Brakes – XT or Saint?

So after a bit of a f up from evans I have ended up with an i-spec II shifter (XT) and an i-spec B brake (Saint)

Despite asking them the question online and in store when I collected the brake about if the brake was i-spec II I have got home and found the brake is in fact an i-spec B not II! (They describe it as I Spec 2 hence why I checked)

So I have two options:

1) Do I return the shifter and await the I-Spec B shifter release apparently on the 06/01

2) Do I return the brakes and order deore XT m8000

Are the saints noticeably more powerful? I can’t find an up to date comparison of the two.

Thanks

My Saint’s are mega powerful. Truly effortless, one finger braking on a DH bike on proper DH tracks.

BUT…I’ve has loads of bother with them. They feel horrible. They pull to the bar then pump up and basically feel different every time you pull the lever which does not inspire confidence.

I thought it was a set up problem so I persevered with them for ages and then heard that loads of other people suffer from the same issues. Try them, but if you get a dud set send them straight back. I left it too late.

My SLX’s on my hardtail are perfect. No lack of power and total reliability. Never tried XT.

I’ve had the exact same issue with XTs

Go Zee, but not sure you can do the ispec thingy.

I have the m8000s. Just replaced under warranty, lever piston seal failed and left with a spongy lever.

Given the hassle I’ve had I’d go Hope….,but after having avid..I’m avoiding guide brakes

Forget ispec and just ask Evans for a standard shifter. When Shimano updated their ispec fittings, no retro fit was compatible. More trouble than it’s worth.

Have to say that despite bleeding my new XT’s twice they’re still not right – as above really it’s like the pads don’t want to self adjust I need to pump up the lever to get the bite point anywhere near where I want it and that’s with the adjustment screw out as far as I dare (it doesn’t seem to make any difference where it is) I’m so tempted to fit my Deores back on, they were mint.

P-jay – I had the same issues, they should still be under warranty…get them swapped out if you can. My replacements arrived a couple of days ago so hopefully these work fine. Like you, my old deore’ are far better !

Deores are just easier to bleed. After 2 bleeds on my M8000s they’re lovely. Unwinding the free stroke screw helps a great deal in getting trapped air out.

fairly mixed bag there! Is the saint more powerful than the m8000 XT? that’s what i’m after really as my current deores feel a bit weak sometimes

Runing 785s and 8000s on all our bikes, they have all been great so far. Abigale smashed a rear reservoir at the Grizedale Enduro which was easily replaced

I dare say Saint’s are more powerful than pretty much anything you can get. But, as I said, if they’re not perfect send them back.

My Saints are spot on, replaced some 3 month old XT785’s as they weren’t giving me enough power on my 5.
Give them a decent bleed and there ace IMOH..bleed out of the box wasn’t brilliant.

Saints it is then I think, i’m 6ft 5 and heavy so stopping power is important!

I’m not sure, but I think some of the aftermarket pad options for the Saints seem to result in a non linear feel. On the OEM pads they felt great, powerful, repeatable, but after swapping to a cheaper pad, I had a bit of a longer lever and they seemed to knock off a but more during transit?

Chocolateteapot..
I’m a heavy rider to at just over 100 kg kitted up.. As my 5 is a heavy bike to I found that the XT just didn’t have enough power to slow me down.

I couldn’t even get the rear wheel up in the air from slamming the front brake on, the Saints let me do this no problem..

Recently moved from XT to Saint. XT are great brakes But Saint are just superb.

Been watching this thread with interest as I am also a fat knackerquite lardy…… any deals on the Saints anywhere? Will the disc make much difference moving from Deore to Saints?

£180 f&r from Merlin’s with there 7.5% off over £150

I got my zee’s from bike-discount, saints are cheaper there as well

I’ve got some Saints, I do like them but I did have the shoddy bleeding from new. The other problem they have is they’re very susceptible to rotor wear. Unless your rotors are in good nick, they’ll feel like they’re bled badly and pull to the bar. They don’t wear the rotor quicker than any other brakes I’ve noticed, but it’s something to note if you plan on saving a few quid on by keeping your old parts.

Saints are on! can’t use it though as I’ve put all the M8000 kit on it but no shifter 🙁

Just want a 150mm dropper now to replace my 100mm and the bike will be perfect!

Thanks for the advice all

Looks nice, enjoy. Would suggest running the cable on the inside of the fork leg though so its better protected. 🙂