"An affordable brake for freeride beginners", was the slogan on the Shimano website. But beginners in particular need a brake with the reliability of a reserve parachute for downhill missions. So we started our endurance test and fitted the "Zee" to our endurance test big bike. This bike is ridden around like an Oktoberfest operator: Schladming, Leogang, Spicak, Geißkopf - every weekend, kilometres were on the agenda. Surprise: Even on long, steep descents, it decelerated without grumbling, without fading and the pressure point was spot on. The four-piston brakes bite hard, but are still easy to modulate. No annoying on/off, but a predictable brake modulation - ideal for manuals. Super: the pleasant lever ergonomics. The "Zee" is similar to the top-of-the-range "Saint" model, but you need an Allen key to adjust the lever. Thanks to the I-Spec clamp, the brake can be mounted together with the corresponding shift lever. We rode them with 200 millimetre discs at the front and 180 millimetres at the rear. The "Zee" is a real alternative to the expensive "Saint".
Conclusion: We were pleasantly surprised by the "Zee" disc brake. They always decelerated reliably - without failures, even on tough downhill missions. Good value for money.
PLUS Lever ergonomics, function, price/performance
MINUS nothing
Weight 521 grams (per brake and 200 mm disc)
Price approx. 180 Euro per brake
Info www.paul-lange.de
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
