Floating around NAHBS I noticed a number of bikes with these Terminator-esque mechanical stoppers, and Steve from Calfee said they were new, so a quick call to ee Cycleworks was in order. First thing you need to know: They average under 200g per set. Yeah, now you’ll keep reading.
Launched at Interbike ’08, ee Cycleworks is the brainchild of Craig Edwards, the man who had a hand in the design of the original Sweetwings cranks from the ’90s (if you don’t remember them, they were at the time the lightest mountain bike cranks you could get…if you could get them. They even trumped purple ano for total coolness).
Like any good tinkerer and entrepreneur, the first version is always just a starting point. Pretty much since the eeBrakes first came out, Craig’s been thinking how he could make the already-well-reviewed brakes even better. Jump on past the break for more pics, colors, details on what’s changed and pricing…
To the casual observer, the new eeBrakes may look the same, but differences abound throughout the entire piece, including:
- Altered arm geometry to accommodate larger 23- and 24mm rims as well as the old 19mm +/- rims.
- Leverage was tweaked to make it slightly more powerful and optimized to work with all top line levers including the new Dura-Ace 7900 levers (D-A changed its lever’s leverage ratio in the latest iteration).
- larger axles and slightly more slippery and more durable bushing material (even though the old bushings should last the life of the brake and are easily replaceable).
- Arms and main body are now stiffer without adding weight.
- Overall sleeker appearance.
- New cable adjuster. The housing runs all the way through the threaded adjust, both aesthetically nicer and prevents the cable from running against the adjuster body (no metal on metal).
Depending on the pads (you can order them without, or with SwissStop yellow or green pads), the brakes weigh in at a claimed 190g to 200g per set, making them among the lightest out there, but Craig says they’re much more powerful than other popular superlight brakes. The new version has been available for about a month and retails for $569/set without pads. Add $24 for SS Green pads and $40 for SS yellow. They’re available in silver and black ano, and for an extra $100, you can get them anodized any color you want, even purple.
Beyond the changes, the brakes are just cool. Check out the “more info” page on their website to see all the features and details…the quick release lever is particularly slick.
