biker_lad

Hi, on my bike I've got "Shimano Mechanicals" and when I was out for a ride with my mate today, he was saying I should spend some money and invest in some hydraulics and just wondering, is it worth it? If so, any suggestions
Cheers, Phil

EJ123

If you definitly need all that stopping power maybe. Better mechanical discs work well also.

cryptid01

If you definitely need all that stopping power definitely.

Ricardo

I think you should ask yourself if you really need the stopping power, or if it is just your friend creating the necesity.

Ricardo

Roxter

I dont really think that you need hydraulic brakes. Unless you're doing DH or Freeride, maybe all mountain, you won't need hydraulic disc brakes. I think that you should probably get some better mechanical disc brakes. BB7's would be perfect, not to mention alot cheaper than hydros.

C Law

I always thought the main difference between my bb7's and my juicys (both 160mm) was modulation and not power.

The bb7's modulate well and have plenty of power for me.
The juicys modulate so well it's amazing and have plenty of power also.

Also, you get that feather touch feeling on the lever that you don't quite get with mechanicals but that is about it for me.

ScareyH22A

I have a few friends on Avid BB7s and they lose bite on this one part of a trail after about 50 feet. Then the brakes just fade no matter how much they pull. My Shimano hydros start to fade a little later but I have no problems applying pressure because the hydros do all the work.

xcdhboy

Hydraulic brakes ARE amazing. But I rode for years with V-brakes and did just fine on very technical XC trails. Don't run off and buy hydraulics until you've put a lot of mileage on your mechanicals on different types of trails. Then you'll know if what you have is serving your needs or not.

Roxter

Lets put it this way, if you can get through all the trails with your disc brakes just fine, why would you need hydraulics?

biker_lad

How much are bb7's? and where in the uk could I order/get them?

diff_lock2

FROOGLE

Hank Rearden

Apparently this article applies to the UK as well.

https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1787713,00.asp

Evilbee

Word of warning about buying Avids in the UK; spares and consumables used to be difficult to get hold of. Maybe this is no longer case given how easy it is to buy things on the internet nowadays, but I reckon it still stands for most high street bikeshops. Not a huge problem unless you're as disorganised as me and end up cancelling rides due to lack of brake pads.

biker_lad

Juicys?

Roxter

Avid Juicy series, its the hydraulic avid brakes.

Ludovico

Yes they are worth it. No comparison

Jameson

My god, yes you NEED them, how will you ever stop with out them? Imagine how people back in the early days felt when they needed to go some where but realized the atomobile had not yet been invented? I quess they just all sat around in the same spot until death took them. A sad sight for sure. I am only kidding but in my sad little joke a kernel of truth exists. I rode many bikes as a wee lad and managed to stop just fine with only pedal brakes and cantis. I realize rocks are much larger now, harder too, and that the earth has morphed from the pleasant flat smooth surface of my youth to viscous slop that not only threatens to reach up and grap you but speeds itself up, hurtling you along at great speed. Sure thet work better and so forth but c'mon, NEED them, really? Please don't take this the wrong way, I still am only 1/4 serious, I think if you want them, buy 'em. I did insanely dangerous things on bikes as a young kid and never had any real problems stopping, hydros would have been nice but I never NEEDED them. I own a set of Hayes on my geared suspended bike and run BB7s on my rigid single speed. I purchased these because I wanted them, they looked cool and because I could afford it. What you really ned I suspect are rocket thrusters to speed you down the mountain, hit the switch and they become reverse thrusters slowing you down. Those crappy hydros can't compete! My point is that a brake is a brake and a chair is a chair, if you ned a place to sit any chair shapped object will work. Some obviously are much better for sitting than others but you still are sitting. That being said, go buy some they are pretty damn cool.

mx_599

yes. probably avid juicy 5 2005 can be had for good prices

samster143

Ha!HA!Ha!

I agree with you Jameson!

vw addict

do you ride in the wet and muck? If so than yes.

WannaGetGood

The advatanges that you really notice is stopping power and the face that you don't have to adjust them hardly.

roccobike

+1, Hmmm, I seem to remeber reading a thread where someone was arguing that V's were just fine and could not understand why we need discs, mechanical or hydro. I think Roxter hit it right. If the type of riding you do requires more braking power, then go for it. If your brakes are handling their job, leave it alone. In my case, I'll put the money into a better fork way before thinking about brakes.

Jason222

I don't see why more people don't use Magura Hs-33's. If you want super strong stopping power and a lightweight braking system, they're where it's at. Although, there isn't a whole lot of modulation

DonValley

I was skeptical when I was looking for a bike, but cannot imagine not having hydraulic discs now that I appreciate how well they have worked. Mine are hayes Carbon 9. No complaints whatsoever.

Maelstrom 

How much do they cost? How easy are they to find? When they break, are parts readily available like for hayes and avid?

Answer those 3 questions honestly and you will figure out the why