Disc Brakes - The NOW

The Heckler

The Heckler

You bring new meaning to the term SUCK
I'm sure there are 15 threads about this but brake systems seem to change every few weeks so here we go.

I'm sick of my Formula C1s that came with my epic comp. I've decided I'm going to stick with this frame as long as I can since a new mountain bike won't be in the budget for a long long time. I will do a piece by piece component upgrade then replace the frame at some point. With that said, BRAKES!

What works damn well? Intended use is XC/XC race. I don't need the lightest system on the market, I need something that is going to hold a bleed and stop me when I need to stop. Lightweight is a bonus but reliable is #1.

As it is now every few hours I need to service my rear brake. I've already had the rear rebuilt by the factory and I've officially hit my tipping point with Formula.

READY SET GO!
 
I've been swearing by hopes for years. They only let me down once, and it was my own fault. They are awesome machined aluminum and sturdy as hell.

But....

I recently put on some SRAM Guide RS (mid tier), and I am now a believer in SRAM's. The avid brakes sucked ass...(I don't care what anybody says, its a well known fact they suck)


Get the Guides. They are cheap and awesome. Going forward, when I need brakes, these are all I'll use.
 
XT's seem pretty standard as a bomb proof brake. I also prefer mineral oil to DOT and I feel like that may be a reason as to why they work better with less maintenance as it's not corrosive to the components. Still no bleeds and still working perfectly 2 years in with excellent stopping power and modulation. People say SLX is pretty much a heavier XT so you can't go wrong with those either if price is an issue.

I haven't tried Guides yet but they also seem to get rave reviews so far and look great.
 
Dollar for dollar, you can't beat the latest gen of XT brakes if low maintenance and consistent stopping power is what you seek.
 
If you like modulation, Maguras work pretty well. The Louise brakes got me through Colorado and then some. I just had them bled for the first time in about 5 years. Shimano's XT is a solid brake system, but doesn't have the modulation of Magura. Excellent power from Shimano though.
 
This year I upgraded the brakes on my Epic from Avid Elixir Rs to Hopes. I got Hope Tech 3 levers with an E4 caliper for front (4 piston) and an X2 caliper (2 piston) for rear. They are great! I stayed away from the Sram Guides because my experience with the Sram/Avid Elixirs. Guide RSC would have been cheaper than Hopes.

It was very easy to shorten the Hope brake lines and re-bleed both units.
 
Since we talking XC I think BB7 might be the best value. All that hydro is not needed for that kind of riding...
 
Robson said:
Since we talking XC I think BB7 might be the best value. All that hydro is not needed for that kind of riding...
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I have no experience with the stopping power of BB7s, but as a heavier rider, I appreciate the power of hydraulic brakes.

Better brakes = faster racer.
 
Robson said:
How so?
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less maintenance. IMHO bb7 is not serviceable. I threw away more than a couple calipers typically that happened after winter riding. They got sand inside, broken adjustment knobs. Avid hydro much easier to keep in good working order (at least for me)
 
XT. What jdro said. Can't be beat for the price and easy to bleed/shorten if needed. I'll sell my hope Evo x2's soon for another set of xt's. Xtr if you roll like dat.
 
jackx said:
Do you have a preference with regards to stopping power? With regards to maintenance, Pat? Thanks!
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haven't had to do any maintenance yet - and i'd probably have the shop do it anyway.

the hopes are more adjustable for reach and beginning of engagement - and can be done on the fly.
the shimano were less expensive. both have plenty of stopping power, and i've never experienced any fade,
but i'm not that aggressive - i do know both are light years ahead of my avids which could not be counted
on to stop the bike....

i'd pick the hopes as a preference - they were significantly more expensive too.
 
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