What brakes to buy?

[Psyrax]

So I have not been cycling for a VERY long time. Decided earlier this year its time I get my bum back on the bike . . . . BUT my bike is a little old and I already started to slowly get some parts together for a better bike with some current parts and not something that should be in a museum. With every part I do a lot of research, but the one thing that everybody seems to disagree on is the brakes.

 

Shimano, Formula, Avid/Sram, Hope, Hayes, etc. All of them are great new, but what happens after a while? And thats my question.

Will there be parts?

Ease of service?

Long term problems?

And possibly a few questions I can't think of.

 

I will be riding only XC to light trail.

 

I know some guys that swear on Shimano. And on Avid or Hayes etc. But I am looking for an honest opinion. So many people and bike shops I have spoken to, thats how many stories and opinions I received.

 

I know there isn't a perfect brakeset, but what is going to be the best buy?

 

Thanks all

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Probably Shimano XT IMHO

[Ryanpmb]

Formula and Avid are troublesome and squeal.

 

My Hopes are the best brakes I have but are pricey and expensive to repair.

 

Hayes are good entry level brakes. I wouldn't spend the money on their 'better' models.

 

I would stick to Shimano, and SLX at that. Budget friendly, as good as XT and a good weight. Otherwise XT if you want. Nothing much between these two models.

[EmptyB]

As you say, everyone has an opinion and preference. I've gone from Shimano for many years to Formula the last 2 years...super impressed with Formula!

[David Marshall]

Any Shimano hydraulic will work fine for general riding.  Not parts available for any (locally) so if you go for the Alivio level they are cheap and should work for years.  If you have an unlikely problem simply replace.  

 

Maintenance kits are available for most other brands but a calliper kit + lever kit + labour usually costs as much as a replacement. For serious braking you can start to talk upper end models and real money.

[Vetseun]

Shimano XT.

Its a pleasure

[bikebloke]

What Mountain Bike magazine The 10 Big Brake Test - June 2016

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Those Deore brakes seem quite nice, I think they could be a winner with 203mm rotors

[Jewbacca]

The Deore are basically the SLx without the adjust dial.... you need a #3 allen key to do the reach adjust.

 

SLX are probably the bees knees.... Formula are really good too, but I do know they used to use DOT fluid, where as all Shimano brakes use a very friendly, way less corrosive mineral oil.

 

The above comments pretty much sum it up. Buy Shimano.

 

I run a set of Shimano's on all 3 of my mountain bikes

[PhilipV]

I went from Avids to Shimano deore on both my bikes, and XT and Alivio on my wife's bikes.

They are simple to work on, pads are readily available and just work. The deore 615 actually have a decent amount of modulation as well (something shimano used to lack.)

Avids are great when they work, but a pain in the backside when they age.

 

Shimano brakes are basically the girl next door. All unassuming and probably the girl you should marry.

Formula is that sexy Italian chick but you are not sure whether you're fiddling with her buttons in the correct way.

Hope is the hot redhead that that seems naughty and looks like high maintenance.

Avids are basically like your skoonma*, all sweet and nice and baking stuff for you while you are dating her daughter, and then turn into the dragon lady when she becomes an Ouma.

 

 

 

 

*my skoonma is nog steeds 'n lekker tannie. Stereotypes dont apply. Broad brush et al.

[Paul Ruinaard]

I went from Avids to Shimano deore on both my bikes, and XT and Alivio on my wife's bikes.

They are simple to work on, pads are readily available and just work. The deore 615 actually have a decent amount of modulation as well (something shimano used to lack.)

Avids are great when they work, but a pain in the backside when they age.

 

Shimano brakes are basically the girl next door. All unassuming and probably the girl you should marry.

Formula is that sexy Italian chick but you are not sure whether you're fiddling with her buttons in the correct way.

Hope is the hot redhead that that seems naughty and looks like high maintenance.

Avids are basically like your skoonma*, all sweet and nice and baking stuff for you while you are dating her daughter, and then turn into the dragon lady when she becomes an Ouma.

 

 

 

 

*my skoonma is nog steeds 'n lekker tannie. Stereotypes dont apply. Broad brush et al.

About the best description of brakes i have ever heard.

[AlanD]

Ive had Magura, Shimano and Now SRAM.

 

I didn't like the Magura as they did squeek (not saying this is a general problem with these brakes, just mine) and found there to be too much lever.

 

Replaced them with XTs which were really great. Had no issues with them at all.

 

Then the bike i bought came with SRAM Trail 9 brakes and they have been awsome, best out of the three i have had so far.

 

All running on 180mm front and rear rotors.

 

I hear good things about the Guide brakes.

[bikebloke]

Those Deore brakes seem quite nice, I think they could be a winner with 203mm rotors

I run mine with 180s they are da bomb for their price range and easy to bleed etc

[Knersboy]

Have had Shimano 615, Formula C1 and now Xt 8000. The 615s were great, the formulas were also damn good but not the most powerful. The XTs are fantastic.

 

The biggest issues I had with formula are that the brake pads wore chop chop and are moer expensive. I estimate they wore 4 times faster than shimano (both sintered).

 

I saved money buying the Xt 8000s, at least that's what I tell my wife, although in this case it is probably true.

 

The 615s are damn fine brakes for the money, but not quite 1 finger like the XTs. The new slx brakes look great.

[Vetseun]

I went from Avids to Shimano deore on both my bikes, and XT and Alivio on my wife's bikes.

They are simple to work on, pads are readily available and just work. The deore 615 actually have a decent amount of modulation as well (something shimano used to lack.)

Avids are great when they work, but a pain in the backside when they age.

Shimano brakes are basically the girl next door. All unassuming and probably the girl you should marry.

Formula is that sexy Italian chick but you are not sure whether you're fiddling with her buttons in the correct way.

Hope is the hot redhead that that seems naughty and looks like high maintenance.

Avids are basically like your skoonma*, all sweet and nice and baking stuff for you while you are dating her daughter, and then turn into the dragon lady when she becomes an Ouma.

*my skoonma is nog steeds 'n lekker tannie. Stereotypes dont apply. Broad brush et al.

hahahaaaaa

[JXV]

Shimano XT or SLX from either the current 11 speed or previous 10 speed series.

 

If you need more power then go bigger on discs and consider ice-tech rotors too.

 

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