Nuggie

Right, I can get a good deal on some new brakes, I currently have Avid Juicy 3's. Now they're not bad, but there are a lot of bad reviews... I can get the Shimano SLX's for £100.

If I get the SLX's, how much of a difference will I notice? Is it worth it?

Also, if you recommend that I get them, should I sell my current brakes (making maybe half of my money back), or keep them as a 'spare' should I ever need them?

I have a '09 model Trek 6300.

ESW116

I just got some SLX's as well for my Specialized Hardrock. I haven't installed them but the reviews I've read have been almost unanimously positive. The build quality on them seems very, very good.

Going to install them as soon as the rotors come in the mail.

As for selling the old ones, that's up to you. I'll keep my old ones since I don't think they'll be worth selling and they still work fine, but they're budget BB5's and just didn't seem up to the riding I like to do.

I'll probably reinstall them on the bike once I eventually upgrade to a new bike at some point down the road, in which I may or may not transfer over the SLX's to the new bike, assuming they're still an upgrade and aren't obsolete by that point.

Dannihilator

SLX's= Awesome.

Nuggie

I know, but what will feel different or be different? Will they be more resposive, or what?! Also, I think they come with 160mm rotors. I've got a 185mm rotor at the front at the moment, and it's so much better than my 160mm rear (and yes i know the rear has more work to do as well, but whatever). Would you suggets upgrading the rotor size?

ShimmerFade

I don't see why you can't use the same rotors you have (unless they are bent or contaminated)? You can also most likely use the existing adapters to keep a 185mm up front. When you take off the old Avid Juicy 3 caliper it should be attached to the 185mm adapter. Simply leave the adapter in place, and screw on the SLX caliper. This will only work if both Avid/SLX calipers are the same design or if the adapter is multi-purpose (post mount or IS). Basically the screw holes should line up logically..if they don't then you need a new adapter probably.

Moreover, the front brake is capable of more work than the rear it just takes a little more skill to properly use. This is why you had a 185mm up front and a 160mm on back.

Performance difference will most likely mainly be felt at your brake lever. Almost any decent disc brake is capable of completely locking up the wheel when set up and maintained properly. What you will notice is that you will have more control over when or IF you lock the wheel locks up, and you will have to most likely exert less force on your lever for the same performance. It should feel a lot better.

Dannihilator

Nothing wrong with running a smaller rotor on the rear with a big rotor up front. Shimmerfade, does bring up a good point if it fits the avid adapter, run with it.

Nuggie

Thank you, at last, some really useful replies! My current 185mm rotor is bout three years old, so it's got a bit of wear, but i suppose it'll still be alright? There's nothing major, in my eyes. I get the rotors with the SLX's, I think, but I'll just keep them as spares. I'll see if they share the same adapter, that'd be good.

ShimmerFade, how do you go about using the front brake more skillfully, and properly use it?

ShimmerFade

Haha good question =). I myself am no expert, and most definitely am not as good as many of the riders here. For me using it right means never locking it up completely unless on purpose occasionally. I also always let go completely if my front tire will be dropping down any distance over about 4-6 inches. This means that when going through a rooty/rocky section with several drops one after the other being able to release as you go over, and then scrubbing off some speed if you need to in the short intervals between.

I also think properly weighting (or de-weighting as the case may be) your front tire is important in using the stopping power the brake gives you (this is a really fine thing, and I still over- or under do it all the time). It is hard to explain but having your body weight, and using upper body strength in the right place at the right time is really important when using the front brake or else it gets more likely to go over the bars.

I'm sure some other people have some better technique, or better ways of explaining what they do. I watch technique stuff online, but most of my riding is fairly instinctual.

Nuggie

^That's a start anyway. Thank you very much.