RatX Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 I think I've gotten myself in over my head on this one. I've got a 2016 Giant XTC 27.5 hardtail MTB and was looking for beefier brakes than the included Shimano M396's (Acera), as I'm quite a heavy guy. Speaking under correction, I currently have a 2x11 setup with Deore shifters, Deore cranks,Deore front mech and XT rear mech. So I went ahead and I ordered myself an XT brake kit (BR-M8000 J02A), but have now just been reading about I spec A/B/II and think I might be in a bit of trouble with my shifters. Is there a way to make the M8000 brakes work with my older Deore shifters, or do I have to upgrade to M8000 shifters as well? Will those shifters work fine with my existing Deore/XT 2x11 setup? I plan to get a mechanic to do the install for me, but want to try and avoid any further rude surprises... Thanks for any info.
HowardSteele Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 I think I've gotten myself in over my head on this one. I've got a 2016 Giant XTC 27.5 hardtail MTB and was looking for beefier brakes than the included Shimano M396's (Acera), as I'm quite a heavy guy. Speaking under correction, I currently have a 2x11 setup with Deore shifters, Deore cranks,Deore front mech and XT rear mech. So I went ahead and I ordered myself an XT brake kit (BR-M8000 J02A), but have now just been reading about I spec A/B/II and think I might be in a bit of trouble with my shifters. Is there a way to make the M8000 work with my older Deore shifters, or do I have to upgrade to M8000 shifters as well? Will those shifters work fine with my existing Deore/XT 2x11 setup? I plan to get a mechanic to do the install for me, but want to try and avoid any further rude surprises... Thanks for any info.Yep all stand alone shifters will workTHE i spec concept is you attach the brakes to the shifters (so only use 1 mount ...saving weight and cleaning up handlebar space)...two types of configurations.but if you using the brakes with there own mounting bracket and the shifters with their own bracket then you wont have a problem.You might want to look at larger disks 180-200 as except for adjustable levers the..and banjo adjust on the calipers Xt and the Deore don't have that much of a difference.
lerouc Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 If the shifters currently connects directly to handlebars you will be safe. both would sit next to each other. When upgrading shifters check that they are compatible with your brakes so that they can mount on your brakes that mount on your bars. (cleaner cockpit) As for being bigger guy. I weigh in over 120 on a good day, (and thats not pounds ) i changed from avids to SLX brakes and changed back to also 180mm and that made a HUGE difference. The avids overheated and i hav enot had an issue with my SLX brakes. Also upgraded the rotors to XT ice tech rotors.
RatX Posted January 9, 2017 Author Posted January 9, 2017 Thanks for the input, that's some peace of mind - I was worried that my limited budget for this little project was about to be blown through the roof. I'm currently shopping around for the necessary rotors, there doesn't seem to be much stock available - I was considering 160 rear/180 front, but will also look at going larger in front.
lerouc Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 my 180/180 setup works very well. but yes if i do upgrade my bike in the future i would also like to go 200/180.
HowardSteele Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 T, there doesn't seem to be much stock available - I was considering 160 rear/180 front, but will also look at going larger in frohttp://summitbikes.co.za/index.php?id_product=407&controller=productDepending if you got 6bolt attach or centre lock...centre lock you can score big time as they all seem to be on special .summit has a 180 at a reasonable price.And Buycycle havehttps://www.buycycle.co.za/mountain-bike/components/rotor/ Shimano SLX 6 Bolt Rotor (203mm) for R349.00Try and collect to avoid postage
shaper Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Thanks for the input, that's some peace of mind - I was worried that my limited budget for this little project was about to be blown through the roof. I'm currently shopping around for the necessary rotors, there doesn't seem to be much stock available - I was considering 160 rear/180 front, but will also look at going larger in front.might be worth considering https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/226206-shimano-rotors-200mm-and-180mm/
Riaan373 Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Deore doesn't come in 11speed so it's either Ispec-a/b and 10 speed setup. M8000 brakes are i spec ii only. The m8000 brakes are stand alone so your shifter should also be a bar mount to work.
RatX Posted January 10, 2017 Author Posted January 10, 2017 Thanks to everybody for your valued input. For convenience sake, I ended up ordering the rotors from the same place as the brakes (easybike.co.za - very helpful so far). I opted for 160mm rear and 180mm front, steel RT76 rotors. Total was about R4000 (F/R XT brake kit, rotors and 180mm adapter). I had a look at my current set up and the shifters and brake levers do indeed have individual handlebar mounts - thanks again for the peace of mind! I'll try post a little write up on the difference once I've got everything fitted and bedded down.
Christofison Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 You should have just stuck with your original M396 brakes, changed the rotors out for larger ones that are compatible with metalic pads and put some metalic pads in. You would have ended up with the same end result. Ie, same stopping power without the M8000 quirks like lever adjust knob, free stroke adjust that wasn't designed too well and fancy little dimples on the lever.
JXV Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 I think I've gotten myself in over my head on this one. I've got a 2016 Giant XTC 27.5 hardtail MTB and was looking for beefier brakes than the included Shimano M396's (Acera), as I'm quite a heavy guy. Speaking under correction, I currently have a 2x11 setup with Deore shifters, Deore cranks,Deore front mech and XT rear mech. So I went ahead and I ordered myself an XT brake kit (BR-M8000 J02A), but have now just been reading about I spec A/B/II and think I might be in a bit of trouble with my shifters. Is there a way to make the M8000 brakes work with my older Deore shifters, or do I have to upgrade to M8000 shifters as well? Will those shifters work fine with my existing Deore/XT 2x11 setup? I plan to get a mechanic to do the install for me, but want to try and avoid any further rude surprises... Thanks for any info.Just to clear up a few issues.... You said.......1) Deore shifters2) 2x11 Current Deore shifters are 10 speed so I assume you are running a 11 speed M8000 RD with 10 speed cassette or with 11 speed cassette but using only 10 gears? ....or your system is 2x10. pls clarify? M396 brake levers are not i-spec compatible so I'm guessing your current Deore shifters clamp directly to the bar. Your new XT M8000 brakes can clamp directly to the bar alongside them and will work perfectly with separately clamped shifters. M8000 brake levers come in only one version that can be clamped separately from the shifters or, by removing a plastic insert, can accomodate mounting tabs for i-spec II shifters. If you upgrade to 11speed shifters in future you can order either the separately clamped version or the i-spec II version of XTR/XT/SLX. Be careful not to buy the i-spec B versions of these 11 speed shifters. They are available but intended for retrofit to older i-spec B brake levers and will not fit to M8000 brake levers. In summary there should be no need to worry about the brakes you ordered ...... the time to be careful is when you upgrade your shifters in future. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
JXV Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 You should have just stuck with your original M396 brakes, changed the rotors out for larger ones that are compatible with metalic pads and put some metalic pads in. You would have ended up with the same end result. Ie, same stopping power without the M8000 quirks like lever adjust knob, free stroke adjust that wasn't designed too well and fancy little dimples on the lever.I disagree... M396 brake levers are not as powerful as the Deore series and the corresponding calipers use the B01S brake pad which is smaller than the various pads available for the Deore series brakes........ Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Christofison Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 I disagree... M396 brake levers are not as powerful as the Deore series and the corresponding calipers use the B01S brake pad which is smaller than the various pads available for the Deore series brakes........ Sent from my SM-G935F using TapatalkSo pull the lever harder if it's not as powerful. And the brake pads are hardly smaller. That said however, I do retract my original suggestion. You don't get metallic pads for the M396.Since you are concerned about your budget, you should have gone with the Deore breakset, M615. Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
RatX Posted January 12, 2017 Author Posted January 12, 2017 I took delivery of the brakes, rotors and 180mm adapter yesterday and am hoping to get them fitted on Monday. To address some of the questions above, my reason for opting for the XT brakes is that I simply haven't been impressed with the performance of my current M396 brakes or the Deore brakes I had on my previous bike. I really don't have a lot of experience in the matter, but I was hoping that from disk brakes I would get a really positive, "sharp" braking operation - I might just have been unlucky with the bikes I've been exposed to, but neither delivered that. I must admit I made the decision to upgrade in a bit of a hurry, so here's hoping that my expectations aren't unrealistic. I'll have a squiz at my gearing tonight to see if it's 2x10 or 2x11; I really should know these things. Thanks again to all for your valued and informative input.
RatX Posted January 12, 2017 Author Posted January 12, 2017 I took delivery of the brakes, rotors and 180mm adapter yesterday and am hoping to get them fitted on Monday. To address some of the questions above, my reason for opting for the XT brakes is that I simply haven't been impressed with the performance of my current M396 brakes or the Deore brakes I had on my previous bike. I really don't have a lot of experience in the matter, but I was hoping that from disk brakes I would get a really positive, "sharp" braking operation - I might just have been unlucky with the bikes I've been exposed to, but neither delivered that. I must admit I made the decision to upgrade in a bit of a hurry, so here's hoping that my expectations aren't unrealistic. I'll have a squiz at my gearing tonight to see if it's 2x10 or 2x11; I really should know these things. Thanks again to all for your valued and informative input.
Riaan373 Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 The m8000 brakes will be night and day difference compared to the old ones.
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