Better Avid Rider.....

Bleedproof

I've posted a few questions over the past couple of weeks about the improvements I've been making to my Giant XTC 1. Great bike, love the frame and it was well spec'd when I bought it just under 6 months ago.

I've managed to pick up bits and pieces at decent prices to either improve component quality (XT shifters, and front mech) or improve riding position (riser bars, thomson stem and seat post). They've not cost me a fortune and I feel they're getting me towards a very good lightweight XC bike.

I've been chucking the bike around a few single track routes, with fast downhill sections and have come to the conclusion that although the Avid Juicy Three's are OK for stopping on flat ground with a decent amount of time, when under my load (16 stone 6'7") they're struggling a little - Especially on long descents.

The pads and good, have worn in well and the brakes are in good working order. I'm just wondering if it's worth looking at the Avid Ultimates and or Carbon as a logical upgrade.

I'm not looking to upgrade the frame. The forks are great and neither they or the wheels are a concern.

I ultimately know it's my choice but would like some advice....it's my ongoing custom build ;(



Stu

supersonic

Larger rotors? Will increase power for little outlay.

Bleedproof

I have thought about that.... but in the back of my mind I also would like a little better control

andyturner28

Bleedproof wrote:

I have thought about that.... but in the back of my mind I also would like a little better control

I think the Juicy 3's are prety much mechanically the same as Juicy 5's, so unless you really need the split lever clamp or are worried the 3's might look a bit cheap, just get a bigger rotor. What size do you have at the moment? If it is a 160mm then it is way too small for your weight. You need a 185mm minimum, and if you like hammering the downhills then think about getting a 203mm rotor like i have recently done. Loads of people will tell you that you don't need a 203 for XC, saying it weighs much more or you'll be locking the front up on every corner, but the weight increase is negligable and for me it has massively increased my confidence on steep decents, and i have just got back from riding the South Downs Way where there are loads of really fast downs which had my old 185mm fading at the bottom of every one. This time the front didn't fade once and i was twice as fast as a result, and it was a hell of a lot more fun, to the detriment of the walkers because i just didn't want to slow down :twisted:

Andy.

Bleedproof

Thanks for that.

I have the stock 160mm disc and have just got home after a commute in the rain. I noticed that the performance is hampered by the heavy rain. I'll look into the larger disc. Will I need to change the bracket that holds the rotor?

Stu

andyturner28

Bleedproof wrote:

Thanks for that.

I have the stock 160mm disc and have just got home after a commute in the rain. I noticed that the performance is hampered by the heavy rain. I'll look into the larger disc. Will I need to change the bracket that holds the rotor?

Stu

Yes you will need to change the caliper mount, but if you go for a 203 rotor everywhere seems to be out of stock of the 203 caliper mount adapters at the moment, but Hays adapters will work just as well. Oh i almost forgot, find out what the maximum disc size your forks can take first. You may find you are limited to a max of 185mm, or you'll invalidate the warrentee.

Andy.

Sikora

Bleedproof - i'm interested in the outcome of this. I'm a similar weight to you and i'm in the same dilemma. Sould i spend $40 changing my 160mm Juicy 3 rotor to a 185mm, or put that money towards a new brake system all together

Bleedproof

The way pricing is going at the moment I've found the Carbons full set under £200 and the Ultimates at £220.

I'm still inclined to replace the whole braking systems and reuse the 3's on another bike.

I cycle everywhere. 7 days a week at all times of the day and I'm looking to not only improve the look of the bike and the way i interact with it, but also the component quality in the knowledge that as I ride a lot of miles one day I'm going to come to rely on the bikes ability to stop in order to prevent an accident.... it's only time.

I know replacing the discs and brackets is the cheapest option... but would I be throwing money at a problem I know I'll solve by giving in and replacing the whole system.

Ultimately I'm old enough to make the decision and don't rely on anyone to pay for the items. I suppose I'm looking to justify the purchase in my head........ but I'm already running Easton Carbon bars, XT throughout, Thomson stem and seat post ... which are all add-on's and in my opinion much better.

I'm a firm beliver that you can get a great framed bike at a certain price point. In my case around £1000 but you have to spend a lot more before you start to get bikes that are well spec'd all round.

Stu

Sikora

I totally agree. My missus is fine with me spending our hard earned cash on some new brakes, but i'm still trying to justify them to myself.
Even if i go for the rotor upgrade, i still wont have the bite adjustment that i'd get from a new set of brakes. and i might still be unhappy with them and i'd of wasted $40.

Oh and Merlin cycles are doing 10% off Avid brakes this week - Juicy carbons can be had for $180!!!

Bleedproof

So are we saying we're backing each other up on our purchasing decision? I'll buy mine if you buy yours.

Chris`I

I was in a similar position. I would say that if you have a home for you 3's to goto (in my case, the missus bike) then I would say go for it, get the upgrade set allround. If you dont have anywhere to put the old brakes, I would upgrade the rotor only unless you really want bite point control. I really like the fact that my 7's have bite point control as the 3's didnt feel right compared to my old Maguras but now I have the control it feels much better!

Bleedproof

I'm intending for the items I've removed from my bike to go into a bike for my brother so he can join my group on longer rides. Currently he has a jump bike and it's hard work.

Sikora

Chris`I wrote:

I would upgrade the rotor only unless you really want bite point control. I really like the fact that my 7's have bite point control as the 3's didnt feel right compared to my old Maguras but now I have the control it feels much better!

I could get my old Magura HS33's set up perfectly because of the extra adjustability with the bite point.

I've just had another fettle with the Juicy Three's and i'm still unhappy with them

Any idea what a pair of 160mm Juicy Three's with 100 mile use are worth?

Bleedproof

Probably about £40 tops... they're still good brakes for most riders, but not worth a lot on the open market as they're OEM ..... sooo we putting the order in

Sikora

I've got to wait till payday next week - hopefully Merlin haven't taken the 10% Off offer away by then, but i'm 99% sure i'll be ordering them.

Bleedproof

I can justify buying them now but will hang on until payday as my misses may suspect another 'bike purchase' (she works for my bank and has eyes everywhere lol)

Sikora

lol, missus checking up on your bank balance!

Bleedproof

she's not allowed to but her friends can...... hmmm so I don't know who to trust. She doesn't care what I buy just as long as I drop a load of cash in the join account.

I'm a designer with a full time salary paid job, but also manage a lot of clients freelance. I tend to use that source of income for bikes and hobby purchases.....

Sikora

Well i've just provisionally sold my Juicy Three's. No turning back now

Bleedproof

Good man. If the tax man gets my rebate back to me soon I'm all over them.....