Riding a nomad c. Currently have Avid Elixirs on, they are nice and light but stopping power is limited. Previously ran avid codes on my last bike and they were strong and had good modulation but they were pretty heavy. Price ain't too much of an issue for the right brakes - lightweight strong with good modulation.
Any suggestions?
Anything by shimano
New SLX is awesome, and a bargain at http://www.rosebikes.de
Much as I hate them and the workshop time they take up, i've never found lack of power to be an issue. Before chucking them, i'd suggest popping the pads out individually, and excercising the pistons, giving them a proper bleed(you'd be shocked at the amount of air that comes out of a brand new factory bleed), and spending a good bit of time ensuring the pads hit the rotors dead square, and at exactly the same time.I do this to every set before the bike leaves the workshop(see why I hate them?), and it will make a hell of a difference.
You checked out the review in this months stw? I got a set of elixir7 carbon from merlin at less than half price last week and are best I've had. Great modulation and sensitivity
The Hope Race X2 wins the review this months STW. Best feel, more than enough power, serviceability, easy to get hold of spares, easy to bleed, and decent warranty service.
The Hopes
Destined to be a classic brake. Nigh on perfect for virtually all UK riding and riders. Good weight, decent power and immense feel
This is what it says about XT's
These are ideal for speed scrubbers. At first braking is very binary and really feels like a switch, with little middle ground for feeling what the brake is actually doing. This does improve as you get used to it but not a great deal.
Like I have said before, power isn't everything.
Hope V2's are fantastic.
Brake opinion varys allot. But heres my expierince, I've had hope tech v2 and sold them after 6 months, they were felt awful and power wasn't great for the size.. Had codes, elixir cr and xo, which were good but the only brake I've been tottaly happy with is formula r1, amazing brakes!!
I could be tempted to try xtr trail brakes though 
If money allows I'd be going direct to the high end Formula of your choice. (if it doesn't, I'd go for a set of old Oros 
Still better than any of the current Hope lineup ime.
Magura fan here.
I love my really old 2006 Magura Louise FR brakes. Many alps trips for them and not a hint of a problem.
My 2009 Magura Louise BAT's have been great too.
Had Shimano and can't complain too much about them but some 765's ? were a bugger to bleed to the point where I convinced myself they were bust.
Anything by shimano
This.
Pick your price bracket and away you go.
Hope brake have a lot softer level feel and thus a lot more modulation. you pay for that with less initial bite. still plenty of power once the brake is on - it just reaches full power more slowly.
Its a matter of taste if yo like this. I do. I dislike the pinching a brick feel of shimano brakes
Avid code5s. Code caliper and juicy lever.
I have had Hope Mono's for years now. The front this year finally needed a rebiuld anf I like the feel and the easy bleeding. The only thing I don't like about the formula's and Avids is the little bit of extra faff in bleeding them.
If I was buying new brakes then I would choose, either Avid Elsir 5 or 7's (for weight), Shimano XT, or Hope as they have served me so well. But as the Hopes are still serving me well I don't need to. Also Bearin mind Hope still support all there old brakes. Formula do not support their old brakes and a customer had to take his back to the Italian bike shop he bought them from to get them repaired as no lever spares exist over here.
Avid spares are quite expensive. The rebuild kit for Code brake caliper is something like £60 IIRC. I think my Hopes cost me a hand full of pounds for new pistons.
bm0p700f - MemberAlso Bearin mind Hope still support all there old brakes. Formula do not support their old brakes and a customer had to take his back to the Italian bike shop he bought them from to get them repaired as no lever spares exist over here.
Formula, otoh, will sell you an entire replacement brake for £60 including rotors- no point servicing clapped out brakes when newer ones are cheaper than the replacement parts.
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