Which brakes to replace Avid Elixir R's?

broona

Got Elixir R's on my Boardman, and just becoming less and less impressed with them, couple of problems over the last few months, and now I can't get one of the pistons to fully recess, so I'm tempted to replace them!

Got Formula RX on my HT, and fairly impressed with them, but keep hearing good things about Shimano Deore/SLX, any opinions please? Cheers.

sharky1029

I had elixir R's and have finally got round to replacing them with some SLX brakes which I think may be a tad heavier but are more powerful and haven't broken yet so they are working better than the avids already

DodgeT

Gone from elixir cr on one bike and elixir 3 on the other, both to slx. About the same weight as the cr's and a shade lighter than the 3's.
The slx's however in terms of feel and power are in a completely different league to the avids.

Giraffoto

Shimano Deore or SLX, can't go far wrong. SLX adds finned pads and a thumb wheel rather than a hex screw to adjust the bite point. Take your pick

broona

Thanks for the replies.

Got a 10 euro discount voucher for Rose Bikes, so I think either XT or SLX from there look like the best bet.

Giraffoto

Be aware that Rose Bikes will generally supply the brakes as left front, right rear - so you may have to swap the hoses around while you're shortening them

broona

Giraffoto wrote:

Be aware that Rose Bikes will generally supply the brakes as left front, right rear - so you may have to swap the hoses around while you're shortening them

Yeah, I imported a Morewood from Germany that was set up that way, mate's a bike mechanic so should be able to sort it out easily enough.

Got a new set of pads for the Avids, so I'm going to get my mate to set it up and use them, then replace the whole setup once the pads need replacing, seems a shame to waste them! :twisted:

felix.london

broona wrote:

Got a new set of pads for the Avids, so I'm going to get my mate to set it up and use them, then replace the whole setup once the pads need replacing, seems a shame to waste them! :twisted:

Have I read that right?..you're getting your (mechanic) mate to change your brake pads for you!...I need a little head-shaking smiley for that one!

Got Elixir R's on the DH bike...and yeah - they're pants. Depending how flush I am at the time they'll either get replaced with Zee or SLX

broona

broona wrote:

and now I can't get one of the pistons to fully recess

felix.london wrote:

Have I read that right?..you're getting your (mechanic) mate to change your brake pads for you!...I need a little head-shaking smiley for that one!

Got Elixir R's on the DH bike...and yeah - they're pants. Depending how flush I am at the time they'll either get replaced with Zee or SLX

As per my OP, the pads are rubbing on the disc as I can't get the piston to fully recess, so he's going to take a look as I don't want to damage them even if I'm getting rid!

dhooper7

I've got a set of Elixir R's on my Enduro. Hate them.
Apart from XT's and Zee what you guys recommend?

mcnultycop

Magura MT2 or 4.

bellys

Deore are top draw...just took my elixirs of and replace with http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... -rear.html and there 100 times better.

rockmonkeysc

I had Elixir X0's on my DH bike. Replaced them with Zee's which are a massive improvement and moved the elixirs to my xc bike. Just replaced them with Deores which even though they are much cheaper are better (heavier though).
The shimanos do come around the wrong way if you buy from ze Germans but the hoses are too long for most bikes anyway so even if you get them around the right way you will need to shorten hoses and bleed them.