Shimano Brake Pull Widths/Ratios - A Summary

NEW SUPER SLR and Old SUPER SLR

There are two types of Shimano brakes: the NEW SUPER SLR and the old SUPER SLR. The difference between these brakes is the width of the brake pull (the amount of pull), and the NEW SUPER SLR has been modified to allow for a stronger brake pull with less force.

The question that arises is the compatibility between the NEW SUPER SLR and the old SUPER SLR.

Shimano’s Component Grades and NEW SUPER SLR

Among Shimano’s component grades, the following generations use NEW SUPER SLR.

As an image, the most recent two generations or so are NEW SUPER SLR, while the higher grades, 105 and above, are compatible with the X700 series.

STI lever of NEW SUPER SLR and brake of NEW SUPER SLR

The combination of STI levers and brakes with NEW SUPER SLR is the best way to maximize the capabilities of NEW SUPER SLR. This combination is considered to be the best for women, as the brakes work well even with low force.

Since the NEW SUPER SLR STI lever pulls the brakes more with a little force, the NEW SUPER SLR brakes, which also have a larger pull, allow for proper braking.

As long as the same NEW SUPER SLR generation is used with each other, they are basically compatible with brakes of the upper and lower grades.

NEW SUPER SLR’s STI lever and old SUPER SLR’s brake

The NEW SUPER SLR’s STI lever can be used to pull the old SUPER SLR’s brakes.

However, since the NEW SUPER SLR STI lever has a larger pull width on the brake lever than the previous generation, when combined with the old SUPER SLR brakes, which have a smaller pull width, the brake cannot be pulled to its maximum even when the STI lever is pulled to its maximum.

In this combination, the brake power seems to be limited to 85% of the brake power, so this combination causes the phenomenon of “not usable, but the brake does not work”.

Old SUPER SLR STI levers and NEW SUPER SLR brakes are not compatible.

This is a combination that Shimano has officially designated as NG.

It is the opposite pattern of the previous one, and the STI lever of the old SUPER SLR has a small pull width of the brake lever, so when you pull the lever all the way, the brake power will be 125%. The brakes are not capable of 125% power, so it is not that the brakes “become very effective”, but that they reach the maximum brake power quickly.

With about 85% of the pull on the STI lever of the old SUPER SLR, you will reach the maximum power of the NEW SUPER SLR, which means that the brakes may lock the wheel even though you have applied 60% or 70% of the brake power.

Locking the wheel is very dangerous because it can cause the bike to skid (slip).

Compatibility chart between NEW SUPER SLR and old SUPER SLR

Let’s compare the combinations we’ve seen so far in a table.

The following combinations of levers and brakes are available.

We have looked at the differences in the pull width of Shimano brakes.

Although the brakes are relatively compatible with a wide range of Shimano components, Shimano has issued an official compatibility alert for the NEW SUPER SLR and the old SUPER SLR, so be careful when combining them.