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Any users , any good , thinking these Zee or Saints
Got them on my E-MTB, very impressed so far, bit of a soft lever feel but once you adjust to it theres bags of modulation and power to be had.
I haven't used either of the others so hard to give an informed comparison.
They're currently on sale at bike-components.de
https://www.bike-components.de/en/Shimano/XT-BR-M8020-Disc-Brake-Set-p62177/
Not as powerful as zee and saint apparently, and certainly more expensive than zee.
I put Zee on recently after running xt m785s since they were released. First ride out was yesterday and on easier trails I nearly put myself over the bars a couple of times!
Not as powerful as zee and saint apparently, and certainly more expensive than zee.
I put Zee on recently after running xt m785s since they were released. First ride out was yesterday and on easier trails I nearly put myself over the bars a couple of times!
How was the modulation between the M785 and the Zee's? I have been looking at the 4 pot XT and the Zee's to replace my M785's, just really for better modulation, not power.
i bought a set of 4pot XT in Finale after my Guide RSCs done that lever fail thing.
can't complain. power is equal to or better than the Guide. modulation is there. not the old on-off feel of Shimano 2 pot brakes (had various generation of SLX and Deore).
i used to have a set of Zee, but they suffered from leaking so moved them on. when they were working they were plenty powerful, much like the 4pot XT.
if buying again i'd go for either the XT or Saint with the revised lever design.
my Zee brakes would leak oil from under the reservoir cap on long runs and under hard braking. i've a similar problem with a set of ~2014 SLX brakes.
this lever design:
as opposed to this lever design:
much happier with the XT than the Guide. the bleed process and the fact tht Shimano uses mineral oil is also a bonus.
you can use your existing M785 levers with the new 4pot XT caliper.
just buy the calipers.
It seems like there are a few corrections on the STW article, and it looks like the XT caliper is the same casting as zee and Saint. Can't be anything it it between saint, zee and XT really, at least in terms of power.
Modulation - I like brakes that come on hard with a narrow transition between 'a bit' and 'full on'. I want small incremental adjustments to be minimal effort with little travel rather than having to grab a handful back to the bars before I feel it exert an effect.
In this regard, I like them. Even the most minimal finger pressure to make the pads touch the disc results in a braking effect, and from there it doesn't take much to bring them to full power. They do feel grabby on easier trails. But on the steeper stuff they feel great. Compared to XT, their power ceiling is higher, so the same finger pressure on XT gives rather more poke when used on Zee, so I will have to re-learn a bit.
Some people with heavier fingers are not going to like them and accuse them of having no modulation, but this is really just a preference of use, than an attribute of the brake.
you can use your existing M785 levers with the new 4pot XT caliper.
just buy the calipers.
I didn't know this, I thought it was the newer M8000 leaver that was compatible with the 4 pot caliper. That would be a good option!
It seems like there are a few corrections on the STW article, and it looks like the XT caliper is the same casting as zee and Saint. Can’t be anything it it between saint, zee and XT really, at least in terms of power.
Modulation – I like brakes that come on hard with a narrow transition between ‘a bit’ and ‘full on’. I want small incremental adjustments to be minimal effort with little travel rather than having to grab a handful back to the bars before I feel it exert an effect.
In this regard, I like them. Even the most minimal finger pressure to make the pads touch the disc results in a braking effect, and from there it doesn’t take much to bring them to full power. They do feel grabby on easier trails. But on the steeper stuff they feel great. Compared to XT, their power ceiling is higher, so the same finger pressure on XT gives rather more poke when used on Zee, so I will have to re-learn a bit.
Some people with heavier fingers are not going to like them and accuse them of having no modulation, but this is really just a preference of use, than an attribute of the brake.
I thought the pistons were slightly smaller in the 4 pot xt than the Zee and Saint, but it sounds like they all have plenty of power! The way you explain the bite and modulation sounds good.
I'll have to weigh up xt 4 pot calipers only Vs Zee's. Do M785 and the xt 4 pot use the same hose? Thought of getting Zee calipers but would need new hoses as well.
these or saints then?
These look interesting, basically Deore level 4 pot brakes. Only downside for me is lack of tool free reach adjustment. I wonder if the calipers would work with SLX or XT levers 🤔
Deore 4 pots huh?!?
He means the Zee I think...
Edit. Nope, just seen that Deore version of the new XT is going to be a thing...
He means the Zee I think…
No he doesn't!
Deore 4 pots are here...
That they are (you can check out my first look review here if bothered), and already a bit cheaper on Rose Bikes. Great brakes as far as I can see and feel there's really no appreciable difference in use to the XT 4 pots.
Power will probably be a bit down on the Saint, as the Saint pistons are bigger, but then increasing piston size is diminishing gains as so much of the power is defined by other factors in the brake. Deore M6000s are a brilliant brake. These are looking even better.
£155 a pair delivered? Bargain. Wrong photo on Rose bikes' site mind.
Do the caliper fit straight on the the old xt's? I thought it needed a different banjo bolt that doesn't come with just the caliper so you need to buy that too (if you can find them). Also not sure if the hoses are the same or are the the same as the saint/see hoses? I know the 4 pots do fit the old levers, just not so sure it's just a case of ordering the caliper and off you go, but maybe someone with more knowledge than me can confrm.
XT 4 pots f&r at Bike Components for 200€.
Just ordered another set. This time for the GF. Her Guides need bleeding again, the lever pulls all the way to the bar. Before I buy the bleed kit and the oil I thought sod it; Buy something I believe in and have the tools and patience to work on.
Sell the Guides (plus my RSCs when they are returned by Canyon after the lever stuck on ) and the XTs won't end up costing much.