[ad_1]
The Ciamillo Lekki 8 Brakes helped get this check bike again beneath the 14-pound mark — and so they work properly, too.
What’s It
Ted Ciamillo’s declare to fame is the unique Zero Gravity Brakeset that resulting from their extraordinarily low weight turned extremely popular within the early 2000s. At lower than 200 grams for the set, they have been half the load of mainstream opponents. Ted actually disrupted the brake class and located a number of success with weight-conscious customers snapping up his brakes, myself included.
I ended up shopping for the unique OG-05 (186 grams), GSL (230 grams), and Gravitas SL (142 grams) by way of the years. Sadly, as with many tales of overly fast success, Ted wasn’t capable of preserve high quality and customer support on par as he grew, and the 2008 recession actually hit him exhausting, as he was manner over prolonged.
Loads of clearance for at this time’s wider rim/tire set-ups.
Ted acquired a number of suggestions about poor customer support and poor product efficiency, and his model took a beating. And he would not deny any of this. You’ll be able to learn a element of his self-explained story right here.
Ted has since regrouped and rebuild, fully centered on making the very best and lightest brake for top efficiency driving. He calls his new providing the Ciamillo Lekki 8. Lekki means “gentle” in Polish and “8” means it is his eighth brake mannequin. So might there be a reinvention, a redemption of types? RoadBikeReview examined these new brakes to search out out.
Professionals
- Extraordinarily gentle caliper highway bike brake
- Now “wide-rim” prepared
- Claimed to be aerodynamic resulting from small type issue
- Stunning machining work and understated look
- Much less weight would not hinder efficiency
Cons
- Set up requires endurance and trial and error
- Costly relative to heavier brakes
- No direct mount model
RoadBikeReview’s Take
My older mannequin Cervelo S3 acquired a brand new lease on life after I bought a set of exceptional FSE carbon wheels. These wheels are a lot wider than the 19mm aluminum rimmed-wheels I used to be operating earlier than and measure at 25.6mm. The wheels are vertically very stiff and the bike now accelerates and handles significantly better, but can be extra snug as a result of broad rim, 26mm tires (vs. 23mm) and decrease inflation strain (80 versus 110psi).
That is severely gentle.
Exceptional for carbon rims, additionally they have tremendous spectacular braking. In truth, the edges are textured and make a kind of grinding sound, just like HED’s Turbine Braking and Mavic’s Exalith. Underneath braking, this delicate texture most definitely contributes to their braking efficiency.
I had been utilizing the older (circa 2013) Zero Gravity Gravitas brakes with the brand new wheels, however they only weren’t as much as the duty of braking these extra trendy rims. The brakes have been stretched to the max to accommodate the elevated width. They’d flex and after lengthy descents, there was a build-up of mud attributable to the brakes shuddering.
For sure I used to be a bit involved with extended downhill braking so I changed them with a brand new set of contemporary SRAM Crimson brakes. The Reds felt extra assured and there wasn’t any brake mud residue. Sadly, the Crimson’s weigh round 100 grams extra and it pushed my weight-weenie bike over the magic 14-pound mark.
Good packaging.
Then I heard a few new brake from Ted Ciamillo that was designed for wider rims. May these brakes be considerably lighter but nonetheless be as secure and efficient because the SRAM providing? May I get the bike again down beneath 14 kilos?
Ted claims his brakes are the lightest manufacturing caliper available on the market. The legendary $1360 THM Fibula brakes have a claimed weight of 120 grams for the set, however doesn’t embody padholders within the weight. Ted claimed the brand new Lekki 8’s are 129 grams for the set, together with padholders however not pads. With holders and pads, his set is available in, in line with his scale, at 144 grams with pads. The THMs are at 149 grams. Nonetheless, the set of Lekki 8 brakes I examined have been 136 grams with out pads and 166 grams with Swiss Cease carbon-specific pads. I haven’t got a set of THMs to cross examine.
This is the cable information on the Ciamillo Lekki 8 Brakes.
So I am not able to say they’re absolutely the lightest, however relying on the pattern and the way you measure, the Lekki 8 brakes are definitely spectacular. For my bike, they shaved 99 grams over the SRAM Reds, which acquired my bike again down beneath 14 kilos.
What about set up?
Simply know that these brakes are difficult to arrange, as they require very exact cable size to make sure the brake facilities correctly. An excessive amount of cable size pushes the brakes to the left and too little pulls the brake to the precise. To treatment this I used Alligator cables, which have hyperlinks that may be added or eliminated to get the exact size.
As soon as the cable size is dialed, the cable adjuster ought to be used for eradicating slack within the cable and the MicroCam ought to be used to set the hole between the pads and the rim. To assist with this a gap is drilled to string the brake cable by way of. The lever arm must be within the down place to supply probably the most leverage. If it is too excessive, there is not sufficient stroke. The hole between he pads and rim should not be adjusted with the cable adjuster, as this may have an effect on the brake cable size and scale back stroke of the cam. Somewhat there’s a 2mm set screw you entry wanting down on the brake to regulate cable rigidity. In abstract, the Ciamillo Lekki 8 brakes require very small changes to dial in good, kind of like a high-performance automobile.
This is the short launch.
On the highway
Previous Ciamillo Zero Gravity brakes have taken flak for his or her poor modulation. That is truly by design, claims Ted. He says he designed the brand new Ciamillo Lekki 8 brakes for racers who have to cease rapidly and successfully so that they have a kind of binary on/off really feel. Personally, I just like the hyper quick response but it surely will not be for everybody. As soon as put in accurately, I discovered these brakes to be a pleasure and had no points with lengthy and steep descents. And no brake pad mud. From my expertise they brake as safely and confidently because the SRAM Crimson counterparts. Backside line, I am very impressed with the Ciamillo Lekki 8 brakes. They’re tremendous gentle and as soon as totally dialed really feel highly effective and dependable.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Worth: $539 commonplace, or $559 for lengthy attain (5mm enhance)
Extra Data: www.lekki8.com
[ad_2]