UPDATE: Reviews section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
So after my experience at the Coquet classic (see other thread) I'm looking for more confidence on the steep stuff.
I've realised that my brakes are only 2 piston so looking to upgrade those. I've generally been happy with the feel of them ( shimano M6000 deore) so looking for similar with more stopping power. Any recommendations?
You like the brakes and I assume they are in good condition… so keep them and go for bigger rotors instead?
Dumb question - what does bigger rotors add to a brake?
The obvious choice would be another Shimano - say XT either in the older cheaper flavour, or the updated version that uses the new mineral oil. Alternatively, I'm a big fan of Formula brakes; I had Oros for years, and just changed up to Curas that I got cheap (€60 or so on a German site) - good feel, very positive stopping power, and come in 4-pot flavour if you want significantly more stopping power
Dumb question - what does bigger rotors add to a brake?
Leverage and cooling/heat management. Going up to a 200mm rotor makes a significant difference
Dumb question - what does bigger rotors add to a brake?
The obvious choice would be another Shimano - say XT either in the older cheaper flavour, or the updated version that uses the new mineral oil. Alternatively, I'm a big fan of Formula brakes; I had Oros for years, and just changed up to Curas that I got cheap (€60 or so on a German site) - good feel, very positive stopping power, and come in 4-pot flavour if you want significantly more stopping power
I have the older XTR's on my Stanton and the newer XT's on my Kenevo. Both are great after having had lots of SRAM brakes - I'm erring towards the newer XT's though as I can't stop the blumming front XTR squealing on the Stanton, but maybe that's just user error in some way.
That aside, they are so easy to fit coming blanked off and not connected to the lever - quick lever bleed after trimming and job jobbed
re Formula Cura
4-pot flavour if you want significantly more stopping power
Not that much more power over the much cheaper 2pots. Have several mates who ride run them in 2pot guise and they're riding almost exclusively in the Alps/bike parks or Finale. Neither are they particularly slow.
One even bored his with DOT oil, flushed it out 3 months later and his seals are still good...
Try upping the rotor size.
If you're adamant you want 4pots you can tag the Deore 4pots onto the end and use the same levers.
The newer Deore 4-pots are really good, or SLX/XT depending on what you want to spend/is on offer.
I'd also recommend increasing the rotor size, either instead of or ideally as well as the above. I went to 203 front and rear on a 29er Full-Suspension (Cotic Jeht) before an Alps trip and it was fantastic for braking and therefore confidence, I didn't find it harder to modulate etc. either.
If it's a hardtail maybe not much point going over 180 on the rear? But personally I didn't find any downsides of going 203 both ends and I didn't bother going back down to 203/180 or 180/180 when I got back, I'm still running them.
I'm going to throw another idea into the pot:
Magura MT5's. I've got them with Storm rotors. They. Just. Work. Have a much nicer feel than Shimano, and in my experience last longer - we've had a few Shimano recently that manage 3 years then seem to just have so many issues.. Our 3 sets of Magura are up to 7 years old (5 year warranty...) and never give any issues. Plus, they are properly powerful when set up right...
Dumb question - what does bigger rotors add to a brake?
The obvious choice would be another Shimano - say XT either in the older cheaper flavour, or the updated version that uses the new mineral oil. Alternatively, I'm a big fan of Formula brakes; I had Oros for years, and just changed up to Curas that I got cheap (€60 or so on a German site) - good feel, very positive stopping power, and come in 4-pot flavour if you want significantly more stopping power
Did the cheap formulas have weird lever blades?
Did the cheap formulas have weird lever blades?
A bit odd to look at - kinda bulbous at the end for some reason. But I was riding with them yesterday and there's no issue on the bike - they're still fine for 1 or 2 finger braking, and didn't catch on owt.
They're these ones: https://www.bike-discount.de/en/formula-cura-pm-disc-brake-set; the same shop also sells full sets with normal levers for <£200
If you like the Deore, then just go for the 4 pots - they're really good for the price.
SLX 4 pots are good too if you've want to send a bit more.
First thing to do is bump up the rotor size if you can, plus put some DH pads in. If that's not enough put a 4-pot caliper on the front.
If it’s the Shimano feel you’re after then just go for some 4 pot Shimano ones. Deore / SLX / XT or Saints perhaps. I tend to avoid Shimano as I’ve had 4 calipers micro leak after a few years.
If you want all the power then go for SRAM Mavens. I’ve just put one off the front of my ebike and it’s immense. Need to fit the back one when I get time.
Another vote for the Deore 4 pots. I finally got fed up of my sram brakes and replaced them with the Deores which are exponentially better!
Bigger rotors and Galfer pads.
Also remember that changing your front tyre is often a good brake upgrade.
Shimano XT’s would be my choice unless you are a very light rider, then the cheaper 4 pot Shimano brakes are perfect. I really like Shimano brakes; powerful, use mineral oil, easy to bleed and even easier to set up. I have the new XTs and the old XTs, both are ace. I also run a few sets of the cheaper 4 pots for my daughter and she loves them. Happy to forgive replacing the odd piston or calliper for all the positives.
I have just removed the new Magura Louise Elites, good brakes and very progressive, but they only had the power of the new XTs with a lot more effort. Never a sign of fading though.
Cura 2’s are very good with bags of instant stopping power, but always faded on big descents until I went to 2.3mm thick rotors, they seem better now but haven’t done ridiculously long descents since the thicker rotors went on! 🙂
Just can’t get on with SRAM brakes, although the RSC’s are pretty good and have been cheapy cheap recently. I think all the Code R’s I went through tainted me forever 🤣
I'm going to throw another idea into the pot:
Magura MT5's. I've got them with Storm rotors. They. Just. Work. Have a much nicer feel than Shimano, and in my experience last longer - we've had a few Shimano recently that manage 3 years then seem to just have so many issues.. Our 3 sets of Magura are up to 7 years old (5 year warranty...) and never give any issues. Plus, they are properly powerful when set up right...
I like the MT5s, with SLX levers, but my son's MT7's also with SLX levers are much more on/off if you like that type of power.
Agree with the first comment of bigger discs, and also depending on your spec maybe better pads. Pretty much any brake working well with the right combination of parts is powerful enough. Though, powerful enough isn't all there is to it of course! Effortless power can feel great.
The number of pots is really a bit of a red herring, braking power comes from a whole lot of factors including lever pivots and length, mechanical advantage of the master cylinder over the slave cylinders, pad size (which gets real complicated)... Most brakes in the world were 2 pot for years and I'm still using ancient Formula The One 2-pots which I used to have on my dh bike- tons of feel, but still plenty of power.
IMO the most important thing is feel- which can include power, some people like that effortless mighty feel, some people (like me) prefer a really subtle brake that ramps up slow and needs you to go looking for the power (but can still deliver it) But that's pretty hard to shop for, because who really knows what their new purchase will feel like? So if I've got something I like, I stick with it
I think we all adapt to and become used to certain things. One of the WC DH pro's i listened to was talking about their initial experience with Mavens. He hated them and wrote them off as far too sensitive, but then came back to them 6 months later, gave them a bit more time and now swears by them.
I tried Mavens in Canada for one ride - I found it hard to do anything but lock up at first but after a few runs realised i needed to be gentler.
TRP Trail Evos - £105 a pair including 2.3mm rotors.
I bought some of these a few months back (same seller) and they're brilliant brakes. Bit more modulation than Shimano and loads of power.
I also think 2.3 rotors are definitely the way forward, better in all ways (a little heavier, but we're talking a few grams).
I tried Mavens in Canada for one ride - I found it hard to do anything but lock up at first but after a few runs realised i needed to be gentler.
Probably a set with the original lever design. I'd a set of those and they were very one/off. The current sets have a redesigned swing link and lever and different piston sizes to give a lighter feel and lot better modulation. I've fitted the upgrade kit to give the lighter feel with the original caliber. The originals are great if you are the last of the late brakers, but for brake draggers like me, the new levers are a big improvement.
Well I've bought a 203 rotor and adapter for my rear brake so will see how that goes, does anyone know if you can fit a 220 to a non downhill bike?
also does anyone know if you can use the deore leavers with saint callipers?
does anyone know if you can fit a 220 to a non downhill bike?
also does anyone know if you can use the deore leavers with saint callipers?
All Shimano levers and calipers are compatible, but you need to check the hose fittings.
Your fork manufacturer might have a specified max rotor size. You should be able to fit a 220 on the front with an adapter. The larger rotor won't really stress the frame or fork any more, but you might want to check that it doesn't void warranty.
does anyone know if you can fit a 220 to a non downhill bike?
also does anyone know if you can use the deore leavers with saint callipers?
All Shimano levers and calipers are compatible, but you need to check the hose fittings.
Your fork manufacturer might have a specified max rotor size. You should be able to fit a 220 on the front with an adapter. The larger rotor won't really stress the frame or fork any more, but you might want to check that it doesn't void warranty.
its a 8 year old fork so not sure how worried I need to be about warranty.
Merlins Sram brake sale still appears to be on.
I know nothing about Sram brakes, but im sure other here do and can direct you to a decent set
Full set of Code RSC front and rear....
https://www.ebay.de/itm/357950550549?chn=ps&_ul=DE&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item
