va_biker

I'll be quick, as Im sure you get thousands of threads like this (I did a search, though, without any luck).

Im looking for some disc brakes for my Giant Trance 4. I am mostly a trail rider, but I have some extra cash and want some more braking power than my current v-brakes offer. I cant spend more than $300 on both, and the cheaper the better. I was looking into the Avid Juicy Five's, which I have heard are pretty good. However, since I still am not savvy when it comes to discs, I figured I would ask the pros.

What's the difference between the Ball Bearing 7's (mechanical) and Juicy 5's (hydros)? Which are more reliable? Which are easier to use?

Thanks in advance for your input.

PCS2

hey,

I just got some juicy 5's and I love them. Ridiculously easy to set up. And the stopping power is amazing (just upped from hayes s0le's hydros).

I too was looking at either bb7's or juicy 5's. Ended up with the juicy's because after buying the cables and levers for the mechs they were almost identical in price.

I think you should be able to get them a bit cheaper than 150 per brake (you are in the states no?), I got mine for 140 canadian per brake.

The nice thing about mechs though is that they are probably easier to fix on the trails if they break and you are carrying extra cable, if I break a hydro cable....bleh......but I couldn't' imagine that happening too often, you would still have your other break as well.

Do a search on the forum, iirc there are lots of discussions about it, good luck.

*edit, mine are the 160mm brakes, the larger sizes seem to be more expensive

va_biker

Thanks for the insight PCS2! Im not sure if the J5's will be too much brake for me, but I guess it will depend on the pricing. I believe (I might be wrong), since I'm coming from V-Brakes, I will need to buy new cables if I go hydro. Is that true?

That may be the deciding factor for me, If I need to spend more on wires. Thanks again.

Kennethfaria

well if im not an idiot...i dont think wires would be more then 5-10 buks...but im not sure.

LowCel 

What cables are you refering too? The brake cables or shifter cables? If brake cables then no you won't need to purchase new cables. The hydraulic brakes come with the brake, brake levers and the hydraulic lines all hooked up. All you have to do is install them.

If you are refering to shifter cables then you will only have to replace those if your current shifters are integrated (built together) with your brake levers.

LowCel 

Just so you know PricePoint has the Juicy 5's for $119.98 each. Here is a link.

PCS2

i'll pass on the wires for 5-10 buks,

The cables I was going to buy if I had chosen the bb7's were some good teflon coated cables, 21.99$ CDN
Then the levers, avid speed dials, again, good quality, were 54.99$ CDN
Then he actualy bb7 disc's, 109.99 x 2

Grand total, just under 300 dollars, CDN.

For the juicy 5's, 140 x 2, so around 280 CDN.

So it was an easy choice for me.

VA_Biker, no, the hoses came installed and pre-bled on my juicy 5's. All you need to do is install.

Hope that helps!

PCS2

here's how my brakes came (rotors not in picture)

PCS2

There you go, pretty good deal i'd imagine.

Kennethfaria

wow..im an idiot.

free_pizza

I was lucky, and i got my Juicy 5 front for $107cdn on ebay, and the best part was, it was from one of the LBS's in town here, so i just dropped by an hour after the auction ended and picked it up.

MattBeaty

You might want to check with them first about their stock. I ordered a front and rear Juicy 5 two weeks ago. They came on time, but unfortunately one brake was a 2005 and the other a 2006, so they were different colors (gunmetal and black respectively) I called their customer service and the impression I got from them was that it may be several weeks before they get in matching colors of fronts and rears.

va_biker

Thanks guys.

Some more simple questions having to do with BB7 and J5's....

Which are more reliable?
Which are easier to fix/install?

The J5's are $120 each, and the BB7's are $80. Are they worth the price difference?

Thanks!

Kennethfaria

get both black ones...Id do it...if i ever get my bike

free_pizza

hmmm.. for number 1, i would say the bb7's would be more reliable just because they are cable actuated, and bleeding brakes could be a pain in the a$$.

number 2: if the juicy's are pre-bled, then they are both very easy to install, and if you need to change pads, they are both easy to change.

Kennethfaria

Hey one question...what does "bleeding brakes" mean? and is it alot to fix?

free_pizza

you need to "bleed" the brakes if there is any air that enters the brake line. It may cost a lot if you repeatedly bring them to your LBS to get them bled, but if you buy a bleed kit for $25 and learn how to do it, then you can do it all yourself, and the only thing you have to pay for after that is the hydraulic fluid.

edit: actually, i take it back what i say about the bb7's being more reliable... i'll word it a little better, if you want a worry free/hassle free brake set up, then go with the bb7's. they are amazingly simple to asjust, and if you snap a cable, it'll only cost you $2 to fix

born2bahick

I find the hydros better at everything, there is practacally no maintanance as they are inherantly self adjusting. the power is unbelievable and yet subtle shades of modulation ooooze from one finger as though braking by mental telepathy (Oh rarely had the words flowed so fluently from my penny pencil)

PCS2

lol, why are you an idiot?



I forget who asked, but yes, they come pre-bled........and if you ever have to bleed them, I find it to be very easy.

As to

"Which are more reliable?
Which are easier to fix/install?

The J5's are $120 each, and the BB7's are $80. Are they worth the price difference?"

I don't know as I have never tried the bb7's. but installation wise i'd imagine the juicy's are easier, as the unit comes as one peice, pretty much tighten 3 bolt and you are done. The bb7's wouldn't be difficult though, just have to cut a cable and wire to levers, not hard at all, but just a few more minutes. So no real difference.

va_biker

Thanks everyone, I think I have decided that the '06 BB7's are better for me (especaially for $80 price). I appriciate all the help!

PCS2

Great, new stuff is always fun, hope you like them, and remember ,

pics when you get 'em!

va_biker

Pics? Of course!

It may be a while, as I need to save up some money... lets see: $80x2=160... I have about $130... but I know I will want more when I'm there...

achc

What's the difference between the Ball Bearing 7's (mechanical) and Juicy 5's (hydros)? Which are more reliable? Which are easier to use?

BB7 mechanical is dam easier to setup and of couse more reliable...it can never brake down unless your cable snip i guess...worst is in mudding condition where it will jam. Hydro avoid this situation but more money and more weight.

I have the Juicy 7 and seems pretty good....I would prefer Juicy 7 over Juicy 5...also...the stock Juicy 7 wavy rotor is crap...get something else on it...

What ever you do, don't think of Hayes HFX-9 Hydro..they are dam cheap stuff and horrible

va_biker

Yeah, Im almost 100% sure about the BB7's, but I will ask around some more. At $80/wheel, and me being an unemployed teen, I need to spend wisely.

Thanks again.

mx_599

how can you use the same v brake cable? they wouldn't be long enough....no?