Best Mech Brake?
#1
Bicycle Rider & Mechanic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 686
Bikes: Superlight, Dragon Team, Eclipse, Om Flyer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Montréal, QC, Canada
Posts: 4,510
Bikes: 2005 Kona Blast; 2005 Turner Flux, 2006 Felt F3C
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 312
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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?
Anyone else experience this? Is it a need for further adjustment beyond the outboard brake pad?
#5
Bicycle Rider & Mechanic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 686
Bikes: Superlight, Dragon Team, Eclipse, Om Flyer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 380
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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
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?
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
__________________
Merton Enthusiast
Merton Enthusiast
#7
Bicycle Rider & Mechanic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 686
Bikes: Superlight, Dragon Team, Eclipse, Om Flyer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hmmm
Avid Speed Dial SLs or XTR levers?
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Camino, CA
Posts: 1,181
Bikes: Trek 5500 OCLV, Trek Fuel EX 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Montréal, QC, Canada
Posts: 4,510
Bikes: 2005 Kona Blast; 2005 Turner Flux, 2006 Felt F3C
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: southern oregon
Posts: 2,631
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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?
#11
Just say no to brakes.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth...Western Australia
Posts: 1,693
Bikes: All the TGMBG mums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It pretty much starts and ends with BB7's on SD's with some top notch cables and housings IMO.
#12
PBR Racing
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wifes $hit List
Posts: 1,026
Bikes: Santa Cruz and Cannondale
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 312
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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
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
#16
Bicycle Rider & Mechanic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 686
Bikes: Superlight, Dragon Team, Eclipse, Om Flyer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ha
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.
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.