Mountain Biking - Mechanical Disc Brakes

Looking for some starter mechanical disc brakes for my newest build. I have been scouring ebay hoping to find someone who is upgrading to hydraulics and is selling a used set of Avids or what not but no dice. Does anyone know of any good disc brake deals or have any input on what seems to be good out there?

Looking for some starter mechanical disc brakes for my newest build. I have been scouring ebay hoping to find someone who is upgrading to hydraulics and is selling a used set of Avids or what not but no dice. Does anyone know of any good disc brake deals or have any input on what seems to be good out there?

I think the consensus is that for Mechanical brakes, Avids are your best choice.

And they can be found for around 60 bucks on Jenson

why don't you want to just get hydraulic? the price? you can get some of the juicy line very cheap

I figured price, but if there is a hydraulic setup that I am not sacrificing quality just or the sake of getting hydraulic I will definitely go for.

I think the consensus is that for Mechanical brakes, Avids are your best choice.

And they can be found for around 60 bucks on Jenson

Ditto..

Look no further than the Avid BB7's.

I figured price, but if there is a hydraulic setup that I am not sacrificing quality just or the sake of getting hydraulic I will definitely go for.

check out the juicy 5's. they are great. the only reason they are not on par with the boutique brands is weight...and that is not that big a deal at all. i am confident you'll like them.

someone could clarify, but what did sram do? they made a juicy 3 or something?

let someone else clarify this but get whatever is comparable to the juicy 5, i think that model is still available.

look around on the net. you can prob get left over models that are new but cheaper. one of the diff of the newer ones was a split perch, but who cares. the older one will be just as strong.

good luck

I think the consensus is that for Mechanical brakes, Avids are your best choice.

And they can be found for around 60 bucks on Jenson

you used to be able to get juicy 5's for 80-85 bucks, not sure if you can still find any at that price. maybe new leftovers on ebay

.

someone could clarify, but what did sram do? they made a juicy 3 or something?

good luck

They did make a Juicy 3, but it's my understanding that it was only an OEM part. Can't get them aftermarket.

Go with the BB7s. They're way easier to deal with than hydros, have a good feel, and plenty of stopping power for XC riding.

I like BB7s, they really come alive with big rotors.

I bought some Juicy 5's last year and they have been great. I got them here http://www.fullcycles.com/index.php/cPath/62_32?osCsid=4a266af762ed2339666e665919ef2eb1

Juicy 3's available too.

In my understanding, the J3 is the previous years J5, if that makes sense. So therefore:
2007 Juicy 3 = 2006 Juicy 5
2008 Juicy 5 = 2009 Juicy 3

I could be wrong though, do your research before taking it for gospel.

Would you like a set of used hayes nines? I just may know someone willing to part with them ;)

Just saw this on Jenson:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/imgWrapper.aspx?img=/BR/BR301C00.jpg&type=2 (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR301C00-Magura+Julie+Sl+Disc+Brake+Oe.aspx)

I have no experience with them, but I have heard many a peoples say good things about Maguras. Not too shabby of a price either.

Many good things to be heard about Maggie's yes, but not so much the Julie's. I've heard more bad stories than good of the Julie's, though in saying that Specialized spec the Marta's on their Stumpjumper lineup, so they must suck epically.

BB7's for $50USD on pricepoint, if I'm not mistaken.

Yah, BB7 for $50 at many online shops, $60 is too much.

Before they convince you to go hydraulic, read some of the 800 Avid ball bearing reviews here. Then check out some hydraulics.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/disc_brake_system/

I've had the urge a few times to go hydraulics, but this site cures me every time, especially when I calculated recently that my BB7's weigh the same as the Juicy 7's.

I ride in the mountains and have never lacked for stopping or modulation with Avid levers.

Al

...I calculated recently that my BB7's weigh the same as the Juicy 7's.


Did the lever, cable, housing, caliper, pads, rotors, adapter, and hardware come out to 400g? I would have guessed it would have been more than that based on weights I had for some of my old V-brake stuff.

Before they convince you to go hydraulic, read some of the 800 Avid ball bearing reviews here. Then check out some hydraulics.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/disc_brake_system/

I've had the urge a few times to go hydraulics, but this site cures me every time, especially when I calculated recently that my BB7's weigh the same as the Juicy 7's.

I ride in the mountains and have never lacked for stopping or modulation with Avid levers.

Al

Ha ha You can't go by that, the site has an average user rating of 3.82 out of 5 for Hayes MX2:D

Before they convince you to go hydraulic, read some of the 800 Avid ball bearing reviews here. Then check out some hydraulics.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/disc_brake_system/

I've had the urge a few times to go hydraulics, but this site cures me every time, especially when I calculated recently that my BB7's weigh the same as the Juicy 7's.

I ride in the mountains and have never lacked for stopping or modulation with Avid levers.

Al


I read the reviews and am glad I made the decision to go with the Juicy 5's. I have tortured them for over almost a year and have not adjusted a single thing.

I run Hayes MX4's with 6" rotors on my DBack. Besides just adjusting them I've had no problems whatsoever for almost a year so far.

And once you burn in the rotors, they stop in a hurry.

Ha ha You can't go by that, the site has an average user rating of 3.82 out of 5 for Hayes MX2:D

I agree, you can't go by the ratings unless they are 5.0 with a lot of reviewers. A better way is to look for problem areas/trends. There are folks there who switched from Juicy 5/7's to BB7's. I've a few folks on the trails who've done the same.

Are there many who've done that? I doubt it. A lot of folks switch the other way. For me, I just don't want the hassel of bleeding brakes on a bike. I could be unlucky and get a set that need to be bled often. My BB7's are as maintenance free as brakes can get.

Plus, the last pair of BB7's for my grandson's bike cost all of $100 plus an additional $22.00 for levers. Can't beat that.

Al

My BB7's are as maintenance free as brakes can get.


FACT:

BB7s require more adjustment, and more maintenance, than many hydraulic disc brakes.

BB7s are not as maintenance-free as brakes can get.

How so?

I also don't like the idea of bleeding a brake line. I understand how cable works rather simply and fixing it is not difficult. How does hydraulic maintenance go? I drained and put in new brake fluid on my motorcycle once.. same idea?

It looks like a pain after watching my LBS fix some hydro's.

Depending on where you buy hydros from, they come out of the box, bolt to the mounts and handlebars, you squeeze, they stop you.

Only time you will need to bleed is if there is a leak. It happens, but it doesn't happen every time you ride.

I agree, you can't go by the ratings unless they are 5.0 with a lot of reviewers. A better way is to look for problem areas/trends. There are folks there who switched from Juicy 5/7's to BB7's. I've a few folks on the trails who've done the same.

Are there many who've done that? I doubt it. A lot of folks switch the other way. For me, I just don't want the hassel of bleeding brakes on a bike. I could be unlucky and get a set that need to be bled often. My BB7's are as maintenance free as brakes can get.

Plus, the last pair of BB7's for my grandson's bike cost all of $100 plus an additional $22.00 for levers. Can't beat that.

Al

i hate this too. i usually have to bleed mine like every two weeks :(

I simply can't understand why the BB7 contingent is still citing maintenance as a reason to avoid hydraulic brakes. There are other arguments with significantly greater validity, e.g. affordability, low cost, or delusional paranoia.

It looks like a pain after watching my LBS fix some hydro's.

were they incompetent teen mechanics?

once i was using mechanical disc brakes and i couldn't stop quick enough. i almost went over the edge of a cliff.

it looked like this:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/365560433_2d6e8bd35e_o.jpg

that's me in the red on my white transition vagrant. i said to myself, "never again."

i always use hydraulic brakes and a parachute now. it's a safety thing.

i also carry in my camelbak two pre-cut brake hoses filled with fluid and capped at each end just in case i should have both brake lines fail.

Wow, yet another thing to carry in my pack.

I kind of miss the simplicity of V-brakes now.

Where's the "white transition vagrant"? All I see is a big green face with it's tongue sticking out????

I carry a gas grill and a rifle in my hydration pack, you know, just in case I get hungry, see a deer, and want to eat.

Where's the "white transition vagrant"? All I see is a big green face with it's tongue sticking out????

dang it....hold on.....

edit:
how about now?

I carry a gas grill and a rifle in my hydration pack, you know, just in case I get hungry, see a deer, and want to eat.

please keep the thread on topic, we're talking brakes.

:D

Much better. That really you? I would ***** my pants riding that. Acrophobia sucks.

I think the whiskey finally got to me. I have no idea what's going on in this thread all of a sudden.

that looks like the hans rey trip to ireland! did you ride w/ hans?!

I think the whiskey finally got to me. I have no idea what's going on in this thread all of a sudden.

:beer:

that looks like the hans rey trip to ireland! did you ride w/ hans?!

yes, that's hans in yellow on the blue bike. he was being a wuss. i told him to gap that rock or get out of my way.

I simply can't understand why the BB7 contingent is still citing maintenance as a reason to avoid hydraulic brakes. There are other arguments with significantly greater validity, e.g. affordability, low cost, or delusional paranoia.

Preach it.

Or else.

Wow, yet another thing to carry in my pack.

I kind of miss the simplicity of V-brakes now.

That's funny.


I simply can't understand why the BB7 contingent is still citing maintenance as a reason to avoid hydraulic brakes. There are other arguments with significantly greater validity, e.g. affordability, low cost, or delusional paranoia.

That's funny... and true

I simply can't understand why the BB7 contingent is still citing maintenance as a reason to avoid hydraulic brakes. There are other arguments with significantly greater validity, e.g. affordability, low cost, or delusional paranoia.

I propose your lack of understanding could be because you might not be broad minded enough to entertain other approaches than your own.

I've personally talked to two folks who've swithed to BB7's from hydraulics and noticed zero negatives in braking. Specifically, they bike in places like Tanassee (Ocoee river, Tenn) where good brakes are a very good idea.

One switched both his bikes (a FS and a single speed) because he was tired of bleeding and stuck pads.


Al

I simply can't understand why the BB7 contingent is still citing maintenance as a reason to avoid hydraulic brakes. There are other arguments with significantly greater validity, e.g. affordability, low cost, or delusional paranoia.:roflmao: I purposely avoided this thread for days, not wanting to get sucked in; but then figured I should do my 'modly' duty and be sure everyone was being civil. Better than than - - gastro throws out this zinger!


I kind of miss the simplicity of V-brakes now.I do too: you didn't count on them to stop you . . . and they didn't. Simple.





And I typed this once and most of it vanished - - what's up with that?

Great, I ask about a good deal on brakes and now we have a conspiracy theory about BB7s.

/facepalm

One switched both his bikes (a FS and a single speed) because he was tired of bleeding and stuck pads.


I can't imagine that all this bleeding and stuck pads is anything other than a bad mechanic in the first place. I mean.. how often do people have to have their car brakes worked on, other than replacing pads?

Not that I have been using them that long.. but I haven't touched my hydraulic brakes since installing them.. which took maybe 10 minutes. On the other hand, my wife's bb5's have needed a bit more attention, over fewer miles.

...but I haven't touched my hydraulic brakes since installing them.. which took maybe 10 minutes.

The argument of bleeding brakes is hilarious. I have never had the need to bleed mine. Doubt that I ever will either.


Great, I ask about a good deal on brakes and now we have a conspiracy theory about BB7s.

/facepalm

The only conspiracy going on is the myth that hydros need constant attention.

apparently you didn't see my thread in the FS forum

I did now... PM sent.