Topic: Brakes

[mksandoz]

I've just about had it with Avid brand brakes. So, enough about wheels and tyres on this forum. What do y'all use for brakes?

[Darrinw2001]

those Hopes look sweet... i have heard good things about the magura's also

[FACTORe]

Hayes - I hate avid - I am going back to Hayes grams asap

[Luis]

Elixir CR have been good to me... much better than the juicy carbons currently on the ht (will be replaced soon). Shimano hydros had the best feel of all the brakes I've had, no experience with the current models though. What are you looking exactly? Power?

[ClintonRH]

My Juicy 3s felt OK most of the time but it seemed like every few rides I was stopping to have to reset one of the pucks because one would stick causing the brakes to drag. Eventually one of the circlips that holds the guts into the handle came out of it's little groove making the brake constantly squishy and would over extend causing it to suck in air. Ordered a rebuild kit but while I was waiting I got a little spend-free and got a set of Elixir CRs. Even though I wasn't feeling to good about Avid at the time the price was right. The Elixirs have been completely trouble free. If they have more power as advertised I don't really use it (always felt the Juicy stopped fine and had plenty of power to toss me over the bars if necessary) but they definitely have a better lever feel. Especially when picking the bike down a slow techy descent. They're less grabby and release smoother. It's not a huge night/day difference but it's confidence inspiring.

[mellowme17]

i am not a avid fan...
i am using Hope mono mini on my main rig...
hayes on my back up.
bb5's sitting in box waiting for the other 2 to break.

my next set are going to be hope tech x2
http://www.hopetech.com/page.aspx?itemID=SPG40

[firebiker]

I've got Juicy 5's on there now and I have had nothing but trouble w/ them. As soon as I have enough cash their gone. Not sure what will be next though.

[fatcamper]

I've been running a set of Elixir CRs for about three weeks now and I don't have any complaints. Prior to this I had a low-end set of Hayes Strokers that were noisy and never felt quite right for me.

As Scott explained to me there is no comparison between the lower model Hayes and the higher end of the range so my comparison isn't very fair. I would say it showed my the value of a quality brake vs a budget brake more than any comparison being able to be made of Avid vs Hayes.

That said, most opinions I've seen hold the Elixirs in a much higher regard than the Juicys.

[chisel]

 i have two sets of hopes on other bikes i own and have had no problemwith them for ten years. i have avid cuicy carbons right now and theyare doing well.

[Scott]

2009 Hayes Grams on price point for $99 a side, they retail for $250.

[BeerCan]

I really likes my Formula Oro's when I had them.  I got rid of them because they would occasionally have master cylinder problems and leak on my handlebars.  Formula USA was always great about getting them fixed but eventually I decided to dump them.

At that point I decided I wanted a brake system that used Mineral oil instead of DOT fluid.  That ruled out everyone except Shimano and Magura.  Picked up a set of Magura Marta's from ebay over 2 years back and have been happy ever since.

[MBruns]

Magura Marta, excellent all round, not cheap but very happy with the performance, swiss stop pads also
Mike

[Darrinw2001]

I've got Juicy 5's on there now and I have had nothing but trouble w/ them. As soon as I have enough cash their gone. Not sure what will be next though.

Fire Biker,

With your job you should be able to qualify on a team on www.promotive.com which is a website that facilitates Pro-Deals from Manufacturer's to people in various professions. on that website they have Hayes/SunRingle and they offer their products for 50% off MSRP... my next set of brakes will come from there..

[ProEdgeBiker]

XTR here.

So many bikes now come stock AVID, i didnt really like the Feel.

[Redriderpro]

8 years old Original Hope Mini ( not Mono Mini). Sure I have to shim them to set pad clearance but they provide strong power with nice modulation and are dirt cheap to rebuild. I did run an 8" front rotor for a while, way to much power and went back to the 7".

I've tried Avid Jucy 5's ( with 185 mm rotors) on another rider's Moment and they just don't have any power, in fact Avid BB7 would be my choice over the Jucy 5's)
Also ridden Jucy 5s on a lighter weight EW Epi, with 6" rotors, not much power there.

Also XTR 6" rotors on a light weight EW Epi, nice brakes but I'd need a larger than 6" front rotor or a change to metalic pads to add power.

Have tried Magura Marta on a 29er SS, and those were very nice!

Tried Avid Elixer CRs on  Giant Trance ( XL) with 180 or 185 front rotor, which was way to much power and not much modulation.

Ran Avid BB7 Mechanicals for years on various bikes, have ridden heavy dual suspension bikes recently using them, just can't beat the simplicity of those or the cost, they really are simple to setup,maintain and provide good power.