Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9100 Brake Caliper

Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9100 Brake Caliper Info

Small things can make big differences. The Shimano Dura-Ace BR9100 Brake Caliper Set looks almost identical to the 9000, but it’s actually a marked improvement. And the improvement is backwards-compatible, meaning these stoppers will work with all eleven-speed STI and Di2 levers. Shimano balances the popularity of wider rims and tires with the need to keep rigidity high, stopping power great, and weight down.

Looking at these, you might think that all they got was a new finish. They got much more. The pivots are set wider apart and the arms are longer to better accommodate fatter tires. Shimano claims these brakes have room for 28mm tires, which means some even-larger tires should fit, though you won’t get a guarantee on that. They added a stabilizer between the pivots. This has multiple benefits. It stiffens up the arms, which in turn means less system flex and then helps with more predictable braking. In other words, modulation has been improved.

The shapes of the arms are sleeker, with less space between each arm. This might help with aerodynamics, it might not. But either way, the brake takes up less space and looks better, both good things.

Another small improvement that is both practical and potentially more aero is the micro-adjuster. When it’s in the “closed” position, it sits flush with the brake arm it sits at the end of. With this hidden in plain sight positioning, it will be hard for the little lever to get snagged or break on anything. There’s also a barrel-adjuster at the top of the cable-housing stop arm.

As always, there’s a centering bolt easily accessed from the top. Likewise, the brake pads. Shimano’s aluminum rim specific pad come standard. And just about every after-market brake pad is designed to fit in Shimano brake shoes. Remember to switch to a carbon rim-specific pad when riding wheels with carbon-fiber braking surfaces.

Weight for the Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9100 Brake Caliper set 326g for the pair.