Mountain Biking - jenson usa disc brakes

so i am looking to get a set of disc brakes for my upcoming SS on-one inbred. Jenson seems to have a great selection for pretty good prices. I dont know which brakes are the best bang for the buck. I would like to get a set for 150 or less so here is a link to the site with the price 200 and lower. If someone could take a look and point me in a good direction it would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/113-Brakes+Disc.aspx

Thanks.

They've got the Avid Elixir CR for $147. That's a good brake. They've got Juicy 7's for less than $120. Finally, they've got Juicy 5's for $85. Any of those will provide plenty of power for you. I'd probably get the 7's, but only because I've only had a short ride on the Elixirs and don't feel right recommending them.

I've heard numerous complaints about the lack of modulation on the Juicy 5s. Definitely spring for the 7s.

is there a noticeable difference between hydro and say like the BB7's? or is it more of a wear/consistency issue?

I only have experience with Hayes 9's. But going on 3 years for this set and I have had zero issues with these brakes, I have had to do NOTHING to them. For $120 a set a real bargain in my opinion.

^ is that from jenson? or where at?

^^ Yes, Jenson - - and actaully $112:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR295C00-Hayes+Hfx-9+Disc+Brake+Plain+Packaging.aspx

I just have one caveat about the 9s: The lever linkage at the MC is a weak point, unless - - unlike me - - you never crash. A good blow to the lever will rip the ball-end of the linkage out of the MC, along with the spring clip and washer that is supposed to retain it. Finding a replacement waher in hard enough steel that is the right size is a challenge; and hammering the old, bent one flat is only a temporary solution. Just be aware. My son fought this on his set until I was able to alleviate his misery with a set of Stroker Trails.

i see, i have been looking at the stroker ryde on jenson http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR303C01-Hayes+Stroker+Ryde+Disc+Brake+Kit.aspx and this may be what i go for unless that is a bad idea. i just like cheaper ones i think haha any experience with those?

So, Doug-

How have the Trails handled your crashes?

No experience with the Rydes. The master cylinder assembly itself seems to be identical to the Trail and Ace, the difference being in the lack of reach adjustment knob on the lever its still adjusts, just not with a nice, big external knob). The Rydes weigh a touch more, due to using steel-backed pads; and the caliper has a fixed inlet rather than an adjustable-angle banjo. The little niceties are what add up to the cost-of-manufacturing/cost difference; but the performance should be Stroker-good regardless.

Here's a good compaison chart so you can see the differences at a glance:

http://birk.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=downloadfile&downloaditemid=14



So, Doug- How have the Trails handled your crashes?With complete aplomb, I must say. The MC housings have some war-wounds but they are working like new on my son's Bullit still. I don't think it would be possible, with the way the actuator rod is set up, to rip it out of the housing. I still wish bicycle brakes had breakaway levers like motos do, but that's maybe just me. I've crahed the Stroker Aces too (same MC) and so far, they've withstood my abuse.

is there a noticeable difference between hydro and say like the BB7's? or is it more of a wear/consistency issue?

Cheap hydros are supposed to be about the worst things on earth (no modulation, constantly having to to bleed the lines, never being to able to alleviate rotor rub.) Nice hydros are supposed to about the greatest thing on earth. I have middle-of-the-line Hayes Nines and haven't had any problems in the year I've been using them.

BB7s are going to be much better than a cheap hydro, but won't feel nearly as good as a nice hydro.

I think feels good is sometimes confused with feels different. I like the feel of my BB7s with SD7 levers and Superfortress cables. Its it feels really smooth and the modulation is really good too. That said, the butter smooth feel of hydros is also very very nice. I don't have enough time on them to comment on modulation. But my point is they both feel good. Just different.

Do you really need hydraulics disk brake or will mechanical do? I totally do not recommend Hayes and Avid Juicys altho I had both. If your budget is below $200, you won't get a decent hydraulics disc brakes. You might as well get a set of BB7. They are $45 each with rotors and calipers at beyondbikes and pricepoint.

That is $90 + lever cost. A matching lever set will cost you only $30. $120 and a decent set of brakes. Hydraulics are good but at your price range, you are better off with mechanical.

There are some XT hydros on ebay for 140 minus rotors.

xt is shimano right?

Indeed. Did I miss something?

is there a noticeable difference between hydro and say like the BB7's? or is it more of a wear/consistency issue?

My experience says in general hydros have more power (but I'm fairly sure BB7s a bit more power than J3s and more modulation).

It sounds crazy, but I cant believe how much more power my J5's have than my old shimano mech's. On some of steep hills where I used to be pulling as hard as I could with 3 fingers, I now am using 2 or 1 fingers gently with far better results.

xt is shimano right?

xt is shimano right?


yesyesyes, craigcraigcraig.

whoa sorry about that crazy connection.

yesyesyes, craigcraigcraig.

lol my bad.

ok one more question about brakes, are all levers equal? besides weight?

For mechanical disc brakes.

Speed Dial 7. 20 bucks. That is all.

Hayes nines at price point 50 bucks a wheel (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/17994-115_HAYX98-3-Parts-158-Brakes/Disc/Hayes-HFX-9-XC-Disc-Brake-Grey.htm)

All levers for mechanical brakes are the same. Just don't get old school levers which are design for cantilever brakes only. I don't really mean old school...only for mtb as cross still use canti brakes.

There is a differences between BB7 and Juicy & Hayes HFX 9. Juicy 3 sucks. Get at least Juicy 5 but not Juicy 7 as the red knob for adjustment will actually cause you problem along the road. I have had two friends so far that had an issue with the red knob causing the brakes to be stuck. So they ended up racing with no brakes for one day. Why pay more and get more hassle. If you love Avid hydraulics, get the Elixir CR but its going to be over your budget.

Shimano XT is ok. I will suggest Shimano XT over Hayes HFX 9.

Go to ebay. Get some XTs. On Friday I bought a set (front and rear, levers, calipers, pre-bled, etc) of XT hydros for $139 OTD. I picked up rotors for $34.

I have had Juicy 5's for about two years now on my Epic. They're OK. They work well but they're ALWAYS rubbing. Their CPS is bullsh!t and you have to manually center the calipers, which is easy enough but it's never perfect. I went with XT for my SS because my friend has had zero issues with his, they look good, seem to work well, they feel good when I've ridden his bike a couple of times.

do i have to have shimano rotors to go with shimano brakes?

do i have to have shimano rotors to go with shimano brakes?

No, you do not.

all these choices are making my head wanting to explode. Thanks for the help :thumb:

well, i am going to ask one more question. I thought i was set on the on-one inbred but have recently come across the 07 jamis exile on jenson and it will be about 80 bucks cheaper to get. is there any opinions on these two frames??

Jamis knows steel and gives you a lot of bang for your buck. I don't know about the other one; are you getting it online or at an LBS?

^^Yes...I have indeed been banged by Jamis before.

I was wondering how long it would take you to show up Ed.

so jamis eh?

Weighing in based on experience:
BB7's- Good stopping power, especially for the money. once they are dialed in (takes a while), they are great brakes. you will not have to think or worry about braking with these. Also, there is no fluid or any of that crap to worry about. However...
Juicy7's- Are awesome. i do a lot of XC, and these things are great. i would say the difference between BB7's and Juicy 7's is kinda like the difference between a Toyota and a Lexus.

Either way, you won't go wrong. If it were me, having ridden the 2, i would go with the Juicy.

PS- the color on that Jamis bike is sick. and it's steel. nice.

Weighing in based on experience:
BB7's- Good stopping power, especially for the money. once they are dialed in (takes a while), they are great brakes. you will not have to think or worry about braking with these. Also, there is no fluid or any of that crap to worry about. However...
Juicy7's- Are awesome. i do a lot of XC, and these things are great. i would say the difference between BB7's and Juicy 7's is kinda like the difference between a Toyota and a Lexus.

Either way, you won't go wrong. If it were me, having ridden the 2, i would go with the Juicy.

PS- the color on that Jamis bike is sick. and it's steel. nice.

well i bought the shimano brakes that someone mentioned earlier already. (completely blanking on the name right now) i do like the bronzeish color but being a nerdy art kid i will probably strip it and repaint it myself.

p.s. I wave at people when riding my road bike. and on the trails :D

The XTs?

si, senor.

I think it is time for me to start looking at wheelsets, 29ers. Is there brands or specifics i should stay away from/lean towards?