Bike brake caliper Black Friday: deals

Which brake caliper to choose during the operation?

Most purchases replace an existing caliper: bent arm after a fall, leaking piston, broken spring. The simplest option is to go for the same reference or its successor within the same range. Upgrading is possible with the same mount, for example, moving from a Sora road caliper to an Ultegra. Changing systems, however, cannot be done with just the caliper: a disc brake requires a frame, fork, and hubs designed for it.

Front, rear, mount: identify the right part

• Position: for Shimano, the suffix of the reference indicates this, -F for the front, -RS for a rear mounted on the stays, -R for a rear positioned under the bottom bracket. Sram and others write it out in full.
• Mount: central bolt or direct mount for a rim brake, posts for a V-Brake, Post Mount or Flat Mount for a disc caliper.
• Reach: for road, it measures the gap between the mount and the rim track; standard calipers, like those on the page marked 51 mm, are not suitable for frames that require a long-arm caliper.
• Cable routing of a V-Brake: 90-degree bend at the front, 135-degree bend at the rear on certain models from the page.

Comparing two discounts on the same caliper

A caliper is sold individually, in pairs, or as a front and rear set: always relate the price before discount and the discounted price to the number of pieces, as indicated on the product sheet. For a disc caliper, also check what comes with it. Shimano indicates in the reference the supplied pads, G05S in resin or D03S for example, while other calipers may arrive bare. A hydraulic caliper can be delivered alone, with its hose fittings, or as a complete brake. Lastly, it must work with your lever: same brand or stated compatibility, and same fluid.

Levers, pads and other useful pages

The page for bike brake calipers describes each type of brake and its adjustment throughout the year. During the operation, a disc caliper often comes with pads in Black Friday, a rim caliper with new pads, and the brake levers for the operation complete the order. Road and BMX calipers have their selection: road and BMX. Outside of the operation, check the clearance and the new arrivals.

What brands of brake calipers during Black Friday?

Tektro sells its R540 and R559 rim road calipers in pairs; the R559, with long arms, exists with either a bolt or a recessed nut depending on the frame.

Sram offers the front and rear calipers of its road groups Red, Force and Rival separately, in Flat Mount or direct mount, and complete calipers for its MTB brakes Code, Level and Maven.

Shimano covers rim brakes from Sora to Dura-Ace, and disc brakes from Deore to XTR and the Saint BR-M820 downhill, by coding position and pads in its references.

Campagnolo is present with its direct mount calipers, front and rear, for road frames that adopt this fixing.

Formula offers its Cura caliper in Flat Mount for Campagnolo levers and provides a complete front caliper in Post Mount as a spare part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you switch to disc brakes by changing only the caliper?

No. A disc brake requires mounting points on the frame and fork, hubs that accept a disc, and suitable levers. On a bike designed for pads, only a rim caliper can be replaced.

What does direct mount mean?

The caliper is held by two bolts on dedicated anchor points of the frame and fork, rather than a central bolt. It can only be mounted on a bike designed for this fixing, and the rear can be placed on the stays or under the bottom bracket.

Is it necessary to bleed after changing a hydraulic caliper?

Most often, yes: opening the circuit allows air to enter. Use the fluid specified by the manufacturer, mineral oil or DOT, without ever mixing them.

Do discounts on brake calipers last beyond Black Friday itself?

Yes. The American calendar sets Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving, but the discounts at Vélo-Store on brake calipers run throughout November. Regarding compatibility, a Post Mount caliper often serves both front and rear, with only the adapter changing; for Flat Mount and road, check the mention of front or rear in the reference.

Is a mechanical caliper sufficient for an electric bike?

It brakes properly if well adjusted and paired with a disc of sufficient diameter. On a heavy or hilly bike, a hydraulic brake offers more power for less effort at the lever.