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Looking for a set of brakes with the least amount of knuckle-skinning-constant-pad-aligning requirement.
Also needs to have four pot type power, able to withstand long draggy declines without any fade on contact point issues - and ideally not bankruptcy price levels.
Have read good things about the Guide RE, also lots of love for the older SLX model, but not sure if they have the outright power I'm after.
What's the current top pick for sheer reliability, performance and price?
Power & Price it's got to be Zee, reliability wise...
Well they seem to use a lever based on SLX or perhaps Deore levers which means they won't have the bite point adjust of XT and above levers which is good as a) it doesn't work b) it's said the be part of the cause of lever seal failure.
If you only ever use Shimano oil they shouldn't leak, but I suspect after a few years they still might.
I'd use them, but I haven't used SRAM group brakes since the Avid Juicy days. I'm happy if I never have to use DOT fluid again.
HOPE even shimano users think they will leak eventually and they are not serviceable.
Sounds like you've just described my hope m4s
Guide RE is the best bet I would say, reliability-wise SRAM definitely have the edge over Shimano these days, and nothing else really has the power at the price.
[quote=shindiggy ]Sounds like you've just described my hope m4s
was what i thought as well 4 years use with only pad replacement
My minis lasted about 8 years before i had to service the seals
My Xt's lever have to be held clamped to the bike when not in use or they dont work- they will eventually by pumping- despite repeated bleeding with shimano fluid.
Whilst I have no problem recommending SRAM (my set have only asked for fresh pads over the past couple of years), Hope are at the top of my list should I build a new bike.
And for balance, the OH's Shimano brakes (think she has SLX) have been a pain in the arse.
Aren't HOPE down on power Vs the competition?
I don't know about that, my Tech V2's were insanely powerful, like feel your skin being pulled off your face powerful.
Not that I've noticed - swapping between bikes with SLX and Tech 3 X2s.
Much nicer lever feel on the Hopes, and of course they look ace.
I've recently switched from the previous gen SLX to the Guide RE. The SLX is a really solid brake and easy to look after but the range of modulation is pretty narrow - it can be a bit on or off if you're heavy handed.
The Guide RE on the other hand has loads of range and initially felt underwhelming coming from the SLX but has plenty of power, it just takes more lever pull to get there. I can't comment on long term reliability and haven't had to bleed them yet - that certainly looks more faff than the Shimano brakes.
SRAM definitely have the edge over Shimano these days
I got to double digits of seeing knackered Guides (working event support) at Mayhem last month....the boys at Magura did a cracking trade in new brakes!!
18 months on Guide R and they're faultless. Powerful to the point of being too powerful and I'm a heavyweight. Haven't needed bled once since I've got them despite multiple weeks in the alps. Infinitely better than the Saints on my DH bike which need constant maintenance
Well they seem to use a lever based on SLX or perhaps Deore levers which means they won't have the bite point adjust of XT and above levers which is good as a) it doesn't work b) it's said the be part of the cause of lever seal failure.
May or may not lead to seal failure but 685's have exactly the same controls but the screw is a security screw with 2 pins and not easily identifiable as a screw. This makes it difficult if not impossible to do whilst riding and a bit of a faff trail side as you need a security screw bit. But IMHO this isn't a bit deal...
Freestoke and bite adjust: It does work .. you're doing it wrong like 90% there is a very good YouTube vid showing how it works ... you need to adjust the freesroke then the bite adjust will compensate ... I thought the same until I saw the video and he demonstrates it. This was really good as my 7yr old has one Slx and one XT brake and after watching the vid and then finding the correct security bit I set the SLX for his small hands.
The main differences are actually screws and bolts ... you I can check on SJS the spares are interchangeable
The 685 calliper is 100 % internally and 99% externally the same as the 785 ... only the graphics and split pin is different. However you can take out the split pin and fix the 785 bolt and lockspring .. even the threads are present ..
In depth brake test here: http://enduro-mtb.com/en/best-mtb-disc-brake-can-buy/
Anyone with experience (good/bad) of Magura MT5/7?
slimjim78 - I have the Magura MT Trail Sport which has one MT5 calliper and one MT4 calliper I think. Just had them for a few rides but they are good so far - powerful, quiet and I like the lever shape (I have the shorter lever).
thanks for the feedback - at the moment im looking at picking up either a set of MT Trails, or possibly MT5's (can't justify the extra money for MT7s), or potentially the Guide RE - supposedly designed for stopping the extra heft of an e-bike - so should work well with the extra heft of me.
One of my bikes has previous generation XT, which I highly recommend. They're a doddle to bleed and the short throw lever gives masses of single digit braking power. I understand that the newer XT brakes have had some reported reliability issues though.
My other bike has a set of brand new Hope E4s to replace my previous Tech levers with older generation M4 callipers. The E4 is very, very good with excellent moderation, well shaped levers and a very simple adjustment system. I'm really pleased with them, as a seasoned Hope user over the past fourteen years there's a definite improvement in feel and outright stopping power.
Tempted to try Hope but not sure I can fully buy into the Robocop looks - they look fab on some builds but a bit OTT on others.
Plus, the brake review listed above has them down as one of the weaker performers in terms of outright power.
I'm looking for the best stoppers, with least chance of fade (and easy bleed/pad adjustment), and ive read one too many 'meh' reports over the Hope performance for me to want to take the plunge..
Trouble is, most of you guys are whippets - and have no real ideal idea how hard a brake has to work when controlling a lard ass anchored and sustained decent 🙂
Zee or if you're feeling a bit more spendy, then Saint
Fair point Jim, extra weight does make a difference. Currently considering some Hopes myself, but some reviews say they lack power and they have a habit of being a bit squealy.
The Brake test reported before is from last year, they made one more brake test this year with only 4-piston brakes.
Winner was Shimano Saint and best value SRAM Guide RE
http://ebike-mtb.com/en/group-test-e-mtb-disc-brakes/
I find the cheapest ones to be some of the most reliable and easy to setup (if not the most powerful), such as Shimano M355.
Plus, the brake review listed above has them down as one of the weaker performers in terms of outright power.
I would agree with this. Whilst I dislike the grabby feeling of shimano my Tech 3 E4s definitely feel down on power in certain situations, usually those panic I need to stop moments. 200mm and 180mm rotors and I'm 100kg fwiw. What I need is Hope modulation and MORE POWER.
Tempted to try Hope but not sure I can fully buy into the Robocop looks - they look fab on some builds but a bit OTT on others.
I think black E4s with black hoses are quite easy on the eye and go well with top-endy shifters from Shimano/SRAM.
From a functional point of view they aren't actually any more powerful than Zee/Saint but they have a heavier, springier feel at the lever which helps with modulation. The Shimanos feel very light in comparison and if you are in the habit of braking for long periods of time the E4s can become quite tiresome.
I like them all but If I had to choose I would go for the E4s.
On personal experience I'd go for XT/SLX or Deore. Plenty powerful and have'nt needed touching after install. Ultegra hydros going the same way so far.
I've fitted Shimano XT to my new(est) FS build. They feel pretty powerful when normal braking, but I was quite surprised to find the power does not ramp up much as I pull the lever more. Might even be slightly worse than my old Mono Minis as I pull hard to stop on a fast descent.
However I am using pretty old levers and also the 'organic only' discs which may have an effect.
Lots of negative reviews regarding latest XT/XTR reliability unfortunately.
It seems that they cracked it on previous gen, only to add a splash of 'Avid' this time around
Very happy with the Zees on my Five - they were very cheap from Merlin. Massive and consistent power on the biggest descents in the Lakes, and I'm certain they'll be fine in the Alps. Last bike had XTs which were fine for reliability (even in the Alps), though they weren't a match for Zee's power. Personally, every set of Hopes I've squeezed has felt spongy and crap. Not knocking Hope generally - their cranks, hubs etc are great.
/recommend what you have
Magura? Five year warranty...
/recommend what you have