Paul Racer Brake experience?

[Sam Krueger]

Hi guys and gals,

First, Happy New Year to all. 

I'm running 650B on my Rawland Nordavinden. Tektro long reach calipers are maxed out, but working fine. While these are ok, I ride in a hilly area and don't have super strong hands, so braking power and ease of use is important.

Questions on the Racer:

- it appears they have the same reach. Any experience?

- I won't have braze ons. Can anyone attest to how much better they may be? I understand I'll never know until I try them myself, but just looking for some feedback.

- I run 48mm RH tires. I've searched the forum and see I'll need to deflate the tire to remove it. Small bummer, but I can live with that if braking is better.

Appreciate your feedback and insights. 

[David Pertuz]

I've got a Nordavinden with long-reach Tektros, though I don't really ride it any more. One of my two daily drivers is an rSogn with braze-on Racers. They're excellent brakes. I'd rate them second to the Paul MotoLites on my cSogn. The Racers, braze on or otherwise, won't clear anything bigger than about a 40-42 without deflating. I could get nominal-42s through them with a lot of wiggling, and I can get my 38 Lierres through with just a little bit. I can't comment on the reach of the Racers relative to that of the Tektros since I'm using braze-ons on a frame that was modified for them. I also have long-reach Tektros on my 650b-converted Vendetta road bike and I'd call them...fine. They're good enough in the Midwest, where terrain ranges between pretty flat and very flat. On long mountain descents (I've taken the bike to Colorado)...adequate at best. Racers will be a significant improvement even as bolt-ons. I've considered getting a set for the Vendetta because I love everything about the bike except the brakes. 

David

Chicago

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[Sam Krueger]

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like they are good brakes, and the only way I'll really know how much better is to try them. I also have to decide if the lack of clearance is something I want to deal with...that would be a nuisance.

Take care.

[esoterica etc]

Sam,

I'd second pretty much everything David has said. I have Paul Racers (bolt-on, not braze-on) actuated by TRP RRL levers mounted on my 650b Soma San Marcos. Even with the pads all the way down in the slots, they're excellent brakes with lots of power and great modulation. Would love to compare them to some braze-on Racers. I had 42's on there before swapping to 38's, and my experience was similar to David's; you could get the 42's out without deflating, but it took some wiggling. You'll definitely have to partially deflate your 48's to get them out, but I think the tradeoff is absolutely worth it.

I also have Tektro long-reach 559's on a Schwinn World Voyageur (running 700c wheels) and the pads are mid-slot. Like David said, they're "fine", but the Paul Racers are much more powerful and confidence-inspiring. I don't think you'll regret getting a set for your Rawland. Cheers,

~Mark

Raleigh, NC

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[hello...@gmail.com]

I have Paul racers with the direct mount braze-ons, they are the best brakes I have ever used! And I have tried many.  Great modulation and sensitivity.

[David Pertuz]

One thing that I did not comment on, because I could not, is the clearance of 48s. I run all my normal-use bikes with fenders, and 42s are the biggest tires that are going to fit under a Racer with a plastic fender also under the arch. I imagine a 48 will fit without a fender, but can't confirm. I urge you to try regardless, and if they don't work for you I may just buy them off you to put on my Vendetta :) 

David

Chicago

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[ericni...@gmail.com]

I rode a bike with Paul Racers for several years that had custom fork, so I had a direct-mount front and center-mount rear. Loved the brakes and didn’t notice much difference between front and rear. The direct-mount front was perhaps a little less prone to chatter and squeal, but neither brake did that very much at all. 

I used fenders over 32 mm tires most of the time. I tried 38 mm tires and they were a very tight push-fit through the brakes. With centerpulls, the fender can limit the brake opening since the arms hit the top of the fender when the brake is opened. 

The straddle cables that come with the Pauls are super thick so they spring a little as the cable is tensioned. That creates a little bit of lost motion that I didn’t like, so I substituted a z-link for a straddle cable. 

Eric in NH