Brake Dilemma: Stroker Trail or SLX??

Dorset_Bins
Dorset_Bins Posts: 36
edited April 2011 in MTB buying advice
I'm after some new brakes - and have whittled it down to either Hayes Stroker Trails or Shimano SLX's.

Reviews suggest that there seems to not be much between them.

Has anyone used either / both? Any thoughts that will get me off the fence?

Thanks
Cove HJ

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    The Hayes don't seem to be very popular, but I'm very happy with them. Very powerful, never had any problems, look good, easy reach adjustment. I've heard people complain about the modulation, but I run small discs and it's never worried me and I'm no lightweight.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    I wouldn't use Stroker Trails again. A couple of times the pad retaining spring/clip has broken, either leading to the pad continually flopping against the rotor, or the pad being ejected somewhere along the ride (which became quite scary).

    No problems with SLX so far.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Suppose that depends on the pads - never had that problem, and used OE pads (whatevet they were) and Superstar.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • kenan
    kenan Posts: 952
    I have the Hayes and they work fine but on my other bike have the Formula ORO K24's and they are soooo much better. Well rated brakes, check out the reviews.

    Prices aren't to bad if you get them from Formula direct with delivery being abut a week: http://store.formula-brake.com/special_offers
  • omegas
    omegas Posts: 970
    I purchased Shimano SLX for the servo wave and greater pad clearance.
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844902/
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844919/
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    cooldad wrote:
    Suppose that depends on the pads - never had that problem, and used OE pads (whatevet they were) and Superstar.

    All of the dodgy sets for me where original Hayes pads. I'm probably just unlucky, but it's enough that I won't buy that brake again.
  • Dorset_Bins
    Dorset_Bins Posts: 36
    That's great - thanks for the pointers.
    Cove HJ
  • shinobishoryuken
    shinobishoryuken Posts: 59
    Stroker Trails all the way for me!

    Had them since 2008 on my first MTB, didn't touch them for about a year and that was only to swap in some new pads- very strong, reliable and confidence-inspiring. Had them serviced last year as they had seized up but may be due to my lack of tlc!

    I recently built a new bike and bought a new pair only with bigger rotors!

    I'm far from a lightweight!
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    I shall unhelpfully recommend you get some Formula Oros direct from the Formula factory store, a better brake for probably less.

    But of your two, the SLXs. I had some XTs and they were pretty decent brakes, the SLX is much the same but slightly simpler (lacks the Enigmatic Adjuster that the XT has, which is a shame but since no 2 people can agree what it does it's probably no great loss)
    Uncompromising extremist
  • matt@theforce
    matt@theforce Posts: 647
    I have Hayes Stroker Trails 203/180 on my cube ams125 and whilst they do what they are supposed to, they dont have the feel that I like. I run Deore 160/160 on my Kona Caldera and they feel how I like and the braking power just seems to get better and better.

    When I have the money I will replace the Strokers but until then, they do the job they were designed for.

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