Home | Reviews | Manufacturers | Performance | Brake Booster

Login  |  Register

Performance Topo

MSRP $ 20.00
# of Reviews 17
Average Rating 3.88/5
More Products from Performance



Submit a Review

Description:Performance Topo



Other Ways To Shop
  • Buy and Sell the from our Classifieds.
  • Shop for Similar Products








    Submitted by Wayne a Weekend Warrior from Front Range, Colorado, USA
    Date Reviewed: April 15, 2004
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $16.00
    Purchased At:Performance
    Strengths:Inexpensive, light
    Weaknesses:None
    Similar Products Used:None
    Bike Setup:Specialized Rockhopper
    Bottom Line:Frame flex was noticed with XT brakes and adding the brake bridge helped reduce it. There is still some flexing, but that only happens when you really clamp down on the levers - under normal riding/usage there is no flex.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by zed a from monterey, CA
    Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Strengths:-didn't break
    -cheap
    Weaknesses:-doesn't really improve brake performance
    -looks cheap
    Bottom Line:It seems to have worked for some of the other reviewers but I have not noticed any discernible difference in braking performance. It's cheap though.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by Copnnor a Weekend Warrior from Denver, CO USA
    Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $9.00
    Purchased At:Performance
    Strengths:Cheap, widely available.
    Weaknesses:Not very effective compared to Salsa booster.
    Similar Products Used:Salsa
    Bike Setup:Trek 970/'96 Judy XC with springs
    Bottom Line:When I upgraded to Vees I noted poor front braking performance and obvious movement of brake bosses on this year of Judy. Tried the Topo booster for about 1 month but did not notice much improvement in either stopping power or reduction in boss movement. Salsa booster has cured both problems. I would consider this product if you don't want to buy the overpriced Salsa boosters but realize it is not as good either.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Mark a Cross Country Rider from Tucson, Arizona
    Date Reviewed: January 18, 2001
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Price Paid: $9.00
    Strengths:Works as advertised
    Nice engine-turned finish
    Very cheap
    Weaknesses:Poorly cut screw thread on supplied screw
    Bike Setup:1997 AMP B-5
    Bottom Line:The AMP is the first bike I've ever owned that exhibited some outward flex in the seatstay after the V-brake was applied (The B-5 was designed for discs after all). So I installed this booster on the back atop the V-brake mount. One of the supplied longer screws had poorly cut threads so I had to supply one of my own. Other than that, it went on fine and stopped the frame expansion/flex when the rear brake was applied. I'm satisfied.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Jeff Roberts a Weekend Warrior from Silver Spring MD
    Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Strengths:Cheap, stiff...
    Weaknesses:...but not *really* stiff. No set screw.
    Similar Products Used:None
    Bike Setup:'00 Giant Rincon SE
    Bottom Line:I have one on the back, and that brake is a little less squishy than the one up front. I don't know how stiff a Suntour shock is really supposed to be so I guess I should get one up front. I'm disappointed, though, the booster still flexes, seemingly almost as much as the front w/out one. Wish I hadn't paid full price. Might as well have gone with the Salsa.

    Buy only on sale.
    Value Rating:2Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Trick a Weekend Warrior from Huntsville AL
    Date Reviewed: May 14, 2000
    Favorite Trail:old goat
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Strengths:stupid cheap and they work
    Weaknesses:not super stiff
    Bike Setup:Airborne Black Widow, XT, Manitou SXR
    Bottom Line:I got them(2-front and back) for pretty cheap-$10 each I think, they aren't the stiffest- but they work and they dont cost as much as the shimanos.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Chris H a Weekend Warrior from Doylestown, PA
    Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000
    Favorite Trail:Ralph Stover
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:With Team Performance discount, they were only $9... pretty good price.
    Weaknesses:Not really all that stiff.
    Didn't like the machining pattern it came with, but five minutes with a roloc pad and air grinder and it was nice, smooth, pretty aluminum. :)
    Bike Setup:'95 Stumpjumper cromoly frame, Z-2 Superfly fork, '00 XT V's
    Bottom Line:When I installed the XT V's on my wife's bike, I noticed the back brake felt kinda spongy. Checking it, I noticed that the chainstays were spreading noticably when the brake was applied. Braking power was great anyhow, but the frame was really flexing. I noticed Performance had the bridges for $9 and figured I'd give them a try. Put them on and I can't say I noticed any large increase in stiffness... in fact I can still see the seatstays flexing. If I hold the bridge in my hand, off the bike, I can flex it a bit.

    I guess it does help... and it's dirt cheap at $9 (the stronger braces run much more!) so I'll give it 4 flamin' turds for the price.

    If you're looking for a little bit more stiffness, they're okay. If you're looking for rock-solid performance, look elsewhere.

    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by tony king a Cross Country Rider from colorado springs,co
    Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000
    Favorite Trail:anyone with me and my bike on it
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Strengths:improves braking performance
    Weaknesses:Is it as good as others even considering price?
    Similar Products Used:none
    Bike Setup:cdale f700 s-works wheelset
    Bottom Line:I was looking at these booster reviews and noticed a trend. There seem to be a disporprortionately (man, Im a good speller) large number of cannondale owners complaining about frame flex. Bottom line is that I have two bikes that are exactly the same (Cdale f700) except one has massive frame flex in the rear while the other is super stiff. I think that there must be some discrepencies in cannondales heat treating process (cannondale heat treats their frames after they are welded) maybe one of my bikes was annealed too much. The Topo Booster helped fix th eproblem but it still isn't as good as it could be.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Jose Sabas a Weekend Warrior from Emeryville, CA
    Date Reviewed: August 28, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    classic Pine Mtn loop, up Deer Park - Pine Mtn - 17 Knolls - down Repack
    Duration Product Used:
    1 Year
    Strengths:
    cheap, effective
    Weaknesses:
    aesthetically boring
    Similar Products Used:
    none
    Bike Setup:
    Mounted on rear brake - Trek 970, Halson PDS, XT
    Bottom Line:Stopped the seat stay flex and increased the rear brake power. It works and comes in a choice of colors.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jim a Weekend Warrior from Palm Bay, Florida
    Date Reviewed: August 9, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Santos
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Strengths:
    Cost, Looks, Performance
    Weaknesses:
    none so far
    Similar Products Used:
    none
    Bike Setup:
    Trek VRX 300. R/S Judy XC, Xt/Lx Drivetrain, Avid 20 Brakes, Avid Speed Dial Levers
    Bottom Line:Stopped the flex in the Judy.s, especially when jammin the brakes on when you going downhill at 30 mph and have to make a turn at the bottom of the hill!
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Adam a Weekend Warrior from Dothan, AL
    Date Reviewed: July 4, 1999
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Strengths:
    inexpensive, does the job, looks cool
    Weaknesses:
    none
    Bike Setup:
    SuperV 1000, DD60 headshock, Fox Alps 5R
    Bottom Line:For the price it is a great addition. Improved front braking by +50%. Also eliminated xt v brake squeel. Will try Salsa next but these work great.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Chris a Cross-Country Rider from Sacramento
    Date Reviewed: March 30, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Mt. Tamalpais
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Strengths:
    Solid; inexpensive.
    Weaknesses:
    None.
    Bike Setup:
    Cannondale; Fatty Headshok
    Bottom Line:Outstanding value! Super stiff and good looking. Easy to set-up.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Matt a Cross-Country Rider from il
    Date Reviewed: March 28, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    palos
    Duration Product Used:
    less than 1 month
    Strengths:
    cheap, tough looking.
    Weaknesses:
    they were sold out of red
    Bike Setup:
    specialized stumpjump, manitou sx-tpc fork
    Bottom Line:it is very stiff and improves braking alot. some people may not like it because its not brand name but it does the job and does a damn good job of it. i recomend it for people who dont want to spend alot of money on brake boosters. i give it 5 flaming lava chunks!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Special K a Weekend Warrior from Southern California
    Date Reviewed: March 27, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Any one that ascends before descends.
    Duration Product Used:
    less than 1 month
    Strengths:
    CHEAP!
    Weaknesses:
    Wimpy looking.
    Similar Products Used:
    None
    Bike Setup:
    Schwinn Moab 2 with Judy C.
    Bottom Line:My rear V Brake worked fine without the booster. Thought I would try the Performance Topo brake booster to see if it would make a difference. Very slight improvement if any. Maybe I'll try the DKG booster next. But for the price of 10 bucks you cant really complain much.
    Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Crash a Cross-Country Rider from Radfor, VA
    Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Brush Mountain
    Duration Product Used:
    less than 1 month
    Strengths:
    Cheap price
    Weaknesses:
    not really effective, not very aesthetically pleasing
    Bike Setup:
    Using with avid 1d 2.0's on a 96 Judy XC
    Bottom Line:No sir, I don't like it. It's a bit heavy, when compared to some other boosters, (I know, we're talking about 35 paperclips) but the arms are too thin and even with the booster on, my brakes still push apart my Judy's arch. I'm going to try an Azonic and give up on this Topo product. If you've only got a little flex, alright, but don't try and brace aluminum with it is my recommendation
    Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by B of Hyde Park a Weekend Warrior from Chicago, IL
    Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Bottom Line:Excellent product, especially for the money you pay. Various colors, lightweight, easy mounting. A bit crude around the edges, but nonetheless keeps the stays firmly planted.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by ClawDawg a cross-country rider from Sacramento, CA
    Date Reviewed: March 11, 1999
    Bottom Line:

    For the money, you can't beat the value you get with these. The booster's are easy to set up and help significantly in reducing flex on my Cannondale. I now have the confidence to aggressively tackle some downhill runs. I picked them up on sale at the local Performance Bike shop for $10.
    Overall Rating:4






    What's New
    » Dinotte Lights Giveaway Contest! Just in time for night riding season, you could win a free lightset from Dinotte»
    » Best Of Mtbr.com! - Highest Rated bikes, parts & gear»
    » Interbike 2008! Read news and info about new bikes and products from the upcoming show»
    Latest Articles and Reviews:


    Quick Poll

    (sponsored by Rocky Mountain Bicycles)
    How has the state of the economy affected your bike spending?

      I spend a lot less
      I spend a little less
      I spend the same amount
      I spend more

    Photo Caption Contest

    (sponsored by Maxxis)

    Enter here

    Contact Us  •   About Us  •   Terms of Use  •   Privacy Policy  •   Advertising
     MtbREVIEW.com  RoadbikeREVIEW.com  OutdoorREVIEW.com
     PhotographyREVIEW.com  VideogameREVIEW.com  ComputingREVIEW.com
     AudioREVIEW.com  CarREVIEW.com  GolfREVIEW.com
    Copyright ©1996-2008 All Rights Reserved.ConsumerREVIEW.com, a business unit of Invenda      RSS Feed