Hi Guys,
Both can be had for £90 inc post at the moment. A complete kit with 160mm rotors.
But, the question is, which is best for general xc?
Cheers,
Steve
I've got the Stoker Carbons, had them a year and can't really fault them, well they are a tad on/off but I only use brakes as a last resort.....
Just to confuse you 😀 I've gone for the new Julie HP's - £109 from Noah's Arc (180/160). Reviews have been positive.
hayes brakes tend to be a bit on/off, avids are progressive. so your choice depends on which style of brake feel you prefer.
Don't know about the Hayes but Avids are a pain in the arse to bleed apparently.
I have found my Juicy 7's really easy to bleed with the bleed kit, but there are plenty of other things that are quite a pain with them - mainly the fact that they don't seem to last very long before the pistons decide they don't want to retract properly.
I only got mine as they were on offer at the time (1/2 price from Merlin), but if I'd have paid full price for them (£270) I would have been less than impressed.
The pad change procedure is also a bit of a pain, until you get used to the nack of it.
My old Magura Julies weren't as easy to bleed (but bear in mind these were 2002 brakes), but ran much more reliably & the pads took about a minute to change, even though you did have to remove a split pin to get them out.
Mate of mine bought some Hayes 9's a while back & seems to get on well with them, so perhaps give the Stroker's a go or the Julie's suggested above.
I've run avid myself for three years on two different bikes. They are a piece of cake to bleed (with the kit) and not that difficult without the kit. Mine have been 100% reliable. The pad change can be a faff, admittedly, until you work out what you're doing.
Hayes are a hassle to bleed if you don't have the little nozzle thing for the mastercylinder...
am I missing somthing about changing pads in Avids.. mine just pull out. Push pistons back put new pads together with spring retainer, push back in..
The new Julie HP is basically a Louise calliper and hose with a different lever, easy bleed system makes them p@ss easy to bleed and the power and modulation in amazing. If you can afford it I would go for the Louise, its a little better looking IMO
Thanks Guys,
Will take a look at the Julie HP's too.
Steve
I recommend 'me julie' too... [url= http://www.noahsark.co.uk/magura-julie-hp-front-p-2813.html ]Julie[/url]
I've had both Juicy 3s and Rydes on my XC hardtail.
Personally, I prefer the shape and feel of the Rydes for 1 finger braking, so consequently they're still on it. The Juicy 3s went on my son's bike and he's been happy with them.
Ryde's are certainly more on-off but I prefer that to the Juicy 3s which I thought were too spongy (possibly just need a bleed though).
Rydes do seem to wear the pads unevenly (no matter how well adjusted). Otherwise, they have performed faultlessly and never needed bleeding throughout two years & about 7 or 8 sets of sintered pads.
Pad return is magnetic (no spring) and this works realy well.
Hope that helps.
I am thinking of getting them there Julie HPs they look a steal!!!!!
Got mine yesterday. Excellent service from Noah's Arc. Arrived next day, free post.
How's the hose length on them??? I have heard they are 'kin long.
Thanks guys.
Don't like the look of the julies, so think I will go for the rydes.
Steve
Seriously what are looks? Surely how it works is the important bit?? I have gone for the Julies as I have heard nowt but +ve stuff about them. I considered the Strokers until the -ves outweighed the +ves. As for juicys pffft you can keep them for me utter garbage.
just for a different view, ive used juicys and julies and the only thing i can separate them on is dot vs mineral oil. both easy to bleed (julie 05, juicy5s 07) pads change easliy.
i was put off hayes by riding an old set of hfx's and fixing a set of sole's.
Magura or Shimano first choice at any given price point
Followed by Hope or Avid leaving Hayes and Formula.
brakes are getting as personal as tyres.