which disc brake for XC?

clipper · May 2007

Apologies if this discussion has been done to death already but having finally had enough of the woeful performance and high maintenance my Hayes HFX-9 XC have offered me in their first 12 months I'm looking to upgrade. Looking at either Avid Juicy 7 or Shimano XT with a 160 rear 185 front but before taking the plunge I'd be grateful if any of you have any pointers with either of these or other brands like Formula or Magura? Budget is something less than œ200 for a complete setup. Thanks.

ddoogie · May 2007

Shimano XTR - œ99 a side

Superb modulation and lever shape. Best brakes around IMO.

<hr noshade size="1">
S-Works Stumpjumper FSR

KeelKlein · May 2007

Got a Hope Mini and its more than up too the job of stopping my colossal weight (95kgs) at speed. Just want to keep it in the UK if i can, if not then Shimano every time

clipper · May 2007

Other than bling and saving a few grammes do the XTR brakes offer much over the XTs? Does anybody recommend the Juicy 7's (which can be picked up for œ160 on eBay)? I am tempted by the Hope but not sure I can justify the extra sheets.

KeelKlein · May 2007

I think that the XTR is just more bling, if there is any real bite difference then you'd prob have to be a top pro to notice it. A lot of people do like the Juicy's but I do just like Shimano stuff it seems to work and be well made, i only went for the Hope as i had a œœœ bonus from work and blew if on the Mini, as i've always wanted one, no other reason than that.

One thing i notice with all disk brakes is that they hate to be feathered as they seem to loose some bite, I guess its the pads glazing up a little the bite can easily be restored with a few full on applications down a steep hill.

clipper · May 2007

Cheers for that. Not hear much about these but looking into this a bit more I am really tempted by some Formula Oro's which get very good reviews on mtbr.com

mongooseTE17 · May 2007

I would go for Avid Juciy 7's or Formula oro's both are excellent. I never have liked mineral oil brakes like shimano, they just dont feel righ imo.

My Elite!
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1331161/

dave_s · May 2007

Juicy 7's are great, I've got 185 front rotor and 160 rear rotor Avid Juicy 7's as an All-Mountain setup on my full-susser and can't fault it.
I'm sure small rotor up front would be fine for XC only too if you're really watching the grammes.

Anonymous · May 2007

i run xt on the stumpy and reign, i weigh in at over 125kilos and even the 160mm ones on the stumpy stop me dead well. i run a 185mm on the front of the reign and the stopping is soopoib!!
it is well worth fitting aftermarket sintered pads by the way, i think they are the reason for the top notch stopping power.

<center>p7s Roadie Stumpy Reign</center>
<center>shirpy shirpy sheepsteeth</center>

KeelKlein · May 2007

Dood, cheers for that advice i'll look out 4 some sintered pads, i guess they eat the rotors though?

Rockhopper_Ecosse · May 2007

I have 160mm juicy 5's on my 'hopper which work really well seeing as i'm 17st, simple to set up and maintain also...could save you some cash in exchange for forfitting the extra lever adjustability?

Anonymous · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by KeelKlein

Dood, cheers for that advice i'll look out 4 some sintered pads, i guess they eat the rotors though?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

they dont seem to be doing too much damage to be honest, spose time will tell though.
In all honesty, i only put xt on the spesh because i wanted dual controls and it all came as a package. the previous set was plain old m535 deore and they were outstanding (again with after market pads and thoroughly well bled), especially as they are so cheap, i havent noticed any better braking with the upgraded xt set but they are equally as good.

<center>p7s Roadie Stumpy Reign</center>
<center>shirpy shirpy sheepsteeth</center>

thaibog · May 2007

Old hope minis ..stop my 18 stone frame quickly and without fuss..get a bit hot on extended downs but never faded on me yet..good to go with twin 200mm disks

thumbs up for the hope's

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=148766

dave_s · May 2007

I'd agree with Thaibog on that, the pre-mono Hope minis were fantastic brakes.
I still use them on my Cove with sintered pads and they're superb still.
The new minis are supposed to be good again now too, but I've heard a few people complaining about Mono Minis.
Out of the box though Avid Juicy 7s would be my choice out of brakes I've tried to date. Really easy to setup and powerful once bedded in even with stock pads

thaibog · May 2007

lo dave..

i have not gone on to the sintered pads yet..still using the set i have which have lasted me 7 months of winter/dust/the last months downpour ..will move onto them in the next few weeks ..where you get yours from?..i hear there are better after market pads than the hope own brand ..

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=148766

dave_s · May 2007

Thaibog, I've used Goodridge sintered pads and they're pretty good but I don't have probs with Hope pads really either. The pads tend to last ages so I'm not even sure what brand pads I've got in on my old minis now, I've only changed the pads 3 times since I got them years ago.
I've got a few bikes so maybe they're not getting worn down that fast but pads do seem to last a long time and Goodridge or EBC are well worth looking at if you want alternatives to Hope in aftermarket pads.
Weirdly my old Hope minis stopped squealing about 6 months after I got them and the squeal never re-appeared even when it rains (and it rains alot where I live).
I just wish I knew why so I could make my other brakes shutup in the rain too.

Dangerous Dave · May 2007

I believe wiggle had an offer on: œ120 for a complete set of Shimano XT brakes.... I ran Saints which run the same caliper just different colour and I've not been able to find a better set of brakes overall.

<hr noshade size="1">[another random post by]
BiGDaVe![}:)]<center>[}:)]GeT Orf YeR ASs AnD RIdE A BIkE[}:)]
Chameleon | RaveRacing | Uber Gemini</center>
<hr noshade size="1">Originally posted by Jon
<center>As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'. [:D]</center><hr noshade size="1">

merrymongoose · May 2007

Ive got avid juicy 7's and there ace only the rear 160 though dont use it for xc although i do travel far i usr it for dirt jumping its finr and works a treat.

Alistair Mitchell

clipper · May 2007

Thanks for all the responses but I blew the budget and plumped for some Formula Oro K24... hopefully won't be asking the same question again anytime soon.

Dangerous Dave · June 2007

Oro's are excellent brakes... just what I have on both my Chameleon and Gemini!

<hr noshade size="1">[another random post by]
BiGDaVe![}:)]<center>[}:)]GeT Orf YeR ASs AnD RIdE A BIkE[}:)]
Chameleon | RaveRacing | Uber Gemini</center>
<hr noshade size="1">Originally posted by Jon
<center>As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'. [:D]</center><hr noshade size="1">

chilled rider · June 2007

Hope your brakes serve you well

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1347023/

KEEPING IT REAL RIDING STEEL

paulf2007 · June 2007

I have juicy carbons on my trance, xtr on my anthem and xt on my hardtail, very little difference in any of them. What I would say is the xtr has to be shimmed, whereas the xt and avids have post mount adapters and are quickly adjusted. Another reason why I'm going off hopesthough I've heard the new ones are adjustable. <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by clipper

Other than bling and saving a few grammes do the XTR brakes offer much over the XTs? Does anybody recommend the Juicy 7's (which can be picked up for œ160 on eBay)? I am tempted by the Hope but not sure I can justify the extra sheets.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

breezer · June 2007

I am thinking of getting some Ora K24's as well. If I got a 160mm front now and decided I wanted a 180mm later what do I need to buy other than a new rotor. Presumably a mount adapater? CRC only seem to list avid/hope/shimano etc mounts, no Forumla ones at all?

2005 Azonic Propulsion
1998 DMR Trailstar
1992 Breezer Lightning Pro

clipper · June 2007

I believe Formula sell their rotors as hardware kits that include the mounting you will need. Unfortunately there seems to be a shortage of Formula stock in the country right now so I'm yet to get my mitts on anything.

breezer · June 2007

ok ta

2005 Azonic Propulsion
1998 DMR Trailstar
1992 Breezer Lightning Pro

Dangerous Dave · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by clipper

I believe Formula sell their rotors as hardware kits that include the mounting you will need. Unfortunately there seems to be a shortage of Formula stock in the country right now so I'm yet to get my mitts on anything.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
This is caused by there being a new supplier who is just a one man band... can't keep up with demand!!!

<hr noshade size="1">[another random post by]
BiGDaVe![}:)]<center>[}:)]GeT Orf YeR ASs AnD RIdE A BIkE[}:)]
Chameleon | RaveRacing | Uber Gemini</center>
<hr noshade size="1">Originally posted by Jon
<center>As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'. [:D]</center><hr noshade size="1">

which disc brake for XC?

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