Here’s another high dollar difference maker – Zero Gravity OG-Ti 05 brakes.  At $399.00, they offer great looks, quality construction and materials and all the stopping power of the best brakes available while shaving 1/3 lbs from your bike. 

The OG-Ti 05 brakes weigh a remarkable 168g for the pair of calipers. That’s almost 150g less than the advertised weight of Shimano’s Dura Ace 10 calipers! The OG-Ti 05 caliper arms themselves are 7075 Aluminum while the quick release and bolts are all Titanium. Precision CNC machining of all parts and hardware results in outstanding looks, feel and function of all parts while shaving every unnecessary gram possible.  Amazingly, these hyper-light works of art have all the stopping power as other top of the line calipers.  Their power results from a well-designed and executed “Torlon” cam lobe that creates a compact 2:1 mechanical advantage.

The OG-Ti 05 brakes come with Corima cork brake pads pre-installed for use on composite rims as well as a set of Kool Stop pads for aluminum rims.  I like the Corima pads and highly recommend them for use on composite rims.  Moreover, the OG-Ti 05 calipers hold the Corima pads more securely than Dura Ace calipers and, therefore, get the nod when choosing calipers to use with composite rims.  All triathletes should take note of the same since we typically use composite rimmed racing wheels.

Another nice feature of the OG-Ti 05 brakes are that they come with separate pads for use on aluminum rimmed wheels.  While you can use pads on aluminum rims that have previously been used on composite rims, the opposite is not the case.  Brake pads used on aluminum rims will have tiny aluminum flecks embedded in the pads that can subsequently score a composite braking surface.  Therefore, you should switch brake pads whenever you switch between your racing and training wheels.  Zero Gravity makes this easy by supplying both sets of pads.

Installation of the OG-Ti 05 calipers is relatively straightforward although you may have to install new cable housing or cable housing extensions because the arms don’t reach as high.  I would also advise tying the calipers closed with a cable tie before installing them to keep the brake pad holders from possibly contacting the stays and forks.  The calipers mount slightly closer to the frame and fork so if they are allowed to open completely, the pad holders could make contact with the stays/fork depending upon their shape.  Once the calipers are installed, though, this is not an issue since a taught brake cable keeps the calipers from opening fully. I would highly recommend professional installation for those not very familiar with a bike wrench, though, due to rather delicate adjustments needed to dial them in.

Zero Gravity’s OG-Ti 05 brakes, while certainly not a necessary upgrade to your racing machine, do make a difference.  Whenever you can loose significant weight, either maintain or improve performance and improve the look, feel and function of your bike, the upgrade is a difference maker.  While difference makers vary widely in practical value, which must be gauged by the individual, they make a difference none-the-less.  In my case, I’m keeping my OG-Ti 05 brakes right where they are, installed on my bike.

KDG