Thru a long chain of events, I have ended up with a brand new pair of both Elixir CR and XTR M975. Due to how the events unfolded, I am into each set at a very favorable price. I am set on selling one set and getting at set of Hope Tech M4. (Hands down IMHO best brakes I have ever had my hands on ) and using the other set on a 2nd bike

I like the way you can bleed, adjust and pre-load the Shimano brakes, but I have read alot of feedback from people who said that XTR were OK but less than pleased with what was in 2010 Shimano's top of the line. Things like the calipers don't always return to full open and will drag a little bit ect.. I know its only 1 site, but 22 reviews on MTBR with a average rating of 3.22 out of 5? I know you will always have some haters, but I would of expected better from the best they have to offer.

The Elixir faired a bit better with 59 reviews with a average of 3.6. I had a set of Elixir fail, so Avid sent me a new set of CRs. I got the original Elixirs on a sweet sale and the shop will allow me to return them and get my original purchase price refunded, but I can ebay or CL them and do better.

One theory is to install them both and see which ones I like better, but then will have to sell them for less and I will just have to add more for the M4s. I really don't want to spend the extra to sell both and get 2 sets of M4s.

To make it easy. if I let you come to my house and pick out 1 pair to keep, that you will have to use not resell, which would you pick to put on your bike?

Thanks

Sell them both and get some XT's or Strokers. Extra money = Beer.

XTRs would get my vote as the keeper set...

I have both the XTRs, and M4s. In my opinion, I'd sell both and get another set of M4s. The rotors alone is worth it! Plus hopes have much better modulation, and WAY more power than the XTRs.

I may just keep both for backup and get Hopes, neither are worth a whole lot now. My guess is I would be lucky to get $275 for the whole set of XTR's and maybe $250 for the CRs if I leave then NIB. The closeout places are really blowing out the 2010 stuff. I have seen them cheaper than that but you have to really hunt. Unfortunately Hope M4 are hard to find in the US and never on sale

We have had problems with the mineral oil in shimano brakes freezing and blowing the seals out of XT brakes. Shimano knows about the problem but has not fixed it as far as I know. Just something to keep in mind if you do a lot of winter riding.

Well, I am in Texas so I try not to ride when it is that cold LOL....... but thats good information to know. You would think they would want to get their hands around that for sure

I'd keep the elixirs... damn good brake... compared to the old Juicy's

Well, found a home for the Elixir CR, went with the XTR, I now fear I made the wrong decision. Mainly went with Shimano to stay consistent. I can use the same oil and bleed kit for all my brakes this way. The XTRs out of the box would compress all the was back to the bar, so I did a full bleed on both, while it and the brakes engaged much quicker, the stopping power was less than impressive. I can get it to lock down the back, even on slick concrete, the front brakes will not grab enough to lock the front wheel. Using Shimano's suggestion I got new rotors, the other had less than 50 miles on them. Even with the new rotors, with front and back brakes full on I can still pedal the bike and make it move. From everything I read, the XT / XTR are supposed to have outstanding stopping power, The Tektro comps on my son's entry level GT stop way better.

I sent Shimano a short video at their request, I am waiting to see what they suggest. I am sure we will get this resolved, but first impressions of Shimano's flag ship line are not impressive

My XTR's will full stop f/r and not allow me to pedal or move the wheels. Are the pads worn? Recheck your bleed? Maybe the pads are glazed over?

I use Alligator Serrated 180f/160r weigh 240lbs, and I use sintered pads.

Brand new pre bled XTR brakes w/ pads installed out of the box. The brakes were a bled a total of 4 time 2 times by me 2 time by my LBS, installed brand new Shimano rotors you can still pedal thru. I can grab any bike off the rack with bottom line shimano brakes and they hold. Just not real impressed, fixing to ship these back, they said they will send me a new pair. The fact they were very low in fluid out of the box gave me a bad feeling. Let see how the next set is

I have several sets of XTR brakes. On one bike I could use a death grip and couldn't lock the wheels. The last 3 feet of stopping even dry would squeal like crazy.
If they got wet forget it. I applied no squeal compound to the back of the pads, chamfered the edges with a dremel and still crap. I was about to give up.
I found out the pads were metallic and replaced them with XTR M07 resin pads, and what a difference, perfect brakes.

Thanks for the info.
I asked the tech at shimano if he wanted to send me out new pads, he said no I had metallic, the standard ( he said ) and the resin had less stopping power than metallic. I figured it would be worth a try, I already got new rotors that I didn't need, I would of tried new pads if he would send them out. I have decided I was not going to sink anymore money into these brakes. The new set will come with 2 sets of pads he said, so I may try the resin if I have problems

All this new fangled technology seems needlessly complicated. The v-brakes on my bike will lock both wheels in a heart beat and never need bleeding....

XTR = i think there is no big difference on brake feeling with cheaper XT or even SLX...
Elixir CR = i haven't tried it yet, but i have tried juicy3, DOT brake fluid strip off some of the paint wheen you bleeding it, that makes your brakes look nasty....

by the way vote for shimano XT, very good price performance point though....
or equals on the price range shimano saint brakes....doubles piston....hmm...

Avid Elixr CR came on my 2010 Stumpjumper and have worked flawlessly for me, but I had Juicy 7's on my old hardtail and they shuddered constantly--it was awful. My friend bought a 2009 Stumpjumper and had a lot of noise/vibration problems at first but they (Specialized) sent him new rear rotors under the warranty and it fixed his problem and they've been perfect. My wife's 2004 had Shimano XT/XTR discs on them and they're still going strong--never made a peep and she absolutely loves them.

Great advice Sparks, That is just what I am ending up doing. Everything you said has proven to be right on . The M4's came in today and out of the box they will stand my Niner on its front wheel, and I am told those pads get better after a few rides. Shimano is sending me a brand new set of XTR's Found a buyer for the Elixirs and I will price the new XTR's right on CL and pick up another set of M4s

Love my XTR hydro's but would love some Hopes.