Performance Review — Look “Trojan” Stop 2008 After 15+ YearsIntroduction
The Look “Trojan” Stop 2008 was introduced as a high-performance brake system aimed at road cyclists who wanted crisp modulation, light weight, and a distinctive design. Fifteen years on, the Trojan Stop remains a point of interest among collectors, retro-road enthusiasts, and anyone restoring older racing bikes. This review examines how the Trojan Stop performs today: build quality, braking performance, maintenance, compatibility, and whether it still makes sense to ride with — or restore — this piece of cycling history.
Background and context
Look launched the Trojan Stop in the mid-2000s as part of a broader push to combine advanced materials with race-oriented function. The 2008 iteration emphasized lightness and stiffness, using alloy arms with machined surfaces and a refined pivot system. At launch, it competed with high-end calipers from Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM, offering a distinctive package that appealed to riders favoring minimal weight and direct feel.
Build quality and materials
The Trojan Stop 2008 uses forged aluminum alloy arms, precise CNC-machined contact surfaces, and stainless hardware at critical points. Over 15+ years, common signs of aging include:
- Oxidation or pitting on non-stainless fasteners (if original hardware remains).
- Wear at the brake pad contact and toe-in surfaces.
- Slight loosening or wear in the pivot bushings, producing increased play unless serviced.
Overall, the core materials have held up well when kept dry and regularly maintained. Corrosion is the main enemy; units stored indoors or ridden in fair weather typically show minimal degradation.
Braking performance (modulation, power, noise)
Power and modulation:
- When fresh or well-serviced, the Trojan Stop offers surprisingly strong and linear braking for a caliper of its era, with good modulation that allows confident speed control.
- Compared with modern dual-pivot calipers and high-end long-arm designs, peak stopping power is modestly lower, especially with worn pads or glazed rims.
Noise:
- Like many older calipers, the Trojan Stop can be prone to squeal if pads or rims are contaminated or if pad alignment/toe-in isn’t correct. Proper setup—clean rims, new pads, and correct toe-in—reduces noise substantially.
Heat management:
- For typical road use and club rides it performs adequately. On long, steep descents repeated heavy braking can cause fade faster than modern calipers designed with advanced heat-dissipating features.
Maintenance and serviceability
Routine service is straightforward:
- Inspect and replace brake pads (standard road cartridge or 55–70 mm pads depending on model).
- Clean pivot points, apply light grease to moving parts (avoid contaminating braking surfaces).
- Replace corroded fasteners with stainless steel hardware where needed.
- Re-centre calipers and check for play in pivot bushings; worn bushings can often be reamed and fitted with new low-friction bushings or replaced if aftermarket parts exist.
Parts availability:
- Pads are common and easy to source. Specific small pivot parts and original hardware may be harder to find but often have compatible aftermarket substitutes.
- For restorers, salvaged units and donor hardware on marketplaces are a viable option.
Compatibility and fit on vintage frames
The Trojan Stop 2008 mounts like a standard road caliper and fits the majority of road frames and forks with single-bolt mounting. Considerations:
- Reach: Check caliper reach against rim brake track; some modern deep-section rims or unusually narrow/tall tires may require different pads or longer reach.
- Clearance: On classic frames with narrow stays and close clearances, ensure the caliper geometry doesn’t interfere with tire or fender fit.
- Cable routing: Works with standard side-pull cable routing; consider upgrading to modern housings for better lever feel.
Comparison to contemporaries and modern calipers
| Aspect | Look Trojan Stop 2008 | Contemporary high-end (2008) | Modern high-end (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Low | Low–moderate | Very low (carbon/advanced alloys) |
| Modulation | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Peak power | Moderate | High | Very high |
| Heat management | Moderate | Better | Advanced |
| Serviceability | Easy | Moderate | Varies (some proprietary parts) |
| Parts availability | Moderate | Moderate | High (some proprietary) |
Real-world riding impressions
- Urban and mixed-terrain riding: Comfortable and confident. Paired with fresh pads and clean rims, the Trojan Stop is perfectly adequate for everyday use.
- Long climbs and descents: Works well on moderate descents; heavy repeated braking on prolonged descents reveals its limits compared with modern designs.
- Sprinting and racing: Offers quick initial bite and responsive modulation, but racers seeking maximum stopping power and heat resistance might prefer newer dual-pivot or carbon-enhanced calipers.
Restoration tips and upgrades
- Replace all fasteners with stainless hardware to prevent future corrosion.
- Fit modern high-performance brake pads (compound suited to rims) to improve bite and reduce noise.
- Service or replace pivot bushings; consider low-friction polymer bushings if available.
- Clean and polish caliper surfaces to restore appearance; avoid aggressive polishing that removes critical dimensions.
- If clearance or reach is an issue, use appropriately sized pad holders or longer-reach pads where compatible.
Value today and who should choose it
Collectors and restorers:
- The Trojan Stop 2008 has collector appeal for period-correct restorations. It’s worth keeping or restoring if you value originality and aesthetics.
Everyday riders:
- If you already have a Trojan Stop on a restored bike, it’s still a usable brake with proper maintenance. For someone building a new daily rider, modern calipers offer better performance for similar weight and price.
Enthusiasts and retro-racers:
- Great choice for retro builds where authenticity and period-correct components matter more than squeezing out the last bit of stopping power.
Conclusion
After 15+ years, the Look “Trojan” Stop 2008 remains a well-made and usable brake caliper with solid modulation and adequate stopping power for most road riding. Corrosion and wear are the primary issues but are easily mitigated with maintenance and selective upgrades. For restorations and retro builds it’s a desirable option; for pure performance on contemporary bikes, newer calipers outperform it in peak power and heat management.
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