Description:The Direct Curve 3 utilizes a sculpted design of cold forged aluminum to yield excellent strength. A more svelte design than that of the Direct Curve 2, it is the lightest model in the Direct Curve line. As with all of the Direct Curve brakes, the curved arms administer reliable stopping power without drag from noodles or linkages.
Submitted by
zakurka
a Racer
from Durango Date Reviewed: November 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Don't have one.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Braking power is decent at best...Not really better than Shimano or Avid though.
Weaknesses:
Staying in adjustment. Poor engineering idea.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XTR, Avid AD 5,7, SL. Alivio, Promax
Bike Setup:
Steel Hardtail, With Thomson, XO, etc.
Bottom Line:
Quite possibly the most frustrating brake I have ever used. I started this years race season with these on my bike after years of reliable service from Avid SLs. By the end of the season the SLs were back on the bike and the Cane Creeks have been relegated to commuter duty.
Problem #1: They refuse to stay properly adjusted. I adjusted them. Other mechanics adjusted them. My LBS adjusted them. I literally had to work on the rear one between every race or ride while it was on my bike.
Problem #2 When compressed the arms will not clear a high volume tire. Now this doesn't mean a wide or oversized tire. In the front I run a high volume 2.1 and the arms like to rub the corner knobs when the brake is compressed. This tends to make awful noise and likes to throw the bike a little off course.
These things are getting put on my beater bike for commuter duty. One chili for value because SD7s are the same price and one overall because these brakes are potentially dangerous.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from mercersburg, pa, usa Date Reviewed: September 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Strengths:
none they suck
Weaknesses:
not powerful. screws that adjust the tension is weak i was riding twice and the springs pushed the bolt out and stripped them
Similar Products Used:
tektro
Bottom Line:
dont buy these, go with avid.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Riverside, CA Date Reviewed: November 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
bike29.com
Strengths:
Simple cable routing, no noodle, nice looking, good price
Weaknesses:
Take too long to adjust, uneven spring tension, don't seem as powerful as competitors
Similar Products Used:
Avid Single Digit
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher 292, dual duty rims
Bottom Line:
For some reason, to align these, I have to crank one side to nearly its maximum spring tension, and nearly nothing on the other side.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guy Spiher
a Racer
from Winston Salem Date Reviewed: May 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
just get me out
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
Asheville
Strengths:
Good lever feel, Great modulation, Strong-ish... see below... Cane Creek support and I needed it!!! Thanks Peter.
Weaknesses:
Flexy arms and very weak pivot bushing posts. Too light and too flimsy for real XC Save the trouble and get the DC5 Brakes Mo Better. Ohh Yeah, Cane Creek has them made in Taiwan probably Dia Compe
Similar Products Used:
DC2 DC5 DC8-73 Ohh wait thats not a brake thats my ride. XTR from the Evil Empire and I can't stop my brakes need bled Magura
Bike Setup:
East Coast Ti Hardtail with some good race goodies on it
Bottom Line:
You can do better and still stay with Cane Creek. Good idea and good construction from little Wang Hung Lo in Taiwan but it ain't American like they might assume you believe it is. Pivot bushing retention post is just pressed into the bushing. This little post takes all of the torsional or twisting loads placed on it when you squeeze the lever to use the brakes. This is the post that you insert into the little hole in your brake boss on your frame. If this bends as it will surely do you will have very unresponsive and weak brakes. Cane Creek Tech was excellent in sending me out new bushings but same dealie. DC2 and DC5 brakes much better in this regard. Arms flexy also.Bottom Line??? Cane Creek just shaved too much off of the DC2 and DC5 Brakes too save a few grams. Durability suffers. Wanna save some weight?? Skip the fries and burger and go for a ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stan
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Cityscape
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
eBay seller - bicyclesupply
Strengths:
Smooth, predictable braking power, great modulation, shorter cable runs, no noodles and extra drag on cables; absolutely squeek free, nice aesthetics, too.
Weaknesses:
Setup slightly more involved than regular V-brakes, need to carefully set spring adjusters and tension the mounting bolts on each brake arm. Nothing too hard, just 30 min. of experimentation gets you properly setup. If not adjusted carefully, pads will wear out fast and uneven.
Similar Products Used:
various Shimano V's, Tektro's, other no-names
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Merano on 29'er Alexrims DM18, Maxxis Knobby D1040, Manitou Luxe fork, RockShoxs susp. post. Avid SAAGO stem, Bontrager flat steerer, Cane Creek brake levers, Avid Flak Jacket cabling.
Bottom Line:
Great design from a respected company, simple and effective. No flashy gimmicks, just functional and strong. You do need to spend time for proper initial setup, but than it's just: squeeze the levers slightly, and the bike backs from under you, hold on to the bar!
$ 41.00
Overall Rating:
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