Derailleurs and brakes
Discussion
I'm going to upgrade a few bits and pieces on the bike, specifically the brakes and the front and rear mechs.
At the minute I'm running an X9 rear mech, and a deore front, with X9 shifters. Would I be right in thinking that the X0 rear mech is better than an XTR? It doesn't look as fragile and from what I've seen on YT videos, the chain and mech are bouncing around a lot less with an X0 rear mech.
As for the brakes, well it's got Avid Juicy 5's on and frankly I think they're rubbish - very underpowered and noisy as hell. I've never used Avid brakes before but from googling it this seems to be the norm, and I've bled them to buggery and it's made not a jot of difference. I figured it was because I'm a heavy chap but my waif-like mate found them exactly the same.
Who makes the best brakes these days? I always used to use Hope, so they're the first I thought of, but I thought I'd ask you guys first before taking the plunge.
At the minute I'm running an X9 rear mech, and a deore front, with X9 shifters. Would I be right in thinking that the X0 rear mech is better than an XTR? It doesn't look as fragile and from what I've seen on YT videos, the chain and mech are bouncing around a lot less with an X0 rear mech.
As for the brakes, well it's got Avid Juicy 5's on and frankly I think they're rubbish - very underpowered and noisy as hell. I've never used Avid brakes before but from googling it this seems to be the norm, and I've bled them to buggery and it's made not a jot of difference. I figured it was because I'm a heavy chap but my waif-like mate found them exactly the same.
Who makes the best brakes these days? I always used to use Hope, so they're the first I thought of, but I thought I'd ask you guys first before taking the plunge.
Why change the mechs? X9 isn't exactly rubbish, and the whole "SRAM vs. Shimano" thing is impossible to answer. I've seen plenty of gear from both wrecked...
What shifters are you running? If you're feeling the need to upgrade, and are running lower-spec shifters, then this'd give the most bang-per-buck, as this is where the shifting is controlled.
What shifters are you running? If you're feeling the need to upgrade, and are running lower-spec shifters, then this'd give the most bang-per-buck, as this is where the shifting is controlled.
I'm using X9 shifters at the minute, no problems with them, nor the X9 mech really.
I'm upgrading because I like the pretty colours
Not really, but I want to build up another bike from my spares and a few new bits, and if it means a few upgrades for my Felt at the same time I'm happy 
I'm upgrading because I like the pretty colours
Not really, but I want to build up another bike from my spares and a few new bits, and if it means a few upgrades for my Felt at the same time I'm happy Edited by Stu R on Friday 16th April 04:43
I've run 2 bikes with Avid Juicy 5's and had no problems with either (and I'm a heavy bloke).
Current bike has Hope X2's and they're "nicer" rather than "better" IMO.
As for shifters, I'm loving the X9's paired with X9 rear and SLX front mechs.
As long as the mechs work right (whichever ones they are), it's the shifters you'll actually notice when riding.
Current bike has Hope X2's and they're "nicer" rather than "better" IMO.
As for shifters, I'm loving the X9's paired with X9 rear and SLX front mechs.
As long as the mechs work right (whichever ones they are), it's the shifters you'll actually notice when riding.
Personally I prefer Shimano mechs and shifters but you'll get people advising both ways, good and bad points with each of them but I'd say main thing is pairing the shifter with the mech, so XT mech with XT shifter. Always prefer to run a Sram chain however, even with full Shimano drivetrains, just seem more reliable, although I did snap one recently. Again some will argue differently but its a personal choice so go and find what works for you.
On the brakes again is a personal thing, right across the market different companies are producing brakes that will all do the job you're asking of them, its just down to what you like. For me, Hayes brakes come out tops everytime. May not have the same "elite" name as others but the sets that I have run have been bombproof and maintanance has been easy as. Power has been excellent and never had much of an issue with brake fade, also some of the new sets look superb.
Avids seem to have had a number of issues with leaking brakes, especially the 5s and 7s which may be why those have been dropped. The higher end ones such as the elixirs seem to have escaped these issues so far. Quite a pain to bleed though. Think its a bit pot luck as to whether you get a good set or not.
Hopes are the ones I can't say as much about. Never properly ridden a set but had a mess about on a few sets and the feel never really did it for me however as you can see there are a number of people that swear by them. Only issue is getting hold of parts and pads abroad, I know this can be a problem so if your thinking of going abroad then may be worth looking elsewhere.
Shimano are your other option. Some of the new sets are getting really good write ups. Running the mineral oil over dot fluid seems to be going down well but again I've not had much use of any so won't vouch either way.
Anyway let us know what you go for and what you think to them.
On the brakes again is a personal thing, right across the market different companies are producing brakes that will all do the job you're asking of them, its just down to what you like. For me, Hayes brakes come out tops everytime. May not have the same "elite" name as others but the sets that I have run have been bombproof and maintanance has been easy as. Power has been excellent and never had much of an issue with brake fade, also some of the new sets look superb.
Avids seem to have had a number of issues with leaking brakes, especially the 5s and 7s which may be why those have been dropped. The higher end ones such as the elixirs seem to have escaped these issues so far. Quite a pain to bleed though. Think its a bit pot luck as to whether you get a good set or not.
Hopes are the ones I can't say as much about. Never properly ridden a set but had a mess about on a few sets and the feel never really did it for me however as you can see there are a number of people that swear by them. Only issue is getting hold of parts and pads abroad, I know this can be a problem so if your thinking of going abroad then may be worth looking elsewhere.
Shimano are your other option. Some of the new sets are getting really good write ups. Running the mineral oil over dot fluid seems to be going down well but again I've not had much use of any so won't vouch either way.
Anyway let us know what you go for and what you think to them.
I've got several bikes all with different setups. The one that is near-as-damn-it zero maintenance and brilliant performance is the one with a full XTR setup.
I find the brakes are good enough for a 15 stones pleb like me, I've never had to bleed them or adjust anything.
I've got a bike running X0/X9 kit and Avid Elixir CR brakes. Constantly rebleeding them and adjusting them - they just never seem settled. Brilliant stopping power though.
I find the SRAM setup drive chain set up is agricultural in feel, as in you can feel each shift. The XTR is much fainter in feel and if it wasn't for my legs telling me, sometimes i think the shift hasn't happened. I don’t find one better in feel than the other, they are just very different.
The only thing about the X0 rear mech is I doubt I’d replace it if I damaged it… they are silly expensive. But then, the £ rate hasn’t done much for Shimano process either.
I find the brakes are good enough for a 15 stones pleb like me, I've never had to bleed them or adjust anything.
I've got a bike running X0/X9 kit and Avid Elixir CR brakes. Constantly rebleeding them and adjusting them - they just never seem settled. Brilliant stopping power though.
I find the SRAM setup drive chain set up is agricultural in feel, as in you can feel each shift. The XTR is much fainter in feel and if it wasn't for my legs telling me, sometimes i think the shift hasn't happened. I don’t find one better in feel than the other, they are just very different.
The only thing about the X0 rear mech is I doubt I’d replace it if I damaged it… they are silly expensive. But then, the £ rate hasn’t done much for Shimano process either.
Stu R said:
Would I be right in thinking that the X0 rear mech is better than an XTR?
Ooo that's a can of worms...IMHO:
Are X0's tougher - Yes
Are XTR's tucked more out of the way so less chance of being whacked - Yes
Do XTR's shift smoother - Yes
Do X0's having a stronger change and a positive 'dunk' so you KNOW it shifted - Yes
Of course they're not compatible, so if you change to XTR you'll need a new shfter - so get an X0 if you want. Problem is they're the same AFAIK as the X9, only they've got Carbon where X9 has plastic so 'should' feel the same.
Stu R said:
As for the brakes, well it's got Avid Juicy 5's on and frankly I think they're rubbish
Yeah, I don't personall think they're rubbish, they're OK, no more, no less.I'd get some Hope Tech X2 or M4's depending on how much power you want. I've some some new Tech V2's on my DH bike and the levers are amazing, well the whole thing is amazing, but they share the levers with the more trail oringtated brakes.
I think based on that I'll probably just order another X9 rear mech then, and replace the deore front mech with an X9 one. I'll see what the prices on x0 stuff are like when I'm over in the states in a couple of weeks though.
The Avids I'm still not sold on after a pretty long ride today. Bled them again yesterday morning before going out just to be sure, and they're no different. Did a couple of long downhills, and one really long, steep downhill on the road and while they do stop it, they really haven't got enough power or bite - I was heaving on the lever too.
I've got some sintered pads to go in and I'll be doing the same route tomorrow so we'll see if that helps, doubt it. I think perhaps it could be a case of needing a larger disk but I still think I'll be ordering a Hope kit after I've been out today.
Cheers for all the help folks
The Avids I'm still not sold on after a pretty long ride today. Bled them again yesterday morning before going out just to be sure, and they're no different. Did a couple of long downhills, and one really long, steep downhill on the road and while they do stop it, they really haven't got enough power or bite - I was heaving on the lever too.
I've got some sintered pads to go in and I'll be doing the same route tomorrow so we'll see if that helps, doubt it. I think perhaps it could be a case of needing a larger disk but I still think I'll be ordering a Hope kit after I've been out today.
Cheers for all the help folks
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