Alternatives to Juicys?

Surf-Matt

Okay, after yet another exasperating time trying to replace my Juicy pads, they are being serviced and rebuilt at my LBS (the pistons crumbled). Will see how they get on but am starting to lose patience with them. I do a fair few miles (approx 3000 miles a year) and the bike is now not far off two years old (2007 Stumpjumper HT).

My LBS suggested Hope Minis - anything else that doesn't cost a zillion quid, is lightish and above all has pad replacement that doesn't make me want to hit someone/thing very hard?

Cheers.

papasmurf.

Formula Oros.

Kiwi Kranker

Had hope mono mini pros on my s works. Biggest braking let down ever.

Oros constantly get great reviews so may be worth a shot?

Interestingly I do about the same amount of mileage as you and I have never had a problem with the Juicys......touch wood....

ratty2k

Mono minis are a bit underpowered. I'm running a 200mm disc front and 185 rear on my 29er and still think I'd be happier with more braking. Avid Elixr brakes are dead easy to change pads on top loading and a pin through the pads. I didn't like the Stroker Trails as they have (IMO) a crap way of holding the pads in- I snapped a pin on the piston which meant no rear brake Good power tho- but fiddly to fit pads. I'd see if you can get some Hope M4's off ebay and the like... Lots of folks upgrading to the new Tech M4's means some bargains to be had.

Surf-Matt

Kiwi - they work fine but for the first 500 miles or so they squealed like a pig in an abbatoir. Then the pistons starting sticking, then they needed bleeding. And every pad replacement has been a total pain in the butt.

They do work okay but Avid seem to have forgotten that they need servicing. The Elixirs sound better but are pricey.

Oros are worth a look I reckon. Shame my LBS don't stock them.

Dazzza

Another vote for oro's, propel the distributor are also based near par market.

Kiwi Kranker

Surf-Matt wrote:

Kiwi - they work fine but for the first 500 miles or so they squealed like a pig in an abbatoir. Then the pistons starting sticking, then they needed bleeding. And every pad replacement has been a total pain in the butt.

They do work okay but Avid seem to have forgotten that they need servicing. The Elixirs sound better but are pricey.

Oros are worth a look I reckon. Shame my LBS don't stock them.

Been having a think about my 'No problem' call...

Over the 2 and a bit years I have had mine I have

Bled them 4 times
Replaced the reservoir seals in one
Had the caliper rebuilt as the piston stuck
Spent countless hours fiddling around trying to get new pads in them

I think I have just realised Juicys suck!! Probably just got into a routine with them.

Maybe I am a bit more relaxed than you

On another note I have a set of pimped out red M4's on my ransom. More than enough braking for me and look great. Probably too heavy for an HT though if you are concerned about that.

The Big Cheese

How about XT - I must admit I never even talked of them before having them. They are great stoppers and good deals to be had at Merlin most times - look to pay no more than £200 for the whole lot, which in my eyes is pretty good

You can also get 6-bolt rotors with them (instead of centrelock) from merlin

Surf-Matt

Dazzza wrote:

Another vote for oro's, propel the distributor are also based near par market.

Really?! I thought Cornwall was an MTB desert?!

mountain-nic

I've been running XT's (latest version) on my Specz R-Hopper for about 6 months now. Really good - though my mate just got the SLX model from Merlyn for a great price and they look and perform just as well. Apprently they are the previous XT model re-badged!

I ran Juicy's before hand and ditched them for all the reasons above - especially the squealing like a pig for no appraent reason - even my LBS (specz Dealer) couldn't figure that one out.

BTW - changing pads is easier if you remove the caliper body from the bike.

Happy days! 8)

The Spiderman

Never had a problem with my XTs.My sintered pads have lasted over a year,never been bled,just clean them and take the pads out to check them and slot them back in.Shimano aren`t as bling as some but score highly for ease of use,serviceabilty and reliability

llamafarmer

Love my Oro K18s, and you seem to be able to get most spares through Chain Reaction (albeit not the official Formula pad kits, which are never in stock)

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/oro-k18--31070

shin0r

I was stuck on the side of the trail for half an hour trying to get the pads into my riding mate's Juicys this weekend. We worked out that over the last 18 months,his brakes have taken up at least three quarters of all the downtime we've had due to mechanicals. They must be the worst design ever. What's with the notch that serves no purpose other than to prevent you sliding the pads in?

I'm not sure what to recommend as an alternative; Formula seem to be popular.

M6TTF

Elixirs were on a good deal at merlin too - I ordered mine from the states as it was loads cheaper ( friend brought them over) to replace my juicy 3s, and they feel miles better

realnumber 1

Been running my ORO K24's for a year without a spot of bother. They're as good as all the reviews talk about so far imo...

Surf-Matt

Apart from the price, what's the main difference between the K18s and the K24s? How easy is pad replacement? They do look good.

pdid

Another vote for XT's. Used on the Meta since Jan they really have been a revelation. Awsome stopping power compared to the mono minis on my Lobster, easy pad change, no need for silly bleed kits (medicine syringe and a piece of tubing work fine).

I have had to bleed once already though, but reverse bled from caliper, easy peasy.

Surf-Matt

pdid - my LBS do XTs so that could be handy. £100 per end about right?

realnumber 1

Surf-Matt wrote:

Apart from the price, what's the main difference between the K18s and the K24s? How easy is pad replacement? They do look good.

Pad replacement is very easy.It takes 5 min and you don't even have to take the wheels off. I think the main difference between the K18 and K24's is the 24's have a bite point adjuster.

stevieboy

Even though it's only the gf's bike that has them - K18 oro's, fit and forget.

I'd recommend the Hope's I run on both bikes, but given you ride more than you race the every day power of the Oro's pi55es on the new mini X2 pro's. You could look at the Tech X2's but the lever is too chunky for anything other than a AM/Fr Light/DH bike. The Tech M4's would be overkill.

milkywhite

Surf-Matt

You looking for top end performance and really light weight?

OR

decent performance, reliability and bargain price?

If it's the latter then I don't think you can go wrong with Deore. In two years mine have never needed bleeding, I've changed the pads once (although my bike use is more sporadic than yours), and they have needed no maintenance at all.

I've got these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits ... elID=23922

They stop well. I could possibly do with a bigger rotor up front, but that's hardly surprising considering I'm 18 stone.

pdid

Surf-Matt wrote:

pdid - my LBS do XTs so that could be handy. £100 per end about right?

Yeah about £200 for the set. I really didn`t expect them to be that great (came stock with the bike) and was expecting to have to change them but I`ve been bowled over by their performance. In fact they were so much more powerful than the Hopes that I nearly went over the bars on a few occasions whilst learning to adjust to the modulation.

Surf-Matt

pdid - sounds interesting.
Bit hesitant to shell out so much - will see how the Juicy service goes and if they are still a pain, I will change. Definitely avoiding them in the future though.

JohnI

I have XT's on 2 bikes and Shimano Deores on my commuter.

I've tried Juicy 5's (Same issues as you), Hope Minis, M4's too.

XT's are by far the easiest to maintain and replace pads. Great brakes and I use bigger rotors for more stopping power.