Mountain Biking - Brakes

what are a good pair fo brakes?

As far as v-brakes, I prefer Avid (http://www.avidbike.com/home.html).

What are you looking for? Disc or V's?

Disc...Hayes, Magura, Hopes, Shimano...Avid mech.

V's...they all are pretty good...

give us some more details on what you're looking to do and what your riding style is and what your looking to spend.

I like the Hayes Comps...cheap but work really well(and I'm suprised with the platic lever body)

The shimanos are nice too! No matter what ones you go with. You get the most bang for your buck with the 525...or deore hydrolics...take a day or so to work in and stop squealing....after that they work great.

I hope that helps some.
:beer:

Aznpeter,

I've got to go with these guys and ask for more info on what kind of riding you do. Is it freeride, XC, DH, etc. This will help determine the type of brake (disc or V) that might be most applicable to your riding, as well as rotor size if you are talking about going to disc.

That said, I prefer the Shimano XTR V-brakes that I currently use over any other V system that I have tried. They are smooth and with the right pads they are rock-solid even when it turns to rain. Obviously, they still take a minute to dry the rims like any other V, but I have found them to be especially good in severe conditons.

If your talking about real severe conditions, DH or freeride situations, or just want the overall superior stopping power of disc brakes, then I would reccomend the Avid Mechanicals as a good option to look at. I have ridden several friend's bikes with them and they are unbeatable as far as I'm concerned, especially in the price category, and I have ridden hydraulic systems as well. Avid also now makes different sized rotors for different applications. If you're looking for more of a downhill/freeride setup, then I would lean to a hydraulic setup like something from Hayes, or even Shimano as slcpunk mentioned. The Avids will just save some weight if you're looking to do XC.

Also, remember that if you currently run V-brakes, you will need to get new disc hubs and possibly a respoking of your wheel in order to run a disc system. It is often cheapest and easiest to just buy a new disc wheelset unless you are confident with a spoke wrench.

This turned out kinda long..but I hope it helps clarify some stuff!

-Moab

Edited: For horrible grammar.

I'd try some of those ones.. you know.. the ones with the pads, yeah. I heard good things about them.

the ones with the pads

Oh come on! You forgot he also needs the levers and cables/lines.

Serieously, we need more info.

No additional info needed. I use Paul's Componets' brakes. They are the best, hands down. Kinda like the Chris King of brakes.

Cowboys in Chatsworth? You ride that thing up and down Desoto, or do you stay on Canoga? Just kidding ;-)

A friend of mine just put some Cane Creeks on his singlespeed. They look pretty cool, one of their calipers is longer and bent, so you eliminate the need for a "Noodle". They weren't ridiculously expensive either.

Otherwise, I'd recommend Avid Single Digits for vee-brakes. I actually prefer their lever than any of the Shimano levers.

I agree with everyone else as well if going with Discs. I'm running Hayes Hydros and am very happy with them.

BTW, if upgrading to discs, not only do you also need disc hubs, but you've got to make sure that disc tabs are welded to your frame and fork. If not, then you've got to use an adapter for the frame, and a new fork (Adapters for forks don't work!). This is usually too costly, and it'd be cheaper to buy a complete bike with discs already on it!

L8R

If you want V's i'd definately say go for shimano. I've always felt that they had more stopping power and better than my avids which i had to dial in almost constantly.

As far as discs go you're got a ****load of choices, but as said before more info is needed

Cowboys in Chatsworth? You ride that thing up and down Desoto, or do you stay on Canoga

Actually I ride up and down Topanga during rush hour.;)