General: front caliper!

I'm sure this has been discussed to death but...

so I'm now unemployed but got a deal on a bike I can't pass up. however, I ride with a brake (sorry, too much traffic/hills to go without) and this has none, so I need to pick up a front caliper brake. I have a left tektro x-lever (right one is one my other bike) but I need the actual brake. now, I was going to buy a shimano 105 front brake but that whole unemployment thing kinda means I have to pull the trigger on the new bike and cut corners... are there other reasonable front caliper brakes for cheaper or should I just be looking for a used 105 (or put off riding the thing seriously for a little while and just tool around on it for the moment)?

I certainly have several LBS's that I like/patronize, but curious as to opinions on calipers here... been laid up sick for a few days and would love to hear opinions while I'm not able to pop by shops. I see my brake as the last line of defense between me and death/injury, and so am interested in reliable, inexpensive calipers. the 105 front is not too expensive, really, but I would love to be riding as aggressively on the new bike ASAP as I do currently.

I like the Tektro stuff too and have had good (but limited) experience with them.

$50 for the set and they've held up to regular use for over a year:

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=20894&category=34

[edit]: They're made in silver too

thinking of that as well... but as I said, home sick.

Posted By: wes m.There is no reason to not buy a used dual pivot brake. Dual pivot brakes are one of those parts that will last and last. You wont notice a difference.

And brand probably doesn't really matter, either. A lot of the lower-end Campagnolo DP calipers (Veloce, Mirage) can be gotten for sandwich money, and they'll brake just fine.

Posted By: veggieI got a pair for next to nothing, i think like $30?

Makes sense. I got a used set of Veloces off eBay for about $15 including shipping, which I split to use on this, where it successfully stops a great big guy. Studly brakes; just not as light or pretty as the fancy/expensive ones.

Posted By: eaglerockA lot of the lower-end Campagnolo DP calipers (Veloce, Mirage) can be gotten for sandwich money, and they'll brake just fine.

I would advise against their Xenon calipers, however. They are the lowest end, almost completely OEM only, and they suck wildly.