Mountain Biking - Questions about Shiman XT Hydraulics

Well, I've been looking around for some hydraulic disc brakes, and am wondering if I should get a pair of Shimano XT hydraulics. I have a few questions regarding the brakes that I hope can be answered...are the XT discs an open system? Is there any type of piston retraction device as advertised by the Hayes brakes? Are these brakes ones that you can modulate the stopping power, or are they simply on/off? And lastly, what is your overall impression on these brakes? How would they fare for a person that likes to mainly freeride and xc?

funko

edit: I feel stupid for spelling "questions" as "qeestions" on the subject line. :mad:

Anyone have any information about these brakes? I really need to know becuase if these are a good set of brakes, I can get them for a really good deal. Anyone? :confused:

I don't know Specific about the brakes, but a friend of mine put some on his freeride bike. He stated they felt better than the Hayes he had previously. His only complaint were the pads were crap, and changed them out for some all condition compound (not shimano pads) and said it made all the difference in the world! Other than that, I have no experience with them!

I'm waiting to see what the new XTR discs will be like!

L8R
:beer:

Thanks!-I've heard of EBC pads but I dont know much about them..would they work on the XT discs? And XTR discs?? Have they actually stated that they're gonna be made? Wow...I wonder what Shimano would do to differentiate them from the Deores and the XTs....

Funko

I've seen some preliminary pictures of the new 2003 XTR groupo. And yes there are disc brakes shown. I don't know the specifics yet, but I'm anxiously awaiting.

I've also heard and read that the new levers will be integrated shifters like on road bikes?

I'm not sure if I'm gonna like that, but time will tell! I'd be concerned with shifting upon landing a jump, or doing some bushwacking and having a branch shift for me. Yikes!

L8R