bikeme
08-19-03, 12:30 AM
Do you folks use one (on rear) or even both front and rear? Best models for hardtail XC use?
Mountain Biking - Brake boosters?
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Maelstrom
08-19-03, 12:54 AM
I never have and always wondered what the point was. On canti brakes I have never had a power issue.
bikeme
08-19-03, 01:04 AM
I used to have cantis but now have Vs. I saw the stays flexing a bit. I was wondering what I was losing since they push the stays out now.
moabrider47
08-19-03, 08:43 AM
bikeme,
I've used Shimano carbon boosters for a while now. This was my first full season of use, and I used them for about half of last season. I noticed a flexing in the seat stays as do you. The boosters did make a difference in the amount of noticeable flex. I noticed the flex after installing XTR V-Brakes. The boosters took care of it in the rear. After reading some reviews and info on boosters, I ordered one for the front also. I don't know that the booster has made a big difference on the front. My braking setup consists of XTR brakes and levers ("old" style) with Kool-stop pads and Shimano Carbon brake boosters. It's the best V setup I have ridden.
-Moab
I've used Shimano carbon boosters for a while now. This was my first full season of use, and I used them for about half of last season. I noticed a flexing in the seat stays as do you. The boosters did make a difference in the amount of noticeable flex. I noticed the flex after installing XTR V-Brakes. The boosters took care of it in the rear. After reading some reviews and info on boosters, I ordered one for the front also. I don't know that the booster has made a big difference on the front. My braking setup consists of XTR brakes and levers ("old" style) with Kool-stop pads and Shimano Carbon brake boosters. It's the best V setup I have ridden.
-Moab
bfong
08-19-03, 02:28 PM
I have the Salsa carbon brake booster for the rear to stop the flexing. It does help. The Shimano's are hard to find. The Salsa's are easy to find.
Bill F.
Bill F.
EBasil
08-19-03, 04:52 PM
Brake boosters can make a big difference on frames with significant flex at the brake bosses, like lightweight XC FS or HT bikes. A couple of things to remember, though:
--they can make it difficult to extract your wheel, particularly if you run narrow rims. The brake pads can catch on the booster when you try to drop the wheel.
--they are only as good as the BOLTS used to secure them, ie you must get Grade 8 bolts. If the bolt flexes, like the old Brodie aluminum or ti bolts did, then all you've done is to add weight to your bike, not function.
--you can't use them on Avid Arch Supremes, due to the bearing design. Oh, you could shim it with a washer...
--they can make it difficult to extract your wheel, particularly if you run narrow rims. The brake pads can catch on the booster when you try to drop the wheel.
--they are only as good as the BOLTS used to secure them, ie you must get Grade 8 bolts. If the bolt flexes, like the old Brodie aluminum or ti bolts did, then all you've done is to add weight to your bike, not function.
--you can't use them on Avid Arch Supremes, due to the bearing design. Oh, you could shim it with a washer...
bikeme
08-20-03, 10:33 PM
Hi, I installed a Topo brand one from performance bike (their house brand). I read some reviews on another site that said it was an ok booster but not the stiffest. I got it for only $10 (reg. $24) so I was stoked if it would work and it does! My steel fisher now brakes with more sureness and no squeel. The brake fade is gone now. Maybe because it has steel stays, it didn't need much bracing.