Brakes are the most important component of your bike. Therefore, you must have the best rim brakes on your rim wheel bike. However, finding the right rim brake that matches all your requirements is not as easy as it sounds. That is why we have written this article so that you get to choose from the top rim brakes available in the market right now.
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After extensive research, we have compiled this list of the 12 of the finest rim brakes that are being manufactured now. We have tested the brakes ourselves and so you can rest assured that these rim brakes are of the highest quality & performance.
Out of some of the selected finest rim brakes, we have chosen the Shimano Dura-Ace Calipers as our Overall Best Choice because of its impressive design, tremendous braking power, and smooth shifting.
Exceptional design, immense braking power, tremendous shifting | Overall Best Choice
The Shimano Dura-Ace Calipers is the best rim brake you can buy right now. Its attractive design will surely make heads turn when you are riding your bike out on the road. It has excellent braking power and shifting. Therefore, you will be able to slow down or stop your bike with ease. Also, as it can accommodate larger tires, you can ride very comfortably and steadily even on very tough terrain. You can buy this brake caliper set without any hesitation as it comes with a great warranty backed by Shimano itself.
- Model: BR-9100
- Best For: Road Biking
- Material: Steel
- Brake Type: SLR EV Dual Pivot
- Reach: 51 mm
- Rim Width: 20.8 – 28 mm
- Maximum Tire Size: 28”
- Mount Type: Standard
- Weight: 326 grams (pair)
A quick look at our selected list of the finest rim brakes for you:
| Brakes | Weight (grams) | Our Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano Dura Ace Brake Calipers | 326 | 95 |
| Campagnolo Record 12 Dual-Pivot | 317 | 92 |
| Shimano Ultegra | 182 (front); 178 (rear) | 90 |
| TRP Caliper Brake Set | 160 (front); 158 (rear) | 89 |
| SRAM Rival 22 | 300 | 88 |
| Miche Performance Brake Set | 325 (pair) | 87 |
| Shimano Mountain Bicycle V-Brake | 270 | 86 |
| Avid Shorty Ultimate Cantilever | 129 (front/ rear) | 85 |
| SHIMANO Ultegra Direct Mount | 340.7 (pair) | 84 |
| Bike Brakes Mountain Bike V-Brakes | 386 | 83 |
| Shimano BMX V-Brake | 184 (rear) | 80 |
| SRAM Apex Caliper Set | 308 (pair) | 78 |
12 best rim brakes you can buy today
| Brakes | Preview | Model | Best For | Material | Brake Type | Reach | Rim Width | Maximum Tire Size | Mount Type | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimano Dura-Ace | BR-9100 | Road Biking | Steel | SLR EV Dual Pivot | 51 mm | 20.8 - 28 mm | 28” | Standard | 326 grams (pair) | 95 | |
| Campagnolo Record 12 | Record 12 | Road cycling, Time Trial, Triathlon | Aluminum | Dual Pivot | 28” | Center Bolt | 317 grams (pair) | 92 | |||
| Shimano Ultegra | BR-R8000 | Road cycling, Time Trial, Triathlon | Aluminum | SLR EV Dual Pivot | 51 mm | 20.8 - 28 mm | 28” | Center Bolt | 182 g (Front), 178 g (Rear) | 90 | |
| TRP Road Caliper | R879 | Road Cycling | Forged / CNC machined 6061-T6 Aluminum | Dual Type | 39 - 49 mm | 27 mm (Maximum) | Short Reach Caliper | 160 g (Front), 158 g (Rear) | 89 | ||
| SRAM Rival 22 | Rival 22 | Road Cycling | Forged Aluminum Arms & Stainless Hardware | Dual Pivot | 39 - 49 mm | 29 mm (Maximum) | 28” | Short Reach Caliper | 300 grams (Pair) | 88 | |
| Miche Performance | Performance | Road, Triathlon | Lightweight Alloy | Dual Pivot | 41 - 57 mm | 27” | 325 grams (Pair) | 87 | |||
| Shimano V-Brake | BR-T4000 | Trekking | Aluminium | V-Brake | 700C | 270 grams | 86 | ||||
| Avid Shorty Ultimate | Shorty Ultimate | Racing, Cyclocross | Forged Aluminium | Cantilever Brake | Post Fork | 129 grams (Front/Rear) | 85 | ||||
| Shimano Ultegra | Ultegra 6810 | Competitive Riding | Aluminium | Direct Mount Type | 51 mm | 19 - 26 mm / 19 - 28 mm | 28” | Post Fork | 340.7 grams (Pair) | 84 | |
| Bike Brakes V-Brakes | Liteone V-Brakes | Most Bicycles including Road, MTB & BMX Bikes | Aluminum Alloy & Plastic | V-Brake | 386 grams (Pair) | 83 | |||||
| Shimano BMX V-Brake | BR-MX70 | MTB, BMX | Aluminum | V-Brake | 26", 650b, or 700c | 184 grams (Rear) | 80 | ||||
| SRAM Apex | Apex | Road Biking | Forged Alloy | Short Reach Road Caliper | 39 - 49 mm | 28” | 308 grams (Pair) | 78 |
1. Shimano Dura-Ace: Exceptional design, immense braking power, tremendous shifting | Overall Best Choice
- Model: BR-9100
- Best For: Road Biking
- Material: Steel
- Brake Type: SLR EV Dual Pivot
- Reach: 51 mm
- Rim Width: 20.8 – 28 mm
- Maximum Tire Size: 28”
- Mount Type: Standard
- Weight: 326 grams (pair)
- Sleek Design: The Shimano Dura-Ace has a very aesthetic and sleek design that will just fit in with your bike and make it look even better. Also, the design features less gap between each of the arms which allows for more convenience out on the road.
- Braking Power: This rim brake offers amazing braking power. It enables you to have more predictability in terms of braking and also offers a linear braking curve which allows you to have a better contact feeling while slowing or stopping your bike.
- Excellent Shifting: This Shimano rim brake comes with improved shifting than its previous models and also has better shift lever ergonomics. Now you can shift much more smoothly and quickly.
- Wide Tire: These brakes are compatible with wider tires and therefore you can enjoy better clearance and comfortable riding no matter how rough the road gets.
- High Rigidity: Made with steel, these brakes are highly rigid and offer the perfect amount of stiffness. They are also quite durable.
- Color: These Shimano Dura-Ace rim brakes are available only in Black.
- Warranty: Shimano provides a limited warranty of 3 years along with the purchase of this product.
- These rim brakes are a bit expensive compared to other options out there.
- Some customers have reported that the finish starts to wear off after a while.
The Shimano Dura-Ace Calipers is just one of the best brake calipers out there. First of all, we have to say just how amazing these rim brakes look when they are mounted on the bike. It really does improve the overall appearance of the bicycle. We have used a lot of Shimano calipers and we have to say that these Dura-Ace brake calipers feel much lighter and stiffer than all the others. Also, the performance is absolutely top-notch. With these brakes, you will experience a smooth ride where slowing or just stopping your bike is as seamless as it can get. It provides the perfect combination of weight, braking performance, and stiffness. Also, don’t worry about these brakes getting locked up. No matter how heavy you are, you can’t get them to lock up without a serious effort. Therefore, if you are planning on upgrading the brake calipers on your bike, you can’t get anything better than these rim brakes.
Shimano Dura-Ace Calipers
2. Campagnolo Record 12 Dual-Pivot: Aerodynamic, excellent performance, orbital adjustments
- Model: Record 12
- Best For: Road cycling, Time Trial, Triathlon
- Material: Aluminum
- Brake Type: Dual Pivot
- Maximum Tire Size: 28”
- Mount Type: Center Bolt
- Weight: 317 grams (pair)
- Aerodynamic Design: These fantastic rim brakes feature an aerodynamic design that makes it perfectly suitable for road cycling, time trials, and triathlon racing. Also, the front brake lever of the brakes is sealed to offer enhanced aerodynamic performance.
- Incredible Performance: The Campagnolo Record 12 is a redesigned model that provides exceptional braking power and superior modulation. Also, the dual-pivot points come with sleeve bearings for the best power transfer and low friction.
- Alloy Construction: The Alloy construction of these rim brakes allows it to both provide sturdy & stiff performance while also being exceptionally lightweight.
- Orbital Adjustments: The brake pads are of great quality and they provide orbital adjustments to be made so that you can install them easily. It also helps to reduce the noise created while braking.
- Braking Distance: The amazing rim brakes come with an optimized rubber compound to provide reduced braking distances in any type of weather or riding conditions.
- Color: The Campagnolo Record 12 is available only in Black.
- Warranty: The manufacturer provides a warranty of 2 years along with the purchase of these rim brakes.
- The price of the Campagnolo Record 12 is higher than that of its competitors.
The Campagnolo Record 12 Dual Pivot Brakes is widely popular in the cycling community for its reliability and performance. The dual pivots on the front and rear offer superior braking power. The dual-pivot design provides a much better grip on both arms to produce more clamping force on the rim’s brake track. Also, the bearings at the pivots offer up a super smooth motion. Campagnolo upgraded this model from the previous ones by providing clearance for 28” tires. These brakes will aid you in building up your lightweight dream bike, without any fear of slowing down on the steepest or even the longest mountain descents. Also, these excellent rim brakes feature superb ergonomics. It will provide you with an amazing and fulfilling riding feeling. Setting these brakes up on your bike is also fairly easy. So if you are currently searching for a new set of dual-pivot rim brakes, the Campagnolo Record 12 will provide you with everything you need!
Campagnolo Record 12 Dual Pivot Brakes
3. Shimano Ultegra: Aesthetic design, dual-pivot brakes, SLR-EV technology
- Model: BR-R8000
- Best For: Road cycling, Time Trial, Triathlon
- Material: Aluminum
- Brake Type: SLR EV Dual Pivot
- Reach: 51 mm
- Rim Width: 20.8 – 28 mm
- Maximum Tire Size: 28”
- Mount Type: Center Bolt
- Weight: 182 g (Front), 178 g (Rear)
- Linear Braking Curve: The Shimano Ultegra Brake Calipers provides a linear braking curve that offers a lot of predictability and direct contact feeling along with much better linearity while braking.
- Aesthetic Design: The brake calipers feature a very aesthetic design which is quite appealing at the very first glance. This attractive and modern design will definitely suit your racing bike.
- Dual Pivot: Dual pivot brakes will vastly improve your braking performance. They provide a lot of stiffness and less slack when you press on the brake lever.
- SLR-EV Technology: This is an innovative technology developed by Shimano. It employs a brake design with a short arm. It also consists of two bearings and one roller. This allows it to provide superior braking power and modulation.
- High Efficiency: The calipers come with stabilizers between the axles which helps to reduce deformation and improves braking efficiency.
- Color: The Shimano Ultegra Brake Calipers are available only in Grey.
- Warranty: Shimano provides a limited warranty of 3 years along with the purchase of this product.
- There is no cable or housing included in the package and so you have to purchase them separately.
The Shimano Ultegra Brake Calipers will provide you with great stopping performance. You will be able to use this with complete ease and also get instant response from the brakes. Also, they provide a simple installation process and the brakes themselves are quite easy to adjust according to your preferences. There are narrow gaps between the arms of the brake calipers. This not only helps to lower its weight but also improves the aesthetics of the brake unit. These brakes are of excellent quality. They are also capable of accommodating wide tires, upto 28C in size. This is a major advantage as wider tires perform very well on rough and tough roads. Another benefit of this feature is that you can easily fit or even remove your tires thanks to these brake calipers. And so, if this is the type of brake caliper you are searching for, you should get them before they run out!
Shimano Ultegra Brake Calipers
4. TRP Road Caliper: Lightweight, dual-pivot brakes, reach adjustability
- Model: R879
- Best For: Road Cycling
- Material: Forged / CNC machined 6061-T6 Aluminum
- Brake Type: Dual Type
- Reach: 39 – 49 mm
- Rim Width: 27 mm (Maximum)
- Mount Type: Short Reach Caliper
- Weight: 160 g (Front), 158 g (Rear)
- Lightweight: This excellent brake set is very lightweight as the front brake weighs only 160 grams and the rear brake only 158 grams. This makes them very easy to use and enables them to not have an impact on your overall bike weight.
- Dual Pivot: Dual pivot brakes will vastly improve your braking performance. They provide a lot of stiffness and less slack when you press on the brake lever.
- High Quality: This brake set is built with forged or CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel hardware. Therefore, it ensures the highest quality, rigidity, and durability.
- Reach Adjustability: This amazing brake set offers quick & easy adjustment of the lever so that you can use it according to your style and convenience.
- Cam Style QR: This brake set comes with a quick-release with a cam style mechanism to allow it to be removed quickly and without any tools.
- Color: This TRP Road Caliper Brake Set is available only in Black.
- Warranty: TRP offers a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects in materials and/or workmanship from the date of original purchase.
- This brake set will not be able to fit 28C tires.
The TRP Road Caliper Brake Set is just what you need to enhance your racing experience. That’s not all, they are also great for your daily commutes or just regular road biking. You will realize how amazing they are on your very first ride. It provides an excellent & firm braking response. They work very well with SRAM levers but will also go well with any type of road levers. Also, it will look great on your bike no matter what your build is. Another great part about this brake set is that they include two sets of brake pads for both alloy and carbon rims along with the package. The TRP road calipers are very smooth and easy to modulate. So if you are planning on getting a new pair of brake calipers for your favorite road bike, get these and enjoy a whole new riding experience.
TRP Road Caliper Brake Set
5. SRAM Rival 22: Versatile, solid build, SwissStop pads
- Model: Rival 22
- Best For: Road, Mountain, Cyclocross & Triathlon
- Material: Forged Aluminum Arms & Stainless Hardware
- Brake Type: Dual Pivot
- Reach: 39 – 49 mm
- Rim Width: 29 mm (Maximum)
- Maximum Tire Size: 28”
- Mount Type: Short Reach Caliper
- Weight: 300 grams (Pair)
- Multipurpose: The SRAM Rival 22 Brake Caliper can be used for a variety of cycling activities including road, mountain, cyclocross & triathlon. So no matter what kind of riding you are interested in, these calipers have got you covered.
- Solid Build: This brake caliper is built very well. It is built with forged aluminum arms and stainless hardware to give it a solid and sturdy build.
- Exceptional Finish: This amazing caliper comes with a grey & black anodized finishing which not only gives it an attractive look but also makes it durable.
- Braking Power: This brake caliper offers immense braking power. The dual-pivot design vastly increases the braking power and also enhances the progressive feel that you will experience while braking.
- SwissStop Pads: These pads are made up of rubber and perform very well especially in wet or extreme weather conditions.
- Color: The SRAM Rival 22 Brake Caliper is available only in Black.
- Warranty: SRAM provides a two-year warranty that is applicable from the date of purchase according to their warranty policy.
- Some customers have reported that the bolts of the brake caliper started rusting after a while.
The SRAM Rival 22 Brake Caliper offers everything you need to meet your versatile cycling endeavors. These brake calipers can be installed very easily onto your bike and making adjustments is a completely effortless process. The best part is once you are done adjusting them, they stay exactly like that. You will not find them loosened or unadjusted. Our test ride was very successful. The brakes performed very well and offered incredible modulation which was not only efficient but also linear. Also, the brakes offer a lot of predictability as they respond well to an increased force applied at the levers. The swiss stop pads are a bonus as they provide smooth stopping power as well. Therefore, you can buy this pair of brake calipers and easily set them on your bike to enjoy the tremendous performance while riding.
SRAM Rival 22 Brake Caliper
6. Miche Performance: Affordable, great stopping power, excellent adjustability
- Model: Performance
- Best For: Road, Triathlon
- Material: Lightweight Alloy
- Brake Type: Dual Pivot
- Reach: 41 – 57 mm
- Maximum Tire Size: 27”
- Weight: 325 grams (Pair)
- Light Build: The Miche Performance Brake Set is built with lightweight alloy and therefore the pair just weighs about 325 grams. These brakes will help to keep your bike light.
- Affordable: You can get this amazing brake set and all of its convenient features at a very affordable price compared to other options out there in the market.
- Stopping Power: Like some of the other brakes in this article, these also come with a dual-pivot design. The pivots are treated with heat and capable of providing efficiently modulated stopping power.
- Great Adjustability: The brake calipers come with a forged 57 mm drop with 16 mm of adjustability which lies between 41 and 57 mm. This also allows it to give ample clearance for mudguards.
- Durable Parts: The brake calipers come with steel chrome-plated screws and nuts and keep them in place once they are adjusted and bolted in.
- Color: The Miche Performance Brake Set is available only in Black.
- This brake set cannot accommodate bike tires of the 28C size.
The Miche Performance Brake Set is quite popular in the cycling community for their high quality and affordable price. They are a great choice for cost-conscious audax and winter bike builds. The rich gloss anodizing on our test pair looked classy and very durable. It looked absolutely amazing on our road bike. The braking has proved impressive with excellent modulation and runs even while swooping into long, wet, and winding descents. The original pads have relatively soft compounds and provide an adjustable angle. So if you want a great pair of calipers without spending too much money, this is the perfect choice for you!
Miche Performance Brake Set
7. Shimano V-Brake: Long brake arms, incredible power, noiseless | Best Value For Money
- Model: BR-T4000
- Best For: Trekking
- Material: Aluminium
- Brake Type: V-Brake
- Maximum Tire Size: 700C
- Weight: 270 grams
- Great Value for Money: You will get unbelievable braking power at such a reasonable price and that is why this brake set offers the best value for your money.
- Excellent Design: These brakes are built with an efficient design that requires low operating forces and is the ideal choice for trekking.
- Arm Length: The brake calipers come with long arms with a length of 107 mm. This allows it to offer more space for the mudguard. A mudguard prevents the buildup of mud in the brakes.
- Tremendous Power: The brakes offer high braking power which comes along with excellent controllability. Therefore, you can ride and brake with full confidence.
- Noiseless: The Shimano Mountain Bicycle V-Brake provides smooth and quiet stopping power. Therefore, you will not be bothered by any annoying noise when you are riding with your bike.
- Color: These brake calipers are available only in Black & Silver.
- Accessories: This package also includes brake pads, a metal noodle, and a rubber boot.
- Warranty: Shimano provides a limited warranty of 3 years along with the purchase of this product.
- You need to buy additional mounting studs to fit these brakes on your bike as they do not come with the package.
The Shimano Mountain Bicycle V-Brake is a very efficient and powerful mountain bike rim brake. They are very easy to set up onto your mountain bike and they are guaranteed to provide more stopping power than the brakes that originally came with your bike. This is because this is the best quality v-brake for MTB. These brakes can lock up the rear wheel with very little effort but still provide controlled braking. Also, the brakes have strong retracted springs and have adjustment screws to set them not to rub the wheel. The pad adjustment is easy and well-executed. The bottom line is that they provide rock-solid braking, no squealing or rubbing pads, and most importantly a safe bike for riding. Highly recommend these brakes if you are thinking about replacing or upgrading from what came on with your bike.
Shimano Mountain Bicycle V-Brake
8. Avid Shorty Ultimate Cantilever: Lightweight, NC machined arms, center-pull design
- Model: Shorty Ultimate
- Best For: Racing, Cyclocross
- Material: Forged Aluminium
- Brake Type: Cantilever Brake
- Mount Type: Post Fork
- Weight: 129 grams (Front/Rear)
- CNC-machined Arms: The CNC machined arms help to reduce weight while the open design promotes mud clearance and prevents mud from clogging up the brakes.
- Center-Mount Pads: The center-mount pads allow for their height to be adjusted. These pads along with the concentric hardware make for easy setup.
- Center-Pull Design: The special center-pull design of the Avid Ultimate cantilever braking system is especially recommended in case of either short-pull mountain or drop-bar road based levers.
- Cable Fast-Release: The cable fast-release opens the brakes up for fast, and hassle-free wheel removal or replacement.
- Color: Avid Shorty Ultimate Cantilever Brake is available only in Black
- Accessories: The package includes an alloy straddle carrier with cable. Furthermore, the road-style replaceable cartridge braking pads, along with an inline barrel adjuster helps in making necessary adjustments even on the go.
- Some customers expressed that they would like an instruction manual to be included with the package.
The Avid Ultimate Cantilever Brakes are the best cyclocross cantilever-brake out there in the market. It has incredible braking power especially in dry conditions and it also offers high brake modulation without which the braking power would be meaningless. While it may be true that the brake performs well along with the S
