Avoid These Costly Shimano BR-6700 Brake Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Set-Up

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The Shimano BR-6700 [paid link] brake calipers, part of the high-performance Ultegra 6700 series, offer reliable stopping power for serious road cyclists. However, even premium brakes like these can underperform or wear prematurely if not set up and maintained correctly. Whether you’re a first-time installer or a seasoned mechanic, knowing the specific pitfalls of the BR-6700 [paid link] model is crucial to ensuring safe, consistent braking.

Improper handling of these calipers can lead to poor modulation, pad misalignment, squealing under load, or even hazardous failure. In this guide, we’ll explore the most frequent mistakes made with BR-6700 [paid link] brakes, how they happen, and what you need to do to avoid them.

Incorrect Centering of the Calipers

One of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of installing the BR-6700 is precise centering. This model relies on a return spring tension adjustment accessible via the small screw on the caliper arm. When riders fail to properly center the calipers over the rim, one pad can rub constantly, creating drag and uneven pad wear.

Improper centering usually occurs when:

  • The mounting bolt is tightened before caliper alignment is finalized.
  • The centering screw is not used to fine-tune pad clearance after tightening.

To avoid this, always align the caliper with the rim visually, tighten the mounting bolt slightly, then fine-tune using the centering screw before final torque. Failure to do so results in compromised braking and premature pad deterioration.

Overtightening the Mounting Bolt

Torque specifications are crucial when installing the BR-6700. Shimano recommends a tightening torque of 8–10 Nm for the brake mounting bolt. Many riders unknowingly exceed this, especially when using long-handled tools without a torque wrench [paid link].

Overtightening risks:

  • Stripping the brake bridge thread (especially in carbon frames).
  • Warping the caliper arm, leading to misalignment.
  • Impaired return spring action.

Always use a calibrated torque wrench [paid link] when working on the BR-6700. Stripped mounts and misaligned pivots can be expensive and dangerous to fix.

Incorrect Pad Toe-In Setting

The BR-6700 is highly sensitive to pad alignment. Setting the pads completely parallel to the rim face often causes brake squeal. On the other hand, excessive toe-in reduces braking surface contact, which compromises power and wear uniformity.

Toe-in setup mistakes include:

  • Relying solely on visual alignment without test compression.
  • Setting excessive toe angle that leaves the trailing edge floating.
  • Failing to retighten pad bolts after test squeezes.

Ideally, the leading edge of the pad should touch the rim first, with a gap of 0.5–1.0 mm at the trailing edge. Use a toe-in tool or a business card technique to achieve this. Improper toe-in not only causes annoying noise but accelerates pad taper and rim scoring.

Using the Wrong Brake Pad Compound

The BR-6700 calipers are optimized for use with Shimano’s R55C3 brake pads, which provide a good balance of modulation and rim life on aluminum braking surfaces. Riders often swap in third-party pads or carbon-specific pads without adjusting expectations.

Common mistakes include:

  • Using carbon rim pads on aluminum rims, which reduces stopping power.
  • Using overly hard compounds that accelerate rim wear.
  • Mixing pad compounds between front and rear calipers.

Stick to Shimano-approved compounds for consistent performance, especially during wet conditions. If you’re switching to carbon rims, make sure to upgrade to BR-6700-compatible carbon pads and clean the rim braking surface thoroughly beforehand.

Neglecting Spring Tension Adjustment

Many riders don’t realize the BR-6700 includes adjustable spring tension via a 2 mm hex screw located at the pivot. This small but important feature allows the user to balance return speed and brake feel.

Neglecting to adjust spring tension can lead to:

  • Sluggish lever return.
  • Inconsistent pad retraction.
  • Lever feel that is either too stiff or too spongy.

Always test spring responsiveness during setup. If one side of the caliper returns slower, adjust tension incrementally until both sides react equally. Failing to do so compromises braking consistency and can create unwanted drag.

Misrouting Brake Cable Housing

The BR-6700 brake caliper is designed to function best with a smooth, uninterrupted housing curve. Sharp bends or overly long cable housing reduces braking efficiency by introducing friction and slowing cable return.

Errors in routing often cause:

  • Delayed lever response.
  • Poor modulation and “sticky” feel.
  • Frayed inner cables from housing kink stress.

Always trim housing to the shortest possible length that maintains a natural curve. Lubricate inner cables lightly and avoid over-tightening cable anchor bolts.

Improper Cable Anchor Technique

One subtle yet common setup flaw is the incorrect anchoring of the brake cable. If the cable is clamped without adequate tension or is frayed under the anchor bolt, braking force is compromised.

Watch out for these anchoring errors:

  • Failing to pre-stretch the cable before clamping.
  • Reusing kinked or frayed cables.
  • Clamping on the wrong side of the anchor plate.

Use a fresh, properly cut cable and apply firm tension before anchoring. This ensures smooth engagement and maximizes leverage without mid-ride cable slips.

Skipping Routine Brake Caliper Maintenance

Even high-quality components like the Shimano BR-6700 require regular servicing. Many riders neglect cleaning the calipers or inspecting them for wear, especially around pivot points and springs.

Neglected maintenance leads to:

  • Dirt accumulation in pivots, reducing return speed.
  • Corrosion at mounting interfaces.
  • Reduced braking confidence in wet conditions.

Clean the calipers with mild soapy water, re-lubricate pivot points with a silicone-based lubricant, and inspect pads and rim wear monthly. Preventative care extends both safety and component life.

Ignoring Frame and Rim Compatibility

While the BR-6700 caliper fits most standard road frames, not all frames have the correct reach or mounting angle. Installing this brake on an incompatible frame leads to inefficient braking or dangerous clearance issues.

Frame compatibility mistakes include:

  • Using short-reach calipers on long-reach brake mounts.
  • Insufficient pad adjustment range due to poor mounting alignment.
  • Rim width that pushes pad contact too high or too low.

Always verify frame specs and brake reach (39–49 mm for the BR-6700) before installation. Rushing into an incompatible setup results in compromised stopping power and rim damage.

Conclusion

The Shimano BR-6700 is a precision braking system, but even minor mistakes can drastically reduce its effectiveness. From centering and tension to cable routing and pad selection, each detail matters. Avoiding these common pitfalls ensures smooth braking, better safety, and longer component life.

Correctly setting up and maintaining your BR-6700 brakes not only improves performance but also prevents unnecessary expenses down the road.