MTB brake questions
10-29-14 | 10:46 AM
#1
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Joined: Oct 2014
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MTB brake questions
Hi Everyone,
I only do endurance/long distance mountain biking and my questions are regarding brakes. I'm trying to reduce fatigue in my hands by improving some things that I can change... I have a stock Trek/Gary Fisher Superfly, full suspension. Here are my questions:
1. Do you gain anything from upgrading brake rotors? Will it make my braking smoother? Easier? What would I gain?
2. Does anyone have a brake pad recommendation. I tend to just buy whatever the shop I'm in is selling.
3. The actual brake levers I have are garbage. I don't want to spend a fortune to replace them, but I would like a shorter throws and better response. Would you upgrade? To what?
Thanks for any ideas.
I only do endurance/long distance mountain biking and my questions are regarding brakes. I'm trying to reduce fatigue in my hands by improving some things that I can change... I have a stock Trek/Gary Fisher Superfly, full suspension. Here are my questions:
1. Do you gain anything from upgrading brake rotors? Will it make my braking smoother? Easier? What would I gain?
2. Does anyone have a brake pad recommendation. I tend to just buy whatever the shop I'm in is selling.
3. The actual brake levers I have are garbage. I don't want to spend a fortune to replace them, but I would like a shorter throws and better response. Would you upgrade? To what?
Thanks for any ideas.
10-29-14 | 11:28 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,773
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From: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Bike produced over many years and multiple versions, which specific one do you have?
Unless you are doing a lot of DH, not much, knowing what you have now would help, would suspect the frame can't take any more than 180f/160r
This should answer this question Brake Pads - A break down of what you need to know - Pinkbike
What do you currently have? Generally, you can't upgrade brake levers, as they are part of a system, the only way you can, is if you keep with in a single brand and generation within that brand, then you need to look into cost effectiveness. For lever adjustment, Shimano current SLX up have this as an dial on the lever
What do you currently have? Generally, you can't upgrade brake levers, as they are part of a system, the only way you can, is if you keep with in a single brand and generation within that brand, then you need to look into cost effectiveness. For lever adjustment, Shimano current SLX up have this as an dial on the lever
10-29-14 | 11:56 AM
#3
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Bike produced over many years and multiple versions, which specific one do you have?
It's a 2011 Superfly 100, Full suspension.
Unless you are doing a lot of DH, not much, knowing what you have now would help, would suspect the frame can't take any more than 180f/160r
This is relative. Over the course of a 24 hour race, I may climb (and descend) around 16,000 feet.
This should answer this question Brake Pads - A break down of what you need to know - Pinkbike
Thanks!
What do you currently have? Generally, you can't upgrade brake levers, as they are part of a system, the only way you can, is if you keep with in a single brand and generation within that brand, then you need to look into cost effectiveness. For lever adjustment, Shimano current SLX up have this as an dial on the lever
It's a 2011 Superfly 100, Full suspension.
Unless you are doing a lot of DH, not much, knowing what you have now would help, would suspect the frame can't take any more than 180f/160r
This is relative. Over the course of a 24 hour race, I may climb (and descend) around 16,000 feet.
This should answer this question Brake Pads - A break down of what you need to know - Pinkbike
Thanks!
What do you currently have? Generally, you can't upgrade brake levers, as they are part of a system, the only way you can, is if you keep with in a single brand and generation within that brand, then you need to look into cost effectiveness. For lever adjustment, Shimano current SLX up have this as an dial on the lever
Cheers.
10-29-14 | 02:33 PM
#4
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 255
Mechanical disc brakes I take it? Upgrading to hydraulic will help a lot. I'd recomend shimano of at least the deore level which go for around $60 each. They don't have a knob to adjust lever reach on the fly like SLX but you can still adjust it with an hex wrench.
Shimano Deore M615 Disc Brakes & RT66 Rotors | Merlin Cycles
Shimano Deore M615 Disc Brakes & RT66 Rotors | Merlin Cycles
10-29-14 | 02:35 PM
#5
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Mechanical disc brakes I take it? Upgrading to hydraulic will help a lot. I'd recomend shimano of at least the deore level which go for around $60 each. They don't have a knob to adjust lever reach on the fly like SLX but you can still adjust it with an hex wrench.
Shimano Deore M615 Disc Brakes & RT66 Rotors | Merlin Cycles
Shimano Deore M615 Disc Brakes & RT66 Rotors | Merlin Cycles
10-29-14 | 02:59 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 776
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From: San Diego CA
Bikes: 2019 KonaLibre- 2003 Litespeed Vortex -2016 Intense Spider Factory Build -2008 Wilier Mortorolio- Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail converted to bafang 750 mid drive -1986 Paramount 2014 - --- Pivot Mach 429c
Mechanical disc brakes I take it? Upgrading to hydraulic will help a lot. I'd recomend shimano of at least the deore level which go for around $60 each. They don't have a knob to adjust lever reach on the fly like SLX but you can still adjust it with an hex wrench.
Shimano Deore M615 Disc Brakes & RT66 Rotors | Merlin Cycles
Shimano Deore M615 Disc Brakes & RT66 Rotors | Merlin Cycles
I went from cantilever brakes to mechanical disc big improvement
my new bike came with Hydraulic and wow what a difference
10-29-14 | 03:09 PM
#7
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Have a bike that came with Magura Hydraulic rim brakes , the hydraulics make them my favorite V Brake I've seen no reason to change them, but,
If you are a sphincter clinching agressive Downhill fast descender , loving the adrenalin Rush ..
Hydraulic discs are where the game is At, these days , discs .. bigger the better and perhaps add some more funds for the heat sinking alloy core Discs ..
Brakes=friction=heat.
My disc bike is small 20" wheel BB7 the Speed dial levers are Of die cast parts ,
Best cable MTB lever? the Avid Speed Dial Ultimate are nicer, CNC and over $200 !
If you are a sphincter clinching agressive Downhill fast descender , loving the adrenalin Rush ..
Hydraulic discs are where the game is At, these days , discs .. bigger the better and perhaps add some more funds for the heat sinking alloy core Discs ..
Brakes=friction=heat.
My disc bike is small 20" wheel BB7 the Speed dial levers are Of die cast parts ,
Best cable MTB lever? the Avid Speed Dial Ultimate are nicer, CNC and over $200 !
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-29-14 at 03:16 PM.
