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Home | Product Reviews | Brake Booster | Performance Topo | ||||
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Submitted by
Wayne
a Weekend Warrior
from Front Range, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: 4/15/2004 3:55:30 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $16 |
| Purchased At: | Performance |
| Strengths: | Inexpensive, light |
| Weaknesses: | None |
| Similar Products Tried: | 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. |
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Submitted by
zed
from monterey, CA
Date Reviewed: 2/24/2002 8:33:58 PM |
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| 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. |
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Submitted by
Copnnor
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: 4/26/2001 12:25:09 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $9 |
| Purchased At: | Performance |
| Strengths: | Cheap, widely available. |
| Weaknesses: | Not very effective compared to Salsa booster. |
| Similar Products Tried: | 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. |
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, Arizona
Date Reviewed: 1/18/2001 3:04:02 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $9 |
| 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. |
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Submitted by
Jeff Roberts
a Weekend Warrior
from Silver Spring MD
Date Reviewed: 6/9/2000 1:46:27 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Strengths: | Cheap, stiff... |
| Weaknesses: | ...but not *really* stiff. No set screw. |
| Similar Products Tried: | 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. |
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Submitted by
Trick
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntsville AL
Date Reviewed: 5/14/2000 1:32:32 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | 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. |
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Submitted by
Chris H
a Weekend Warrior
from Doylestown, PA
Date Reviewed: 5/9/2000 1:42:05 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | 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. |
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Submitted by
tony king
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado springs,co
Date Reviewed: 1/17/2000 4:10:07 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | 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 Tried: | 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. |
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Submitted by
Jose Sabas
a Weekend Warrior
from Emeryville, CA
Date Reviewed: 8/28/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | 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 Tried: | 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. |
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Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Palm Bay, Florida
Date Reviewed: 8/9/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Santos |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Strengths: | Cost, Looks, Performance |
| Weaknesses: | none so far |
| Similar Products Tried: | 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! |
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Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Dothan, AL
Date Reviewed: 7/4/1999 |
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| 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. |
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: 3/30/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | 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. |
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from il
Date Reviewed: 3/28/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | 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! |
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Submitted by
Special K
a Weekend Warrior
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: 3/27/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Any one that ascends before descends. |
| Duration Product Used: | less than 1 month |
| Strengths: | CHEAP! |
| Weaknesses: | Wimpy looking. |
| Similar Products Tried: | 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. |
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Submitted by
Crash
a Cross-Country Rider
from Radfor, VA
Date Reviewed: 3/24/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | 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 |
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Submitted by
B of Hyde Park
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: 3/15/1999 |
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| 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. |
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Submitted by
ClawDawg
a cross-country rider
from Sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: 3/11/1999 |
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| 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. |
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