The calipers were in better shape than I expected, but the screws and clips were heavily corroded. I now have new calipers and pads for just over £300, plus the cost of the easy bleeders. Having ridden the bike for a few miles now, my conclusions are:
Phase 1 - new EBC pads. These gave better initial bite but I was still unhappy with the progressiveness of the brakes.
Phase 2 - new calipers. Huge improvement, the rate of deceleration is now linear with the applied pressure, and it requires less pressure at the lever. Just what I wanted.
However...the brake lever feel is now firmer and the lever travel is reduced. I think I may have had some air in the system. This would account for the non-linear behaviour as the air bubbles start to compress under higher pressure. The bike was professionally serviced earlier this year and the mechanic replaced the fluid. I am wondering whether the job was done properly.
It may be that I could simply have replaced the pads and bled the brakes but I don't really mind. The bike is 9 years old and I was going to service the calipers anyway. The cost was modest and I'm now set up for the future.
Phase 1 - new EBC pads. These gave better initial bite but I was still unhappy with the progressiveness of the brakes.
Phase 2 - new calipers. Huge improvement, the rate of deceleration is now linear with the applied pressure, and it requires less pressure at the lever. Just what I wanted.
However...the brake lever feel is now firmer and the lever travel is reduced. I think I may have had some air in the system. This would account for the non-linear behaviour as the air bubbles start to compress under higher pressure. The bike was professionally serviced earlier this year and the mechanic replaced the fluid. I am wondering whether the job was done properly.
It may be that I could simply have replaced the pads and bled the brakes but I don't really mind. The bike is 9 years old and I was going to service the calipers anyway. The cost was modest and I'm now set up for the future.
