Disc Brakes - Opinions, Advice, Suggestions

[Dikc]

Firstly, I was wondering about the benefits of mechanical vs hydraulic disc brakes.

 

Secondly, what are peoples opinions about manufacturer brands, models? Whats the best, whats the worst, whats industry standard, highly sought after, difficult to find, overrated etc?

 

 

[Paul Ruinaard]

Shimano XT M785 FTW.

 

Stop debating.

 

you dont see mechanical in cars now do you. Hydraulic is the only way to go. Mechanical are a throw back from the dark distant past and not worth the trouble they bring.

 

There are many other exotic brands which get steadily more expensive. 

[AlanD]

Agreed hydraulic for the win.

 

I run xt and super happy with them. There are a number of brands and of couse price ranges.

 

Magura louis brakes came with the bike i bpught and although they had great stopping power, i felt there was just too much lever for my liking.

 

Stick to your budget and look out for apecials.

 

M2c

[Rock Guy]

I can totally recommend Sram Guide. They are seriously great. Before them I was sold on Shimano, but the Guides just provide WAY more modulation, which ultimately translate into better descent control.

 

Best brakes are probably Shimano XTR or Sram Guide RSC (in terms of quality and cost balance).

 

Worst is Tektro as far as the better known brands are concerned. But steer clear of anything that's not well known or doesn't have a brand name on it.

 

Industry standard is probably Shimano Deore.

 

Most sought after is probably Hope. They are just too sexy.

 

Cant really comment on difficult to find or the over ratedness of brakes.

[Martin PJ]

Anything is better than cable disk brakes.

 

I think Shimano XT are the best, most top downhillers use Shimano. If you plan to bleed the brakes yourself (Youtube it, it is not too hard) it could be better to go with a brand that uses normal brake fluid and not mineral oil (i.e. anything but Shimano). The Dot4 brake fluid is very cheap, with mineral oil it is expensive and if you don't use Shimano oil you are never sure if you are using the right stuff.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

SRAM Guide. Brilliant modulation, decent price, good power, brilliant serviceability. 

 

XT / SLX if you want an on/off switch for your brakes. 

[Mojoman]

I can totally recommend Sram Guide. They are seriously great. Before them I was sold on Shimano, but the Guides just provide WAY more modulation, which ultimately translate into better descent control.

 

Best brakes are probably Shimano XTR or Sram Guide RSC (in terms of quality and cost balance).

 

Worst is Tektro as far as the better known brands are concerned. But steer clear of anything that's not well known or doesn't have a brand name on it.

 

Industry standard is probably Shimano Deore.

 

Most sought after is probably Hope. They are just too sexy.

 

Cant really comment on difficult to find or the over ratedness of brakes.

Tektro isn't great but I don't rate them as the worst....that would be Avid for me.

 

[raptor-22]

Sram guide or shimano XT

[David Marshall]

Horses for courses.  I've found the cable discs easy to maintain and adjust.  They are normally on bikes that cost wise are not really worth upgrading so as long as they work I would say stick with them.  The entry level Shimano and Tektro hydraulic brakes are foolproof as well.  If you are looking for high performance you have to spend the money and the choice is as big as your wallet.

 

As the brakes age I have found that hydraulic brakes using mineral oil do not build up the same level of uneven piston drag as those using brake fluid. Just my observation.

[Showtime]

SRAM Guide. Brilliant modulation, decent price, good power, brilliant serviceability. 

 

XT / SLX if you want an on/off switch for your brakes. 

 

Nonsense

[Eugene Brown]

I have old XT785's on my Merida 650B, and newer XT785's on my KTM29'r, with the cooling fin resin pads and IceTec discs. Both systems have the adjustment screw for lever reach, and this really helps to get better modulation into the system. I don't know any better, and I've never been in a situation where I couldn't stop, so my vote is for Shimano, as biased as it may be

[Thermophage]

SRAM Guide. Brilliant modulation, decent price, good power, brilliant serviceability. 

 

XT / SLX if you want an on/off switch for your brakes. 

Or Shimano Zee if you want the modulation and slightly easier services And less cost then the SRAM Guides

[Jewbacca]

Don't get a dot fluid system.

 

Mineral oil is less corrosive. In terms of long term serviceability and easy maintenance, get shimano slx.

 

I know at least 4 people who are on brake lever number 4 to 7 with XTR.....

 

That being said, Formula have amazing stopping power and are relatively light (should you be a weight weenie). not the C1.....

 

But not mechanical and not avids.

 

Bled, maintained and looked after all the rest will stop you.

 

If you are asking this question I would hazard a guess you are either taking the piss or do not have the skills to be bombing the bouble black at Jonkers, so pretty much anything you get will work for now... just saying

[Bizkit031]

I have SLX and they graft fine and just as good as XT only difference is XT has pad adjustment on it and lots of guys don't really use it,or think that it works very well. Guides have awesome modulation on them,but you need to try some different brakes and decide from there.

[Thermophage]

There is NOTHING wrong with the Avid brakes, except the Elixr's ... some of those had problems. They have great feel and the bleeding is more mission than mineral oil, but hardly difficult...

 

Best value for money will be the Shimano Deore (http://www.easybike.co.za/shimano-deore-disk-brakes-bl-m615-br-m615-set.html) or the SLX (http://www.easybike.co.za/shimano-slx-disk-brakes-bl-m675-br-m675-set.html).

Sometimes you can get the XT's on sale for a similar price to the SLX, but that's unlikely to happen with the current exchange rate

The Shimano brakes are very easy to work on as well should you want/need to bleed or service them.

 

The mechanicals suck to be honest as there is always going to b an issue of cable stretch, both during the pull which will noticeably reduce stopping power and over time as will cantilever or other brakes. They're really not worth the effort in my opinion.

[JXV]

Hydraulic over cable everytime unless you are going far away with no spares availability 'cos cable can be more easily field stripped and repaired.

 

I prefer mineral oil systems like Shimano. Less corrosive and less serious contamination issues if you also use your bleed kit syringes and fittings for your dropper and forks.

 

Shimano brake oil is cheap enough if you buy the 1 litre can....will last a good few years and it does not absorb water / have a shelf life like DOT fluid.

 

Even though SRAM brakes have more spares available and rebuildable, the spares cost so much you may as well get new brakes anyway. BTDT. If the spares cost about 1/6 the current crazy prices then game on.... Currently a master cyl kit for my LandCruiser costs less than a lever kit for a Avid/Sram brake and I only need one kit.....its madness!

 

Shimano ice-tec discs run noticeably cooler than others reducing heat stress on the whole system so they get my vote for any caliper system that fits.

 

Personally I would consider SRAM Guides, any Shimano brakes and Hope. Nothing else.