Best brakes?

[intern]

I have Hope Race X2s on my one Epic, have also used Shimano XTR and Magura Martas, and have XTs on my other Epic.

My opinion? the Shimano XTs are best.

The Hopes are much lighter, yes. The Hopes are also WAY more expensive. For their purpose on my 'race bike' (nothing, I promise, to do with my comments on another forum...and yeah right, I haven't raced in ages) they are fantastic. And I do love them well.

They have a very short lever, though, and don't have the stopping power of the Shimanos.

The Magura Martas I really liked but found that the lever would not return too readily, esp in dirty conditions (are there any others?)

The XTs deliver better modulation, more adjustability and far lower cost. For an everyday brake, they get my vote.

[Santa C]

Love HOPE, but use avid elixar and xt and have had no issues

[andretraut]

Formula was great until the new XTR was launched. Can't beat the new silver stuff for stopping your bike, and looks the part as well.

[jagwil]

Hayes El Camino

[agentgreen]

Got juicy 5's on my XC and Codes on my DH rig's, good reliable brakes, no problems, but my vote goes to Formula's...a mate of mine is running them on his freeride rig and they are the business!

[Iwan Kemp]

The best of the best

Formula The One Review

[Mackem]

Formula was great until the new XTR was launched. Can't beat the new silver stuff for stopping your bike, and looks the part as well.

 

Errr nope - Have moved to new XTR and the brakes even after bedding in are nowhere near as good as my R1's.

Edited May 19, 2011 by Mackem

[MoreTrails]

Formula all the way!

 

Have ridden a bike with the new X0's and they come as close to the Formula's as I have seen in a while....

[Skott5]

Formula R1 - unbelievable control. Best brakes I've ever used.

[Iwan Kemp]

Latest, greatest XTR is 15% heavier than The One! 359g vs 407g. R1 is around 340g.

 

You can have ultimate stopping power AND save weight. Plus Formula is flip flop design, you'll be able to use any rotors and won't be locked into centre lock only which means more hub options. Or run smaller rotors than you would with XTR and save even more weight! Slightly ridiculous.

[dirtrider]

OMG all that weight !! No-nonsense LX brakes on all my bikes have not given me a days problems in 7 years . And they yet to be serviced .

[Chubba]

Can you use hope rotors with Formula R1's? And is it unusual to have different brands of rotors front and back?

[DeFconOK]

Avids are actually very good breaks but they need SOOOOO much maintenance to keep them good. On top of that, they are tricky to work with, and the cheaper versions arn't worth considering.

 

Shimanos are very good all round, definitly rate them best. If you can afford them, and it says SLX, XT, XTR, ZEE, SAINT. You're winning

 

Bottom of the range brakes, Tektro are pretty dam good. Also Clarks but maintenance is iffy.

[DeFconOK]

Can you use hope rotors with Formula R1's? And is it unusual to have different brands of rotors front and back?

 

If its the right sizes(exactly), Run it. Shimano rotors have the best feel by far tho.

Just watch the Pad and disk compatibility, some disks are resin only.

[hayleyearth]

In my opinion the Hope brakes the best disc brakes I have ridden anyone riding Hopes can tell you the exact same thing...

 

nope. dont think i agree

[Guest Omega Man]

nope. dont think i agree

What have you ridden that's better?

 

I must say Zee is pretty damn good value for $

Edited January 16, 2014 by Omega Man