Replacements for Avid Juciy 3

Criller

Hello,

I have a Specialised Rockhopper Disc 07 and am looking to replace the Avid Juicy 3 discs. I have IS brake mounts. The brakes have been fine over the years but the calipers are starting to stick and changing the pads can be a right pain in the behind!

What I'm after are brake pads which require a little less brute force to change than the Juicy 3's and generally are fairly simple to maintain.

After reading through posts on the forum I will be looking at Shimano offerings. But just a few questions for you experts if I may?

1. Apart from price what are the main differences between the XT and Deore versions?
2. Will the brakes fit directly to my existing IS mounts or will I need to purchase adaptors? If so they appear to come in differing sizes so how do I know which one to go for?
3. What size rotors (6 bolt) should I look at? I'm only a light one, 10.5 stone!
4. Do Shimano brakes require the purchase of an overpriced bleeding kit? I have an Avid bleeding kit but doubt whether I can use this?

I was also considering moving to mechanical disc brakes just to get away from the having to bleed and the ease of adjustment. Is this something you would recommend? If so whose mechanical brakes should I look at?

Thanks in advance.

oodboo

1. the XT brakes are more powerful and have the servowave action.
2. yes unless you change rotors as well in which case you would need adaptors to match the new rotor size
3. either stick with the rotors you've got or 180 on the front 160 on the back but just because I think small rotors look crap on the front
4. Unless you make a hash of shortening the hoses then you shoudn't need to bleed them, I've never looked at kits yet.

I'd stick with hydro brakes rather than cable, the cable ones on my old cx bike were ok on road but I wouldn't want to have to use them off road. If you do want to go down that route though the Avid BB7 are about the best.

Criller

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I think I'll look to replace the rotors as well. Should I buy rotors specific to the Shimano brake type? i.e. XT rotors for XT brakes, Deore rotors for Deore brakes, SLX for SLX etc. The fact you susggested using my existing ones I'm thinking not but I'm guessing it's advisable to match components.

Are the pads easy (easier than Juciy 3's) to change on Shimanos?

Chunkers1980

No and yes.

Roostoids

If you do change rotors, please be aware that Shimano have a system called 'Centre-lock', and their specific rotors might only be Centre-lock compatible.

Centre-lock is basically just an alternative mechanism for attaching the rotor to the hub, instead of the traditional or more common 6-bolt system. Whatever you have now, is the type you need to get. Don't think there's a performance differential between them, it's just a Shimano thing to keep Shimano people buying their kit.


With regards brakes, I use Deore m596's, and they're more than adeuqtae for me. I ride trail centres and weigh 17.5 stone so they'll deffo be enough power for you!!

They have adjustments on the brake lever to suit your reach, and are very easy to install. Merlin cycles are selling them reasonably cheaply at the moment too and I think you'll be very happy with them.

Good luck.

Chunkers1980

I use centre lock and not a bit of Shimano in sight.

RevellRider

oodboo wrote:

1. the XT brakes are more powerful and have the servowave action.

All Shimano brakes from Deore upwards have servowave action. The difference between Deore and XT are in lever features (XT has free stroke adjustment and a dial for lever reach) and the calliper design, XT is a lighter slimmer calliper. Deore callipers aren't designed for Ice-Tech pads either

oodboo

RevellRider wrote:

oodboo wrote:

1. the XT brakes are more powerful and have the servowave action.

All Shimano brakes from Deore upwards have servowave action. The difference between Deore and XT are in lever features (XT has free stroke adjustment and a dial for lever reach) and the calliper design, XT is a lighter slimmer calliper. Deore callipers aren't designed for Ice-Tech pads either

Ok, I just went based on specs from the shimano website where servo wave isn't mentioned as a feature on the deore brakes.

rockmonkeysc

Stick with the original rotors. No reason at all to match the rotors to the brakes. Replacing rotors which are perfectly good is just a waste of money.

.blitz

Criller wrote:

What I'm after are brake pads which require a little less brute force to change than the Juicy 3's and generally are fairly simple to maintain.

Elixirs?

Like Juicys only better. Keep your Avid rotors/adaptors.

If you haven't already tried them, genuine Avid Juicy pads are a doddle to fit/remove. £11.99 from Chain Reaction http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=4783

Criller

Thanks for all the advice.

I going to go for the XT's but just one more question. If I use my existing rotors can I also use the existing adaptors or do I need to get Shimano ones?

Cheers

70\ʹspenguin

Criller wrote:

Thanks for all the advice.

I going to go for the XT's but just one more question. If I use my existing rotors can I also use the existing adaptors or do I need to get Shimano ones?

Cheers

Providing the brakes use the same fitting then yes.

YeehaaMcgee

you WILL need a new bleeding kit if you need to bleed them - Shimano brakes use mineral oil, not DOT fluid like Avids, and the two fluids aren't compatible at all.

stevieboy308

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

you WILL need a new bleeding kit if you need to bleed them - Shimano brakes use mineral oil, not DOT fluid like Avids, and the two fluids aren't compatible at all.

i washed mine out and just used the syringe without the plunger as a big reservoir. but if you have to shorten the lines, just squeeze the pistons out a bit before you cut the lines, then once all connected back up without damaging the ceramic pistons push them back in, this will bleed them from the line cut.

and as for the dude suggesting elixirs :shock: :shock: :shock:

Greer_

stevieboy308 wrote:

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

you WILL need a new bleeding kit if you need to bleed them - Shimano brakes use mineral oil, not DOT fluid like Avids, and the two fluids aren't compatible at all.

i washed mine out and just used the syringe without the plunger as a big reservoir. but if you have to shorten the lines, just squeeze the pistons out a bit before you cut the lines, then once all connected back up without damaging the ceramic pistons push them back in, this will bleed them from the line cut.

and as for the dude suggesting elixirs :shock: :shock: :shock:

You're going to die! I doubt you managed to thoroughly clean everything out. Dot fluid will eat the seals designed for mineral oil and vice versa. Not a good idea!

YeehaaMcgee

You may be safe, but I'd advise against it just in case. Bleed kits aren't expensive.
Same reason I advise that you always bleed after cutting or swapping hoses.

stevieboy308

washed out, dried, then flushed a couple of times with the mineral oil. i'm not worried

Greer_

http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/ bleed kits for next to nothing.

mrmonkfinger

stevieboy308 wrote:

and as for the dude suggesting elixirs :shock: :shock: :shock:

I've had some Elixirs since when they were released. Other than the fact that bleeding them is a bit of a faff, they seem pretty good to me for most applications except FR/DH. Am I missing something?

apreading

mrmonkfinger wrote:

stevieboy308 wrote:

and as for the dude suggesting elixirs :shock: :shock: :shock:

I've had some Elixirs since when they were released. Other than the fact that bleeding them is a bit of a faff, they seem pretty good to me for most applications except FR/DH. Am I missing something?

Elixirs are miles better than Juicy's in my experience, but the bad reputation of the Juicy's will be hard and take time to overcome for the whole brand. I think not all people seem to get such a lucky run with even the Elixirs though.

I would still buy Shimano if replacing any brakes though - from everything I hear they are much less of a lottery. My LBS refuses to sell/fit Avids because they say too many come back for warranty issues or adjustment that they get stuck doing for free.

Criller

Got the XT's and fitted with no problems. Should have really shortened the brake pipes but the excess wasn't too much to worry about. Replaced the Avid rotors with new 160 shimano's. Used the Avid adaptors. Brakes are very good, one finger braking as many people point out. No more listening to rubbing Avid brakes. Thanks for all your advice!