Simkins Designs reveals new brake caliper
Unique coupled dual pivot design now available for road bikes
We reported on the CDP TT brake calipers from US-based Simkins Designs late last year, and now the company has followed up with their new Road Race brakes.
They utilise the same patented coupled dual pivot design as the time trial brakes, are CNC machined from 7075 aluminium and use the same bearings and seals.
Here the similarities end. As road racers have different requirements from their brakes than time trialists, Simkins have addressed this by making the road brake more powerful, lighter and featuring more adjustability.
Extra power is achieved by increasing the leverage ratio to 2:1, and 25g has been shaved off. A barrel adjuster, absent on the TT brakes, is featured.
Unlike the TT brake, the RR brake is compatible for use with Kevlar brake cables. The brake cable wraps around the left tip of the right arm and tucks underneath the brake, and the cable tip is not visible after installation. Also, the springs are entirely housed within the arms.
The brakes have been extensively computer stress simulated, with every curve modelled, tweaked, and iterated for optimal strength and deflection.
Simkins says: “Our approach is to have clean, compact, utilitarian designs and the RR brake captures these ideals.”
A pair, available in polished or anodised, weighs a quoted 253g and costs from $274.99.
More at www.simkinsdesigns.com.
Discuss this story
I am also interested, did I miss a direction to a retail outlet? Does anyone know where these are available to buy? ATB Dunc
Posted: 28/03/2009 17:05
I've always been impressed with the products from this company - although I could never spend the money for the minimal gains. I wonder if they're planning any more products? Cranks, bars, etc.?
Posted: 28/03/2009 19:11
Thanks for the complement. The feedback on this site was helpful. Red anodized are planned one day, for now the major effort has been in developing the next version of the TT brake. The older CDP1 version will persist at the lower price. Anodizing is only economic in bulk quantities. As Dunk commented, most people do not even know how to get these brakes and the volumes are low. This company is too much design, not enough sales and marketing, so for now they are only on Ebay.
Posted: 08/05/2009 06:42
Matt, anodising is something you can do in-house at relatively low cost though. You just need some space, some hands, some chemicals and an electricity supply. I would avoid outsourcing that as it will indeed be very costly. I have anodised parts myself and it really is easy and pretty foolproof. And re the company set-up - maybe an idea to hire a good sales& marketing person then who knows where to advertise, where to send samples for reviews (free publicity), and who/where to sponsor. (send me a pm as I might know a good & low-cost sponsorship opportunity)
Posted: 08/05/2009 10:07
Jorrin, Anodizing is not so bad, I know that the anodizing chemicals have a high one time cost, but over time it is not so bad. California is really strict about that sort of thing and there are regulations and legal considerations regarding chemical baths. The other difficulty is that anodizing thickens the surface and changes tolerances. The brakes have really tight tolerances in several places, so that process needs to be in tight control. Again, one of the many things on the to-do list, but long term, doing in-house anodizing is definitely the way to go. Simkins Designs currently sponsors several teams and that is already and handfull to manage. We cannot do cash sponsorship at this time. Thanks, Matt
Posted: 09/05/2009 04:06
Mark, I sent in a pair to roadcyclinguk.com for review. I have not heard anything back from roadcyclinguk.com yet but have gotten good feedback from people who are running them. They are more powerful and lighter than the TT brake. The TT brake is smaller in size and the installation is definitely easier than the Skelter brake. After having read many blog comments and getting racer feedback there is a new TT version being prototype tested that keeps the things people liked and includes new things that triatheletes and cyclist are looking for. When they are done hopefully roadcyclinguk.com will post a blurb on it and I can see what people think.Thanks Matt
Posted: 22/06/2009 15:02
We are in the process of setting them up for test, ie. choosing a bike on which to fit them and then doing the fitting. First impressions are favourable; impressive finish, fit, weight and appearance, neat detailing and some interesting features such as the way the inner wire is anchored. As soon as a caliper is fitted there will be a report.
Posted: 22/06/2009 17:20
Richard, The cable anchor under the arm does look clean, it knocks of 6 or 7mm from the width, and it gets rid of the cable dangling off the side, but I have to concede that it does make the brake a pain to install. I was on the fence about that in the design, but I think the tradeoff was worth it, you only really have to install them once. These brakes really shine when you can get some miles on them. They are lighter than any of the mass manufactured brakes, but heavier than many boutique CNC'd brakes. They give you the durability and reliability of a Shimano or Sram so I would encourage you to really put some miles on them and abuse them. Thanks, Matt
Posted: 23/06/2009 14:54
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