Last November, I wrote a recommendation for brakes on my blog ``These are the parts you need to drive fast,'' and since then many people have become interested. So I'll write a sequel.

First, let me explain the core part of this article: frames, cranks, wheels, hubs, and other parts that are necessary to run fast. It's just a part that helps you avoid losing your leg power to the limit, and the engine is just your own leg . If you have the leg strength to spin around powerfully, you'll be able to run fast, but when you reach your speed limit, will you be able to stop properly? If you are rowing anxiously, worrying about unexpected jumps and crowds, will you be able to maximize your potential? That's the story.

So today's theme is braking and calipers

First of all, braking.

It's a basic idea when it comes to two-wheeled riding, but the faster you ride, the more important it is to brake the front wheel. At high speeds, it is said that the rear brakes are only used to help with balance and speed adjustment, so the ideal brake setting is 7 front: 3 rear! This is also said in the motorcycle industry. You often hear about the 5:5 ratio, but fixie bikes have a unique fixed-gear structure, so they require more attention to speed management than regular bicycles. I personally recommend around 6:4.

For example, when entering a corner. Applying the brakes centered on the front creates strong grip on the tires, so you don't waste time decelerating before entering the vehicle. Using that tire grip, I decelerate as quickly as possible, and before entering the corner, I quickly release the lever and turn. I guess this is the basic method of decelerating → turning → accelerating (sorry if I'm wrong lol)

The logic is that the better a person is at this, the faster he or she will be able to accelerate out of a turn without causing unnecessary braking and with lossless deceleration.

It's not just a matter of sprinting, squeezing the lever as hard as you can, and applying the brakes. If you slow down too much or your tires slip, there's probably a problem somewhere. How to decelerate in a short amount of time and accelerate when exiting a corner. Just by thinking about this while driving around town, you can enjoy the same roads you've been on in a different way. There are probably more turns when driving around town than on a circuit. Please try it on your way home today.

I went on a group ride the other day, so those who know me will understand, but that guy doesn't seem desperate at all, but he's fast. Why? Before you know it, you'll be in front of me... I think you have such an experience. It may be because he repeats good braking and "appropriate" acceleration...

Next is the brake caliper.

It would be reassuring if the braking technology is equipped with high-performance brake calipers. Most fixie bikes still use rim brakes, and this is quite dependent on weather and road conditions. Disc brakes are no match for braking power, especially in the rain.

This is an easy to understand comparison between rim brakes and disc brakes, but both have their advantages and disadvantages. However, in terms of structure, both disc brakes and rim brakes use the same principle of ``pinching and stopping'' . In terms of structure, the difference is what is sandwiched and what is sandwiched with. If you choose the right rim brake unit, it will produce solid braking force, and it's easy to maintain, so I think it's suitable for heavy city users.

I would like to recommend this product, which was born in California and released by CANE CREEK. A caliper called ee G4 brake.

First of all, the weight is amazing. The front weight is 78.9g and the rear weight is 78.2g, which is surprisingly light. When you actually pick it up, it's hard to believe that this is a part that can support intense braking...it's so light. Each part is machined from aluminum, making this item extremely thin.

CANE CREEK ee G4 regular mount brake ¥69,960(in tax)

The pursuit of this product in manufacturing is truly the ultimate. The material is forged aluminum, and the design is beautiful with unnecessary parts removed to the utmost, leaving only the parts that require rigidity. When viewed from the front, it looks simple and sturdy, especially around the arch, but when viewed from the side, it looks just like this.

This is the modeling part I was talking about earlier. Both Shimano and Campa are blue. This is why the brand is proud to be the ultimate brake , which has undergone numerous actual driving tests to create this product, and boasts braking power that is incomparable to other high-quality calipers.

Also, this brake is the 4th generation as it says G4. The rigidity has been revised from the previous model, and it is also compatible with wide rims to meet current needs. It's a coveted part that anyone aiming for full specs would like to use at least once.

In this way, your own braking skills and the unit to apply the brakes appropriately. When these two things come together, you will have a rider and bicycle that can run fast. Isn't this a reasonable idea?

For your reference, I would like to introduce a custom bike equipped with the CANE CREEK ee G4 brake that I introduced this time.

TYRANT BIKES MONARCH CUSTOM BIKE ¥680,000 (tax included)

Normally completed car ¥242,000 (tax included) / Frame set ¥154,000 (tax included)

《SPEC》

Frame:TYRANT BIKES MONARCH

Brake caliper: CANE CREEK ee G4 brake

Brake lever: TEKTRO RL340

F/R wheel: BROTURES T3 CARBON WHEEL

Crank:VISION TRACK CRANK

Equipped with BROTURES original carbon wheels on the front and rear, and an eebrake system on the bracket brake lever, it is stoic and quick around town . It would be great if someone chose it as their first fixie bike, but the specs also satisfy road bike users and people who usually travel by car or bike.

There is a video of a mechanic at our Osaka store talking about the features of MONARCH, so please click here.

The features of the frame and the custom brake unit make this a fixie bike for those who want to seriously enjoy riding.

BROTURES Harajuku currently has a variety of brake calipers, levers, and other parts in stock, so if you are interested, please check them out. We will suggest the most suitable brake unit for your riding situation and bicycle.

Please feel free to contact us!

YUSUKE