Better Brakes...and a new stem?

The Northern Monkey

I've got juicy 3's on my XCR which are OK.
the only problem i've found is that when up in glentress they would get scarily weak and naff when hot and the brake levers would become more spongey.

so is there anything i could do to improve them? ie bigger disks etc?

either that or should i just save and get some better brakes? Juicy 7ns are only £169 at merlin, or the ultimate and carbons are £200 if i could stretch that far...what you reckon?(just found hayes stroker trail for £140, they got a very good score in WMB too

also, i'm starting to think my stem could be a tad long. the bike is comfortable to ride, but when it comes to berms/switchbacks i feel that i could use a shorter stem to make the bike more responsive..
but would this change the geometry of anything significantly (besides actually wanting the shorter stem) and is there anything your can recomend me as i have no idea

Cheers
B

ratty2k

A shorter stem wont change the geometery of the bike. It will however make your weight sit a bit further back. Climbs can be a little more difficult as the front wheel is lighter, but you counteract this by sitting further up on the nose of the saddle and dropping your wrists a bit, shifting weight forward.
Brakes, the Stroker trail are great brakes, but I'd look at bleeding the Avids and new pads first. Yes, you can also fit bigger rotors, but check the fork will take it first.

ride_whenever

For brakes, spend as much as you can and buy formula brakes. 180/160mm front/rear will be ample.

Shorter stem, it'll be fine, be aware that it'll feel a bit more cramped on climbs. The Controltech SMICA range is cheap and very good.

The Northern Monkey

hmm kk.
well i'd just had my brakes re-bled by my lbs before we went to glentress and they were brilliant untill they started getting hot on the decents down spooky wood,super g and hit squad hill....they just died down lombard street over the switchbacks.
when they were colder and clean they were pretty good.

my bro's stroker trails on his stinky (about 15-20lbsish heavier than my bike, plus my bro is 2 stone heavier than me) didnt really seem to fade tho and stayed pretty consistent.

I have rockshox 351 and the max rotor size is 210...not sure what i have atm tho :?

might have to just try a new stem then

smitty

the stroker carbons are wicked brakes had them on my bike for six months stopping power is mint with 7" rotors altough they do chime abit

The Northern Monkey

i do like the look of the cabons...never had the cance to give them a squeeze tho lol.

what makes juicy 3's and the carbons different? how come the carbons are so much better? only asking as i dont really know the workings of disk brakes and dont know what to look for when buying newuns...just goin of you guy's reviews!!

B

maximus69

i put a bigger rotor and different pads on my threes, had similar problems. cheaper than buyin new brakes. seems to have sorted it. when you buy brakes do you buy them as singles or as a pair? not so cheap if its singles!!

The Northern Monkey

yea gonna go for a pair was looking around the net n i was shocked!!! till i came across merlin and stiff that is