Jako De Wet Posted January 19, 2019 Share Hi everyone I bought a Spes ST Stumpy in August. It came out with Tekro LS brakes. I do mostly trail riding and a little bit of XC, but I have found these brakes to be super squishy. I am 88kgs and when going full tilt I can barely come to a stop. There is zero bite point on these.I have had them re-bled, didn't make a difference. So my question is, what brakes can you recommend for trail riding that wont break the bank? I have seen some SLX/XT brakes in the classified for 2500-3000, but also read some good things about Formula Cura? I would love some Hope's, but I can't afford to fork out that kind of cash for a set. Any advice for a heavy guy that loves going downhill and just want to stop when I pull the break? Thanks. BTW. On my previous setup, I had Shimano Deore's and I can't recall ever having a issue with them, but the stle of riding has dramatically changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grease_Monkey Posted January 19, 2019 Share I have ridden SLX, XT, and Formula Curas on my last 3 bikes. The XT and SLX are virtually the same brake, both very good and reliable. You cannot go wrong with Shimano. My only complaints are the lack of modulation, it is very "on or off" braking, and they need to be bled reasonably often. But, they bite well and have good stopping power. Currently running a set of XT M8000 brakes paired with ice tec rotors (203/180mm) on my trail hardtail and I am very happy with them. On the other hand I currently run a set of Formula Cura brakes paired with Shimano ive tec rotors (203/180mm) on my Enduro bike. I cannot speak highly enough of these brakes. They have excellent modulation, and have a ridiculous amount of stopping power. I've had them on for nearly 2 years now on the same set of metalic pads which are still going strong after many meter of descending, and I have not had to bleed them even once. If it were my money I would recommend the Curas a million times over just for how good they are (not because there is anything wrong with XT or SLX). I don't see myself buying any other brakes any time soon, for the money nothing else comes close. My next set with be the 4 pot caliper version, after which the 2 pot version will be moved to the hardtail and the XT brakes sold.... Another option to consider is Hayes Dominion brakes. I have no experience with them, but they have just won Pinkbike's component of the year. Definitely worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebob Posted January 19, 2019 Share Put SLX and IceTec rotors on my Spark. Really good improvement on the stock Deore components and can be had for around R2500 brand new (ex rotors). Highly recommended. You can also look at a larger front rotor, which will add some extra bite to your new setup. As for the feel and modulation, I find the Shimano brakes very communicative and not on/off as many people report. Let us know what you go for. FYI I weigh around 80kg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirt Tracker Posted January 19, 2019 Share +1 for the Curas. The 2 pot ones are very strong and modulate well and the ability to plug and unplug the hoses with out having to bleed is great for installation, moving a new bike, travelling and such. I've no experience with the 4 pot versions but I can't see how much more stopping power you actually need over the 2 pot ones. SLX and XT you should be able to pick up for a pretty good price. Easy Bike had XT's on special for R2599 but I'd usually choose SLX over XT. https://www.easybike.co.za/shimano-xt-disk-brakes-br-m8000-set-g02a-resin.html To be honest I'd only really consider the Curas as chances are you'll be looking to upgrade brakes in a year or so if you get the shimanos. Bike Addict had them at a good price, the german online shops have them on special quite often or watch out for them to pop up in the classifieds.Check out this review. https://enduro-mtb.com/en/best-mtb-disc-brake-can-buy/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jako De Wet Posted January 19, 2019 Share Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. Both the SLX and Cura's fall in my price bracket. I currently have 203mm in the front and 180 rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo-Yo Posted January 19, 2019 Share Cura over SLX any day. Curas were run on the Downhill World Cup circuit last year by a number of pros and are excellent brakes. I run 180 / 180 and never felt like I needed more stopping power. Modulation is good as well. Maybe not on par with the TRPs and Hope but not far off. 5* panic levers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverInTheRoad Posted January 19, 2019 Share Just get SLX. It's the Toyota Hilux of brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatross Posted January 20, 2019 Share Came here looking for a cheap holiday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallville8vdm Posted January 20, 2019 Share Came here looking for a cheap holiday Me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 20, 2019 Share Cura for sure. Another option is the TRP jobs. Cheap and excellent. Unfortunately the Hayes Dominion are way outside budget at 4k per side. Pricey af. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meezo Posted January 20, 2019 Share TRP's uhm, so has anyone experienced the lever adjust coming loose until eventually the lever is right to the bars. Rode the cura's when i was Knysna thanks to getstoked distribution, they feel fantastic. The power is immense due the bigger pistons even though they're only 2 pot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meezo Posted January 20, 2019 Share Brake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane_Bosch Posted January 20, 2019 Share Cura for sure. Another option is the TRP jobs. Cheap and excellent. Cheap yes. Excellent no. No powa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MudLark Posted January 20, 2019 Share I have ridden SLX, XT, and Formula Curas on my last 3 bikes. The XT and SLX are virtually the same brake, both very good and reliable. You cannot go wrong with Shimano. My only complaints are the lack of modulation, it is very "on or off" braking, and they need to be bled reasonably often. But, they bite well and have good stopping power. Currently running a set of XT M8000 brakes paired with ice tec rotors (203/180mm) on my trail hardtail and I am very happy with them. Interesting. I took a set of Level TLM's off my bike recently and replaced them with Xt 8000s for two reasons: (a) I found the Levels squishy and for me they just didn't bite hard enough fast enough when needed (b) the Levels squealed like heck even after a fair bit of use. Very happy having gone (back) to XT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grease_Monkey Posted January 20, 2019 Share Interesting. I took a set of Level TLM's off my bike recently and replaced them with Xt 8000s for two reasons: (a) I found the Levels squishy and for me they just didn't bite hard enough fast enough when needed (b) the Levels squealed like heck even after a fair bit of use. Very happy having gone (back) to XTI have zero experience with Sram brakes, so cannot comment on that at all. My comment above refers to Shimano XT and Shimano SLX brakes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MphatiPyga Posted January 20, 2019 Share This thread has created an itch, my XT brakes are p***ing me off, work great but as soon as you lie the bike down or put it upside down at least one of them go squishy. Apparently if the calipers go above the levers there is an issue? Put them in the above position for a while and a bleed is required which is a pain! Those Curas sound good, even if I did go from R1’s to XT. Or can someone sponsor some Hopes ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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