PlatyPius

Definitely Avids. We've had nothing but trouble from Shimanos. The adjustment is a PITA, and they tend to fade once heated up. I've ridden 5 or 6 bikes that had them, and I haven't been impressed at all. Avids, on the other hand, always impress me with their modulation, easy adjustment, and lack of serious issues.

born2bahick

^^I love this guy! What adjustment on the shimano hydros are we talking about?
How much fade do you experience?

ed 

I thought just about all brakes fade when heated up...the trick was to design them to stay cool.

M_S

BB7s are going to depend a lot on setup. Probably more then the deores. I run em with Speed dial levers and agwire housing, and they work really well, but I am turning knobs every few rides. My roomate has the previous generation BB7s on his XC bike with cannondale levers and they suck in comparison.

The deores are pretty solid. My preference is mechanical unless you're spending enough money to get XTs, J7s, etc, but that's all it is: preference.

ca7erham

*Cough*

J5s

PlatyPius

I'm talking about the little shims you stick between the caliper and the mount. Every set we've installed required all of the shims Shimano provided to stop the rubbing. After riding the bike in the parking lot for a bit and slamming on the brakes, the drag is on the other side. Then we remove the shims. I have absolutely no idea why this is.

The only experience I have with fade/mushy lever is with my service manager's bike. After riding for an hour or so, the levers get mushy and the brakes become pretty much worthless. Let the bike sit for a bit and it's fine.

I've heard the same from customers too, though.

The Service Manager mentioned took off his Shimanos and chucked them in the trash. He's riding Avid Elixirs now.

ed 

Maybe a bleed is in order.

BrentDev

minor thread jack, as you guys talk builds. I'm working on re-doing my Avalanche fm college (circa 93...)

are there any adapters I can use for my wheelset to put on discs? Or do I just need to buy wheels if I am that set on discs.... Was hoping to do an entry-level xterra race next year. thanks. Happy holidays!

edit: since not obvious in my post....wheelset is Araya issue from 93-ish too....

ed 

You will probably need the DM-UNI for your frame and a new set of wheels with disc specific hubs. You can get some el'cheapo disc hubs on DS-2 rims at Jensonusa.com for $89. Does your fork have disc tabs? If not, you'll be replacing that too. Just get a Surly rigid fork with disc tabs. They're cheap and great quality.

BrentDev

thanks....the avalanche frame was all rusted froze (seat tube -- did every trick in the book). buddy gave me a nice raleigh frame with disk tabs (and cantis.) I gotta buy a fork....so am going back and forth between upgrading to disks too... Everything's possible, just a matter of budgets. I was worried that noone had come up with something so I could use the old wheels....(which are still in good shape). Cantis it is, I guess.

ed 

Nah...even if they did make some sort of contraption that attached to the spokes...you'd prob. do alot of damage to them.

born2bahick

Wow, I've used three sets on four different bikes in the past, and never had alignment issues. As for fade, I've never experienced the fade that you speak of either. Maybe the newer Deores aren't all that.

mtnbiker66

Are there big downhills in Indiana to heat the brakes up?