Cycles Grand Bois Centerpulls vs Tektro R559

[Brenton Eastman]

Hi all,

I bought my Sam Hillborne built up with Grand Bois centerpulls (with the stirrup for mounting on the brakes bridge, not posts). I have been sort of disappointed/concerned by the stopping power. I take my Sam all over the place, and probably descend on some trails that blur the line of MTB territory. I have seen people with Sams (sans canti posts) running tetro R559, and Riv's own site sells them. I'm just wondering if making the swap would buy me some stopping power. The Grand Bois brakes are beautiful, and twice the cost of the tektro, but I would prefer some downhill peace of mind over prestige and good looks. Anyone have opinions or experience with either/both? 

Thanks, 

Brent

[Toshi Takeuchi]

The R559s work much better than Diacompe 750s (in my hands), but I don't have experience with the GBs.  The Compass/Mafac do really well too, but I haven't had those on the same bike as R559s to do a direct comparison.

Toshi

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[Nick Payne]

On Tuesday, 24 August 2021 at 4:52:29 am UTC+10 ttoshi wrote:

The R559s work much better than Diacompe 750s (in my hands), but I don't have experience with the GBs.  The Compass/Mafac do really well too, but I haven't had those on the same bike as R559s to do a direct comparison.

I can't say I notice a difference between the R559 and 750 brakes. My Tournesol has an R559 front caliper and 750 rear caliper, and they feel pretty much the same to me, with much the same braking effect for the same hand pressure. Koolstop salmon pads on both, and the brake levers are Campagnolo.

Nick

[Eric Daume]

I've never used the GB brake, but I've found the R559 to be particularly weak. The long arms flex so much, I had to set the pads at the very bottom of the brake track so the brake pads wouldn't hit the tire as the arms flexed up during a stop. And in the wet, they barely stop at all.

Super long reach brakes are a bad design. There is a reason Riv is moving towards V brakes on their new frames.

Eric

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[Paul Richardson]

i can't speak to the direct comparison, but i've been riding 559s on my homer hilsen for a decade without a complaint.  i find them perfectly able, even in the rain or on questionable / mountain bikey terrain (the kind of rides where people ask my least favorite question: "how are you making out on that thing?")

you might look into the paul racer as a centerpull option?  i've only used the racer m, but it's a mighty fine brake, in my opinion.

good luck

paul

takoma park, md.

[Nick Payne]

On Tuesday, 24 August 2021 at 9:02:59 am UTC+10 Eric Daume wrote:

I've never used the GB brake, but I've found the R559 to be particularly weak. The long arms flex so much, I had to set the pads at the very bottom of the brake track so the brake pads wouldn't hit the tire as the arms flexed up during a stop. And in the wet, they barely stop at all.

That opinion is nonsense. I've been using the R559, and it's predecessor the R556, for 20-odd years, and haven't had any problems with brake flex or being unable to stop, including touring in high mountains.

Nick

[Eric Daume]

Not an opinion, it's my experience using these brakes on a Riv Cheviot and various 650b conversion. It's also echoed in a recent BQ issue, where a rider on a Trek conversion could barely control his speed with these long reach brakes. I wouldn't buy a frame that required these brakes.

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[Addison Quarles]

I find it so interesting that there are such polarized experiences with the Tektro r559; one normally only sees this gulf when looking at obscure tech from days long gone, but in this case it’s regarding a component you can still “walk” to the “store” and buy. What are the variables we’re missing here? Are the naysayers 6’4”, 220lbs and running stock brake pads? Those in favor 5’6”, 140lbs with Kool Stops? 

I for one love the r559; I’ve got them on my (very upright) commuter with compression-less housing, Kool Stop inserts and flexy little Tektro levers and I’m certain I could go ass-over-tea kettle if I grabbed a handful of brake without care. The bike runs very wide, polished rims and increasingly slick Gravel Kings. 

In the name of science, I am 5’8” and about 150lbs 

[Toshi Takeuchi]

I can confirm that the stock R559 brake pads suck beans--almost a death wish.  I switched to Kool stop salmons, or the Yokozunas black or salmon worked fine too.  I am 150 lbs (or getting back there :).

Toshi

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[aeroperf]

I ride the standard R559s on a 700c Sam, but switched to Yokozuna salmon pads after about a year.  I’m 215 pounds.  Yes, they are not as good when wet as disc brakes, but I’ve never had a real problem with them.

[brendonoid]

Have done silly things with R559s and found them to be an adequate to excellent brake. Have done fully loaded touring on an old Sam with a lot of hefty off-road descents. I am 187cm tall and slightly over 80kgs.

Recently did a 650b conversion on an old 27inch Holdsworth and even at full extension with stock pads (not recommended) I can lock up the rear wheel and have good modulation. The brakes do flex but have never had pad-tyre contact.

Interestingly the incredibly stiff paul racer mediums that dont flex at all have bent multiple mounting bolts where as the springy R559s have never bent a bolt ever. Worth noting I think.

[Brenton Eastman]

I am also enjoying the hot takes on both sides. Of note: I am not planning on converting to 650b wheels, so I would not be maxing out the reach of the R559 brake. Another thing I am bothered by with the Grand Bois brakes is mine need to be at the very shortest limit of their reach to meet my 700c atlas hoops, making them super annoying to adjust, as they must be crammed against the upper most point while dialing in. It almost requires a third hand or some extra fingers to get proper angle, toe, and contact point. I am 6'1 190lbs. I have not upgraded the pads...yet.