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Any experience with SRAM Apex or Rival brakes?

JaneJane
edited March 2013 in General
My winter bike has Me (Verenti's own brand of components) brakes and they're fiddly to maintain and rusting after only 1 winter, so I'm thinking about replacing them. Rest of the groupset is Rival, so that's the obvious choice.

My summer bike has Rival brakes, which I've been v happy with, or I could get Apex instead (RRP Rival £110/pair vs Apex £56: best online prices £64 vs £38). Does anyone have experience of both and if so, could you give me a view on whether Rival is worth the extra ££s? Rival seems slightly extravagant for a winter bike, but better braking on winter roads could be a life-saving investment ... and if Apex rusts, I'm not having it!

Thanks

Comments

  • wilburtrumpwilburtrump
    edited March 2013
    Haven't had experience of either of them (which makes me ever so useful on this thread) but did splash out on a set of blue SwissStop pads for my winter bike, which really seems to make a difference. Plus they've already lasted much longer than the cheaper BBB pads that I had before. I've got a set of condor own brand (long reach to get over my lovely full mudguards) brakes that are priced up around the 105/apex mark and they're great. Can't remember if you've just got clip on mudguards or full ones on your Verenti, but I've never had a problem with rusting brakes on my winter bike... Full guards do keep the mud off your components much better than clip ons!
  • LukeDanckertLukeDanckert
    I have SRAM brakes on all of my bikes and overall they're excellent. I have Apex on my winter Ribble and it has had 2 harsh winters with little or no rusting. In fact the groupset as a whole has needed very little looking after which suits me. The braking is very responsive in all weather.

    I have Rival brakes on my TT bike and again they are very good but it doesn't go out if there's a puddle in sight, also I itry not to brake too much!!

    If I was you I'd go for the Apex, I've only just switched the brake pads for the first time as well. Or if you want to go wild, the Red brakes are immense!!!

    Hope this helps.
  • Tom DTom D
    Hey Jane I have run rival on my winter bike this year zero probs save I've mowed through a set of pads
  • VicVic
    edited March 2013
    Definitely second Will on the SwissStop pads, I use the green FlashPro GHP2 pads on both my summer and winter bikes at the moment and the difference compared with the pads that came with the bikes and others I've tried is very noticeable, better breaking in wet and dry conditions. They are also gentler on the rims, so they wear less and you get less black gunk on them at the end of a ride.

    The new BXP (blue pads) are supposedly even better, and when my green ones eventually wear out I'll get them (they last at least 2x as long as other pads, but cost at least 2x as much)

    As far as I can see, they are the best extra £20 you can spend on your bike in terms of safety and in inspiring confidence whatever brand of callipers you decide on.

    http://www.swissstop.ch/road.aspx

    http://www.swissstop.ch/downloads/2013/SwissStop_BXP_TechInfo.pdf
  • JaneJane
    Thanks All, this is really helpful compared to the subjective and often batty advice dished out on other online forums!

    The bike doesn't have room for full-length mudguards (and when I bought it, I didn't realise there'd be much benefit over clip-ons. Now I understand)

    Sounds like Apex is the best option on the winter bike ... freeing up a few ££s for summer bike/wardrobe:) ... and when I've done enough miles to need new pads, SwissStop sounds good
  • James DJames D
    edited March 2013
    i have no experience of SRAM but did come across this intriguing video the other day which provides some good advice :)

    http://www.britishpathe.com/video/cycling-tips

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