Best make brakes you have ridden, ever!!! bigbighit started it!!!! honest!!

[Guest]

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?
May 24, 2012, 06:54:53 AM

1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever

Login with username, password and session length

[What is the main type of machine you use to surf the site?]

What is the main type of machine you use to surf the site?
Desktop
	112 (28%)
Laptop
	158 (40%)
iPhone
	51 (13%)
Android phone
	29 (7%)
Tablet
	24 (6%)
Other
	14 (3%)
Total Voters: 287

[Bigboy]

 Its about time we tried doing a poll, there are certainly enough users now! once we have established a best make we can try for models, I know its a bit sad but some people have no idea where to start when they are looking at new kit, me included

[Bigboy]

Looking good for formula, what no hayes 

[Tomm]

I've had no major problems with my Formulas but I wouldn't recommend them over Shimano/Avid Juicies.  Hopes are really nice when they work too, but I've heard far too many stories of them leaking/accumulating air and generally being high-maintenance.  I won't even get started on my experience with Hayes because the poll speaks for itself 

For me, although the Avids are the nicest-feeling brakes with plenty of power (they look good too), I just don't think you can beat the value and reliability of Shimano. 

[Bigboy]

same as always though, The japs find something that works, copy it and make it better and cheaper! look at the new shadow mechs . . . .  And hayes..... I have always thought of them as being the binary in an analogue world!

[jeff_a]

Magura Louises - best brake I've ever owned. Now have 3 pairs between two of us.

[Bigboy]

Yes they are reliable and have great modulation, I had a 2001 set on my last bike and had zero probs with them, even changed front rotor to 203 and they were even more fun!

[zetzel]

I rate Avid Juicy 7's and Formula Oro's.

The Juicy's have the best bite and require less lever pressure but ultimate performance has to go to the Oro's.But only just.
The Oro's lever body's and calipers are more compact than the Juicy's and a bit more bling.
I reckon the Oro's are tougher as well.I have had stuck piston's in the Juicy calipers a few times now.
Some people describe Juicy's as having an on/off switch -  I dont agree - you just got to get used to 'squeezing' that lever rather than jabbing it on.

I have bikes fitted with Oro's, Juicy Carbon 7's, Juicy 5's, Hope Mini's and Hope M4's.

Heres how I rate them, in order.

1) Oro's, 2008(awesome)
2) Juicy 7's, 2007(awesome)
3) Hope Mini's, 2005(wooden but reliable)
4) Juicy 5's, 2007(nice)
5) Hope M4, 2006 with braided hoses - (awfull) They leaked from day 1 and went back for service under warranty and are always noisy.Bite point is always different every time I pull a lever.

I may have been a bit unlucky with the M4's and got a dodgy set as the Mini's are excellent brakes really.

IMHO of course

[Bigboy]

Yes I agree about the noisy hopes, my mate has never been happy with them and has spent a fair bit of dosh on fancy two piece rotors to get them a bit quieter!

[Ant]

I love the hopes that are on my HT.

My rear mini is SOOOO powerful, albeit only a 165mm rotor. My front M4 isn't overly powerful, but since i put dangerboy levers on, both wheels are lockable with 1 finger braking.

Got codes on my mini DH. Still waiting to be bedded in. thoughts straight out of the box are however, positive.

[Bigboy]

I know power is always a big decider for everyone but wasn't it pirelli that said power is nothing without control? I tried the hayes hfx setup on a kona stinky and they were so bad I coudn't get the bit between nobrakes or fully locked, I am sure almost all manus setups can lock wheels but it is nice to have a little control and after using a fair few sets I am seriously impressed with the formulas, they have idiot proof setup and have been so reliable! I remember the days of running cantis with brake boosters and then changing to v brakes to wonder why they hadn't been invented earlier! Now I would never go back from discs! 

[mc]

I'll agree about the digital feel of Hayes brakes. I've tried a couple different sets, and they've always been the same.

I run Hopes on my Absolut Al and Furious.
Absolut has a Mono M4 up front, with a Mini rear.
M4 got rebuilt last year with new phenolic pistons, after the ally ones started corroding and sticking (was nearly 3 year old). And the Mono is needing rebuild now, but it's nearer 4 year old. Good thing is, all the parts I need, I can get from CRC.

The Furious has Moto V2s, which are an awesome brake. More power than you'll ever need, and you can lock either wheel with only one finger, but the modulation and lever feel is that brilliant, you know exactly what the brakes are doing.
Plus again, if I need any parts, CRC have the full range :-)

[Rufus]

I've always liked Hayes feel, but having worked in bike shops for ages I'm sick of customers breaking them... though I never had problems myself apart from the damned reach grommet skrew loosening while riding.

I was given a set of Magura Gustav M's while waiting for Hope Mono 6Ti's, and they have been super. I've now had them on my last three dh bikes. 70km/h manuals no problems, alp desents, never a dispute. They make noises, rub, and get hot, but you can make the guys riding behind crash 'cos they can't stop when you do and thats always a bonus.

Have arranged to sell them on my bike now and will be riding the Superteam DH stock so I'm looking forward to the Formula Biancos there!

I also have Formulas on my Ht, trail bike and had them on my 4x/slopestyle bike.
In order of mention:
-Too much bite for manuals.
-Not enough bite for manuals.
-Faded in the maountains, and not enough bite for manuals.

I'm thinking I'll get used to them...?

Brakes are important to me, I'm getting on in years (well past 34)

[Uncle Andy]

Formula Oro here, have tried XT and Juicy 5 but niether as good for power and control combo