Need to improve braking power

[Chicken Chaser]

My winter/commuter bike has Tiagra 10spd, Shimano BR451 calipers and I've installed a set of Koolstop Salmon blocks onto them. The Salmons have improved it somewhat however, its still not in the same league as my 105 all round on my other bike. The long drop 451s seem to get a fairly good review, so I dont know if its worth changing those, but I'm wondering whether or not its the cables? How much difference can cheap/expensive cables make? I would have thought the Tiagra levers would be a fairly good bit of kit, and not too unlike the 105 levers. When it comes to steep descents, its all a bit dangerous compared to my other ride.

[Jimbo.]

Cables should be one of the first things you check, so yes, give 'em a look (inner and outer!). Also make sure the rims are clean, using one of those rim cleaning blocks.

[upsidedownmark]

The long drop version of the same caliper (if I read you correctly) isn't going to make any difference.

Did the bike come with all these parts fitted, or have there been upgrades? I'm not sure if it holds true for tiagra, but around the time tiagra went 10speed (5700 105 time), shimano changed the brake levers to pull more cable - that's fine if they're paired with updated brakes which 'consume' more cable pull, but if you pair them with older calipers that are based on the shorter cable pull you reduce the mechanical advantage between the lever and the pad, and braking is a bit on the pathetic side. Might be worth finding out - techdocs.shimano.com - I think the compatibility chart should give you some clues.

[Mr Will]

Chicken Chaser said:

...Koolstop Salmon blocks...

Rubber brake blocks that bolt on directly, or proper pads that slide in to a metal carrier? The latter are better (IME) and should be a straight swap.

[Chicken Chaser]

Thanks for the replies, they're already the long drops and the bike is a kinesis frame built up. I'll have a look at the shimano stuff to see about compatibility.