If you had £200 to spend on new brakes...

dhooper7

I have a 160mm Specialized Enduro.
Firstly, I go through pads like butter (Elixir R SL brakes).
Have tried loads of makes and different compounds.
Secondly, I hate fitting new pads as they always seem to drag a little on the first ride. Have bled, cleaned pistons and replaced seals and replacing is always a pain in the...
Thirdly, I want more power! I treat it like a DH bike when pointing down the mountain and really put the hammer down.
Fade is not an option and cooked brakes is not wanted.

I'm thinking about replacing them...
I want an easier life when it comes to replacing pads
I want more braking power and a better feel
Is it too much to ask?

Elixir 9's maybe?
I've heard Hope lack a little on power but make up for it in customer service..?
XT?

benpinnick

XT with Ice Tech rotors in 203/180. Shoudl be able to do the lot for under £200.

The Northern Monkey

New deore m596 and then a trip to the pub (or the xt as above if you must spend £200)!

The deore m596 brakes are without a doubt the best brakes I've used. Miles ahead of the elixir R's on the Canyon.
I'm 16st, and run 160mm rotors on the RL and struggle with having too much power, but only because i'm used to crap avids! The deores are superbly modulated and have a great feel to them.

welshkev

Ha ha ben I was gonna say slx and a trip to the pub, you can pick them up for £130/£140

mikeysickalrigh

The XTs are unbelievable

dhooper7

Good comments...
Are XT's nice 'n easy when it comes to replacing the pads?

The Northern Monkey

dhooper7 wrote:

Good comments...
Are XT's nice 'n easy when it comes to replacing the pads?

Aren't all brakes?

supersonic

Pad wear may not improve if you eat them with any pads with your current set up. What size rotor are you running?

dhooper7

supersonic wrote:

Pad wear may not improve if you eat them with any pads with your current set up. What size rotor are you running?

203 up front and 180 on the back

The Northern Monkey wrote:

Aren't all brakes?

Not my Elixir R's
Always a bit of drag on the first ride. Suparstar pads are the worst, like pulling a donkey up the climbs with me

Neal_

My Elixir R's drag on every ride

Get any of the Shimano already mentioned with XT Ice Tech rotors from Rose Bikes or Bike-discount.de (etc), if you sign up for Rose's news letter or like them and install their app on facebook you get a £10 off code.

The Rookie

For genuine DH braking, ZEE?

benpinnick

Pads are a breeze to change on XT. Unscrew retaining bolt, pull out pads, drop in new ones, put bolt back in. No worries at all. FWIW I have found the Shimano standard (I think theyre sintered) pads to be very long lasting. Im still on my same set as new after over a year. On Avids Id be 2 or 3 sets in by now.

Also, with the XTs (and maybe SLXs) you can run iSpec shifters, which really cleans up the bars alot. If you run a dropper post remote, this opens up lots more positioning options.

dhooper7

XT it is then!
Thanks all. Great help

hainman

i got the XT'S from merlin for 123quid,they were meant to be the M780's but when they came(next day free delivery) they were the M785'S minus the ice fin pads but aint to bothered.

oodboo

I put the XT brakes on my enduro and can't fault them. Maybe zee for a bit more power?