Disc Brake Reviews: Post what you got!

[isitafox]

Originally Posted by Sponge

In gen: that all being said, the new Shimano brakes are top-class and probably the best Mineral-based disc brakes currently. Magura have improved but I see that the new MT2 brakes are only £90 which is good value for any hydro disc brake. It's also cool that you can inter-change Mineral oil brands in Mineral-based brakes depending on what kind of lever responsive you're happy with. Magura's own blue Royal Blood, Monty's standard green, Halfords' Citroen green, or Shimano's pink. All give subtly different feels and as far as I know it's safe to use any of those in any mineral-based brake so long as you flush out the old stuff.

If you want to spend £30 or so more- go for a Hope, and I'd only say it's really a worthwhile step up if you get the Tech lever (not Mini or Race). Just be careful not to get DOT over your hands or your parts and wash it off with soapy water asap!.. finally avoid Avid hydros if you care about your money, time and remaining lifespan!

Hopes are losing their spot as the brake of choice in Trials now though, Shimano seem to have come out of nowhere with some extremely well priced and effective brakes. I know some people swear by Hopes but from my experience unless you buy brand new they tend to be a pain in the ass.
I'd definately agree with either a low model Shimano or the MT2 but also if anyone spots an Echo TR disc going cheap it's worth picking one up, the discs are a bit hard so take some bedding in but other than that they are superb, also run mineral oil and you bleed them like a magura which makes life very easy. I run Echo TR calipers front and rear with some £15 Shimano levers on my trials bike and they are the best brakes I've used so far. So much so that when I get a muni frame sorted in the next few weeks I'm gonna source another setup like this to go on!

[jona]

I see mechanical disk brakes on MTB's also. Are these usable at a cheaper price or are they not worth the effort ? Seems like they would be easier to mount due to no hyd. hose or bleeding but maybe not.

[Feisty]

Originally Posted by jona

I see mechanical disk brakes on MTB's also. Are these usable at a cheaper price or are they not worth the effort ? Seems like they would be easier to mount due to no hyd. hose or bleeding but maybe not.

They are big so don't fit on the spirit crank disk setup. Not tried on the oracle hub but should work.

Hydraulic brakes are fit and forget as self adjusting where cable ones need to be adjusted for wear. I have been using discs on bikes for years the really are trouble free once setup.

Get a nice cheap Shimano setup ideally one with the servo wave lever as they are good value and disc rub free

[davidp]

Originally Posted by Feisty

They are big so don't fit on the spirit crank disk setup. Not tried on the oracle hub but should work.

Ben has tried to get a mech brake working on an Oracle hub setup and was unable to find one that wasn't too thick. See the first 3-4 pages of this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92060

I tried putting a Tektro Aquila on a MountainUni crank based setup but it was about 2mm too wide (cleared the crank but not the spokes). I'd be very happy to learn of a significantly thinner mechanical caliper.

[Feisty]

Noe being an MTB rider for many years so was about when disc bakes genuinely came about I remember these puppies

Hydraulic Cable actuated brakes

Time to start searching retro bike parts

[4umfreak]

I have a line on a Hayes El Camino or a Hayes "9" (?), both front brakes. Has anyone got experience with these? The price is good (~$65) compared to what new brakes cost so I thought I'd try one - unless they're known not to fit or are total crap. Reviews on pinkbike are only moderate but they may reflect expectation based on new prices which for the ElCamino were really high.

If they'll work I'll be installing on a KH 36 (with mount), with a 180mm rotor.

[isitafox]

How much are Shimano Deore M596 discs on your side of the pond? Dirt cheap over here and they work great! Would definately recommend one.

[rockjunkie15]

I recently installed a Shimano XT M785 brake with an SLX 180mm rotor on my KH26 and it works fantastic. This is my first experience running Shimano brakes and they are proving to be rub free and have great modulation. I'm used to the Hope Tech V2's with floating rotors(203mm/185mm)on my MTB and I'm happy to say that I'm sold on these newer Shimano brakes.

P.S: It was really Feisty's "Servo Wave" sales pitch that turned me on to Shimano brakes. Thanks