Your opinion please

[degins]

I would like to hear your opinion about options to be available on my new Granada caliper. The link below shows a prototype caliper with prototype hose, bracket, and hose to bracket clip.

The caliper has a 304 stainless steel piston and is zinc chromate electroplated in olive drab. My questions are:

Is a stainless steel piston worth another $5/caliper cost to you?

Do you see $2.50 value/caliper in the coating?

Would you want the caliper to be equipped with speed bleeders at a cost of $4.50/caliper?

Thanks for your constructive input. And for that one member who always tries to hyjack my threads, let me point out that I am not offering anything for sell. I am asking for opinions on a technical subject.


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1018497/Picture00616inch.JPG


Thanks

 

[krash kendall]

Thanks for your constructive input. And for that one member who always tries to hyjack my threads, let me point out that I am not offering anything for sell. I am asking for opinions on a technical subject.

Ha, ha! Haven't seen him post here in awhile Dennis! I think he gets pretty busy with his hobby this time of year.

 

[krash kendall]

If this is to be budget, then I don't think the 304 piston is really neccessary. The stock ones last upwards of thirty years if driven regularly enough that they don't seize. I like the hose and bracket. I take it they hook up to the stock lines?

I don't know what a speed bleeder is. But again, if the goal is budget then a standard nipple would do the job just fine. I mean how often does the average guy bleed the brakes on his daily driver or weekend driver? I'm sure a race application would prefer something faster, but that isn't your target.

 

[bnickel]

i would say yes to the stainless piston, no to the coating, and offer the speed bleeders as an option.

 

[degins]

If this is to be budget, then I don't think the 304 piston is really neccessary. The stock ones last upwards of thirty years if driven regularly enough that they don't seize. I like the hose and bracket. I take it they hook up to the stock lines?

I don't know what a speed bleeder is. But again, if the goal is budget then a standard nipple would do the job just fine. I mean how often does the average guy bleed the brakes on his daily driver or weekend driver? I'm sure a race application would prefer something faster, but that isn't your target.

I appreciate that opinion, but the goal with speedbleeders would be to make the installation easier. In fact, for that reason, I am considering including speed bleeders for the rear as well. But your point about budget is well taken. As it is, I am competing with bracket systems that include nothing but brackets and bolts. Many users don't appreciate the expense of all the small parts, not to mention the convience of a complete set-up.

I will probably just go with the electroplating. With bare iron calipers, you can practically see the rust grow as you install them. This coating is the best of the zinc-chromate coatings and is very effective, even in areas were it is scraped through (galvanic affect). It looks like the Parkerized metal on old military rifles, accept a little shinier.

 

[DukeGnarley]

i would say yes on the coating and yes on the bleeders.

 

[mustangdave]

Yes on "a" coating but that is butt ugly. I luv speed bleeders, so yes but it would make sense to make it optional from a marketing standpoint. Same for s.s. ; I would order them but others would not....do not exclude customers by making options unavailable. If for production costs reasons you have to make a choice, drop everything. Anybody can buy speed bleeders as more than one company are making them now. A cheap spray on clear coating goes a long way in preventing rust if applied properly by the end user, and s.s. pistons won't be needed if regularly bled ( if not, it's there fault).