Mountain Biking - Disc brake choice.

Hello crew!

I got a question . I am between choosing DeoreXT Disc brakes and Avid Mechanical CPS disc brakes. Please advise me accordingly. I own a Specialized Rockhopper 2003 and i ride almost everything including DH FR XC. thanks for your advice.

There are a lot of Avid fans here, so you'll probably be swamped with suggestions to get those. I can't argue the point. The Avid's work great, are easy to set-up and easy to adjust! Plus, the price is right!

The Deore's are o.k. for hydros. They stop, but modulation is hit or miss. I rode a friends bike that had them on. The engagement point seemed to change depending on how fast you grabbed the brake. Modulation was wierd. But, they did stop!

After riding my Hayes brakes, and climbing on a different bike for comparison; mechanicals seem weaker, but the engagement point is consistant. The cheap Hydros, just feel "off"!

If it were my $$$, I go with the Avids!!!!

L8R

Hey-

Between the XT and the Avid's, I would go with the Avid's. Not only do you not have to worry about maintenence with the hyrdaulics of the XT's, but many say that you can get just as much stopping power out the of Avid's, which are mechanical. You can now also get different sized rotors from Avid to fit your application. I have heard of some problems of brake fade over long descents with the XT's. You mentioned doing DH, Freeride, and XC, so it sounds like your bike isn't strictly a pure DH machine, so you probably don't need any extra stoping power you might gain from the hyrdaulics. I'd save some cash and go for the Avid's. I can tell you from experience that(Especially if you have V-Brakes now) the Avid's are amazing. And don't forget you are also going to need disc hubs, so probably a new wheelset, if you haven't already planned on this.

Originally posted by moabrider47
Not only do you not have to worry about maintenence with the hyrdaulics of the XT's You will maintain cable actuated discs more than hydrolics.

Check into the Formula B4 - light and reasonably priced for a hydro. Been running one on the front for over a year.

I would get the XT's. I was at the same point as you at one time and i decided to go with hydrolic breaks because i hate cables. They stretch, they get contaminated, and i screw with them too much and it effects my breaking. Hydros are nice because once they're set they're set. There's no needing to replace the cables, no having to tune it; hydros are good to go.

I have a friend on XT's and my bro is getting XT's for the 25th. I'd definately say go hyrdolic(sp)

BTW i've ordered up Hope Mini's

The avid is a great brake as long as you aren't doing any and i stress any kind of descent. I went to PA their hills aren't that big and a guy I was riding with had the Avids and by the time he got down to the bottom of the hill he had no rear brake and you could smell it burning.

They work great everywhere else though! They are the simplist disc to set up! east to get cables for if you snag one or brake it. Don't have to worry about carrying hydro fluid around with you. They're nice in that matter. After time the do get gunked up too...and then they feel pretty rough.

I don't really think you'd go wrong with any hydro you went with...they all have their different quirks and what not...but they all work very well! I could go on all day about brakes so I'll leave it as is. If ya want anymore info feel free to get ahold of me. I've worked in shops for years and have experience with pretty much all of them.

Hopes

Guys thanks for the info so far.

My main concern apart from performance is to be as free minded as possible with servicing. I have V Brakes now and they suck on steep descents and mud. I already have deore disc hubs on my bike. I wouldnt like to mess with a hydro that needs attention and bleeding often or a mech that needs ofter recalibration or respacing of the pads. So i would very much appreciate an advice based on these facts.
Also Avids go for 90$ and XT for 150$ so cost is an issue sometimes but i am prepared to pay the XT cost if i get a better brake and if it needs less attention than the Avid.

Thanks again i am waiting your responces.
Feel free to chat on msn with me at math2014@hotmail.com

on the service aspect the Hydros need less of it. Once they're shimmed and bled they're ready to go until you need new break pads which every break goes through. They'll also be better in the mud b/c there is no cable to get contaminated and since they're hydrolic they'll have more power and be much better in the mud.

If you want mechanical breaks just get V-Breaks

My bad, I thought you were looking at the Deore Hydros, not the XT hydros. If you're considering the XT's over the Avids, they get my vote.

I thought you were looking at these:Deore Hydros (http://bike.shimano.com/mtb/Deore/ComponentTemplate.asp?partnumber=BR-M525)

Avids. I don't know how anyone can say more maintenance. What maintenance? What can you do to them? I've had them for two years and have done absolutely nothing to them except replace the pads once. And I've used them in the mountains in New Mexico and Colorado with no fade after long downhills. I'm talking about 10+ mile downhills.

Avids. I like the idea of no oil :)...

As for performance on dh sections. That guy's friend above must not have set them right. I know quite a few riders who use the 8inch rotor in whistler and the shore and they have absolutely no problems. Besides if the guys brakes were smelling like burning he probably used them too much anyways ;)

Originally posted by slcpunk21
The avid is a great brake as long as you aren't doing any and i stress any kind of descent. I went to PA their hills aren't that big and a guy I was riding with had the Avids and by the time he got down to the bottom of the hill he had no rear brake and you could smell it burning.

So exactly how much chain lube had he sprayed on the rotor?

Avids cable actuated disc brakes stop quite nicely.

Don't get too wigged out about cables. They are simple to set up and work fine. Any mud that would contaminate them would booger up the shifting as well, so it may not be worth worrying about just the brakes.

A

Ok guys so whats the verdict because i am a bit confused here! Avid mech or XT hydro?

Originally posted by math2p14
Ok guys so whats the verdict because i am a bit confused here! Avid mech or XT hydro?

Depends on the amount of work you want to put in. And how much you want to spend. As much as I love the Avids I have to get hydros for the front (due to some missing fingers I only have one stopping finger and need all the power assist possible). Excluding that I would probably go for the Avids. Cheap, powerful (especially 8inch) and very modular. Why not is what I ask?

I say get the XT's. More power longer lasting and once they're set they're set. With breaks you get what you pay for, so it's a judgement call. Avids have power and are easier to set up. XT's more power easier stopping, once they're set they're set and no cables to replace

I'd say you can't really go wrong either way....

Unless you set them up wrong( ha ha ha...They were set up correctly). As long as you aren't doing huge long steep sections where you're always on the brakes then the avids would be just fine. I know others will argue up and down with me on that one...just pick what you want. Either way you really aren't going to go wrong!

I like hydros though, ha ha...had to put that in. So I say go with the XT's

Hopes

I have to agree with this suggestion from danka24.
Spend the extra $. It is well worth it.

Avids, without a doubt. The best brakes I've ever ridden. They stop... fast. Little or no maintenance, even if you ride in the mud/rain alot. Pads tend to wear rather quickly, but I'm willing to deal for the excellent stopping power. Plus, the price is right. They're easy to set up and adjust. Plus, if you get the Avid Full Metal Jacket cables you shouldn't even need to bother with changing your cables ever again. Soon I'll have 2 bikes with the Avids, if that tells you anything. I stick to what works :)

I had my choice of anything I wanted. I chose Avid's 'nuff said.

Thanks for the replies crew.

I would love to go for the avids although i have a concern. I currently live in the UK but should i return back to Greece there is no authorised dealer / importer of Avid. So what can i possible do with spare parts? Will i need any? Are the brake pads of the avid compatible with other pads? Its a serious concern for me since XT is fully supported both in Greece and the UK.

I'd choose Hayes or Hopes for hydros, as for mechs - Avid all the way.
I think that online shops ship overseas. You could always try calling Avid dealers from nearby countries and ask if they could ship the parts. But some companies (ex. Koolstop, Hope) make brake pads and rotors for different systems, Avid included.

Btw, if you have some leftover money, get Avid Straight Jacket and Flak Jacket - I've never used them, but people say they're quite effective.