Need a new disc brake for Giant XTC-850
 

Best I can tell I have a Hayes MX-1 on the bike.

The rear disc brake just slows me and doesn't really stop me. I changed the pads as the old pads looked kind of like they were beginning to fall apart although they didn't have much wear and more of the same. Slows but not really stops.

I downloaded the manual for the MX-1 and I can follow directions and do what it says but it still never seems to stop, just slows.

I cleaned the snot out of everything with Isopropyl Alcohol and it's tighter but not enough to suit me. Also it looks like the cable tightening point is hosed. It seems to hold the cable but it acts like it's stripped. I can neither tighten nor remove it. The cable is not slipping when the lever is pulled.

Okay. I give up on this disc brake. I no longer love nor trust it. Even if I get it right it's in the back of my mind hammering down some half clay half coral downhill here in Okinawa Japan. Coral hurts.

I'm looking at Avid BB7 brakes. Just in the rear for now. Any gotchas I need to know about? I can use the same levers and all, correct?

By the way mine are 6" rotors.

John

I'd replace up front first than out back. I'm liking my setup of weak out back and strong up front. I really have to try to lockup.

I dont really like the hayes mech. disc my friend has them on his P2 worked the same as what your describing. That said he got new cables just a few months ago which improved the braking greatly. I will also say that i loved the avid bb7 and speed dial ultimate levers i had setup on my old bike.

Avid BB7's are the ultimate mechanical disc brake, my friend. You can't go wrong with 'em.

They will work fine with your levers.

That said...80% of your stop'ability is up front.

Thanks guys. I just ordered a pair of BB7's from JensenUSA.

My front brakes lock up tight but my back brakes just seem to be losing efficiency. Like I said I just can't trust this MX-1 on the back anymore. I've got it set up as per the manual and the clearances all look good, etc. but it just doesn't have enough ooomph in stopping power. And the cable length adjuster thing is weird. The screw turns pretty freely in either direction but the cable is held snugly (for now anyway). I'm sure it would pick the wrong time to let go.

John

It was doing what it was designed to do, slow you down, The front is for stopping. Whenever you actuate the rear brake, it loses 80% of it's power to do inertia. Still a good upgrade regardless.