brakes


delicious's picture

By delicious - Posted on 30 July 2008

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Alex, Saint brakes are already good and the new model will be excellent. Hope isn't for everyone and probably suit bike tech geeks better. They are reliable but do require careful set up and attention. I'd steer clear of Hayes even though the higher end models are good. Remember that your HFX Mags are an entry level and OEM product, not top shelf and the design is rather old.
Avid make good brakes. Juicy aren't for downhill though. That's what Codes are for. All Avids are reliable and work to their design brief. Also it's their own brand pads that are the best which is unusual. I don't even use Hope pads in the Hope brakes I like so much.
Curiously a very good brake is the latest incarnation of Shimano XT. I believe you'd get them for both ends for just a bit over $400 and even better is that I believe they have a six bolt rotor option so a new set of hubs is not required. XT breaks a lot of rules for a product promoted as an all mountain group with some guys saving a shed load of weight using this groupset and going freeriding, jumping etc.
As for Little Ditty's comments about the Fuel and Trance rear end looking the same, I think he was meaning from a fabrication viewpoint. I'm sure Ditty is well aware of the differences between the APB from Trek and and the twin link Maestro isolated triangle design from Giant. At least I hope he does...

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Alex's picture

yeh looking like saints the more i think about it..you need fancy hubs for saints or can you do it both ways?

shano's picture

Have had the 5s for a while now was thinking to upgrade to shimano...call me old fashioned but I liked the how the pads were locked in and easier to replace than the avids...

Imagine my suprise...when I got the last AMB mag with a review of the lastest Avid Elixirs...virtually the same pad retention system...just requires a small hex bolt to tighten the pin holding the pads in.

Smaller pads..just...so you have to buy all new pads..etc...

Would be interested to hear if anyone sees these knew brakes from Avid Elixirs around... Eye-wink

Alex's picture

they are stock on the new session 88's which are due in soon, so i guess they will be coming out soon? yeh they sound good, in between juicy's and codes they were saying... i just cant help but gravitate towards the most powerful ass kicking bling ish and nicely modular brake there is that will last and to hell with the weight! after all my brake troubles and dramas, thats wot i want! was riding today and couldnt help notice again how the front power on mags really does blow..or maybe i was just concentrating on it.. even thinking just 1 super powerful brake up front might be enough without changing the rear.. till later! its a shame you cant "test ride" brakes, would make life alot easier!

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