Comments on: Sage & Cooper arrive in London

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:37:27 +0000

Sorry I meant komponentix.de

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:36:26 +0000

I couldn’t find any useful comparisons on the Shimano site. Sometimes the dealer technical manuals are more informative, but I haven’t seen a recent copy.
On componentix.de they claim they IM80 has 50% higher brake effeciency compared to IM50 and IM70 is 30% better than IM50, i.e. 20% difference. I doubt this tells the whole story, e.g. fading due to heat build up.

By: William Bendsen

William Bendsen — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:19:01 +0000

I’ve been reading at techdocs.shimano.com, ’cause I’m also very curious if I could get better stopping power for my bicycle just by replacing the roller-brakes from IM70 to IM80.

I was really amazed to read that the IM80, 70 and 50, 31 are all scored for a loaded weight of 100, but anyway, the manual states that the front brake works with: “HB-IM70/DH-2R30-E-H/DH-3R30-H” and the rear brake works with the “SG-8R36/SG-8R31/SG-7R46″

Good news for me, as I have the 2,4W dynamo front hub. Now I’ll just have to wait and see what the price’ll be.

manual is here, front and rear:
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/SI_8G80A/SI-8G80A-001-ENG_v1_m56577569830676446.pdf
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/SI_8G70A/SI-8G70A-001-ENG_v1_m56577569830676442.pdf

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:42:31 +0000

I spotted a bike in a shop fitted with the new Sturmey XL brake hubs which I borrowed for a quick round the car park test. It had a useful increase in brake power over a bike with 70mm brakes which would stop but didn’t have much in reserve for emergency braking.

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:30:54 +0000

Anything to say yet on the IM80 vs XL-FD?
A place in Berlin is quoting less than €40 for a IM80 which doesn’t seem too bad if they are a real improvement.

By: henry

henry — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:04:54 +0000

Brian,
I’m traveling in Japan (and researching cycling here) for the whole month of November but the WorkCycles mechanics have installed the latest Shimano and Sturmey Archer brakes and some other parts on some bikes to test. I should have some feedback to write about after I return to Holland.

By: Brian McBlain

Brian McBlain — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:59:09 +0000

Wet roads, rain, sub-freezing temps and aluminum rims make for a very long applicatrion time (more than the whole downhill) to “dry off” brakes of my commuter/errand bike. A bit more excitement than I want especially with racks and panniers full of groceries.

Disc requires wheel AND fork, stem, headset, brake system, brake lever.
(New bike.)

Drums require a wheel build alone, and maybe a longer pull brake lever.

Any experience with Sturmey Archur 90 mm XL-FD or XL-FDD?

The Shimano IM80’s look no-nonsense.

Any first use impressions yet? In combo with a Shimano dynamo?

By: henry

henry — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:15:49 +0000

Robin,
There’s no significant weight difference between the IM70 and IM80, at least not more than an ounce or two.

Besides, brakes are just there to slow you down, right? Thus heavier brakes are actually better!

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:54:08 +0000

p.s.
Is the IM80 significantly heavier than IM70? Perhaps not such a big concern for a work bike I guess.

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:53:09 +0000

OK thanks. I look forward to reading IM80 vs 90mm Sturmey Archer reports.