Mountain Biking - choose my disc brakes

I'm building up a new frame and I've decided to go with hydraulic disc brakes, but I'm not sure what to get. I ride mainly aggressive xc. These brake systems are all about the same price give or take $50.

ah bah, i screwed up my vote, xt's for sure

I could'nt choose between the XT's and the Magura Louis so by a sophisticated process driven by a statistical model the Loius won by the width of a pubic hair.

Only because you say you're building from scratch so I think you're going to spec separate brakes and shifters..

Can't go wrong with Magura Loius nor with XT...
These 2 get my votes again and again

Hayes, either one. Once set-up their problem free, good modulation and lots of power.

Plus, they're very popular WHEREVER you are, so pads and parts are readily available.

L8R

i'd say go for the louises... but that's kinda biased cause i have a pair of julies on my fisher and i'm planning on getting a pair of louise freerides for my norco.

Go with the hopes.

I've noticed that some of these brakes have 4 pistons and some have 2. Is 4 better than 2? Or does it just make the brakes heavier?

4 pistons are supposed to give better modulation as well as more power. However there are 2 piston designs that work better than some 4 piston designs

Get the HFX mags, not the 9's, the 9's SUCK.

I have no experience with any of those brakes, so I went ahead and voted on the Hope Minis.

None of the above. Get the Hope M4 or the new six pot stopers.

:beer:

I'm hearing good things about Avid Juicy's

all of the brakes you listed are awesome, how is one to choose? Personally I went with the Hope Mini's only because my buddy has em and they've been pretty much trouble free for him.

seeing how the poll is very balanced, i dont think you can go wrong with any one. pick the one that you can get the best deal on =].

None of the above. Get the Hope M4 or the new six pot stopers.
The M4 is too expensive for me.

all of the brakes you listed are awesome, how is one to choose?
That's why I posted a poll...sheesh. ;)

I am on my 2nd set of disc brakes and now I have XT. Couldnt be happier. This is on my NRS Air

Personally... if I was you.. I'd go with a set of 04' Hayes Mags...

Hayes brakes are like the "ford & chevy" of the industry. Reliable, well working, and you can get parts for them everywhere. You can get pads, and tons of aftermarket pads for them for good prices, and good availibility.

If you want the "italian stalion" of brakes... wait and get a set of the new Hope 6-piston brakes. Be prepared to PAY, and pay big. Brakes like these are definitely what every wants, but doesn't need.

My Hayes (I've had 2 bikes with Hayes on them) have been awesome stoppers. They've worked flawless for me for almost 3 1/2 years now. (minus one hose breaking on the front of my HFX-9's, but they warrantied it, and bled it for free). They've worked in muddy rides, creek crossings, and punishing downhill runs.

Personally, I'd go with the Hayes simply because of the availibility of their parts.


-Matt

I heard that there may be some trouble with the Louise. Check out mtbreview.com Anyway, it could just be the earlier models. Pricepoint.com has them for $189 for a SET! (i can't remember the exact price). So thats why I have my doubts.

Either way, I don't think you will be disappointed with any of them.

Juicy 7 :)

Juicy 7 :)

Until the levers broke on mine, I would have said that.

There was set up problems with the Louis but that was years ago.
They've been raved about a lot as the best set of budget brakes money can buy

nope, that honor goes to shimano deores, best brakes a little money can buy

thats debatable ;)

question: open vs closed systems? can somebody give a quick explanation what difference it makes if any.
Thanks

Quickest summary-Open are far better. Closed tend to pump really badly

an open system uses a reservoir to supply the oil into the brake system.

A closed system seals the brake fluid between the two brake lever pistons and the caliper pistons.

Closed systems suffer pump up because the fluid expands and has nowhere to go so tend to stiffen up the lever and in extreme cases start to apply the brakes without you having to do much.

Open systems are better and require less maintenance

be cool man, go for drum brakes. You'll be a winner!