Brakes for a big fella??

paganman

I'm currently building a bike around a Pace RC506 frame, for XC and all mountain riding, and wondered if anyone can advise me on brakes.
I'm 18.5 stone of rippling muscle ( well pies actually!) and have found my last few sets of brakes, Quads, Avid Juicy's, ORO 24's lacking in the stopping department after some not to extreme grief, they've all faded badly and the Quads boiled completly the other day. Not good. Tried bleeding different pads etc, but think I need a more powerful set of brakes for my bulk.
I've narrowed it down to Hope M4's, Shimano Saints, Formula the One, or Magura Louise. Anyone experienced these brakes? I intend to put them on a 203mm front and 183mm rear. Coming from a motorcycle background the idea of 4 piston calipers appeals, but are they a bit OTT? and does the Shimano mineral oil resist boiling better than brake fluid?
Any advice gratefully recieved.
Thanks

ride_whenever

Formula or saints.

jimexbox

I have The Ones with a 203/180 set up. Huge stopping power, which despite what some folk say, I have masses of modulation. I've never locked the front wheel up despite such a big rotor. Bought direct from Formula for a bargain 210 Euros. Gives me loads of confidence knowing exactly what these brakes can do.

cavegiant

I also run the Formula the One.
They are the perfect all round brake, as they have the most modulation out of any brake I have tried, they are also the most powerful.

Some powerful brakes lack modulation, these do not.

I used to use Shimano XT, but the lack of control/power almost put me in to a barb wire fence. I decided at that point the little bit of extra cash for Ones was more than off set by the increased saftey (and fun) on my bike.

When I had my white brothers fork, it was fun watching it bend under the front of the bike.
Which reminds me, make sure you have a good fork if using good brakes.
good brakes + RS dart = loss of control and crash
good brakes + good fork = extra control and less crashing


they are not cheap because they are the best.


The saints are another option, but lack modulation so you have to be a bit more careful

MarcBC

I too am 18st of pure muscle (or is it pie? I forget) and have bog standard XT discs and pads on my mtb (scott scale 20). The brakes are superb for me and I have had no problems with them.

cavegiant

MarcBC that avatar picture is AMAZING, I might borrow it ;-)

cavegiant

Yoink =-)

*AJ*

I use saints... I love them!

They actually feel like your face is being pulled off when you brake at speed. They do not lack modulation at all... you just need to get them set up right!

cavegiant

*AJ* I keep getting mixed reviews on the Saints. The power is undeniable, but the mix is on modulation.

How are they for XC stuff and have you tried the Ones?

Reason I ask is when my Ones fail, I was going to give Saints a go. Then talked out of it.

CraigXXL

The Saints M810 have plenty of modulation, up there with Hopes. The originals from what I can gather not so much. The people who say that they're dangerous either can't use a brake correctly to bring the bike to controlled halt or just never used them.
XC would be overkill with Saints and a waste of money. I have XT (775) on my XC/play bike and they've got all the power and control you'll ever need even at 20st.

*AJ*

I have not tried the ones at all so i cannot compare....

Ive tried most other Shimano brakes, a lot of the Hayes range and most of Hopes and the Saints are superior to others. I have read lots of reviews as to how good the formula ones are though!

The saints for me are perfect though, I use mine with 203mm hope floating rotors and the bite is unreal. They do feel slightly spongey when you are stood over the bike testing them for feel, but in reality on the trail this is not the case.

The pistons are different sizes, the front pistons hits the disc slightly before the rear piston, which actually gives really nice modulation. when braking from speed you will feel the bite as soon as the front pistons touch... this is then backed up further by the rear pistons.

You do need to learn how to use them, but once youve mastered the feel, they are brilliant.

paganman

jimexbox wrote:

I have The Ones with a 203/180 set up. Huge stopping power, which despite what some folk say, I have masses of modulation. I've never locked the front wheel up despite such a big rotor. Bought direct from Formula for a bargain 210 Euros. Gives me loads of confidence knowing exactly what these brakes can do.

Blimey, just been on their website, 2009 The One's for 226.21 Euros, which is £193.53 for both front and rear plus 2 x 203 discs and all hardware, and that's including the delivery via UPS!! Top tip chap, I'd have never thought of looking at their website for a shop. I think my wallets about to get a battering.

Chunkers1980

Me neither, seems a great idea - B2C rather than B2B distribution.