Good mtb brakes

[C722]

Looking to upgrade my Avid Juicy 3's from one of my bikes, looking for something of a reasonable price second hand to replace them. Any recommendations?

What are Deores like ?

[Mr Gearchange]

What sort of riding do you do?

[CoolC]

Yep, bin the Avids and replace with Shimano, best thing I ever did on my MTB.

I waited until a good XT deal came up, but Deore will be just as good I'm sure.

[joshleb]

Bit more info please.


Shimano Deore's are solid and you can't go wrong with them, amazing value for money!

[C722]

Thanks for the replies. The bike is an old Cannondale Prophet full sus. I use it for places like bpw, mendips, triscombe etc

[AlasdairMc]

I’ve had loads of pairs of Shimano, but the Deores have all failed, mainly at the caliper. SLX and XT have been fine, maybe 5 or 6 of them versus 3 or 4 Deores of various ages.

Your mileage may vary but that’s my experience.

[gazza285]

I’ve got Deore on all my bikes, never had a failure yet. They don’t have the thumb wheel reach adjust that the higher spec ones have, but as far as I’m concerned that’s just one less thing to break off.

[lufbramatt]

I think, going by their internet reputation, that I must be the only person in the world that's never had any issues with Avid brakes The Elixir 5's on my Trek have worked perfectly since 2011.

[robknapp2]

cant offer comment around other makes as I have only had Shimano, but agree with other comments around Deore calipers - have just replaced the rear caliper on my Kona Kula with a Deore M6000, plus new rotor - back to being pretty much all I wanted in the brake! I have XT's on the full suss and to be honest, other than the rotor size differences (180/180 on the full and 180/160 on the hardtail) I cant really tell much of a difference - I do tend to do most of my stopping with the front.
From memory, caliper, rotor, bleed kit, brake cleaner and centerlock tool came to about £80 delivered.

Even with the caliper seal issues, the Deore kit seems decent value against performance.

[Mr Gearchange]

C722 said:

Thanks for the replies. The bike is an old Cannondale Prophet full sus. I use it for places like bpw, mendips, triscombe etc

\

I ran XT's for a number of years on my AM bike - they were really very good in 95% of circumstances

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-m800...

I did upgrade to Saints which are by far the best brake I have ever used - massive stopping power and fade resistance

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-saint-m...


I know a lot of folks who use Zee's though, nearly as good as Saints but at a lower price point.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-zee-m64...

[C722]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm going to try some deore xt's or SLX's, if anyone has any for sale, please let me know.

[smifffymoto]

I have just replaced Elixir R with Guide R on my RZ 120.Haven't been left needing more stopping power.

[vwsurfbum]

Before you buy, check out the Magura trail brakes, good value and enough stopping power to pull your face off.

[Harpoon]

C722 said:

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm going to try some deore xt's or SLX's, if anyone has any for sale, please let me know.

I think I've got some SLXs in the garage I bought for a build a few years back but never used. Don't think they ever came out the boxes - will have a look tonight.

[Kawasicki]

vwsurfbum said:

Before you buy, check out the Magura trail brakes, good value and enough stopping power to pull your face off.

Yep, I rate Magura highly. My 14 year old Magura Louise FR brakes are still mighty powerful, even by modern standards. They have also been 100% reliable.

[Craikeybaby]

I've been impressed with the Deore M615s on my Orange, the only niggle is that I prefer a bolt to a split pin for holding the pads in. I will probably replace with XT, as the drivetrain is XT.

[Harpoon]

C722 said:

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm going to try some deore xt's or SLX's, if anyone has any for sale, please let me know.

Found my SLXs brakes in the garage. M665 post mount, still in the Shimano boxes and bagged up (don't think they ever been out the packaging, let alone on a bike!)

[C722]

Just sent you a PM.