How do the Paul Klampers Stack Up Against Modern MTB Brakes? The Paul Klamper MTB Review

I know this video challenges many people's assumptions about hydraulic and cable disc brakes. It's natural to feel defensive and angry when your assumptions are challenged, but I encourage everyone to keep an open mind. I have absolutely nothing to gain by saying what I said. I'm not paid for this review, and I'm not in cahoots with Paul to promote these. These aren't BB7s; these are hand-machined with top of the line alloys and hardened parts. Are they worth the price? That's up to you. They're not cheap at all, but I fully expect them to last from bike to bike to bike. I would be thrilled to have these on all of my bikes.

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[hardtailparty]

I realize this video challenges many people's assumptions about hydraulic and cable disc brakes. It's natural to feel defensive and angry when your assumptions are challenged, but I encourage everyone to keep an open mind. I have absolutely nothing to gain by saying what I said. I'm not paid for this review, and I'm not in cahoots with Paul to promote these. I'm simply sharing my experiences.

These are not BB7s; these are hand-machined with top of the line alloys and hardened parts.

Are they worth the price? That's up to you. They're not cheap at all, but I fully expect them to last for year to come. I would be thrilled to have these on all of my bikes.

I've ridden more powerful brakes before, but to me, max power shouldn't be the only criteria for brake comparisons. These fall in the middle for me regarding power.

What's most appealing about these, aside from the lack of hydraulic fluid and the need to bleed them, is the fact that i can dial them in to feel exactly how I want. I can adjust where in the lever stroke i can get them to bite. Sure, i can do that with sram rsc brakes, but this is so much easier and more precise.

One other thing i think could be improved is the shape of the lever where your finger meets. It's not as ergonomic as a shimano or sram lever. Although the.corners are rounded, i feel like a less rectangular profile on the lever would increase braking comfort.

There are so many myths and misconceptions about cable disc brakes.

Myth 1: cables stretch and you're always adjusting cable disc brakes. Cables do stretch, and that usually plays out in the first mile or two. Just like derailleur cable, once they're done stretching, they don't just keep stretching over and over, requiring tweaks.

Myth #2: You need dual-acruatong pistons on your cable disc brakes. When paul was designing these, he experimented with dual actuators, and found them to be unnecessarily complex with minimal performance gains. I realize people like symmetry, and dual pistons make sense in our brain, but they're simply not necessary for a great brake feel.

Myth #3: cable disc brakes have to be adjusted at the bottom of ever run because if the single-actuating pistons. Wrong. After the first 5 miles, I haven't touched the adjustments at all in the subsequent 245 miles. They're the most consistent feeling brakes I've encountered.

Myth #4: cable disc tech is "old", therefore newer hydraulic brakes are "better." I guess this is a matter of opinion. Newer isn't always better. In fact, I'd argue that 9&10 speed drivetrains are still far better than the 12 speed we have today. Newer is newer, not better.

To me, these brakes remind me of a 70s or 80s air-cooled porsche 911. Why would you buy a classic porsche with older tech when you could buy a brand new subaru wrx with an automatic trans, better moto, turbo, awd, water cooled engine, etc.? Driving an old air cooled porsche is a special experience, and I'd take it over the new modern wrx any day.

[BlankExpression]

Top job on kind and calm trail usage with other people. They didn't hear you, you didn't get even slightly frustrated, turned out they were deaf, as you say - most legitimate reason you could possibly have! How easy would it be for most people to get a little bit irritated and then to feel totally awful afterwards when the realisation hit. Kindness costs nothing!

[stevecabrera]

Haha man what a great interaction with those deaf hikers. So glad everyone was respectful. Haha

[carravagio]

Couldnt care less about the brakes, but the way you interacted with those two trail goers is why i love this channel and why im rocking my HT hoodie.

[deandiamond]

I love how you casually throw trail etiquette into your videos. Not enough people pay attention to these things! Great video, and awesome brakes. Contemplating them for an upcoming build

[Metal-Possum]

I've always loved a well set up cable brake. I've got plenty of history with BB7s, those things never let me down and I was using an early model until very recently. I've got a more modern set of BB5s on my recumbent, and again they've been great. Cantilevers on my commuter, dialled in perfectly, they only disappoint when it rains. Campagnolo Veloce calipers on my road bike that work so well they've got the potential to be dangerous.

Hydraulic brakes have their place (disc brakes more so than Magura HSxx) but cable brakes have a very positive feel, they're not intimidating to install, and they're easily adjusted or repaired on the side of the road using a few basic tools. I work as a bike mechanic and have no problem working with either but I'm never going to dismiss a well adjusted cable brake. A drop of oil or a $10 cable every once in a while is far less fuss than the myriad of annoyances you can get from some hydraulic setups.

And I just really enjoy installing and setting up cable brakes. I could almost do it blindfolded, it isn't messy, and troubleshooting isn't an educated guess about what's going on inside the the hydraulic lines. Much more satisfying than fussing about trying to get a good bleed on something.

[draftwood]

Cable operated brakes are appropriate technology for something as simple and light as a bicycle.

[matthieudanneels]

I'm riding BB7 for 12 years now, on my full rigid mtb, my xc and my trail/enduro. Clearly enough around home and also in Alps bike parks, could not agree more, but bb7 are affordable. Great video

[canyoneagle]

I've been riding Klampers with Love Levers for 3 years now, and not turning back. Hands down best brakes I've owned, and no bleeding to fuss with. I've had XT's various Avid/SRAM hydros, XT 4 pot hydros, BB7's, BB5's, TRP
Nothing compares.
My second favorite would be the XT 4 pots, and to their credit, they are fairly easy to bleed, but why bother? The Klampers are fuss free and offer every bit as much power.
Great video, and awesome demo of trail etiquette. I am a huge advocate of proper trail manners.

[maxcycles]

Great video topic and review. Totally agree on all your thoughts about the Klampers. These brakes are far from a boutique item that someone buys just for status. They are one of the best disc brakes on the market, mech or hydro, in my opinion. Being made by Paul in the USA is icing on the cake. We recommend these frequently at my shop, mostly to bike packing folks, but especially to anyone who needs a high performing, super reliable brake that feels damn good. Nice, US made goods cost money.

[brv]

This is why I'm hesitant on buying hydrologic brakes in my hardtail. I have taken my Tektro brakes apart so many times and know how to dail them in just right without any issues and can stop on a dime. Great video!

[zenofthemoment]

This isn’t so much for HTP but for the home mechanic. On the concern about pad play when adjusting your headset….while standing over the bike, put the front wheel against something sturdy, a wall, a solid workbench, etc, then do the play check. I ran into pad play all the time in the shop, and that’s the best way to get around it.

[bensieber]

I switched all my bikes to Avid mechanicals. All interchangeable, simple and easy to service. I do get more tired hands on long howling descents but as I'm old and slower now it's worth the swap.

[alexander.sollie]

I bought a set of high polish Klampers at full retail price because of this video and if my wife ever finds out she is going to kill me. Thanks a lot!

[sgazzz]

Awesome review, and vote of confidence for a near zero maintenance system that works ..

Also 5% extra pump equals 5% more forearm gains!!

[adanielweaver]

Those look sweet. I had cable avid disc brakes on my 05 Stumpjumper and liked them then, for ease of setup and having plenty of power. These look like as much of an evolution from those as modern hydraulic brakes are from the ones we had back then.

However, I think people are unfairly harsh on the inconvenience of hydraulic lines. Bleeding brakes is not that hard once you try it, and a good bleed lasts months. Cables on the other hand start to stretch pretty quickly so you are always having to adjust them to keep up. Cables are also more sensitive to cable routing. I'd rather have the slightly trickier initial setup of hydraulic and overall less time adjusting the brakes.

[wildwind]

Got to love those, prefer simple over complicated.
Life is complicated enough!
Loved this review!
From South Africa

[Mike-vdqt]

I put Paul Components cantilever brakes on my touring bike, two rides across the U.S., three sets of brake pads later, I never had to adjust them or fiddle with them. Rock solid manufacturing of components.

[rickharbeck]

Best thing I ever did for my bike was Paul Klampers. My bike is no lightweight and I live in an extremely hilly area. I too run a 203 rotor in front and a 180 in back. I agree completely that the rear rotor seems to be a little overkill and locks up a little too easily in certain situations, might downsize back to a 160. As to rotor warp and not minding a little extra weight, I've been using full floating rotors. If they are true right out of the box and once bedded in they run and stay that way short of bashing the crap out of them which doesn't happen too often. And most are ventilated to help dissipate heat and keep the grunge from effecting their performance. Someone here was mentioning wet weather performance, beings as Klampers come stock with really great Kool Stop brake pads, rain at least did not effect braking performance but it was the one and only time they did squeal a little. And worth mentioning Klampers are 100% completely serviceable, were three or four years in the making with several prototypes including some dual piston ones and this is the final outcome. Built and built to last! Excellent brakes!

[ShreddingSpree]

Wow. I love the idea of not having to maintain a hydraulic brake system! I might have these in my future.