New brakes for trail hardtail (Cura vs Guide vs Shimano)

[Nick]

I would suggest waiting for the 4-pot SLX. Alternatively normal SLX is great! Shimano has a few perks IMO, such as extremely easy bleeding, brake pad availability and the use of mineral oil.

 

This. I've ridden the XT version and was very impressed. The SLX version is fundamentally the same, but cheaper.

 

That said, the other options mentioned will all be a nice upgrade from the Tektro.

[Jako De Wet]

That said, the other options mentioned will all be a nice upgrade from the Tektro.

Backpedal braking  > Tektro*

 

*in my experience

Edited July 31, 2019 by Jako De Wet

[cadenceblur]

Moved over to Cura from XT's - worlds apart on stopping power and particularly modulation. 

 

There are few tests also available on the webs - have a look there as well.

 

BTW I am heavier than you as well .

[thebob]

Review of the new XT brakes with a comparison to the G2. Seems the wandering bike point is still an issue for XT:

 

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/review-shimanos-all-new-xt-4-piston-brake.html

 

G2 Review:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/review-srams-new-g2-ultimate-brake.html

 

Guide RS review:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/sram-guide-rs-brake-review-2014.html

[stefmeister]

XTs are good only for a while. Never had brakes that needed rebleeding so often.

Had a set of Curas for a while, and whilst they were working, they were quite okay. But the lever design is also a bit different to XT and Sram's - more moto like and almost not suitable to small hands. 

My set of Guides RSs were fantastic when they worked, but I struggled for quite a while to get them working again 100%. As someone else said, not everyone gets the bleeding 100%.

I eventually replaced them with Hopes, and they're still sitting in a box at home waiting to be used again...but finances don't allow new bikes now. Perhaps it's time to off-load in the classifieds.

Note on Sram brakes, run organic pads instead of metallic ones. They're less noisy and for me, they work better than the metallic ones. More initial bite, and no fade either. 

[Mr. G]

I have honestly never tried Formula.. but have given SRAM numerous chances and they have failed each time.  SLX OR XT!

I believe CWC has XT at R3599

Edited July 31, 2019 by Mr. G

[RiverInTheRoad]

Review of the new XT brakes with a comparison to the G2. Seems the wandering bike point is still an issue for XT:

 

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/review-shimanos-all-new-xt-4-piston-brake.html

 

G2 Review:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/review-srams-new-g2-ultimate-brake.html

 

Guide RS review:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/sram-guide-rs-brake-review-2014.html

 

This wandering brake point thing is bull**** that reviewers think is an issue. All brakes change when they heat up during descents. In my experience a Shimano Ice-Tech system's feel also changes but on a very long descent but this has never been an issue as there is always spare power available. Other brakes such as my current SRAM Guide Setup just lose power and cause arm-pump, the bite point also changes as you have to squeeze harder!

 

I don't replace brakes often and expect them to last a long time with minimal maintenance and high abuse. NONE of my previous SRAM brakes have been able to do this. ALL of my Shimano systems have. So I am happy to have a wandering bite point.

[Ashchest]

I know formula is not mentioned by the OP but was wondering if they are any good - like the R1's?    I have RX's on my nearly 10 year old MTB and they have have served me extremely well - only required bleeding once.

[MphatiPyga]

Moved over to Cura from XT's - worlds apart on stopping power and particularly modulation.

 

There are few tests also available on the webs - have a look there as well.

 

BTW I am heavier than you as well .

Did exactly the same, Cura way better than XT’s in my experience. XT has that either on or off thing going for it (bites quick and hard) but Cura trumps with modulation then a hard bite. You won’t be sorry

[thebob]

This wandering brake point thing is bull**** that reviewers think is an issue. All brakes change when they heat up during descents. In my experience a Shimano Ice-Tech system's feel also changes but on a very long descent but this has never been an issue as there is always spare power available. Other brakes such as my current SRAM Guide Setup just lose power and cause arm-pump, the bite point also changes as you have to squeeze harder!

 

I don't replace brakes often and expect them to last a long time with minimal maintenance and high abuse. NONE of my previous SRAM brakes have been able to do this. ALL of my Shimano systems have. So I am happy to have a wandering bite point.

Some strong feelings there. I've had two sets of Guides, a set of Deores and a set of SLX. Bled all of them and prefer the feel of the Guides, but liked the Shimanos as well. All of them stopped me as they should! There is also an excellent brake hacks video on GMBN Tech which helps if your brakes start to feel squishy

[Hairy]

I know formula is not mentioned by the OP but was wondering if they are any good - like the R1's?    I have RX's on my nearly 10 year old MTB and they have have served me extremely well - only required bleeding once.

I had RX's before and they were average.

[nonky]

Have XT M8000's on my bike, not particularly happy with them. They work, and you eventually stop, but only eventually. Have had them bled, serviced, blessed, cursed and many other things in order to get them to be better. 

 

Fitted Jagwire performance pads (the red ones), and they do brake a bit sooner now, bit still need to plan your braking well in advance. Compared to my Magura MT5's with Trickstuff Pads.... well there is no comparison. 

 

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

 

I'll second this view - the XT M8000 series brakes are crappy. Even my MT500's (budget shimano) that i replaced with the XT's were better.

[nonky]

SLX M7000 brakesets on special at easybike and evobike for ZAR2,999.

 

New SLX and XT brakesets are ZAR5,000 at the same places.

[cadenceblur]

Here's one

 

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

[Traveler]

SLX M7000 brakesets on special at easybike and evobike for ZAR2,999.

 

New SLX and XT brakesets are ZAR5,000 at the same places.

 

My favourite Shimano brakes I've had on a bike was the SLX M675. They were awesome. 

 

Replaced them with Formula R1, and that was not the best call. Those Formula's ran way to close to the rotor and were always making a noise after the first couple of meters riding in the dust. They braked really well, but wished that I could back them away from the rotors just a bit more. 

 

I'll swop my M8000's for a set of Cura's in the blink of an eye. 

Edited July 31, 2019 by Traveler

[Dirt Tracker]

Formula Cura's are the way to go.

 

They're the most powerful, excellent modulation, look good and remain relatively light.

 

They're also fully serviceable and rebuildable so will last. 

 

I was just typing a reply saying I got turned onto Curas because all the guys in bike shops who I respected had them on their personal bikes and rode them (Nixon, Marc D and others). I'd never heard of them previously but got a set of the 2 pots cheaply and they were awesome. I've had Guides, Hope, SLX and 2 pot Curas and now on the Cura 4 pot versions and frankly you just don't need that amount of power. The standard curas are way enough and the modulation worked perfectly for me. What I like is they have a great feel & modulation  but if you need to bring on the power then there is a bucket load hiding in there. Personally I find 4's a little too much for most of the riding around here but they would be great in bigger places with longer runs. I also found that the 4 pots come on much stronger on those 'uh-ho, didn't expect that, my brain says grab the lever' moments. Not enough to rudely fire you OTB but 2 pots worked for me perfectly. 

 

Edit: I'd like to try the TRP's but at the moment I can't see myself from changing. 

Edited July 31, 2019 by Dirt Tracker