I've always been happy enough with my deore or XT units for stopping power / price and reliability but as I approach 60 with troublesome eyesight my skills are not what they used to be and so braking in wet conditions etc is not the carefree activity it once was.
I'm thinking a less "wooden " brake up front might help but don't need anything flash or even new.
I do have some old hope minis but cannot remember how they felt .. Also I saw comments on the forum that the mono minis were quite good in that respect. If anyone knows are all the spares still easily available and is braided hose needed?
I only run 180 discs up front
and generally ride mixed rough back roads and easy off road these days on rigid 29 plus ..often with loaded panniers and often down very steep Devon inclines. 85 kg myself . Any thoughts , suggestions, experience would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Bill
I have multiple sets of mono minis - perfectly good brakes. Some folk find them lacking in power - I don't being able to lock the brake easily with one finger. I believe thats two things - mistaking initial bite for outright power and poor setup / bedding in. No doubt they have less initial bite - thats the modulation
I use 160mm discs to ensure they get nice and hot to keep them working well
Just my opinion
Never had an issue with getting pads, the seals are the same as in later brakes, no need for braided hose
Steve Peat actually used mono minis at some DH world cups onboard that polished Orange 222 or 223 with black swingarm, it's a decent enough front brake unless you're doing a lot of stoppies. Current hose kit with fittings is a straight swap if yours is older fatter fittings with 6mm hose.