Formula R1 Replacement

[CraigCCW]

I am wanting to replace my Formula R1 brakes with Shimao XT or SLX, but I am not to sure what adapters I will need.

 

The enclosed picture is of the current brakes.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

No adapters necessary as long as you keep the same rotor diameter. Otherwise it's a PM to PM adapter for the rear, and as long as you have the same mount at the front, then that as well. If you're not changing your rotors at the same time, then just put the calipers straight on. 

[Skott5]

Get the Deore brakes instead of XT and with the change from that get the XT rotors - they are that good.

You dont need XT - the Deore are just as good,unless you are a serious weight weenie or trying to keep up with the Jones's. 

[nonky]

Deore brakes are great and much, much better than R1's.

[_im_from_earth]

Can I be "that guy"?

1. Check your rotor size! I see you are running Avid rotors, Avid rotors are often not the standard 160, 180, 203mm used my most MFG [this could obviously cause major problems with your current Formula setup, and thus with your Shimano setup]
2. That rear mount looks like postmout direct, I'm presuming its a standard 160mm postmount, in which case a Shimano postmount brake calliper should mount straight on.
3. For the record... those aren't R1 brakes. That is a RX caliper [probably an OEM brake if I were to guess...?]
4. Suggestion: if you've been running sintered pads on those Avid rotors, either replace the rotors or given them a good sanding with a fine grit sandpaper. Pads often embed part of their compound in the rotor surface and when changing from Organic / Resin to Sintered / Metallic you should ALWAYS change your rotors to get the best performance.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 

Can I be "that guy"?

1. Check your rotor size! I see you are running Avid rotors, Avid rotors are often not the standard 160, 180, 203mm used my most MFG [this could obviously cause major problems with your current Formula setup, and thus with your Shimano setup]
2. That rear mount looks like postmout direct, I'm presuming its a standard 160mm postmount, in which case a Shimano postmount brake calliper should mount straight on.
3. For the record... those aren't R1 brakes. That is a RX caliper [probably an OEM brake if I were to guess...?]
4. Suggestion: if you've been running sintered pads on those Avid rotors, either replace the rotors or given them a good sanding with a fine grit sandpaper. Pads often embed part of their compound in the rotor surface and when changing from Organic / Resin to Sintered / Metallic you should ALWAYS change your rotors to get the best performance.

 

you, good Sir, have enough experience to be "that guy" any day of the week. Carry on!

[CraigCCW]

you, good Sir, have enough experience to be "that guy" any day of the week. Carry on!

Thanks for the advice.

 

They are oem, the levers are R1, so I just assumed they were R1.

[CraigCCW]

Get the Deore brakes instead of XT and with the change from that get the XT rotors - they are that good.

You dont need XT - the Deore are just as good,unless you are a serious weight weenie or trying to keep up with the Jones's.

 

Thanks for the advice, I had Deores on a previous bike and I really liked them. Will definitely look at going that route. I have a carbon hardtail, so a few extra grams on the brakes won't bother me.

[JXV]

I am wanting to replace my Formula R1 brakes with Shimao XT or SLX, but I am not to sure what adapters I will need.

 

The enclosed picture is of the current brakes.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

Based on your pic your current brakes pads are overlapping right off both sides of your Avid rotors. Fit some decent rotors that will make full use of the pads. May work better.

 

If you do change to Shimano brakes then consider also fitting new Shimano rotors. Your existing post mounts should work with standard Shimano calipers and 160mm rotors. For bigger rotors you will need adapters.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Based on your pic your current brakes pads are overlapping right off both sides of your Avid rotors. Fit some decent rotors that will make full use of the pads. May work better.

 

If you do change to Shimano brakes then consider also fitting new Shimano rotors. Your existing post mounts should work with standard Shimano calipers and 160mm rotors. For bigger rotors you will need adapters.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Very valid - the Formula rotors are actually quite a bit bigger than the Avid / Shimano options, so that would definitely be affecting braking performance. 

[BaGearA]

I have been running SLX brakes on my enduro bike with 180mm front and rear and they work just fine 

 

Have never felt I need more stopping power + they are a great bang-for-buck set of brakes

[CraigCCW]

I have been running SLX brakes on my enduro bike with 180mm front and rear and they work just fine 

 

Have never felt I need more stopping power + they are a great bang-for-buck set of brakes

Thanks, SLX is probably what I will go for. 

[Martin PJ]

What is wrong with your Formula one brakes?

[CraigCCW]

What is wrong with your Formula one brakes?

Braking performance is not great, but as per the advice given, I may try changing the rotors which I am sure will help.

 

To be honest, I am very much a Shimano brake fan, and am not really a fan of the Formula Brakes, in particular the levers.

[Martin PJ]

Braking performance is not great, but as per the advice given, I may try changing the rotors which I am sure will help.

 

To be honest, I am very much a Shimano brake fan, and am not really a fan of the Formula Brakes, in particular the levers.

 

I have formula 1 brakes. I found the brake pads wear out too fast then the brakes are not tight, so that is why I didn't like them at first. I bought a ton of brake pads from china (aliexpress.com) which I use, replace every few months and the performance is quite a lot better. That is why I ask. So basically if you have an unlimited supply of brake pads, they are not too bad.