Brake upgrade time, pointers appreciated!

Corners R Us
Corners R Us Posts: 214
edited April 2013 in MTB buying advice
So the Ducati motorbike that was gathering dust through a lack of use and interest has been sold and I have some funds to upgrade my trusty Carerra Vulcan whilst I ponder if a Giant Anthem is for me as my Ducati repalcement toy!

The Vulcan was a bitsa build with various old and new bits and currently runs Tektro cable brakes. Whilst decent enough I think its finally time that I entred the world of hydraulics as I'm getting more adventurous and starting to need some more stopping power. I plan to retain 160mm discs as I think they're ample for my needs.

I've come across these two sets on the Interworld as possible purchases. What say the forum peeps?

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... -rear.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190829262998? ... 1423.l2649

The reviews I've read for the Deores are very good so I'm inclined to plump for them unless anyone has any alternatives. The Aceras caught my eye as they are cheaper and at some point the Vulcan will become a warm spare when I purchase a full susser.

Any other deals out there worth considering? I think Merlin were doing a deal on Avid 7s and discs for £99 but they seem to be out of stock; should have bought some when I spied them!

Mucho grassy arse. Corners

Comments

  • EH_Rob
    EH_Rob Posts: 1,134
    Deore. Check out the German sites too, they have good deals on them usually.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    The Deore 596. EOT. CRC has them cheap as well.
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  • Corners R Us
    Corners R Us Posts: 214
    EH_Rob wrote:
    Deore. Check out the German sites too, they have good deals on them usually.

    Which German sites prey tell? Am I missing a trick for cheap parts within the EU?!

    Corners
  • felix.london
    felix.london Posts: 4,067
    Corners R Us wrote:
    EH_Rob wrote:
    Deore. Check out the German sites too, they have good deals on them usually.

    Which German sites prey tell? Am I missing a trick for cheap parts within the EU?!

    Corners

    Bike-Discount.de, Bike24.com, RoseBikes.co.uk. but check the usual UK sites too - there doesn't seem to be as big a price difference as there was last year
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  • Corners R Us
    Corners R Us Posts: 214
    Ta muchly.

    Next Q. Merlin list the front hose as 90cm and the rear as 160cm. I've just done a rough measurement and I reckon I need something like 76cm front and 127cm rear so I have a fair bit of excess. Will I require a trip to my LBS to have them shortened up a smidge, new olives fitted and re-bled or do most kits fit most bikes without too much bother?

    Corners
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    You'll 99% have to shorten the rear, 84.2% the front. Simple job. 73.6% of the time.
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  • Giraffoto
    Giraffoto Posts: 2,078
    Corners R Us wrote:
    Ta muchly.

    Next Q. Merlin list the front hose as 90cm and the rear as 160cm. I've just done a rough measurement and I reckon I need something like 76cm front and 127cm rear so I have a fair bit of excess. Will I require a trip to my LBS to have them shortened up a smidge, new olives fitted and re-bled or do most kits fit most bikes without too much bother?

    Corners

    I bought a set recently for my next bike (currently a set of bits in boxes) and they come with spare inserts and olives. There is a quick 'n' easy way to do it that I haven't tried, but it's claimed to work without any bleeding being needed: you supposedly take out your brake pads and apply the brakes to move the pistons inwards (but not too far!), then when you've shortened the hose and re-attached it you push the pistons back in and it pushes any bubbles out of the hose. I may not be describing the whole process - this is all from memory - but I'm sure someone who knows what they're doing can supply more detail.

    M596 seems to be the basic no-brainer decision when buying hydraulic brakes unless you're a downhill racer or every gram counts - I can't see myself ever wanting more for simple cross-country riding.
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  • Motley13
    Motley13 Posts: 89
    After seeing this thread ive just ended up buying a set of them for my Cotic build :roll: Had a quick look around CRC seem to have them the cheapest at 41.99 for each set so 83.98 for both which is a couple of quid cheaper than Merlincycles. But with the code WJJAMIUE you can get £10 off so you can get both brake sets for 73.99 which seems like a very good deal for the kit. CRC tell me my total savings are £46 :shock:
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    If you are careful you may not need to bleed the brakes when you shorten the hoses. but if you do need to bleed them its not hard.

    Have a look at the Shimano documents online for instructions and there are many video guides on you tube. Also take a look here for a cheap bleed kit too:

    http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/
  • Corners R Us
    Corners R Us Posts: 214
    Motley13 wrote:
    After seeing this thread ive just ended up buying a set of them for my Cotic build :roll: Had a quick look around CRC seem to have them the cheapest at 41.99 for each set so 83.98 for both which is a couple of quid cheaper than Merlincycles. But with the code WJJAMIUE you can get £10 off so you can get both brake sets for 73.99 which seems like a very good deal for the kit. CRC tell me my total savings are £46 :shock:

    Ordered. Thanks for posting that discount code. The £10 I've saved can go towards getting the hoses shortened up at my LBS!!

    Corners

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