AICAN offset brake blocks review

If you want to run 28c tyres or more on a rim-brake road bike you'll probably need deep-drop calipers. Whilst you can get some pretty decent ones, they're not generally as good as the best short-drop calipers from the likes of Shimano, Sram and Campagnolo. But before you say "should have bought a disc-brake bike", there is another option.

These replacement brake blocks offset the fixing bolt from the braking surface giving you about a centimetre of extra drop. It’s such a simple and effective idea I’m surprised you don’t see more of these.

Fitting is slightly more fiddly than normal blocks because of the offset, but once done they work really well.

I fitted them to my Ultegra 6800 callipers and they feel just the same as with regular blocks. They certainly feel better the long-drop callipers I’ve tried that can give a bit of a spongy brake feel. One thing to watch is that you don’t get the same overall clearance around the tyre as you do with the purpose-designed long-drop callipers, so something to bear in mind if you have mudguards that require good clearance.

Overall these are inexpensive and definitely worth trying, especially if you’ve already got some short drop callipers lying around you can use. As disc brakes become more popular it may be that groupset manufacturers become even less interested in producing decent long-drop callipers, so these could be a good way of giving you more options on your long-drop frame in the future.

Around £16 a pair on eBay.

Comments

Nitto S83 v Thomson Elite seatpost

If you're looking for a high quality alloy seatpost then two that stand out are the Nitto S83 and the Thomson Elite. I own both, so how do they compare? Looks The S83 is a smooth, classic looking seatpost which is similar to road seatposts of a few decades ago. The Thomson has more of an industrial look, particularly with its textured machined surface. Versions Thomson have loads of different versions available: in just about every combination of length and diameter you could want. The S83 is more limited, but if you like something a bit different you won't see so many of them out there on other bikes. Weight Thomson is a clear winner here. Depending on the exact version you get it's around 200 grams, which is pretty good for an alloy post. The Nitto is around 100 grams heavier. Saddle clamp The Thomson uses a tried and tested two bolt design which uses surprisingly small diameter bolts, but grips securely. The S83 uses large diameter bolts and is probab

Nitto S83 Seatpost Review

So, first things first: if you judge a seatpost by maximum lightness for minimum money then you might as well stop reading now, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a quality seatpost and weight is a secondary issue then read on. The S83 is a beautifully crafted piece of engineering that has a quality finish. It's a nice alternative to all the black carbon out there and looks particularly good on a steel or titanium bike. Most of the ones you'll find have got a silver finish, although black ones are available, you might need to search a bit on the internet and perhaps order directly from Japan. One issue that frustrates me with some seatposts is the poor quality of the saddle clamps, which can be flexy, with poor quality easily rounded bolts, often in the name of reducing weight. No such issues with the S83, which has large, high quality bolts that grip the saddle firmly. Both of the bolts are accessed from below making adjustment straig

Rapha Classic Gloves Review

These full-fingered gloves from Rapha have quite a different feel to any other cycling gloves you might try. Slipping them on you feel like you should be getting ready to drive a classic MG rather than ride a bike. They have a great soft feel, the leather palms in particular are beautifuly made and surprisingly supple. The gloves are thinner and more grippy than most full winter gloves, which definitely helps to give a better feel on the bars and better control of the gears and brakes. Despite the thin construction they are warm enough for most UK autumn and winter conditions, and only when the temperature has been around freezing have I wanted something warmer. There’s not a lot of padding in these gloves, just a small pad on the palm. This suits me as I think it gives a better feel. The gloves also have a close, fitted feel which works well without being constricting or making the gloves difficult to take on and off. The workmanship on these gloves is first rate, with detail

Justcyclingstuff

Search This Blog