Brakes - Hope mono mini or Hayes stroker trial

Pritchard5
Pritchard5 Posts: 119
edited March 2009 in MTB buying advice
Hi,

I am thinking of upgrading my brakes and just wondering which are the best from your personal experiences. I know hope are rated very high but how are they compared to a set of strokers??

I'm an agressive XC rider, am i better off buying some new
stroker trials

Saving money and buying stroker rydes
OR
Buying second hand hope mono minis
???

Cheers,
Jamie
Kinesis Maxlight
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12718150

XC to XCite the senses

Comments

  • adb1006
    adb1006 Posts: 938
    Only difference between the trails and rides is the adjustable lever reach and the pads i believe (the pads, being something that could be upgraded). The rydes do seem a good set of brakes for the price. I have the Stroker Carbons in V7 guise - nice brakes.
    Rock Lobster Team Tig SL Custom
  • Tank-slapper
    Tank-slapper Posts: 968
    I use Mono Minis. They are excellent for XC, but don't expect to stop on a dime. They are more for control than stopping power.
  • ScottAspect45
    ScottAspect45 Posts: 158
    Formula Oro K18 seem to be the weapon of choice near this price bracket
    Liking my Stiffee doesn't mean you're gay.
  • Pritchard5
    Pritchard5 Posts: 119
    I've heard the problems that the stroker rydes have and have been advised to stay clear, but what about the trails?
    Are they reliable?
    Kinesis Maxlight
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12718150

    XC to XCite the senses
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    bro has stroker trails on a kona stinky.... i think their mint. Awesome stopping power (and i'm talking a 42lb stinky and a 17st guy!!).
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    Trails have a larger pad and piston than the Ryde, as well as took free reach adjust - worth the extra if you ask me.
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • Johnny Napalm
    Johnny Napalm Posts: 1,458
    I have the 'Trails', which are pretty good. The adjustable lever is handy...especially if you have small, girlie hands like myself! :oops:

    One thing to look out for is the pistons sticking on some of these brakes. Apparently some brakes were sent out without adequate grease on the master cylinder orings, which causes the brake lever to retract slowly upon release.

    My rear brake has been sticking etc., and also ehibiting the lever problem, but I've just had them serviced under warranty, which has now resolved the isssue.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Marin
    SS Inbred
    Mongoose Teocali Super
  • whitedragon101
    whitedragon101 Posts: 95
    Tank-slapper wrote:
    I use Mono Minis. They are excellent for XC, but don't expect to stop on a dime. They are more for control than stopping power.

    I too have Mono Minis, I love the way they look and the control they give but I agree the stopping power is not great. It seems like they are designed so you can have very precise adjustment of speed on the flat but I want more power downhill and on the technical stuff.

    Ironically I have just ridden around New Zealand on a Kona Kula 08 with Hayes Stroker Trail Brakes and will be selling my Mini Monos to get a set for my hardtail. The Stroker Trail brakes have a wonderful feel and tons and tons of power. On the downhill sections you can break with incredible accuracy because of the feel and effortless power.

    Comparison
    Mini Mono
    To give you an idea of the feel; the Hopes are like breaking in a Rolls Royce powerful controlled and without drama but might take a little extra distance to stop.
    Stroker Trail
    The strokers by comparison are like an F1 car's breaks; sensitive, very powerful, did I mention powerful, tons of feel, fingertip breaking.
  • whitedragon101
    whitedragon101 Posts: 95
    Tank-slapper wrote:
    I use Mono Minis. They are excellent for XC, but don't expect to stop on a dime. They are more for control than stopping power.

    I too have Mono Minis, I love the way they look and the control they give but I agree the stopping power is not great. It seems like they are designed so you can have very precise adjustment of speed on the flat but I want more power downhill and on the technical stuff.

    Ironically I have just ridden around New Zealand on a Kona Kula 08 with Hayes Stroker Trail Brakes and will be selling my Mini Monos to get a set for my hardtail. The Stroker Trail brakes have a wonderful feel and tons and tons of power. On the downhill sections you can break with incredible accuracy because of the feel and effortless power.

    Comparison
    Mini Mono
    To give you an idea of the feel; the Hopes are like breaking in a Rolls Royce powerful controlled and without drama but might take a little extra distance to stop.
    Stroker Trail
    The strokers by comparison are like an F1 car's breaks; sensitive, very powerful, did I mention powerful, tons of feel, fingertip breaking.

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