Shimano Ultegra R600 Brake Levers

Advantages: cheaper than contemporaries
Disadvantages: difficult hoses

...shimano, in using a new 4 pot system have moved into the league usually dominated by Hope. the 4 pot system gives greater power than two pot systems and doesnt overheat easily. the shimano is better than the hopes because it uses two cylinders to drive the pads rather than the one cylinder that the hope uses to drive all 4 pads. the shimanos are also a lot cheaper than other systems with comparible performance, although they need expensive hubs, making them more expensive than the hope open 2s. the braided hoses are bombproof but need to be precut and the levers give superb modulation and good feel.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Excellent bike with well Specified Equipment
Disadvantages: No fun riding in the rain.

...If you are considering purchasing a new bike and are not sure which to choose I can recommend the C.B. Urban 300.It is a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. Having an aluminium frame it is light and easy to ride (Make sure you get the correct size frame) The Shimano gears I have found to be excellent,the brakes are very good to. I chose this particular model over the Urban 100 & 200 due to the better specification of parts and the front suspension which enhances both comfort on road and offroad. It is ideal for treking on trails or country pathways. TECHNICAL INFORMATION. Brake Levers: Shimano S.T.I Brakes: Forge V Alloy Chain: Z9000 Chainset: Shimano C 203 Number of Gears 24 Frame / Colour: Taper tube alloy Frame sizes: 18,20,22 Freewheel: Shimano 8 speed cassette Gear Levers: Shimano S.T.I Gears Front... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Top of the range "bling" rear mech
Disadvantages: 9 speed "only", superceeded by RD-7800 10-speed version

...I bought this rear derailleur to replace an Ultegra mech when upgrading my bike from 8 to 9-speeds (well, 16 to 18 speed really with my double front chainset). Apparently, this mech is also compatible with 8-speed systems, you just need to change the cable mounting position. Dura Ace is the name of Shimano's top of the range group of bicycle components, or "groupset", for road race bikes, and the 9-speed 7700-series was introduced to the public in 1997 after Shimano sponsored riders using Dura-Ace 7700 series equipped bikes in 1996. Year by year, it's been enhanced, and this review is of rear mech from the 2004 model year. For the non-bike-ophiles among you, the rear mech (or mechanism) is the device at the back end of the bike that moves the chain across the muliple cogs (cassette) on the back wheel to change gear - bigger cog... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful