Formula Brakes replacement

[Jurgens Smit]

So its time to replace my brakes, Formula C1s. Unfortunately they are no longer supported, spares are nonexistent and it seems to try and repair them is a waste of money.

 

The importers (bikemob) have a pretty decent deal running on the Formula C3R and they also have Formula R1.

 

Does anybody have experience with these brakes? Will be used for xc racing (mainly marathon with some xco in between).

 

Or a decent alternative?

 

Budget is 2k up to 4k(not ideal)

 

Thank You

[Spoke101]

Currently running R1 Racing brakes and have been for a few years now.

Formula make some great brakes but they do have there flaws.

 

Personally I wont be buying another set. Rather look for a deal on Sram Guides or Shimano. This will give you the best value for money and avoid the pain of having an exotic product.

[Rowber]

Currently running R1 Racing brakes and have been for a few years now.

Formula make some great brakes but they do have there flaws.

 

Personally I wont be buying another set. Rather look for a deal on Sram Guides or Shimano. This will give you the best value for money and avoid the pain of having an exotic product.

What problems have you experienced that you wont buy again ? 

[Hamstring]

CWC have XT for i think for +-R3000

[Sparki 1]

Love my R1 racing especially the modulation for XC and races/events whilst riding with people of diff skill levels. Very forgiving and yet very very responsive when needed. Been using R1's now for 3yrs with no issues. Got Xt's with ice-techs on my training bike. Very very responsive and effective but hardly any modulation and just feels twitchy. Prefer my R1's tbh.

[Spoke101]

What problems have you experienced that you wont buy again ? 

 

Well working in a LBS for a good few years and mainly with the older generation brakes.

• Very expensive spares.
• Hard to source spares.
• Piston retraction sluggish, leads rotors dragging.
• Can be a pain in the a$$ to bleed properly in order to get minimal lever throw.
• Like to squeal when that get any moisture on the rotor or pads.
• Can pump up rock solid if left in the sun.
• Minimal fluid reservoir.
• Don't have the greatest stopping power unless everything is 110% perfect.

One good thing is the hotter they get the better they work.

 

Love my R1 racing especially the modulation for XC and races/events whilst riding with people of diff skill levels. Very forgiving and yet very very responsive when needed. Been using R1's now for 3yrs with no issues. Got Xt's with ice-techs on my training bike. Very very responsive and effective but hardly any modulation and just feels twitchy. Prefer my R1's tbh.

 

I agree with the modulation being superb, other brakes do have a bigger initial bit and can feel twitchy and have an om/off feeling but over time you get used to it.

[JXV]

XT M8000 Fit and forget. Within your budget too. Pads and discs easy to come by.

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Omumborombonga]

I am in the process of replacing my formula rx brakes as I got tired of their idiosyncrasies. Great brakes on the odd occasion they were working well. Tended to play up all the time. Installed guide rs on the front with the back brake arriving this month. Awesome modulation and plenty power when needed. Really shows up the shortcomings of the formula on the back wheel. I had shimano xt on my old bike and was happy with those too plus you can find pads at most lbs.

[brucem76]

Have to agree - my bike came with Formula RX - very temperamental. My biggest issue is levers become spongy as brake pads wear (have checked, not a bleed issue) Even my wife's Shimano Acera brakes seem more consistent. Maybe Formula are lekker if you have someone else maintaining your bike regularly

 

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

[Eddy Gordo]

Same here. I have the RX, while they work very well as brakes, I can say they are never sharp enough. Even when they get rock hard from standing in the sun, the never seem to be strong enough for me to feel like I know when I will stop. I have bled it once, and it has made little or no difference. My previous Avid elixir's were more spot on. I could pull the front brake end on the front wheel in a nose wheelie/manual fashion, but never ever with the formulas. They dont even feel strong enough to allow me to get the backwheel off the ground.

[WIPEOUT 1000]

I have Rx on my one bike and the previous generation (the silver ones) XT on my other and I actually prefer the Rx for its modulation. The XT has a tendency to lock up very quickly and the bite point is not very consistent.

 

You may want to have a look at this web site before you buy. I found it very insitefull.

 

http://enduro-mtb.com/en/best-mtb-disc-brake-can-buy/