[Closed] Brake du jour?

I’d avoid shimano due to the well documented wandering bike point issue. I’ve had it on deores and ridden a few other peoples bikes that have had the same (slx and xt m8000).

I’m not sure if there’s much of an upgrade going from guide RSC’s to g2 RSC’s. It’s mostly a refinement of broadly the same brake I think - although they are claiming a bit more power.

I went from Guide R to Code R and when you really need them there is a much better level of stopping power without any fade / less tiring on the fingers. Had them a while now and they just work - no bleeding required yet. The calipers are pretty heavy lumps though if that’s a consideration.

I wasn't looking forward to the Codes that came on my Spesh. Enduro, I was certain they were going to be the first to be binned for something reliable. I'm very happy to have been wrong, they've been faultless and brilliant.

Saints or xtr

I went from Guide R to Guide RS to Code RSC and they are great, good bite and power and have had no issues here in the UK or in Morzine, only needed a pad change in that time too.

Magura. I've Shimano, SRAM and Magura. Prefer Magura.

Magura

Formula Cura:
-Excellent modulation
-Plenty of power
-Reliable cheap (£170 a pair)
-2 pistons, nice and simple
-Lever shape is excellent
-Reach adjust, very little free stroke.

Sram stuff is hit and miss on the reliability front, good brakes though
Shimano has the wandering bite point, which on a brake is unacceptable. It doesn't happen to every brake, but knowing my luck, would affect me.

I'd second Sir HC on the Formula Cura, except to point out that they can be had for 125 Euro an end for the 4-pots, or closer to 90 euro an end for the 2 pots, making them an absolute bargain.

Third vote for Cura 4’s.

They don't have bite point adjust, though just a (kind of annoying) reach adjust.

I've run zees for three years with none of the wandering bite point. They are very good. Apart from the ispec nonsense. Great for the RHS shifter,  but I am not spending silly money to get an ispec B compatible dropper remote. But that's not a performance issue, merely a minor aesthetic thing.

I've always been interested in Maguras though,  they always seem good value, and I totally love the idea of the magnetic pad holding.

They don’t have bite point adjust, though just a (kind of annoying) reach adjust.

Cheers, corrected my post.

Went from guide r’s to Zees. Very happy

MT5s

I have a set of the new 4-pot XTRs and they're quite ludicrously good, came off a set of Magura MT5's and the difference was night and day.

The Maguras had a very comfy lever feel but the power was nowhere close.

Haven't had wandering bite point yet but they are brand spankers in fairness.

No love for Hope Brakes anymore?

I used to love Shimano, still do, anything that means I don't have to mess with horrible DOT fluid is okay in my book, but eventually they'd always shit their seals and even the last set I had which felt perfect and I would go toe to toe with anyone (metaphorically) who said they had a wandering bite point, were very obviously not perfect the moment I switched bikes for one with my current Guide RE brakes.

The Guides are okay... the pistons all seem to have a unique interpretation of their role, I've never managed to get all 4 working in unison at either end and they're getting very worn looking, I know they're a discount brake, but the finish is a bit cheap so I'm looking for a bit of a blingy upgrade.

Hope's look lovely, my old Tech V2's could pull your face off, but I'm told they're a bit under powered now?

Have lots of love for Hopes, have a set of X2s that I've never had to bleed, still perfect.

Tried the formulas just for a chnage after a bunch of really good reviews, very impressed (They're mineral oil based now too.)

If I were buying Hopes I’d go V4. And it would only be for the bling - I don’t thing they do anything any other decent brake doesn’t.

Had Sram guide R & RS along with Code R & RS, no real complaints, worked well

Also had Shimano XTM8000 and Zee's along with various other Shimano road bike calipers and all have suffered from leaking seals at some point in their life

Now running Hope V4's Hope E4's and Hope X2's on various bikes, zero issues so far, great performance, fully rebuildable and spares are cheap, some people are funny about using dot 4 fluid but Ive been bleeding car brakes with it for years so it doesn't bother me

I'm tempted to try some Magura's after hearing all the reviews but all the time the Hopes are working great i don't see the point

I love my v4s. Take a while to set up properly, but when they are there's power and modulation by the bucketload.
I have had six Shimano calipers crap their seals on me in the last 3 years. However, I now have an older set of SLXs on one bike - they had the wandering bite point when I got them, they were awful and I was ready to bin them. I then did a 'Marshy' bleed, and spent about 10 minutes flicking the lever blade at the end* to get all the bubbles out. Since then they have been absolutely perfect. Still nothing like the power and modulation of the v4s or the Guide RS I had before.
I should have some Deore 4 pots coming on a new bike. I'll probably replace the SLX with them as I'm intrigued to try.

*(C) Carry On Mechanicing

Paul's Components Klampers and Love Levers 😎

Thing is, I'm only half joking.
Fitted a set to my Stooge a couple of weeks ago, and now they're bedded in they feel as powerful as the Hopes I have on another bike.

Defo by far the most powerful mechanical discs I've used.

I’d second Sir HC on the Formula Cura, except to point out that they can be had for 125 Euro an end for the 4-pots, or closer to 90 euro an end for the 2 pots, making them an absolute bargain.

Where is this fantastical shop?

I can't find the Cura4s for less than 134euro!

I have just fitted some hope e'4s and have to say i am blown away, good power, excellent modulation and a fair step up from the XT's they replaced.

They were a bit fiddly to set up, but as long as you take your time and align the caliper and pads properly then its all good.

Also love the fact i can dial in the bite point and the lever reach together to get a perfect set up for me.

Where is this fantastical shop?

I can’t find the Cura4s for less than 134euro!

Mantel, Starbike, Lordgun, Bikester