Looking at new brakes and didn't realise how expensisve they would be.
Current ones are 5 year old Deore 556. They seem ok but not as good as the elixirs on my full suss. But I don't want to spend £200+ on my "second" bike.
Anything out there worth looking at, I've been very impressed with my shimano, should I just go to them again? Or is there a wonder brake I'm missing or a massive sale somewhere?
Doubt new shimanos will be any better than your 556s unless that servo wave thingy is good.
"is there a wonder brake I'm missing or a massive sale somewhere?"
Yes there is, Formula are still clearing out Oro K24s for 150 euros complete with rotors and mounts. In limited sizes though and the hoses are euro style I think but that's a super brake at half price. Now they're pretty powerful and maybe overkill for an XC bike assuming that's what they're for but then you could use a small rotor, or do what I do and just get on with it 😉
stick to shimano.... maybe try SLX if you want to trade up from deores but not spend loads, but Deores do the job so if you're happy keep them...
I've just taken some Elixirs CRs off a new bike if you're interested. OE ones from Spesh so alloy levers not carbon.Photos [url= http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/CJBikePics/AvidElixirCRBrakes# ]here [/url]. Mail in profile.