Brake Upgrade Opinions Please

MilesXC

Good Afternoon all ,

I'm upgrading brakes soon and although I've seen some great deals on pairs F&R, can only fork out around £60 (give or take a bit) a time on one.

So far I'm pretty keen on the Quad Dime XC's, but have seen some Juicy 5's and Hayes Rydes for a similar price......

any opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ta.

supersonic

Given you have all the right gubbins to fit them (ie disc hubs, disc mounts, seperate shifters) then go for the front first. SHimano Deore is a budget fave, easy to fit, prebled.

Anonymous

i have used the shimano m535 brakes and thought they were ace, as sonic says, they came pre bled, are easy to fit and offer good quality performance.

MilesXC

Any more opinions?

I'm still pretty keen to try the Quads, as they seem like good value, but am struggling to find any user reviews... has anyone had much experience with these?

The Hayes look like a good buy at the mo too.

With the Shimano's wouldn't I need a different hub as I was under the impression these attatched differently to the 6 bolt type?

toasty

The Tektro Auriga Comps can be picked up for next to nothing. Very similar to Deores, use mineral oil, dual piston, 6 bolt, split clamp so you can attach/remove from bars without removing grips, easy lever adjustment etc.

I think you can get brand new 180/160mm sets on ebay for £65. The one catch is finding a bleed kit, I did mine using some syringes + tubing bought on ebay, probably cheaper than a bleed kit but a pain in the arse, did the job well though!

They're actually on the Stumpy when the sig pic was taken.


Oh and on the Shimanos, not all use centrelock, you can get 6 bolt Deores etc as well.

BoardinBob

Hayes Stroker Rydes should be arriving on my desk any minute now. I'll fit them tonight and hopefully feedback tomorrow.

ratty2k

I have Hayes Stroker trails, fantastic brake. Lots of power, even in 160mm form. Lots off modulation as well despite what some folks will say. Great value as well, bought mine from Merlin IIRC £120 front and rear....

MilesXC

Hayes Stroker Rydes should be arriving on my desk any minute now. I'll fit them tonight and hopefully feedback tomorrow.

Thanks

robv1306

Nowadays, you can get the old Hayes Hfx-9 HD's quite cheaply. I run them currently on my AM bike, with 8" rotors, and they are more than powerful enough. Its even possible to lock the front wheel easily should you want to. They have lots of power in reserve. Also have auto pad wear adjustment - always a bonus!

Only know about the HD's though, dont know about the standard brake (the HD is the downhill brake)

Something to consider?

BlackSpur

ratty2k wrote:

I have Hayes Stroker trails, fantastic brake. Lots of power, even in 160mm form. Lots off modulation as well despite what some folks will say. Great value as well, bought mine from Merlin IIRC £120 front and rear....

140 quid now though - still a bargain.

MilesXC

Cheers for yr advice guys, I'm going to have to get some stoppage this aft though as I'm just not safe at the mo.

I've two choices locally...

Juicy 3's, which I like because there easy to find various bits and pieces for
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/juicy-3--31072

or

Quad QHD4's, which seem to have good reviews but I can't find pads anywhere.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/qhd-4-axis-brake-31092

or I could borrow £20 and maybe stretch to...

Quad Dime's
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/dime--31066

I'm really keen to get the Hayes Stroker Trails, but they will take me a while to save for and may not be at that price then, and I need a brake pronto.
What do you think?

Anonymous

i have used the juicy 3 and think they feel the same as juicy fives, i really cant tell the difference.

ratty2k

MilesXC wrote:

Cheers for yr advice guys, I'm going to have to get some stoppage this aft though as I'm just not safe at the mo.



or

Quad QHD4's, which seem to have good reviews but I can't find pads anywhere.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/qhd-4-axis-brake-31092

or I could borrow £20 and maybe stretch to...

Quad Dime's
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/dime--31066

I'm really keen to get the Hayes Stroker Trails, but they will take me a while to save for and may not be at that price then, and I need a brake pronto.
What do you think?

The only issue for me with the quads is pad availability... Can you just nip to the LBS 'cause you've just realised they were worn out? The Stroker trails are great brakes, but the only thing they have extra over the lower version is the little thumb wheel on the lever to adjust the reach. Once set, its set- so if you can get the cheaper one get it... better than the Avid brake IMO.

MilesXC

the deed is done, thanks for all yr thoughts.

I've ended up with Juicy 3's as i figure for the riding I'm doing they should be fine for now.

As I'm upgrading a lot of my bike anyway (why did i by a cheap one to start with!!!) I figure spending less on the brakes will put me in the Missus' good books when I tell her how much the fork I would like is .

Thanks

Anonymous

good stuff, im sure you will be evry happy

synchronicity

MilesXC wrote:

I figure spending less on the brakes will put me in the Missus' good books when I tell her how much the fork I would like is .

I like that logic!

---Perhaps you can help me with this---

I'm looking to swap my Hayes HFX 9 brakes over to my DH rig. (actually that's a simplified version of the multi-swaps that I've got planned)

That means I'm in the market for a set of normal brakes for my hardtail, XC with ocasional commuter use type thing mixed in.

How can people compare Hayes stroker to the new Shimano SLX? They appear to be pretty similar in design. :? :? :?

-I'm not interested in hope brakes (calipers look great, levers not so great)
-magura & others too $$$
-yet to try avid brakes... I've kind of overlooked them until now. Possibly could think about some code brakes for the DH rig, leaving the hayes on the current bike.

opinons please on Hayes HFX 9 DH vs Avid Code 5 ?

Anonymous

i have tried

shimano (deore and xt)
formula oro
hayes hfx9
avid juicy 3 5 7/ultimate
magura julie

my faves have been avids so far. i am particularly enjoying the gucciness of the ultimates but thinki overall the fives are the best for price to performance ratio.

robv1306

Agree with sheepsteeth, get the juicy fives. For XC they are more than what you need.

OR

If you fancy a bit of bling on your bike, go onto chainreaction and have a look at the avid juicy ultimates in blue. It says they are designed especially for that type of use and will be supremely powerful.

Heres the link. Hope this helps:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25857

Rob