on the seatstay it's almost certainly not an issue.
In terms of power, there's not much in it. Pads and set up (compressionless cables) have a bigger impact than the brake itself IME.