New brakes - XT, Hope or others?

mikeysickalrigh

I am in the market for new brakes. Replacing Elixir 3s on my Canyon.

Everyone is raving about the new XT brakes that can be had for about £90. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=67208

I have seen these Hope Tech M4 brakes for £99
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/hope-tech-m ... duct/10343

Or these Magura MT2 for the same price as the XTs but they do come with rotors and mounts!
http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/13 ... storm.html

These three seem to be the best bet so far. Also, I have pretty much never done any work myself on my bike so how hard would they be to fit? Would I need to trim the hoses and bleed them?


Cheers!

cooldad

Do a forum search and I think you'll find XT by about a million votes.

supersonic

The Maguras are very good - light, well priced, little to dislike about them. Would be my choice, or if you are a heavier rider who is hard on the brakes, then the extra cooling power of the XT.

mikeysickalrigh

I am starting to lean towards the Maguras too, partly because I can order them with 203mm rotors for the back for no extra cost. I am slightly confused by their description. There are two options "Magura MT2 Post Mount Storm, 7'' 203mm" or "Magura MT2 Post Mount Storm, 8'' 203mm".
What is the difference between 7" and 8"?

The Hopes not worth it then?

oodboo

mikeysickalrigh wrote:

What is the difference between 7" and 8"?

1"

mikeysickalrigh

oodboo wrote:

mikeysickalrigh wrote:

What is the difference between 7" and 8"?

1"

I was asking for that. And just realised what it is too

supersonic

Very rarely people need 203mm on the rear, 6 or 7 inch is generally enough in that area...

How much do you weigh? And what bike?

mikeysickalrigh

About 16stone on a Canyon Nerve AM 6. I was just thinking of going 203mm for maximum stopping power as I am no weight weeny

supersonic

If you like a really sharp, feather touch brake than 203mm will help towards that, but I can lock my back brake up (160mm rotor) with one finger easily. You may lose control if too powerful.

mikeysickalrigh

Ok, think I am going to go with the Maguras.

Can someone tell me which mounts I need, IS or PM?


Bike here -
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2563

Shackster

Post mount, and the same mount works front and rear. I replaced my avids with XTs.

mikeysickalrigh

Shackster wrote:

Post mount, and the same mount works front and rear. I replaced my avids with XTs.

Cheers. And you rate the XTs?

oodboo

mikeysickalrigh wrote:

And you rate the XTs?

Everyone who has used them does, generally over anything else they've used.

YeehaaMcgee

XTs are beyond awesome.
Also, I'd just back Sonic up that there's very little need for a 203 rotor on the rear.

stubs

203 out back jeez you could stop a car with that disc and XTs. I briefly had a 180 back disc on my Canyon and that was way over the top. Just looking at the brake lever locked up the back wheel.
Now on a 160 disc and with XT brakes thats more than I need. Could probably get away with a 140 on back though doubt it could be made to fit.

Shackster

oodboo wrote:

mikeysickalrigh wrote:

And you rate the XTs?

Everyone who has used them does, generally over anything else they've used.

I bought mine just before the m785 came out so have the previous model, still miles better than the elixir CRs they replaced. Had the dreaded 'turkey gobble' with the avids, made me not want to brake!

kammybear

XT 785 seem to get rave reviews. I've got a set waiting to be put on.

Got mine for £120 approx for front and rear from rose bikes though...bargains! They have a £10 voucher floating around online as well!

felix.london

Just ordered the 2013 SLX from Rose for £110 delivered

matt@theforce

A vote for the XT's here. I was around 14stone when I bought mine, At the time I ran 203/180 Hayes Stroker Trails but went for 180/160 XT M785's with IceTec rotors and I've got more power with the XT's and better modulation than the Hayes.