Mountain Biking - Hydraulic Brakes?

I've decided to upgrade my brakes, and I now have a few questions that I would like to be answered. I am wondering wheter or not the Grimeca type brakes are an opened or closed system. Which brakes are better? The SRAM 9.0 Hydraulic Disc's (which has ONE review on mtbreview.com, which I find odd), or the Shimano XT Hydraulics? Im looking to buy a set of disc brakes online, but I'm not sure which store would have the best deal. Would I be better off with a set of Hopes or Hayes? I am considering putting a hydraulic brake on the front with an Avid's mech brake on the rear. Would this be ok, or would it just look ridiculously sad?

I've heard about the 2 and 4 piston brakes. What are the pro's and con's of each (im completly oblivious about the two)? I've heard of modulation--is this better than the on/off type of brakes? And finally, if I can get the 8'' disc for the front, should I? I am using a Zoke fork as well--if i buy a pair of Hayes, do I need an adapter? If so, which one should I get? I only weight around 130 lbs and I ride mainly xc with a taint of free ride in it. And to top it off, I'm hoping to spend less than $300 for the set.
sorry to bombard you with all these questions...

Funko! :confused:

I don't have any experience with hydraulics, but I do have Avids on my bike. Why not just put Avids front and rear and buy something else with the extra money? They are fantastic brakes. Less mess, easy to install and setup. Just a thought...:)

I too, am looking for Hydro brakes. I have been looking at the Magura rim system. I figure I don't have to replace hubs or have mounts attached. Anyone out there know about these things? http://www.magura.de/english/frameset/default.htm

Well, I was considering doing that, but I know that I can get a pair of SRAM 9.0 hydraulics for $260 (at pricepoint.com). Its not that much more, so I'm ok with purchasing those. However, I wanted to know if there is any noticable difference in those brakes as opposed to a set of hydraulics, OR a hydraulic in front, and a mech in the back..any thoughts?

funko!

if you are running a 8"Hayes on a Zoke, you will need an adapter. For a six inch you will be fine. Four piston brakes like Grimecea or Shimano XT are apparently stronger but unless you are doing serious downhilling you should be fine with a two piston brake like Hopes or magura. As for the magura rim brakes, i ride the HS33 rim brakes and swear by them...they fit on any conventional brake mount....they are stronger than anything i've ever used....but they take some time to set up and tune. the upside of a disk is you can run a warped tire without brake rub...and they arn't affected by water and dirt. hope this is some help. p.S. if you have the cash...hopes are sopposed to be the best....and they have cool rotars with lightning bolts cut out of them.:beer:

Originally posted by Funko
I've decided to upgrade my brakes, and I now have a few questions that I would like to be answered. I am wondering wheter or not the Grimeca type brakes are an opened or closed system. Which brakes are better? The SRAM 9.0 Hydraulic Disc's (which has ONE review on mtbreview.com, which I find odd), or the Shimano XT Hydraulics?

Grimeca manufactures both the Shimano XT and the SRAM Hydraulic discs, though I understand that there are some slight differences.


Im looking to buy a set of disc brakes online, but I'm not sure which store would have the best deal. Would I be better off with a set of Hopes or Hayes? I am considering putting a hydraulic brake on the front with an Avid's mech brake on the rear. Would this be ok, or would it just look ridiculously sad?

You really need to try them out and form your own opinion. Some people run front disc/rear V-brakes and it works fine. If you do get different brakes front and rear, just make sure you put the more powerful brake on the front.


I've heard of modulation--is this better than the on/off type of brakes?

Again, personal preference.


I am using a Zoke fork as well--if i buy a pair of Hayes, do I need an adapter? If so, which one should I get?

You should expect the shop to know which adapter you need given your fork and the brakes you choose. Whether they will get it right is another matter.

Thanks for all that info! The reason that I am asking the differences in the 2 and 4 piston hydraulic brakes is because I want to know whether or not the 4 piston offers better modulation (like I have heard but not confirmed). Another issue that I am wondering about: what is the differences between the DOT system that most brakes use as opposed to using mineral oil? Is there any brake lock up when using the mineral oil, due to lower boiling temperatures? How serious can this be, and about how long do you have to pull on the brake while going down for this to happen? And one last thing...which brakes are open systems? I've searched around, and so far the only website that states that their brakes are based on an open system are Hayes. Can anyone tell me whether or not the SRAM 9.0 and Shimano XT discs are open or closed system? How do the Shimano Deore hydraulic discs fare in the field of braking power, reliability and is that set an open system?

Thanks again

funko

Servus!

Funko - go with Magura Julies. Abslutely THE most bang ofr your buck. Stopping power? Tons. Ease of use? Low maintenance? Not a problem.

Best investment I have made on my bike since getting a new frame.