Avid juicy 3's

craig_jackass
craig_jackass Posts: 102
edited August 2010 in MTB workshop & tech
Right Guys ive had 2 bikes both with juicy 3's on, why are they so bad! they lack power, and when they get wet its death on the trails!!, are they just crap or do i need to change the standard pads or that? they have also been looked at at the shop and been serviced! Garbage! my v-breaks seem better on my BMX!
jAcKaSs

If in doubt, Foot Out Flat Out

Comments

  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    They're usually fine, i personally hate juicy's because they're a pain to live with. It is worth trying new pads and cleaning the rotors with isopropyl alcohol, the superstar kevlar pads are pretty good.

    The elixir 5's are a bargain for £135 from merlin, shimano slx brakes are good. Formula tend to be the best brakes though.
  • chedabob
    chedabob Posts: 1,133
    Never had any problems with mine in the wet. They do make a deafening noise though when you brake hard.
  • chedabob wrote:
    Never had any problems with mine in the wet. They do make a deafening noise though when you brake hard.

    haha they do indeed so now im deaf and cant hear the car or stop before it runs over me :D ... nah i just wondered because this is the second bike ive had them on and its the same issues, i might try new pads! :D cheers
    jAcKaSs

    If in doubt, Foot Out Flat Out
  • chedabob
    chedabob Posts: 1,133
    You sure they don't just need bedding in further or bleeding?
  • chedabob wrote:
    You sure they don't just need bedding in further or bleeding?

    no mate, they have been done at a proper bike shop, they arnt that old but ive covered around 100miles so they should be fully bedded in! my 1's on the other bike are the same but smaller rotor, the only thing ive not done is change the pads! will prob be the next step

    cheers though :)
    jAcKaSs

    If in doubt, Foot Out Flat Out
  • solsurf
    solsurf Posts: 489
    IMO they are rubbish got them on my bike, my wife has the ju 5s on her felt they are a lot better.
  • bamba
    bamba Posts: 856
    Never had a problem with them,used them on my old ht for over a year at cannock and the peaks,obviously not the best in the world, sintered pads for wet and grimey stuff.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    sounds like poor set up or contamination.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Try different pads. Don't use organic in the wet and mud, use sintered for example. Use quality brands.

    I do find Juicy 3s a bit spongy compared to some other brands, but they need bleeding often. Forget the LBS, get the bleed kit and learn to do it yourself properly. Cheaper in the long run and you know it's been done right (or at all).

    Tip also: If you tie the brake levers fairly tight to the bars and leave it overnight it will bleed out the air a little. Not as good as a full bleed but next day the brakes will be noticeable better.

    Not a fan of the Juicy 3s, but then my main problem with them are the spring clips catching the disc causing pinging noises.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Nothing wrong with Juicy 3s at all. Nice power, lovely modulation, they cope with heat pretty well.
    The only downside is that bloody annoying ping of the retaining spring.
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    I've not had many problems with my j 3's, plenty of power etc. Though the new J3 front brake i bought seems to be lacking power... I'm hoping it just needs bedding in, as i had to give it a mighty good bleed when i got it.

    My J5's have been pretty good though, apart from the squealing and pad fitting issues.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    I might well be mistaken, since I don't know much about the Juicy range, but...
    Aren't Juicy 3s and 5s the same, but you get more adjustment options on the the lever with 5?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    basically yes.

    But the lever has the pop out function and the clamp is seperate.

    internals same/similar.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Yeah pretty much the same, i think i just got a dodgy J3 with a poor factory bleed, not saying the J5's were inherently better in any way (though they make less of a mess of your bars when you install them)

    What is the pop out function on the lever actually for anyway? Other than some form of entertainment on those boring fire-road climbs (yep, simple minds)
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • chedabob
    chedabob Posts: 1,133
    nicklouse wrote:
    basically yes.

    But the lever has the pop out function and the clamp is seperate.

    internals same/similar.

    What's that?
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    chedabob wrote:

    What's that?
    The lever blade basically pops out of whatever is holding it in a little bit... kind of hard to explain. Seems pretty useless to me, unless it's a little bit of extra protection for crashes so you don't wreck you levers
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    ilovedirt wrote:
    it's a little bit of extra protection for crashes so you don't wreck you levers
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Fair enough, make sense actually as i wrecked my Hayes HFX9 lever that way.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5