Formula are amazing. Can't get enough. Not the most reliable from personal experience but all others seem to have been fine. We have Shimano on our demo bikes and we just can't seem to get on with them (but can't afford to change them all!).
Bike Forum
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Discs - is there a consensus?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Loving Avids
If these were Juicys you've obviously not yet had the delight of changing the pads half way up a muddy hill in the cold, when you just can't quite get the pads past the stupid pin!
Plus, like someone else, the pistons corrode and while you can buy new pistons (and seals) reasonably cheaply, the buggers will not come out.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Wife's bike has Avid's on it - 5's I think - no pad change needed yet but I'm not looking forward to the day it needs done...saying that, they have been trouble free since new (she is now getting back into riding her bike a few times a week so the last month or so it's been getting much more use than it has done in the past 18 months (due to new addition to the family!)). When I've had a shot on her bike round the street the brakes feel very good, plenty powerful (can get me over the bars with a 160mm rotor on front and 1 finger - I've only ever been able to do that with a Hope M4 back in 2003/4 on my own bike with a 160mm rotor).
I don't fancy Avids though as the pad replacement is a total nightmare (done a couple for my mates and won't offer to do them again!). Not sure about the Elixirs - not looked at them but I'd be concerned the pad replacement system was just as convuluted.
Posted 2 years ago # -
All good really - I got the new M4 Tech and they are great - Mates have elixiers and they are great and Shim XT/XTR I reckon are prob OK - I think differences in performance is subtle and personal. Ease of bleeding and setup I feel is most important and I can fault the M4 Techs apart from the combination of XTR shifter and the Tech lever - for me this isn't an issue. Just get what you feel fits your look, bike etc. I dont think you will be dissapointed with any of them
BTW the Elixier pad replacement is a synch unlike the Juicy's
as are shimano brakes Posted 2 years ago # -
changing the pads half way up a muddy hill in the cold,
just two words. 'Routine' and 'maintenance'
and also, just for the record, I don't see what the problem is with putting in new pads on avids, it's always worked ok for me. Whereas that hilarious little 'R' pingfeckit clip Hope used to use....
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hope Mono Minis on current bike are brilliant, set up and forget, look great. Very slightly underpowered for biggish blokes on big Scottish/alpine descents
XT's on previous bike good but rather soft lever feel for me, and more sticky piston problems than the Hopes.
Hayes Stroker on a demo bike were the worst I've ever used - totally on/off
Reckon you can't go wrong with Hope or Shimano, Avids seem to have quite a few problems, Hayes rubbish, Formula good but too few out there to tell
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hope Mono Minis on current bike are brilliant, set up and forget, look great. Very slightly underpowered for biggish blokes on big Scottish/alpine descents
XT's on previous bike good but rather soft lever feel for me, and more sticky piston problems than the Hopes.
Hayes Stroker on a demo bike were the worst I've ever used - totally on/off
Reckon you can't go wrong with Hope or Shimano, Avids seem to have quite a few problems, Hayes rubbish, Formula good but too few out there to tell
Posted 2 years ago # -
I agree with the little clip on the mono minis - but I never really had to change pads very often so teh little clips wern't and issue. I did have an issue with the "fiddleyness" when installing the pads on Juicy's - That retaining clip was crap ond often deformed and getting the pads over the pegs on teh pistons was just plain annoying compared with replacing them on Shims, Alixiers and hopes for the record
Posted 2 years ago # -
as always there are as many opinions as there are peeps so I'll offer mine
for 2-300 quid I'd go with Avid CR Carbons
that said there's nowt wrong with XT/XTR, got some of them too but I prefer the lever feel on the elixirs and I think braking power is greater overall, but they're on very different bikes.
for a bit more cash (or if you can find a deal); SRAM XX (basically pimped Elixirs) and Formula The One seem to head the league tables
I have nothing against Hope but never used them. They are the best looking of the lot though.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have spent a lot of money on top of the line disks over the years (most recent Juicy Ultimates, Marta SLs), but I have reverted to BB7s.
Light enough and easily fixed at home. Just get decent cables, keep them clean and oiled and they work well for xc use.
If I ever get another hydraulic it will be XT/XTR because they seem to be the least hassle.
Posted 2 years ago # -
CaptainMainwaring - Member
Hope Mono Minis on current bike are brilliant, set up and forget, look great. Very slightly underpowered for biggish blokes on big Scottish/alpine descents
Agree but I found them to be way too underpowered on flat roads so wouldn't like to use them going down any hills
I now have the Hope Tech V2s, brakes for real men!
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Get free cashback on purchases inc. Wiggle, CRC & Halfords Click HerePosted 2 years ago # -
i've only tried avid juicy 7's and magura louise carbons
both have been low maintenance and give lots of stopping power
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've got Avid juicy 5's and Magura Julies. The Avids work ok but they need to be bled every couple of months to keep them feeling crisp. I've only had the Maguras since December so couldn't really comment yet.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks all.
The virtual coin-toss seems to be coming up with shimano so far...
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
This topic has been closed to new replies.
