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Recommend a hydraulic upgrade from Elixir Rs

Old 05-19-11, 09:24 AM
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Recommend a hydraulic upgrade from Elixir Rs

I am done with the Elixirs. Constant squealing and brake rub, and now the damn pistons are sticking as well.

I'd like to upgrade to a better pair of hydraulics (please - no recommendations for BB7s. I have a pair on another bike, I like them but I would like a better pair of hydraulics here).

Am trying to decide between Hope Tech X2s and Shimano XTRs.

My main criteria is a brakeset which is easy to install, easy to maintain and where caliper adjustment (spacing, alignment) is easy to pull off.

Any recommendations? Also, any recommended sellers? I'd like a custom hose length, so want to avoid the chains.
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Old 05-19-11, 09:51 AM
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Hayes Prime. Unfortunately, they are not quite 'out' yet. In lieu of that, Stroker Trails. Setup is a no-brainer: set the caliper bolts gently loose, grab a handful of brake to center them, hold, tighten the bolts down. Done.
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Old 05-19-11, 09:57 AM
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I don't know what the current state of affairs with Formula is, but the Formula Uno Bianco set I have were dead simple to install and maintain.

I got my set from Larry at Mtn High Cyclery (https://www.mtnhighcyclery.com/) He's great to deal with.
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Old 05-19-11, 10:10 AM
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I am just about to buy from Larry as well...
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Old 05-19-11, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by dminor
Hayes Prime. Unfortunately, they are not quite 'out' yet. In lieu of that, Stroker Trails. Setup is a no-brainer: set the caliper bolts gently loose, grab a handful of brake to center them, hold, tighten the bolts down. Done.
That's how the Elixirs are supposed to work as well, atleast in theory. What's the caliper gap on the Stoker? Does it allow for a little less-than-gentle treatment of the rotors?
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Old 05-19-11, 10:45 AM
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^^ I honestly don't know the actual gap figure (and could not find a number in the Hayes setup docs); but I do know that you can alter the gap if you want even more space/lever throw. It's a matter of pushing the pistons back in the bores, sliding .015 feeler gauges (if you don't have feeler gauges, they say business cards will do) between the pads and rotors and pumping the lever several times; then remove your shimming and pump again. They should stay a bit more 'open.'

I'm far from gentle on my brakes. I raced two seasons of downhill on a set of Stroker Trails with a lot of rocky N. Idaho terrain thrown in with no issues. My son has them on his Bullit now. And I've got three seasons on Stroker Aces also with a lot of not-so-gentle treatment and no issues. I just put a set of Stroker Grams on my dirt jumper; not a lot of time on them yet but I expect them to perform as reliably as the other two sets I've had.
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Old 05-19-11, 10:55 AM
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I moved from Elixirs to XTRs on one bike, Hope 4s on the other (both 29ers), Kept the XTRs about a week then sold them. I found the Hopes worked a lot better for me than the XTRs did. They were a tad heavier, but the 4 piston design of the Hope's stopped my 200+ lbs better than the the XTRs and every situation.
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Old 05-19-11, 12:27 PM
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Shimano servo wave give greater pad/rotor clearance than most and feel really nice. I mated some XT levers + XTR calipers. Initial bleed was straightforward (mineral oil instead of brake fluid, olives & barbs included), and I havent had to do anything but change pads in two seasons. And I am 2 bills plus also.

Not sure if XTR levers have the servo wave feature - it's basically a floating lever pivot so the leverage ratio changes throughout the stroke.
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Old 05-20-11, 12:24 AM
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ive actually been looking for a pair of Stroker Trails. cheapest i have yet to find would be at 175 shipped. anyone know of a cheaper place?TIA.
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Old 05-20-11, 07:49 AM
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Shimano or Magura, either make excellent brakes.
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Old 05-20-11, 08:11 AM
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I ended up buying a pair of Hope Tech X2s on the recommendation of Larry @ Mountain High Cyclery. The Hayes and XTR were in close running, but took a leap of faith based on Larry's knowledge (and the amazingly kick-ass deal I got from him!).

Thanks for the help, all!
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Old 05-20-11, 06:02 PM
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ride them around hard for a while, then come back and tell us how they work. seriously. i wanna know.
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