Sampson’s new 2009 Stratics SL road brakes started shipping at the end of October.  Unlike the planned carbon brakes from ZG, these are available now and priced for normal people (we are in a recession, after all!).  These are about 240g/set and have about the same MSRP and all the high end features of SRAM Red (265g) and Dura-Ace (293g), but they weigh less.
Check out the full specs, along with some leaked info of their upcoming 645g carbon crankset/bb combo when you read “more”…
- Forged Aluminum Alloy
- Dual-pivot design, front and rear
- Oversized barrel adjuster
- Fully indexed wheel opener lever
- Carbon brake pad holders
- Convex washers for exact setup
- Torx fasteners
- Steel center post and cable attachments
- Comes with two sets of pads for carbon or metal rims
- Red (available now) or black (January) polished finish w/ clear coat
- MSRP: $315  (“street” price likely lower)
If you’re tired of the gunmetal look of the big brands or just want to upgrade and lighten up a bit, these are a solid option.  Sampson has been making components since 1987, starting with pedals.  Their current top-of-the-line pedals, the S3 (shown below), weigh only 236g/pair.
The pedals use Ti spindles, Magnesium bodies, sealed bearings, adjustable tension and offer a big platform for solid pedaling.  They also have a “Float Speed Adjuster” so you can adjust the feel of the rotation.  They come in silver, blue, yellow and red.  MSRP is $219.
Besides the new brakes, rumor is they’re releasing a new 645g Carbon crankset (w/ BB) in a few weeks that’ll use outboard cartridge bearings.  Weight claim is for a 172.5 with 50/34 rings, and expected MSRP is aroudn $600…we’ll keep you posted.
