Ryan_M

I want to go with Shimano, not saying SRAM or Magura etc. aren't as good or better, I'm just used to them, I like them, have the tools for them, and all my other bikes use them. I'm putting together a XC/down country/light trail? bike. I guess an XC(ish) with 120/120 sus. My hardtail has M6000 brakes with J03A pads, and 180/160mm centerline rotors. Those brakes feel good, and are for the most part adequate, but I'd like a little more braking power and heat resistance. I was thinking M8120 with N03A pads and 180/160 XT rotors. I'm fine with the price difference over the Deore/SLX counterparts. Does this sound decent?

Kapusta

Are the m6000 quad piston calipers?

If so, I don’ think there is huge difference between the Deore, SLX, and XT in terms of stopping power. They are all really good Mostly weight and adjustability of the lever (the latter may or may not make a difference, depending on if adjustment is needed).

Rotor size makes the biggest difference. Size depends on how much you weigh and your terrain.

50PlusCycling

I’ve got Shimano brakes on a couple of bikes, and they work perfectly well. I recently installed a set of Magura MT7 brakes I got on sale on my old Giant, and found they have far better modulation and feel than anything else I have tried. But such things are subjective.

Russ Roth

No good reason not to. The m8020 should be a four piston which will have better stopping power and modulation vs the m6000 which will only be 2 piston, vs the m7020/slx I doubt there's much more than a cosmetic difference. 3 things will make a big difference in stopping power; the size of the rotors, the rotor hardness, and pad composition. 180/160 rotors will be a nice balance for XC/trail, anything more aggressive and I'd look to 203 in the front.

travbikeman

It was my understanding that Shimano's Servo brakes all generally had the same amount of power. Only the more expensive ones, SLX and XT, XTR had different upgrades for cooling and adjustment features.

I agree with others, rotor size does make a difference. Although, you can have a 203 rotor that while helps you stop nicely, if it's an affordable priced rotor, will need to be straightened or (forgot terminology) since some larger cheap rotors require constant maintenance (Shimano RT30's). Inexpensive rotors also only accept resin pads in case there is any future desire for metallic pads.

I remember watching the video below, thought it might be interesting here as well, but not sure if you ride like this and it might not pertain to OP.

2Mins2Midnight

I have the SLX 7120 brakes on my Epic Evo with 180/160 rotors and the N03A pads. I've been very happy with this setup for my style of riding (mostly XC with some trail) but I would be confident with these brakes on much steeper terrain than I typically ride. I think the only difference is the 8120 levers have free stroke adjustment, but the stopping power should be more or less identical. I think you'll be very happy with them!

I've had Shimano brakes on my mountain bikes for the last 10 years and will likely always have them. I know SRAM has gotten better lately, but I despised their brakes years ago.

Ryan_M

Welp, I found at least half a reason not to go M8120.... the rear caliper doesn't fit. It's a XC frame so they probably didn't design around 4 pot brakes but I did make an attempt at homework. The only 3D model I could find for 4 pot shimano brakes were Zee. I printed those, and they were a bit tight but gave ~1mm of clearance so I moved forward on the M8120's. The M8120 calipers are thicc!! So I can keep most of the brakes but gonna have to get a M8100 caliper for the rear and keep the M8120 for the front. In light of this I'm thinking on running a 180mm rotor (I got Centerlines FWIW) for the rear...

eshew

https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...et-179622.html

4 pot shimano's do have more power and better modulation than the 2 pots.

SLX's are a little cheaper if you don't need the reach adjust bolt, which most don't

https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...et-179616.html

veganbikes

I have a set of 4 pot XT brakes (I think one is newer gen and one is older) and wouldn't want to not have them. Better braking, yes please! If I was in your predicament Ryan_M I would run a 4 pot at the front where most of your stopping power is and a 2 pot in the back. I see that combination frequently (I have a bike with that combo) and Magura sells the Trail kit that is 4 in the front 2 in the back with a lovely silver and blue color that is always tempting for some project.

I am currently running a 203 at the front and 180 at the rear on my hardtail and am quite happy. Just put a FOX 34 on it and it's purdy not Kashima coated but those were out of stock and this was on sale and I do already have a Kashima coated fork on another bike and really just wanted the new fork for more travel so I will accept the lesser coating because it still looks good.

ScottCommutes

Just for fun, I edited out all the fluff that wasn't technical mountain biker jargon. You guys sure have your own vocabulary.

veganbikes

Huh? What vocabulary? What is super technical? Company names? Part names? What are you on about?

If you don't understand something, that is fine, say "hey I don't understand could you explain things" but to act is if we are speaking some foreign language when we are cyclists talking about basic mountain bike stuff with terms like rotors and brakes in a thread about brakes is just silly.

Shimano, Sram and Magura are all companies Magura being the oldest from the later 1800s and Shimano from the early 1920s and SRAM back in the 1980s. XC is a type of riding and bicycle though yes "down country" is a new marketing thing. 120 is 120mm of travel on your suspension and on a full suspension bike is refers to front and rear suspension. A hardtail is a bike with only front suspension. M600 and M8120 are both models of Shimano brakes JO3A and NO3A are both models of Shimano brake pads and 180/160mm is the size of the rotors. There is no real technical jargon just the model numbers.

If I said I ate a soy sauce flavored Top Ramen, I have a feeling you would mention technical jargon and fluff when it is just the destination for the type of instant ramen I ate. Sometimes we do need to use names and descriptions for this stuff so we know what we are talking about. You cannot say "any reason not to get brakes. I have brakes but want to get brakes for my thing" as it would not be a question that could be properly answered as it really has no descriptors or anything useful telling me what I need.

Also the fluff in that original post was basic English (not simple English mind you as there were a couple bigger words but for the most part pretty plain English for proper communication)

Ryan_M

Thanks for the input/sanity check. I ordered up a M8100 caliper for the rear. I have a 180mm and 160mm rotor in hand so will see how all of it fits. I did look at the m6120 caliper as (at least in pics) looks less chunky than the M8120, and more sized like the Zee that I printed. Interesting comparison of a M6120 vs M8100. Might explore that idea some time.

Congrats in the fork.... first world problems huh? Lol. Kashima is Fox's gold coating, isn't it? I went all RS. Nothing against Team Orange but I'm very much a work on my own stuff person, and RS seemed more suited to that. Ended up with a Sid Ultimate fork and SIDluxe Ultimate shock. Their ducumentation is pretty good for working on them, and screwing with tuning.

Ryan_M

Could you expand on this? In my posts I've (AFAIK) used specific manufacturers and part numbers that are well known and easily looked up if not familiar. There are some short terms, but those I use because they seem to be common vocabulary in this section. I'm not calling you out on anything, more so I'm concerned I'm not communicating well, and would like to know what I can do to communicate better.

veganbikes

You're welcome, happy to help : )

Thanks on the fork, yeah developed nations issue for sure. Kashima is gold-ish but just looks a treat but I always go with the black fork I don't love orange. The SID stuff is good stuff though you must be quackers for wanting to read all of that ...LOL

I actually had a SID XX on the bike but wanted the 130mm travel and Fox was running the sale so...

ScottCommutes

Nothing to expand on - I have no problem with your post in any way. Like I said - it was just a little fun in the sense that 99% of people would not be able to follow what you were describing, even if they were excellent readers. The people that post and read in this particular forum however, have familiarity with the terms you are using so therefore your post is entirely appropriate. Sorry if I caused any confusion.

Ryan_M

Understood, and no worries! Cheers.