Impressed with Planet X Brakes

[Lelandjt]

I was already stoked with the weight (200g for set) and price ($100) but after receiving them I was even more impressed. At this price lots of detailled machining with alloy & Ti hardware are pretty nice but they also came with 3 lengths of alloy caliper stud nuts, an extra cable anchor, tools, and Swiss Stop pads in nicely machined holders!

Going from dual pivot Ultegras to these single pivot brakes I was anticipating worse power and feel and more difficult setup. They have a clever Servo-Wave type gizmo and gave me the short lever throw I want with decent rim clearance (same as Ultegras) and plenty of power. Not as much power as the 2013 Ultegras I just tried but on par with my 1998s. Setup and centering were easy and the quick release works fine even with my tight, short throw setup. The only downside is centering adjustments require a 13mm open end wrench instead of the more common 3mm allen Shimano and Sram use. Said adjustments are equally fast and easy though.

2 BIG thumbs up!

[cxwrench]

they are pretty cool looking and are definitely a great deal. no on really ever uses the 'centering' bolt on SRAM or Shimano to center the brakes, but grabbing a 13mm when you set these up is no big deal. they should stay pretty well adjusted. having color options is nice, too.

[danl1]

they are pretty cool looking and are definitely a great deal. no on really ever uses the 'centering' bolt on SRAM or Shimano to center the brakes, but grabbing a 13mm when you set these up is no big deal. they should stay pretty well adjusted. having color options is nice, too.

Does anyone really even use the wrench flats? Regardless of any system's instructions, isn't SOP pretty much to loosen the fixing nut, grab a handful of brake, and tighten the fixing nut?

[cxwrench]

Does anyone really even use the wrench flats? Regardless of any system's instructions, isn't SOP pretty much to loosen the fixing nut, grab a handful of brake, and tighten the fixing nut?

on single pivot brakes, yes.

[LC]

I got both the CNC and slightly heavier (+35g) forged sets. They both function the same but the CNC do look better.

This was my first experience with Swiss Stop pads and they don't stop as well as Kool Stop Salmon but the harder compound will probably last longer.

[Lelandjt]

Does anyone really even use the wrench flats? Regardless of any system's instructions, isn't SOP pretty much to loosen the fixing nut, grab a handful of brake, and tighten the fixing nut?

I like a short lever throw which necessitates slim pad clearance which requires perfect centering. I use the 3mm allen bolt on normal brakes and when setting these up I used a 13mm wrench to position the caliper while tightening the nut. They have a heavily serrated Ti washer and I could get plenty of torque on the fixing nut so I expect them to stay put. After my morning ride they look the same as in the workstand so all is good.

There were a couple big braking situations and I forgot I had new brakes, they felt the same as my Ultegras. I swapped my fairly fresh Ultegra pads over and will sell the Swiss Stops as new since I'll need to get carbon pads soon.

I smoked my previous KOMs and averaged 26.8mph on a hilly 10.5mi stretch so I'll credit that entirely to the 140 gram weight loss

[cxwrench]

I like a short lever throw which necessitates slim pad clearance which requires perfect centering. I use the 3mm allen bolt on normal brakes and when setting these up I used a 13mm wrench to position the caliper while tightening the nut. They have a heavily serrated Ti washer and I could get plenty of torque on the fixing nut so I expect them to stay put. After my morning ride they look the same as in the workstand so all is good.

There were a couple big braking situations and I forgot I had new brakes, they felt the same as my Ultegras. I swapped my fairly fresh Ultegra pads over and will sell the Swiss Stops as new since I'll need to get carbon pads soon.

I smoked my previous KOMs and averaged 26.8mph on a hilly 10.5mi stretch so I'll credit that entirely to the 140 gram weight loss

wait a minute...run that 'average' by me again...MPH? really? who are you signing w/ for next season?

[factory feel]

wait a minute...run that 'average' by me again...MPH? really? who are you signing w/ for next season?

by hilly he meant "down" hilly

[Lelandjt]

wait a minute...run that 'average' by me again...MPH? really? who are you signing w/ for next season?

I've raced pro MTB for a decade. Next year I'll be focusing on Enduro but I'll do a few XC, DH, and road races. Depending on the venue I race for a Culture Of Speed, Avalanche Sports, or West Maui Cycles. This off-season I'm shuffling my suspension and other sponsors. Here's the segment I went hard on this morning: Strava Segment | WMCycles to Honolua Bay

If you like average speeds I was able to hold 29.6 for this 2.5mi flatish section: Strava Segment | WMC to K

I was expecting you guys to criticize the short distance, not congratulate on the speed. I wanted to do a quick fast ride, then go surfing. But really, it was the light brakes that made all the difference. Maybe Planet X should sponsor me

[jnbrown]

I have ridden those roads a few times and they are pretty flat and a strong tail wind (or head wind or cross wind) is possible. Still those are impressive speeds on par with a friend of mine at work who isn't pro and does double centuries in 10 hours.

[NWS Alpine]

I have a set in the awesome gunmetal color that I need to put on my CAAD10. I am running some TRP 920sl brakes right now which are great but I will drop 60g total. I really like the look of the CNC brakes.