Tektro Vs. Shimano Brakes – Comparison in 2023

If you can’t choose between the Tektro vs. Shimano brakes, you’re not alone.

Many bicycle owners have had second thoughts on which of these two is the better choice for their bicycles.

And since brakes are an essential part of every bike, this article is here to help you make that critical decision.

There’s no denying that these brakes are some of the best in the market. They both have their respective advantages. But they also have some disadvantages that you should consider.

To know their differences better, it is best to look at each of their features and see if they can meet your needs.

There are tons to talk about, so let’s head straight to it.

Tektro Vs. Shimano Brakes Comparison in 2023

Tektro Brakes

The Tektro brake systems have been in the industry ever since 1986. It’s no wonder that they know what they’re doing because of their long years of experience. They have managed to produce a long line of great brakes.

Their products come in a wide range of prices, so you’re sure to find something that’s well within your budget.

Some of their brakes are made of steel, while others are mainly made with titanium.

Many cyclists like using these brakes because of their excellent reliability. You can be sure that you’re safe on your adventures because this can quickly stop your bicycle if there are any unforeseen obstacles along your path.

They’re easy to install too. Although, if it’s you’re first time mounting brakes on your bicycle, you can always look for professional help.

Tektro brakes are mostly hydraulic disk brakes, which means that they dissipate heat more efficiently, helping them to last longer. These will be good to have for your next adventure.

Recommended Tektro Brakes to Buy

There are tons of Tektro brakes that you can choose from, but to help narrow down your search, here are some of their best ones.

Tektro HD-M285

This first brake is one of Tektro’s best. It is a hydraulic disk brake that’s reliable regardless of the changes in your speed while biking.

And because it has fewer moving parts, it is much easier to maintain than other brakes in the market.

Many accidents occur due to inefficient brakes, but with this, you’ll be sure to avoid any accidents because it will be able to instantly stop your bike if any obstacles are coming your way. Your adventures will be safer and more enjoyable.

Installing it isn’t hard either. The design of these brakes is straightforward, you won’t have many struggles in adjusting it to your preference.

It has a dual-piston and open-system design. An organic compound is used for its pads, and these are also very easy to replace.

For its lever and caliper, the manufacturers have chosen to use forged aluminum.

And this adds to its overall durability. You’ll be able to use this for a long time. Considering its affordable price, it’s a great deal!

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Tektro HD-M745

If you’re searching for great Tektro hydraulic disk brakes, this might be the one for you.

The HD-M745, like all of the brakes from Tektro, is exceptionally reliable. It also has several other features that you’re sure to like.

These brakes are designed with an open system, and it has four pistons in place.

It has two more pistons compared to the HD-M285 that was previously mentioned on this list. And this gives it a much more powerful braking system.

Even if you’re running your bicycle at a higher speed, these brakes will be able to bring you to a stop.

A power braking system is a great advantage because it can assure you a much safer trip.

These brakes will work great on any terrain, and you can use it for afternoon trips, trekking, and even riding downhill.

Aluminum is used for most of this product’s parts. It is very lightweight, so it will not add any unnecessary weight to your bicycle.

You won’t have any trouble installing it either. Adjusting and maintaining it is very easy too.

Tektro MD-C550

Another option that you should consider from Tektro is the MD-C550. This product has a more traditional style.

And it is the ideal choice for road bikes. You’ll be able to have a smoother and safer ride with these brakes on your bike.

Unlike the previous two brakes that used an open system, this uses a flat-mount system.

This system helps give it a cleaner and more minimalistic look. It has a low profile caliper.

And another great thing about this design is that it is also more compact and lightweight.

Braking is reliable but not as reliable when you compare it to hydraulic disk brakes. It will be able to stop your bike effectively, but it may take a couple more seconds.

The longer braking is because it is a mechanical disc brake that’s cable and road levers actuated. And it uses two pistons.

Installing it is convenient but not as easy as other brakes. Regardless, you’ll still be sure to get the job done even without any professional help.

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Shimano Brakes

If you’re a long-time cyclist, you may have heard of Shimano brakes often. Many bike owners use these brakes because of their excellent design.

All their products have various features, but they all give an impressive performance on the road.

You can choose from their many brakes to suit the type of bike you own. They have brakes for almost every kind of bike, from E-bikes, Fat bikes, Trail bikes, and many more.

Their products also come with varying numbers of pistons so you can choose depending on how many you prefer.

A higher number of pistons means a more powerful braking system, but this usually means a higher price.

Another thing that you’re sure to like about Shimano brakes is their ergonomic designs.

They usually don’t add any significant weight to your bike. And to make sure that they last longer, Shimano uses only quality materials in the construction of their brakes.

Recommended Shimano Brakes to Buy

Countless Shimano brakes are in the market today, but the three brakes on this list are among the best. These are sure to make your next bike ride a breeze.

JGbike Shimano MT200 MTB

If you’re looking for a great deal, then you’ve just found it. The MT200 from Shimano has an efficient and powerful stopping performance.

It is also very durable because of the high-quality materials used for its construction.

The MT200 comes ready to install right out from the box. Installing it is relatively easy.

Even if it’s your first time, you’ll be able to get it done without much problem. And if you want to adjust it, you can easily do so too.

Its braking performance is very reliable; it is designed as a hydraulic disc brake.

There are not too many moving parts with this brake, which also means that it will require lesser maintenance.

You’ll be able to bring your bike to stop in ample time, although not as fast as others.

And unlike other brakes, this will stop your bike without making much noise. Its pad also produces minimal rattling noise, which can be distracting.

The steel lever has a 3-finger style, and it is suitable for almost every kind of bicycle.

It is versatile and also convenient. These features make it one of the best in the market.

SHIMANO BR-M8020

The BR-M8020 is designed with a reliable braking system. These brakes would be an ideal choice for trail or E-MTB bikes.

And since it uses four pistons for its braking system, you can expect a more powerful performance to stop your bike in its tracks almost instantly.

Housing used for the four-piston calipers contributes more to its weight, making it a heavier choice than others.

Its brake levers are ergonomic in design, and its reach is very convenient to adjust, you won’t be needing tools in the process.

Installing this will be easy because you won’t need to remove the grips thanks to its split clamp.

And if you need to make any adjustments to it, you won’t have a hard time either.

You’ll be able to use these brakes for a long time because it is made of high-quality materials. It will be a worthy investment.

Shimano M820 Disk Brake Set

The last brakes on this list are the M820 Disk Brake Set. It provides your bike with a braking system that has exceptional power.

You’ll be able to stop your bike even when you’re going at varying speeds. Aside from having a powerful braking system, it also has a durable design.

These brakes are pre-bled, and one of its many features is one-way bleeding, which can make future bleeds much easier.

For quicker braking and pad connection, the brakes are designed with a Short stroke Servo-Wave structure. This feature allows adjustments to be easier.

It uses four piston calipers made of ceramic, and these provide better temperature and oil management.

This feature is what’s behind its powerful stopping power. Ice Tech pads are used for these brakes complete with radiation fins.

Overall, its many features can offer you a safer and more convenient bike ride.

Tektro Brakes or Shimano Brakes?

There aren’t too many differences between Tektro and Shimano brakes. But it is essential to look at these differences so you can have a better look at their advantages and disadvantages.

Braking Power

Braking power mostly depends on the number of pistons that brakes are equipped with.

A 4-piston braking system can offer exceptional stopping performance on the road.

Both Tektro and Shimano have brakes that use four pistons, and their braking power is closely similar.

Braking Noise

Noise during braking can be distracting. Tektro and Shimano are quiet brakes when you compare it to others in the market.

But Shimano brakes are much quieter to use if you compare the two.

Convenience

Installation and making adjustments are relatively easy for both of these brakes.

So, you won’t have much of a hard time either way. But it is important to note that Shimano brakes are heavier compared to those from Tektro.

Budget-Friendliness

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option for your bike’s brakes, Tektro has many more affordable options. Shimano also has some brakes that have a reasonable price.

Conclusion

There is no denying that Tektro and Shimano both have a lot of great breaks. And each of their brakes varies in features.

Their differences are minimal, so you won’t go wrong with going either way between Tektro vs. Shimano brakes.