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-   -   Best Mech Brake? (https://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-biking/385019-best-mech-brake.html)

Trekbikedude 02-03-08 07:46 PM
Best Mech Brake?
 
Are here any high end mechanical disc brakes better then BB7's? I'm thinking of changing over to mechs because they're durable and cheap. I have Juicy 5s right now, but have a sneaking suspicion they are starting to slowly go bad.

santiago 02-03-08 07:48 PM
Originally Posted by Trekbikedude (Post 6103623)
Are here any high end mechanical disc brakes better then BB7's? I'm thinking of changing over to mechs because they're durable and cheap. I have Juicy 5s right now, but have a sneaking suspicion they are starting to slowly go bad.
The BB7 has long been the standard. My personal experience has been with Deore-level mechanical brakes and BB7s. The BB7s were much better by far. The consensus is that BB7 is the standard for mechanical brakes.

free_pizza 02-03-08 07:59 PM
Originally Posted by Trekbikedude (Post 6103623)
\ I have Juicy 5s right now, but have a sneaking suspicion they are starting to slowly go bad.
go bad? can you explain?

m4bandit 02-03-08 08:22 PM
I've found that my '08 BB7s aren't putting me to a complete stop like I would prefer. My cheap-o Promax linear pulls won't let go of the rim if I push with the lever fully compressed. With the BB7s, I can force the wheel to roll.

Anyone else experience this? Is it a need for further adjustment beyond the outboard brake pad?

Trekbikedude 02-03-08 08:46 PM
hum
 
Leaky pistons. Something that wouldn't occur on a mechanical brake. I like the fact that you can take a mechanical brake apart, and not have to worry about fluid. I hate bleeding brakes too. Probably get avid to warranty my calipar. Plus if something goes wrong on a hydraulic brake, most likely you will have no brakes an is more costly to get repaired. Mechanicals can have a cable snap, that's pretty much it. Should I get XTR levers, or Avid speed dial 7 sls?

Ted Danson 02-03-08 09:18 PM
bb7s with some nice cables. if you run the 8 buck cables from your lbs that they basically give you, your brakes will suck. but once you get your pads and rotors broken in, and you have a decent quality cable on. it will be like money. i love my bb7s, and would take them over hydrolic any day. i can do endos and ride em :)

Originally Posted by m4bandit (Post 6103763)
I've found that my '08 BB7s aren't putting me to a complete stop like I would prefer. My cheap-o Promax linear pulls won't let go of the rim if I push with the lever fully compressed. With the BB7s, I can force the wheel to roll.

Anyone else experience this? Is it a need for further adjustment beyond the outboard brake pad?

how long have you had them for? once you have the brakes installed it takes a few rides before they are broken in. all disk brakes have a break in period

Trekbikedude 02-03-08 11:09 PM
hmmm
 
Avid Speed Dial SLs or XTR levers?

Old School 02-03-08 11:12 PM
Originally Posted by XC Froot Loops (Post 6103993)
how long have you had them for? once you have the brakes installed it takes a few rides before they are broken in. all disk brakes have a break in period
+1 :rolleyes:

santiago 02-03-08 11:14 PM
Originally Posted by Trekbikedude (Post 6104556)
Avid Speed Dial SLs or XTR levers?
Speed dials work fine.

mcoine 02-03-08 11:21 PM
Originally Posted by Trekbikedude (Post 6103853)
Leaky pistons. Something that wouldn't occur on a mechanical brake. I like the fact that you can take a mechanical brake apart, and not have to worry about fluid. I hate bleeding brakes too. Probably get avid to warranty my calipar. Plus if something goes wrong on a hydraulic brake, most likely you will have no brakes an is more costly to get repaired. Mechanicals can have a cable snap, that's pretty much it. Should I get XTR levers, or Avid speed dial 7 sls?
And you call yourself a bicycle mechanic?

BFG 02-04-08 03:57 AM
It pretty much starts and ends with BB7's on SD's with some top notch cables and housings IMO.

RIC0 02-04-08 07:16 AM
I run can creek levers, 2008 BB7's and some high end cables, can't remember the name but remember the high cost.. LOL They work just fine slowing me down and stopping when I need too.

BFG 02-04-08 07:44 AM
Stop doing that. I keep thinking youre that failRic0h.

RIC0 02-04-08 08:06 AM
I can garuantee you that I'm not that ******... LOL

m4bandit 02-04-08 11:12 AM
Originally Posted by XC Froot Loops (Post 6103993)
bb7s with some nice cables. if you run the 8 buck cables from your lbs that they basically give you, your brakes will suck. but once you get your pads and rotors broken in, and you have a decent quality cable on. it will be like money. i love my bb7s, and would take them over hydrolic any day. i can do endos and ride em :)




how long have you had them for? once you have the brakes installed it takes a few rides before they are broken in. all disk brakes have a break in period
Good to know. I've only ridden them twice so I guess I'm still neck deep in the break in period. This is my first set of discs so I've got a little learning to do on them. Thanks.

Trekbikedude 02-04-08 11:52 AM
ha
 
Originally Posted by mcoine (Post 6104595)
And you call yourself a bicycle mechanic?
This shouldn't have happened on a brake that isn't a year old. I am a mechanic, I've taken my hayes apart and replaced pistons.

I have intentions on getting mechanicals because something like a leaky piston steers me away from hydraulics.

I'll get avid to warranty it, and if they send me a piston kit, I'll install it myself.

I still think I'm getting xtr levers, they are bling.


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