Saint or SLX brakes?

*AJ*

Im after a new set of brakes for my Orange Patriot, which is used for Freeride/Light downhill so its no lightweight….

I myself also weigh in at 16 stone at 6 foot 2 together it’s a fair old mass to stop, and the deore discs on there are not as sharp as id like, even though I have fitted 203mm rotors.

So my question is, should I but a pair of SLX disc brakes now, or would I be better off just buying a front Saint and getting the rear at a later date?

The saint are twice as much as the SLX, so I guess really I just want to know if they are worth the money???

Interested in hearing what Saint users have to say??

Andy!

There are alternatives that cost and perform in between the two.

*AJ*

Andy! wrote:

There are alternatives that cost and perform in between the two.

I am very much a Shimano fan though....

Tried Hayes, formula etc and Shimano have always been most reliable.

Anonymous

Lots of DH riders complained that the Saints were just TOO powerfull. There is a huge, vast difference in performance between the two.

Are you sure the Deores are set up correctly? Really good brake setup can make a huge difference to braking feel and performance. Also, consider changing pads.

Failing that, the SLX are good stoppers. All shimano brakes are, to be honest. I've ridden XT and the old 2-pot saints, ant they were both excellent.

*AJ*

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Lots of DH riders complained that the Saints were just TOO powerfull. There is a huge, vast difference in performance between the two.

Are you sure the Deores are set up correctly? Really good brake setup can make a huge difference to braking feel and performance. Also, consider changing pads.

Failing that, the SLX are good stoppers. All shimano brakes are, to be honest. I've ridden XT and the old 2-pot saints, ant they were both excellent.

Theyre fairly old, and could probably do with a new set of pads, they also require a new front hose as its a little short now I have 170mm forks on there.... However im begrudged spending money on bleeding/hose and pads when they are a little scratched. I could probably get a few quid for them towards the new set too.

Its probably just an excuse for an upgrade im looking for

I have a lower model (BR M485) on my 4x bike, with superstar pads and they are stupidly powerful for what they are.

mackie1

Do the Deore brakes have the servo-wave feature? If not then the SLX kit will be a good upgrade. I'm really happy with mine, excellent modulation and power compared to the Juicys I had on my last bike.

*AJ*

mackie1 wrote:

Do the Deore brakes have the servo-wave feature?

No, They are a fairly old model.

Andy!

*AJ* wrote:

Andy! wrote:

There are alternatives that cost and perform in between the two.

I am very much a Shimano fan though....

Tried Hayes, formula etc and Shimano have always been most reliable.

I'm with you on that, was just checking.

I've gone Hayes sole (yuk)...Shimano LX and Deore on current bikes and now have some XT775 to fit to my main bike as I want the servo wave and extra stopping power as my tendons in my right hand are a bit knackered.

From what I have heard about SLX they are very good but XT came along at a good price in good condition so I went for them.

Pudseyp

I know you have tried others, and are a fanof Shimano (they are a great brand) but have you ever tried Avid's ???? Fantastic brakes with great modulation and feel...you can get great deals on the Elixir's inc the carbon and mag's

maddog 2

I run a Saint on the front (203mm floater) and a SLX on the rear (183mm)

Front is where you need the biggest power, so the Saint works well there whereas the SLX is cheaper and almost as good, so goes on the rear.

My second bike runs a SLX on the front and it's almost as good as the Saint. Or perhaps more accurately, I only ever really need the Saint's power occasionally, so I only notive the difference occasionally. If that makes sense. A well setup SLX is pretty impressive and the Saint is only a tad better, on my bike anyway. Maybe in the Alps I'll notice it more, braking into all those hairpins but round where I am (Lakes etc.) the extra power is a minor advantage, in practice.

essex_stu

How about xt's as a go between

*AJ*

essex_stu wrote:

How about xt's as a go between

From what ive read, theres nothing power wise that gives the XT's an advantage.

Just weight as the XT is one piece and SLX is 2 piece, which doesnt bother me and the XT has sintered pads as standard, which can be sorted anyway.

*AJ*

maddog 2 wrote:

I run a Saint on the front (203mm floater) and a SLX on the rear (183mm)

Front is where you need the biggest power, so the Saint works well there whereas the SLX is cheaper and almost as good, so goes on the rear.

I like this idea a lot...... do the odd levers not annoy you though?

essex_stu

*AJ* wrote:

essex_stu wrote:

How about xt's as a go between

From what ive read, theres nothing power wise that gives the XT's an advantage.

Just weight as the XT is one piece and SLX is 2 piece, which doesnt bother me and the XT has sintered pads as standard, which can be sorted anyway.

Are the calipers the same on the xt and slx then. If they are then I might as well go for the slx as they are £30 cheaper than the xt for the spec I need

Anonymous

maddog 2 wrote:

I run a Saint on the front (203mm floater) and a SLX on the rear (183mm)

Just out of curiosity, which Saints do you have? The newer 4-piston ones, or the old ones?
I have the old ones on the front of my old bike (they look fundamentally similar to the XTs, but in a different colour) and they're just great. They seem to have a little more power than the equivalent XTs I tried, but I'm not sure if that's down to calliper stiffness, different hydraulic design, better cooling (because they're almost black), or just a set-up issue.
I tend to pay incredible attention to detail when setting up my brakes, and I can't guarantee that the guys who owned the XT equipped bikes I tried did the same.

cavegiant

didn't read the above, but you weigh a lot and ride hard.

The saint is a win 100%

Brakes last from bike to bike, it is worth investing in the best.

*AJ*

Gone for the saints in the end.

Looking forward to getting them fitted!

Tom Barton

Good choice - I'd have said saints given your setup!

*AJ*

Just to drag this up again, incase anyone is searching for info on the SAINT M810 brakes, I now have them fitted, the pads are not even bedded in properly yet and they feel asthough your face is being pulled off when you brake!

Unbelieveable stopping power and feel, they are extremely expensive compared to others, but you will not be disapointed in the slightest.

Im 16 stone and can get the bike to stop dead in a huge endo with only 1 finger on the lever with me still sat on the saddle!....

sirichmond

Cool I'm glad you got them, can I ask where from and how much? I am considering saints too or maybe Avid Elixir CR's

*AJ*

I actually picked them up second hand in very good condition (someone had put them on his bike and thought they were well over the top for his style of riding and prefered his Hope Motos)

They are £125 each cheapest I found them at, Chainreaction. I was considering buying them at that, so when a set came up for £160 with 3 sets of spare pads, i snapped his hands off.

they are worth the £250 though, I can vouch for that.

maddog 2

Just out of curiosity, which Saints do you have?

my Saints are the latest 4-potters

do the odd levers not annoy you though?

and the Saint and SLX levers are very similar in feel/shape etc. so no issues there.

CraigXXL

I'm running Saints with 180 discs and they're awesome in feel and stopping power. They really are one finger breaking and I've had to move the lever inboard to stop me grabbing too much and launching me over the bars.