You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / Brakes
Brakes
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
More help . . . . .
I wanted to replace my 'banshee' Avid Elixir 9's with some Shimano XT's but can anyone tell me the difference between [apart from the big difference in price . . . . . . ] and which do you prefer . . . . . . .
Shimano XT M785 Disc Brake
and
Shimano XT Disc Brakes M765
and
Shimano XT M775 Disc Brake
or
Shimano XT M775 Dual Control Disc Brake
Cheers,
A
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
Tags
I had the XT 785. Used for ~ a year and they were awesome.
Had Avid Juicy 5s before and only realised what a pile of crap they were once I had the XTs.
Also ridden on current XTRs a bit, and couldn't really tell the difference.
Everything other than the M785's are an older design. I too can vouch for the M785's being an excellent brake so much so that I've just ordered another set for the new bike. At $86 per end from Chain Reaction it would be silly not too! (although you may need to wait for new stock to arrive)
Got them on my current kit and they are wicked. I had a set of XTR's on my old bike and have to say that for stopping power and feel the XT M785 crap all over them. As jimnobob says you'd be silly not to get them at the price they are at. You can also couple them up with a set of Ispec gear shifters (F&R) for $90, one less clamp on the bars. You won't be disappointed I don't think
I recently got the 785. I can only compare them to the Deore ones. But if they are as good as the XTR ones.....gees its almost a no brainer. There must be a fair weight advantage to the XTR brakes I've compared the levers. The XT 785 are huge compared to the XTR 985 in physical size.
There is a massive price difference in everything XTR compared to XT. Not sure its worthwhile.
775 dual controls integrate the shifting into the brake lever, typically paired with a low-normal rear derailleur.
I use them and love them, the ergonomics (especially the 2010 edition) are awesome, but (and I'm gutted) they didn't survive the jump to 10-speed rear ends.
Sob.
+1 for the 785.
So easy to adjust, not that it requires much adjustments compared to the Elixir5 that came with my bike.
Easily my most favourite part on my current bike ! if I had to pick one
The SB95 i tested had a set of XT's and i must say they were so much nicer than the Juicy's Carbon's i currently use that i have decided to get a set real soon. I am currently running a 203mm and 185mm rotor on the Remedy which i thought stopped very well. The XT's i used compared quite well with only a 185mm rotor on each end.
+1 for the Brifters hawkeye. I have a set of old 9 speed LX ones one my HT and love them, even using a top normal derailleur. Tough as nails too. But I sure would like a set of XT brakes for the dually.
I like avids,
do you want to cash in on losing them off ur bike
Hi, have juicy 3's on my 2005 trance and want to move to xt. Thanks to the comments here, it looks like a good move. Anyone know if i need to change disc also? Any tricks to this changeover ?
Cheers and mry xms.
R
You know, I'm not really sure. I always thought Avid and Shimano had slightly different rotor sizes, but when I just looked they both seem to have 140/160/180. I've seen some Avid that are 185mm though, and then there's 200 vs 203 at the largest size.
So maybe it would work if you've got the exact same rotor size, although I personally think you're better off with "compatible" equipment. I've never tried it though.
You may also need the brake mount adaptors. These are to set the distance between the post and the caliper properly. Note that there is a seperate item for Front vs Rear, and each size rotor (and XTR is separate again).
For example:
Rear post 160mm - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?M...
Front post 180mm - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?M...
The installation itself is very easy. There are likely hundreds of videos on how to do it, or if you've got the bible (Zinn's) then you'lll be fine.
I went from Juicy 7s to XT (a few years old) and kept the original disks, no problems at all and a 10 minute job
I've decided to replace the whole lot, mainly because it didn't occur to me that I may be able to keep the existing rotors.
Will update the post once its all done. May keep the new rotors as spare if the old ones work!
Thanks for the help everyone.
Alberto
I've recently gone the upgrade / changeover to the XT setup... from the Avid elixir CRSL ones, and kept the avid rotors 203mm up front and 180mm on the rear.
changeover was done at LBS cos i cbf trimming hoses etc and bleeding (best left to the experts) and they work sweet with the avid rotors, but are pretty touchy.
old mate at another store suggested that the new XT's are perhaps a little powerful for such big rotors, hence the touchiness.
just a matter of getting used to them. certainly a change from the very tired Avids.
Hey guys, my brother is sick of his Juicy 5s, it seems a lot of people are taking off their avids, does anyone want to sell them on the cheep so i can give them to him for Christmas?
Cheers
Hi
I also have a crap juicy 3 brake system and I was brainstorming to upgrade to something better (mine is making a lot of noise, even with brand new pads .... I am thinking maybe the rust on the rotor can be the noise origin). Anyway. I was going for an Elixir 9 (to stay on avid) but since you all recommend Shimano XT M785 I may change my mind. Can anyone explain a bit more on the adaptor ? I have a 160mm rear rotor but if I change the whole lot (rotor + caliper + lever) should I bother with the adaptor ?
On top of that, does anyone know if the avid bleeding kit is compatible with shimano XT M785 ?
Thanks for that
just based on my experience the avid adapter works fine on the xt calipers. Re the bleed kit, and that's such a avid owners question as you just don't need to bleed the Shimano and no special kit is required if you did. I may be corrected on the above
Just something to watch between Avid and Shimano:
Avid uses DOT5.x fluid, Shimano uses a proprietary mineral oil. Don't mix up the fluids as you'll rot your seals, which will end up with you having no brakes when you need them most as the seals will inevitably blow under a "sudden maximal effort" (aka "SHIT, there's a truck pulling out on me!" panic braking).
As far as adapters and rotors go, at 160mm they are fine, I use avid rotors on my XT dual-control on my trail wheelset with no issues and have done for almost 2 years.
At the next size up you will probably be Ok with Avid rotors as the brake track is a little wider than Shimano so it should cope with a 2.5mm difference in radius. Just make sure your pad doesn't run on the rotor spokes, or it could eventually cut through. You could pack up the adapter with washers if necessary.