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PSAs that may or may not be amazing enough to warrant their own thread 2025

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I hated the tech 4 that came as part of a build on my last bike I took them off eventually. 

What didn't you like about the Tech 4? I had Tech3 E4 and they were dreadful but the Tech 4 V4s I have are brilliant.


 
Posted : 21/09/2025 4:56 pm
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Posted by: tabletop2

Anyone used the new hope brakes?

Just got the V4's long time before I upgrade.

 

Though do we really need to, and does it tweak them that much to really be that different.

Perhaps its only just new names and what looks like a cam on the lever pivot. For V4 read GR4, for E4 read TR4 and it looks like they stuck with 'X2' because they couldn't think of anything new to call it.

 

The new sealed cap bleeding thing's a good idea, and hopefully it might work on the earlier lever just by swapping the caps over. 

Maybe some kind person will know that and post the info up.


 
Posted : 21/09/2025 7:37 pm
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Nope. Master cylinder bleed port is in the body of the MC, not the cap


 
Posted : 21/09/2025 8:35 pm
kelvin and dyna-ti reacted
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The bleed port... Maybe


 
Posted : 21/09/2025 8:37 pm
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Just fitted a TR4, the new lever is subtly different, not sure why, but feels much better


 
Posted : 21/09/2025 8:39 pm
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Posted by: honourablegeorge

the new lever is subtly different, not sure why, but feels much better

Which lever blade is it ?. I think there's 3 choices.


 
Posted : 21/09/2025 10:54 pm
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For V4 read GR4, for E4 read TR4 and it looks like they stuck with 'X2' because they couldn't think of anything new to call it.

They stuck with X2 because it’s broadly the same calliper. GR4 replaces V4, but is not the same… not enough room for the old vented rotors. TR4 has different size pistons (and perhaps pads) to the E4.

Tech 4 V4s I have are brilliant

Same here. More control than any other brake I’ve ever used.


 
Posted : 21/09/2025 11:27 pm
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Continuing the tech Evo tangent.

Eldest will be onto a 24" bike soon. I was gonna stick some tech3 x2s on (to keep the bleed system the same) 

I have

bike no1 :tech 3e4,

bike no2 tech 4e4

 

Do I swap their brakes and buy some tech3x2 for eldest (cost of 1 Evo end)

 Or buy the tech Evo X2 and swap the calipers and levers around to make an evo-e4(and drop in stainless pistons) and a tech 3(Evo)x2

 

 


 
Posted : 22/09/2025 1:40 pm
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Posted by: dyna-ti

Which lever blade is it ?. I think there's 3 choices.

The default one, they all come with the same one. 

 


 
Posted : 22/09/2025 4:51 pm
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It's "Standard" as opposed to "Power" or "Control"


 
Posted : 22/09/2025 4:58 pm
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It's "Standard" as opposed to "Power" or "Control"


 
Posted : 22/09/2025 4:58 pm
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Yep they all come with the standard lever. Took my single speed with new Evo X2’s last night for its first ride with them on. After a decade of putting up with XT’s with the wonderfully irritating wandering bite point, these are night and day better. More than enough power for the bike they’re on, nice build up of power and very comfortable lever. I may swap out for the control lever to try them as got small hands but still very impressed. 


 
Posted : 22/09/2025 5:05 pm
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SRAM DB8 4 pot brake set F+R, for £55

No idea if they are any good, no doubt someone will know more about them than me

https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOoqRDsipe0iqh6gabTpUJIdA4nO4LimjKdvz8Xd_brdAtASUqNzX


 
Posted : 22/09/2025 5:15 pm
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good brakes from what I hear, but they don’t come with clamps, so you’ll need to factor that in. I bought some to replace some knackered (but much better than many suggest) level t’s so should be a good upgrade 


 
Posted : 22/09/2025 7:33 pm
andy5390 reacted
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Hadn't noticed the "no clamps" thing. 

Well spotted


 
Posted : 23/09/2025 8:06 am
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Posted by: tuboflard

Yep they all come with the standard lever. Took my single speed with new Evo X2’s last night for its first ride with them on. After a decade of putting up with XT’s with the wonderfully irritating wandering bite point, these are night and day better. More than enough power for the bike they’re on, nice build up of power and very comfortable lever. I may swap out for the control lever to try them as got small hands but still very impressed. 

Shame the new blade apparently won't fit the older Tech 4, I'd be in

 


 
Posted : 23/09/2025 12:16 pm
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I'm not certain they don't - I'll try swapping the GR4 blades with my T4V4 at some point in the next day or 2


 
Posted : 23/09/2025 12:31 pm
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Cool, will be interested to know how you get on.


 
Posted : 23/09/2025 4:49 pm
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I'm not certain they don't - I'll try swapping the GR4 blades with my T4V4 at some point in the next day or 2

Interested to know this as well!


 
Posted : 23/09/2025 5:04 pm
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Confirmed...

T4 Evo blades fit the T4 master cylinder.  

The cam is totally different, as it's a new design.  The Evo standard blade on the normal  T4 MC sits a lot closer to the bar.

I'll start a new thread on it later with pics


 
Posted : 23/09/2025 6:44 pm
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Little random but https://tea-ink.com/collections/cupcake-birthday (this is my favourite range) are having a sale of their cards, spend over a £10 and there cards are only £1 instead of £2 (admittedly a £4 delivery).

I find them very funny, but maybe I'm alone.. https://tea-ink.com/products/perfect-stick?_pos=1&_sid=d40ec50d2&_ss=r


 
Posted : 24/09/2025 1:30 pm
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Pearl Izumi have various stuff at 50% off including my current favourite Summit baggies (simple, forget you’re wearing them, trail pockets that hang to the side of thigh and are actually comfortable to ride with stuff in) 

https://pearlizumi.eu/en-gb/collections/all-mens-mtb-shorts

Outlet doesn’t show all the discounted MTB stuff for some reason - need to look under MTB.  - 


 
Posted : 24/09/2025 1:47 pm
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+1 for PI baggies, their kneepads are great too 


 
Posted : 24/09/2025 2:20 pm
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Anyone seen any deals for non-boost 29inch rear wheels knocking about? Something like Hope that can be converted to QR. Or have a wheel they'd like to sell me. 


 
Posted : 25/09/2025 12:53 pm
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@captaintomo  i have sent you a DM


 
Posted : 26/09/2025 10:20 pm
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••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Thank you for the Pearl Izumi Summit baggies suggestion, never heard of them but will give them a try

 

especially with useful sizes available at either £24 or £19 from Evan’s Cycles


 
Posted : 26/09/2025 11:51 pm
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Any better deals for XT Di2 upgrade kit than the  £549 I've found?

Prefer UK based to avoid the customs lottery


 
Posted : 27/09/2025 7:36 am
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Posted by: SYZYGY

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Thank you for the Pearl Izumi Summit baggies suggestion, never heard of them but will give them a try

 

especially with useful sizes available at either £24 or £19 from Evan’s Cycles

I don’t know what era they are but they seem to have Jean style pockets at the front and a useless patch pocket on the rear. The ones I have from a few years back and on the PI site have what they describe as “trail access” pockets (which are one of the best things about them). 

 


 
Posted : 27/09/2025 12:06 pm
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planet-x selling off their 29er carbon rigid forks for 99 at the moment. It's about as cheap as they get I think
https://planetx.co.uk/products/selcof-carbon-27-5-or-29er-fork


 
Posted : 28/09/2025 9:02 am
nuke reacted
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Posted by: HoratioHufnagel

planet-x selling off their 29er carbon rigid forks for 99 at the moment. It's about as cheap as they get I think
https://planetx.co.uk/products/selcof-carbon-27-5-or-29er-fork

Must have been a mistake because they're £99.99 now.

 


 
Posted : 28/09/2025 9:15 am
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AO's ebay shop selling go pro heros for £132.50.

 

https://ebay.us/m/wl0Yi6


 
Posted : 28/09/2025 9:21 am
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Amongst the other bargains at Banana Industries, I found these:
Shimano CUES 2-pot brakeset £89 https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/collections/drivetrain/products/shimano-discbrake-set-bl-u8000-br-u8000-cues-1000-2000mm


 
Posted : 29/09/2025 1:29 pm
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Those CUES 2-pots look a bit like the old Deore ones i.e. great brakes.


 
Posted : 29/09/2025 1:46 pm
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Posted by: bikerevivesheffield

https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/products/shimano-sm-rt66-deore-slx-disc-brake-rotor-6-bolt-203mm?_pos=2&_sid=935882629&_ss=r

Would love to know if these are the excellent made in Taiwan stainless versions like what's pictured or more likely the now made in china stamped versions that have the rigidity of a rich t biscuit after a dunk 

 


 
Posted : 29/09/2025 5:59 pm
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Never had a problem with the China made version.


 
Posted : 29/09/2025 6:05 pm
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These GRX RX810s at Merlin seem a good price at £250, so I ordered some.

But what’s the difference, apart from £50, to these GRX RX810s?


 
Posted : 29/09/2025 7:18 pm
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Posted by: desperatebicycle

These GRX RX810s at Merlin seem a good price at £250, so I ordered some.

But what’s the difference, apart from £50, to these GRX RX810s?

£300 version has the ice tech finned pads or whatever they are called.

 


 
Posted : 29/09/2025 7:31 pm
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Both say - "Please Note - Supplied with NON-FINNED Disc Pads"


 
Posted : 29/09/2025 7:51 pm
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Posted by: desperatebicycle

Both say - "Please Note - Supplied with NON-FINNED Disc Pads"

 

I played spot the difference with the photos.  Contact them? 

 


 
Posted : 29/09/2025 8:11 pm
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50% off rotors and brake pads at superstar components. Use code HERO

They have a 2.3mm thick rotor that I've taken a punt on for the ebike for £12.50 each after using the code.

 

https://www.superstarcomponents.com/products/disc-rotor-descent-2-3mm?variant=54610442256769


 
Posted : 30/09/2025 8:39 am
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£850 for a GX equipped rigid Boot Zipper at Planet X seems a good buy for anyone looking for a bikepacking / flat bar gravel bike.

https://planetx.co.uk/products/on-one-bootzipper-29er-sram-gx-steel-mountain-bike

Amazingly for PX, they have all sizes available too.


 
Posted : 30/09/2025 10:36 am
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Dare2B walking trousers for £28 (grey and blue only):

https://www.dare2b.com/mens-tuned-in-ii-multi-pocket-walking-trousers-orion-grey/

I've had them for a couple of years now and they're great on the bike. Slim fit, stretchy, belt loops, decent pockets and you can wear padded undershorts with them.

I've actually just ordered another pair in black, although they're more expensive. There is a code for a further 25% off though if you sign up to their free membership (BDAY25).

Free shipping as member too.


 
Posted : 30/09/2025 11:41 am
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Posted by: citizenlee

Dare2B walking trousers for £28 (grey and blue only):

Is the 'jumper tucked in' look optional?


 
Posted : 30/09/2025 1:00 pm
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Posted by: dave_h

Posted by: citizenlee

Dare2B walking trousers for £28 (grey and blue only):

Is the 'jumper tucked in' look optional?

No, you have to agree to always wear your jumper tucked in when you sign up to get the membership discount.

 

 


 
Posted : 30/09/2025 1:46 pm
tall_martin reacted
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