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Posted

I am researching brakes and have this noob question.

 

What are they referring to when they talk about: better modulation

 

O, I am researching XT vs Avid Elixir R. Comments welcome.

 

Thanks

Posted

Hi Tubeless,

 

Modulation simply put refers to the rate of the power increase through the stroke. "Better modulation" would usually refer to brakes which are predictable in their power increase. This can be in two ways:

 

- Fairly linear, so for every millimeter you pull them, power increases predictably with the same amount.

 

- Then again, some people prefer brakes which are more progressive, so power increases are more pronounced further in.

 

I think "better" is a bit of a subjective thing here...

Posted

I am researching brakes and have this noob question.

 

What are they referring to when they talk about: better modulation

 

Not sure about the meaning of modulation but i can tell you that i had little joy with the Elixir R's especially on the back wheel. Didnt work well under heat at all, started shuddering and squeaking, and with the noise went my stopping power!:thumbdown:

Posted (edited)

Thanks

 

A quick search on the www for "reviews" has the XT as the overwhelming favourite.

 

I wonder if this is real or a fan-boy thing.

Edited by Tubeless
Posted

Thanks

 

A quick search on the www for "reviews" has the XT as the overwhelming favourite.

 

I wonder if this is real or a fan-boy thing.

 

 

I have XT,s and am going to try elixer cr's as the Xt,s definitely lack stopping power I find on long decents that my fingers can cramp because I have to squeeze so hard and long to maintain control

 

the Cr,s are rated higher for braking but I suppose I,ll see when they are fitted the one s I tried felt far more powerful and they have an adjustable bite point

 

I also find that every once in a while I need to get the brakes bled as they get air in the system

 

Anyway thats my feedback on the XT's

Posted

The difference between the Elixir R and CR is simply a C for contact point adjustment. It's the same tech, so same braking power. I'm with Martin H when he says it's all subjective. Sometimes I think some peeps blame the brakes instead of poor braking habits.

 

Rattlesnake: do u use the front or rear brake more? I'm guessing the rear.

Posted

Thanks

 

A quick search on the www for "reviews" has the XT as the overwhelming favourite.

 

I wonder if this is real or a fan-boy thing.

 

 

I have used the XT's for about a year and must say they were difficult to beat for value. power and feel. they were decently light too. I'm not a shimano fan having got rid of everything shimano I own (except cassettes in favor of Sram... but here the XT is a better brake.

 

I heard terrible stories of Elixir R's squealing and they had to warranty the pads/change rotors so bear that in mind.

Posted

That's interesting Tarmac, as I've only really used the R-adjustment on my CRs and only had minor squealing on occassions less the number of fingers on one hand. What fixed it was cleaning the brake rotor.

I say it's interesting because AFAIK, the caliper designs are the same, and given that i've only been using my CRs as if they were Rs without squeal issue, i'm wondering if the caliper is in effect the same. But you mention warrantee pads and rotors. Which pads and which rotors if i may ask? Might not be a fault of the brake.

For info: i've only ever used sintered metal pads(avid stuff), and Avid G2 or G3 rotors (203mm)> currently on G3s.

Posted

I am with Tarmac - XT is a good brake, but for the same bucks buying anything from Formula is an upgrade - modulation / power and weight they are truly unbeatable.

 

I have Formula 'The Ones' on my current ride and in our last ride I swapped bikes so had a feel of Hayes Stroker and XT. You don't realize it as much moving on to a different bike due to the many factors that might be different, but back on Formulas you just stop so much quicker and controlled, hard to explain I guess, but I am sold on Formula.

Posted

Without modulation, brakes would be digital. All or nothing.

 

Modulation is the ability to adjust the amount of braking. That means the ability to brake up to the point of lockup and then adjust very finely without locking up the braking wheel.

 

There are lots of variables at work here: the terrain you are riding on, pad material, brake hydraulics and (most importantly) the wetware operating the brake. Usually, if there is sufficient braking power to be able to lock the brakes at will, modulation is a question of working around whatever brakes' capabilities are.

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