Top end disc brakes - what to buy?

[Mackie]

Nuff said!

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Magura-MT-8-Disc-Brake-tested-2011.html

[The Drongo]

1. Hope X2

2. XTR

3. Formula R1

4. XT

 

That`s my recommendation in that order.

 

1. Hope

2. XT

3. XTR - only because you now need a special bleed component

4. Formula R1

[SURFER]

How often do you guys bleed the breaks?

[Capricorn]

surfer: i bleed em when they start feeling spongy even with new pads.

[NotSoBigBen]

Of interest to anyone or not I don't but I have a set of Avid Juicy 7's I bought from Dangle Jan 2006 and bled by him, to this day they have not been touched other than change of pads ..... levers a bit worn and they have been passed on to someone else recently but they still work!

[kosmonooit]

who services Hope in SA?

 

There is a local agent (here in Greenside Jhb) but I have always brought them in myself from CRC or UK Bike Store. You can buy all the parts (and service tools) from them as well. Also most of the cable bits (like the Olives) are reusable.

 

I have M4's on both my mtb's - excellent, never fade even on the steepest descents, but in going with the more minimalist Scalpel, X2 should be fine. Also have Mono Mini's on my Pavement Warrior sine 2002

 

http://www.entopia.org.za/Gallery/cycling/Prophet/Prophet_Bars_s.jpg

 

http://www.entopia.org.za/Gallery/cycling/Prophet/Prophet_FrontWheel_s.jpg

[rouxtjie]

Here is lekker review from the the boys at MBUK/Bikeradar for XX's

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/review-avid-xx-brake-44610

[Mackie]

I used to have the 2009 XTR's, I never really liked them, if found they faded under heavy braking, now have Elixer CR's when they are properly bled they are awesome, but they tend to need bleeding too often, and when they are due for bleeding they are very bad. I would rather have good brakes that stay just good for long periods than have great brakes that are only great for short periods. Everyone that I have spoken to rave about the new XTR's. But this new Magura's look incredible and are getting serious rave reviews all over. 360life roll with them, and they also have only good things to say about the. With the Avid bleeding, I have the Avid bleed kit nd find it fairly simple to use, but it is a bit of a process, and extending or shortening the hoses is shite, you have to buy new hoses or buy after market hoses where the olive and connecting screw are reusable.

[Mackie]

Lots of differing info here, maybe get V brakes....

[Vinnydabutcher]

I got M4`s on the Zula - "When in doubt, go flat out!" - Nothing stops like M4`s!!!

 

Specially for the fuller figures among us!

 

If you weigh 65kg anything will do - Remember : Momentum = Mass X Velocity!!!

 

Its all about physics!

[Wyatt Earp]

Everyone that I have spoken to rave about the new XTR's.

I have them on my SS. great brakes.

BigBen, thanks tjomma

[rouxtjie]

I have them on my SS. great brakes.

BigBen, thanks tjomma

super pimp...Shimano have upped their game wrt to XTR brakes.

 

Those on your new Ritchey will be flippen hot

[Wyatt Earp]

super pimp...Shimano have upped their game wrt to XTR brakes.

 

Those on your new Ritchey will be flippen hot

Eish, I am in two minds about what to put on that Ritchey, but I can assure you the entire cockpit will be Ritchey

[Caerus]

I dont see the new Shimano XTR & XT being mentioned much, are they not that great?

[rouxtjie]

Eish, I am in two minds about what to put on that Ritchey, but I can assure you the entire cockpit will be Ritchey

Lekker, add new AM Classic wiele, boom...masjien bike

 

I dont see the new Shimano XTR & XT being mentioned much, are they not that great?

Nope they are right up there, and they are pretty bling over and above being great brakes

[amasendeinja]

if it's any consolation for the avid haters (hahahha ), then the 2012 avid elixirs are a nod in the direction of those that complain about bleeding avids, even elixirs. Prior to 2012 stuff, the design did unfortunately hold air traps, but the solution is and always was PROPER bleeding.

 

The 2012 designs have a new bleed port and redesigned internals to eliminate problems with the old designs.

 

that said, there is ZERO wrong with Avid stuff. I've had J5s, Elixir CRs and now 2011 Codes.

I'm sorry, but if u think CRs dont have enough stopping power, or they dont modulate, there's something wrong with you. I've used CRs on my DH sled and they stop alright. holycow do they stop.

 

I've gotta agree on the modulation and the stopping power of Elixir CRs - both are very good. I weigh north of 90kg and never used a bigger rotor than 160mm. That said the pre-2012 Exilirs are just kuk! I can't comment on the new ones, but as Capricorn says, they look the have eliminated the problems of the older models - I hope. They're kuk because when they work they are awesome, but that is generally not for very long before they go pap and the lever starts hitting your fingers, so one-finger braking goes out the window!

 

I find the bleeding process to be pretty easy, but then I've done it so many times I'm pretty proficient at it. Actually ensuring they are properly bled is another matter entirely. The number of times I have pulled back that syringe plunger for say the 20th time to suck out that last little air bubble, only to see the little f***er show itself in the tube bend, but I just can't get it into the syringe without risking pulling the plunger out the top. So I tap a bit more, but no luck and as soon as I release the plunger that bubble's gone back into the system and I just know the little bastard is going to cause my lever to go pap in the next few days or weeks, generally on a nice steep, rocky and exciting descent. Which suddenly becomes a lot more exciting when the lever hits the grip en fo**ol gebeur!!

 

Man I do hope the 2012 ones have that "bubble trapping trait" resolved, I really don't want to change brands - I love that Matchmaker uncluttered handlebar feature too much. But... if they don't improve, then I think the 2012 XTs will be my next choice.

 

Juicys never had/have this problem and this is likely because the design is totally different.