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MrsIHNs bike, a gravelly/hybrid/flatbar roady thing, has a set of BR-M575 brakes. They howl like a motherf____r, and she wants me to do something about it. I thought I'd cured it by giving the discs and pads a good clean and a light sanding, but no joy.
Now, the discs and pads are, I bet, the originals from 2010 when she bought it, so I could replace them and see if that sorts it. But at, what, £30(?) all in for them, would I be better off just ditching the twelve-year-old lot for something like this:
The bike is used for canal towpaths, cycle paths, etc etc. Nothing remotely gnarly.
I'd replace. At 12 years old I think they've done well and probably a matter of time before a leak develops.
Those rotors though. I ordered some cheap "centreline" rotors on eBay a few months ago for my hardtail. Arrived in branded SRAM packaging but at <£10/rotor they can't be genuine. Utter shite. Not a uniform thickness and caused bad pulsing and squealing within a couple of rides. Swapped for genuine Magura Storm HC rotors and brakes are now perfect.
At 12 years old I think they’ve done well and probably a matter of time before a leak develops.
This is my thinking.
Happy to take recommendations for basic-but-decent brakes. Ideally I want to fit them and then not worry about them for another 12 years...
It might be your current callipers are already leaking and contaminating the pads.
I think the lower end Shimano hydraulic discs and meant I be ok. Otherwise you could look at the sram level, Clarks M2 or Magura MT4
Lower end Shimano are brilliant. I tried Clarks (not sure it was M2) but unimpressed with the flexy levers.
Keep an eye out for PSAs on here if you're not in a rush, there's often brake deals around. Latest was 4-pot Deores for £50 an end on CRC but no longer available. Merlin's usually got some deals if not using eBay for China-based lottery purchases.
I'd stump up for fresh pads, maybe discs as well. Why? Because my twenty year old M525s are still going strong, whereas any newer Shimano brakes I've tried have been a microleaky, wandering bite pointy mess. Been really impressed with Magura of late.
I've been pretty happy with the BR-MT520 4 pots. Came stock on the Ebike, so stopping a combined weight of 105kg, they are well capable*
Only criticism is currently finding pads - Saint/Zee are compatible, but those dont seem that easy to locate, at least the brands Shimano ones aren't
At least one is reduced. Got to find the other though.
Or keep the levers you have and try to get a bargain on a pair of calipers.
* Currently a microleak on the rear so im effectively stopping on front alone. So thats pretty much a fair recommendation i feel 😕
Anyone want to have a punt at what model these might be?
The picture looks like M2s but the description is rather non-committal, and the online chat people suggested I go into a shop and ask...