The Motolite is here to stay. The design of this product is so nearly perfect that there is no foreseeable reason to ever change it.
The pivot mechanism has an excellent track record (first used in 1990), the quick-release (releasing the cable for wheel changes) works so well, and is so simple the only reason it isn't widely copied is because Shimano doesn't use it, and it is so easy to set up.
The arms are reversible so the cable can come in from the left or right, and the noodle is lined with Teflon for smooth action.
Submitted by
251
a Cross Country Rider
from Glenelg, SA, Australia Date Reviewed: August 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Schaeffer Farm
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Klunk Cycles, Area 5
Strengths:
Easy setup, easy adjustment and very powerful. The Motolites with Pauls levers also have a great feel that is superior to any Avid or Shimano setup I've used (including discs). Replacement parts are also very easy to get from Pauls.
Weaknesses:
Expensive. Ships with non-cartridge Kool Stop pads. I would prefer to pay less and supply my own pads, especially considering the included pads are not ceramic-rim specific.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX, XT, XTR v-brakes, Avid Single Digit 7.
Bike Setup:
Pauls Levers, Kool Stop green ceramic pads, Deore XT cartridge carriers, teflon cables, Mavic ceramic rims.
Bottom Line:
Well worth the expense. These are the best v-brakes I've used.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
REvers
a Cross Country Rider
from Stavanger Date Reviewed: April 19, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Ullandhaug
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Cambria
Strengths:
Good modulation, light, adjustability of spring action.
Incredible stopping power.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
XT, XTR V-brakes
Bike Setup:
Seven Sola Ti, Nokon Cables, Mavic 719 and 717 rims with Chris King hubs.
Bottom Line:
Not cheap, but well worth the money. Once setup (might take an hour or so), very easy to adjust spring action.
Brakes have been in use daily in Norway (muddy, wet and rocky conditions), as well as in Spain - dry, very fast and steep downhill sections. Never felt any lack of stopping power.
Must have brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joyitas
a Racer
from mexico Date Reviewed: February 3, 2009
There are the most powerful v bakes i ever tried, more than my xtr´s. They´re just excellent.
Contaray to most, I find them easy to adjust, you have to be real dum in order not to be able to adjut them properly.
Even easier than regular v-brakes.
Incredible performance and dzign.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derrick Seys
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmond, OK Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007
This is five year follow up on my 9/9/2002 review. These are still riding strong. Very uiform wear on pads reflecting their overall stiffness. i replaced the kool stop pads with shimano slide in shoes (form a set of XT's), and the shoes wear incredibly even. Setup is a litte touchy at first, but a 14 mm wrench and an allen will get you through every little tweak needed race day morning or in the shop tweaking. This setup makes lateral pad / arm gap a breeze. toe in is even easier. I adjust very rarely. Absolutely no complaints after 5+ years and probably 3000 miles.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Hunt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley CA Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Smooth, powerful, can be used on both 26" and 700 c wheels and is probably the best rim brake outside of the old WTB roller cam.
Weaknesses:
Set up. Yes... this has been covered to the point of tedium and there's a lot of post from people having to use more than one tool for their set up. All this is true but if you think these are a problem to set up try building a Brompton folding bike and all it's British eccentricities. That's a bad design.
Here's a tip buy a torque wrench there bubbah. Do all of your set up with a standard allen wrench set but do your finish work by torquing the 5mm pivot bolts to 65 inch lbs and the smaller 4 mm bolts to 45 inch lbs and everything will hold their place. I also highly recomend greasing each and every bolt with a good quality grease because it will make adjusting the brakes easier.
Last I have set up these brakes two different ways, one is setting the brake pads concave, convex washers so the brake arms are nearly parallel to the seat stays and a second way where you replace the order of the washers as they come out of the box with the thicker of the washers so they brake arms flare out from the seat stays; this second method while it increacese the profile of the brake arms especially on smaller frames dramatically increases the stopping power. Play around with the two set ups and go with what works for you.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, every V brake they have made, Avid (same) and the Ritchey V brake (great but sadly no longer in production) Paul Crosstops (antiquated and potentially dangerous).
Bike Setup:
I have these on three different bikes, a Kelly single speed cross bike, a Spot single speed mtb and now a geared Karate Monkey. They work well on each bike but best on the Spot and the Karate Monkey.
Bottom Line:
I will acknowledge the set up issues concerning the Motolites but these are a lot easier than many of Paul's earlier designs. They take some finesse and patience but they aren't the most difficult or poorly designed brakes out on the market.
I think the top three prizes for a piss poor brake designs have to go to the old Mafac tandem cantilevers (Spring adjustement ? Partily disengage the brake pads and bend the springs as needed. Toe adjustment ? Bend the brake arms with an adjustable crecent wrench or a channel lock. Bad designs.) Any sub LX level Shimano V brake, and last but not least the Ritchey WCS cantilever; the worst of Mafac and DiaCompe in one nasty little package. Dishonorable mentions also have to go to the Paul Crosstops, Suntour roller cams, and Grafton cantilevers.
Here's my two cents too Paul brakes work best with Paul brake levers. Yes, I've tired them with Shimano, Suntour, and Avid brake levers but
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron
a
from Chesapeake, Virginia Date Reviewed: February 13, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Lots of adjustability for different wheel sizes, excellent stopping action with little hand pressure, no squealing. Quick release is a pleasure. This brake just looks good.
Weaknesses:
Somewhat hard to setup, but once figured out, it's pretty simple. Kind of pricey, but quality doesn't always come cheap.
Bike Setup:
Bacchetta Giro-20 recumbent
Bottom Line:
I needed a front brake with good adjustability since I was going from a 406 to 451 wheel. Had some trouble with initial setup, but pulled out a small adjustable crescent wrench out of my bike tool bag and with an allen wrench, set the spring tension easily. I've ordered another Paul brake for my Reynolds T-Bone recumbent.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose Date Reviewed: January 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
"Product Strength" and "Paul" in the same sentence? HAHAHAHA!!!
Weaknesses:
Where do I start?
Similar Products Used:
Avids, Tektros (back in the day), and that 800 lbs. Gorilla starting with "S"
Bike Setup:
Jamis
Bottom Line:
Anytime you need a 15mm cone wrench to adjust v-brakes, you know you've got a terrible design not worthy of even Paul's outrageous prices. Did anybody here adjust the tension spring properly on their very first, or even, second try? I didn't think so.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Crawford
a Cross Country Rider
from Vassalboro,ME,USA Date Reviewed: December 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Appalachian
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$95.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Bicycle Outfitter
Strengths:
Stiff, light, everything can be replaced.
Weaknesses:
What? Weakness? Where!?
Similar Products Used:
Machine Tech Zeroflex V-brake
Bike Setup:
Nokon Cables, Travel Agent rollercams, Paul's Love Lever compact, Jaguar Titanium pads, Titanium canti studs in the frame, Ti bolts in the pivots, lever clamps, alignment brackets, Travel Agent pulley, and cable pinch bolt, Gorilla brake "beefer".
Bottom Line:
If you are a weeny for replacing every bolt in a system with Ti like I am, you have 94 gram brakes which stop like 6 piston discs. Jagwire's Ti-Carbon pads are the way to go with this brake, since they pivot like yer wrists until you tighten them down, then they are solid like rocks. They are also the only way to get Ti brake pad bolts. The Paul's arm system is way lighter than anything else, and offers supreme adjustability. Nokon cable and a Travel Agent makes them so stiff you will NEED a brake booster like a Gorilla or AC, because the frame will bow madly. I have a Cannondale, with this on the front and back, and even with an FSX carbon Judy fork, the legs bow slightly when I squeeze really hard. All the chilis they've got in this joint, these are the XC racer's best choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DCS
a Cross Country Rider
from New York Date Reviewed: November 15, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$95.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Construction Performance Appearance
Weaknesses:
Somewhat finicky on initial setup
Similar Products Used:
Avid XT XTR
Bike Setup:
Bontrager Racelite Ceramic wheels
Bottom Line:
It takes some tweaking and fiddling to get these brakes initially dialed in. However, once this is done, these brakes are terrific. Tremendous stopping power, modulation and feel. No squealing at all in wet or dry conditions.
They also look pretty cool.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from IL Date Reviewed: April 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
Great brakes, tremendous modulation
Weaknesses:
setup is not as easy as most v-brakes but it's not rocket science either
Similar Products Used:
xt, arch rival
Bike Setup:
truth xt,xtr, raceface, king, paul brakes and levers
Bottom Line:
These things are great. After I put them on the bike I went down some local grass hills that were pretty wet(no trails nearby) just to see how well they worked at low speed. I was able to ride down the whole hill as slow as I could stay upright while never locking the wheels. Today I went out to the trails and found myself hitting things faster right away because I knew I had so much braking power and could feather it on. I was letting a friend use my other bike with the arch rivals on it and tried it out. I always kind of liked those brakes but there was no comparison the pauls were so much nicer. They aren't cheap but they are cheaper than going to disc and buying new wheels and brakes. That's why I gave the 5 value chilis. But the setup isn't the easiest. Once you get it down it's not bad though. Everything in the setup makes sense but an extra hand would have been nice. I think all the main gripes are already listed in previous posts. I don't dread ever having to work on them. If you are thinking about getting these and it won't break the bank don't hesitate.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe Mayo
a Racer
from Earth, too. Date Reviewed: March 15, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Spoke Doctor in FLA
Strengths:
If you have the IQ of a coffee table you can dial these in like the sweetness. But if you whine and complain about every little component, then have a REAL mechanic install them for you and pay the REAL mechanic to maintain them.
They work very well if you take the time, like REAL mechanic would to set them up.
Weaknesses:
Those JUNKY Kool Stop Thinline pads that end up wearing a groove down the brake track where a normal width pad would not.
Similar Products Used:
You name it.
Bike Setup:
Does this really matter?
Bottom Line:
Don't let Tony the "mechanic with 15 years experience and every Park Tool" work on your bike.
The Motolite brakes work very well.
Tony is also not an engineer and has not place to blather about "Shimano's overly-designed parallelogram bullcrap".
The Motolites look nice as well.
Tony needs to lighten up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a
from Earth Date Reviewed: January 13, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$65.00
Strengths:
Practically infinite amount of vertical adjustment CNC machined Quick release mechanism Probably only one in the neighborhood using it (i'ts not really a positive - I just threw it in here)
Weaknesses:
Tension spring adjustment Expensive
Similar Products Used:
Avid Single Digits, XT's
Bike Setup:
Yeti ARC
Bottom Line:
In an attempt to keep things simple, Paul has ironically made the Motolite more complex than need be. In short, the brakes are a major pain to set up. I've been my own mechanic for over 15 years and have EVERY SINGLE tool from Park, so I know what I'm doing. The biggest drawback with the Motolites is the tension spring. Whereas the Avids have the adjuster on the side, you have to use a 15mm cone wrench to hold the spring in place while you twist with the allen wrench (or vice-versa, which ever way suits you). And you have to do this for each arm. And what's up with having to use a 4mm, 5mm, AND a 15mm cone wrench (or a wrench if you don't have access to one) to adust a brake? Is that simplicity? No. I didn't have a problem adjusting the springs - it's just that there's too many tools and steps involved. If you take the brakes off, you have to start all over again. Also, I really don't care whether the brake is made in Chico, CA, or anywhere else in the USA - if it's good and made in Bangladesh, hell I'm buying it. (News flash: most of your fancy $400 3-layer Gore-Tex jackets are made in Bangladesh (or Vietnam)).
If it sounds like I'm bashing Paul, I am...and not. But once you get the brake dialed in, it's simply AWESOME. These brakes have amazing stopping power and none of that annoying squeal with the XT brake in the front. (Don't get me started with Shimano's overly-designed parallelogram bullcrap).
Overall, a very powerful brake marred by a somewhat peculiar design.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Girarde
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: August 10, 2005
Favorite Trail:
China Camp
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$115.00
Purchased At:
Paul Components
Strengths:
Very powerful V-brakes; Excellent Modulation; High Quality Construction; Made in Chico
Weaknesses:
Set Up is a Bit Tedious
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT and XTR V-brakes
Bike Setup:
Blue Collar Singlespeed; Ritchey Rigid Fork; Paul WORD Singlespeed Group.
Bottom Line:
These are excellent V-brakes. They are stiffer and more powerful than XTs or XTRs. The modulation and feel of the brakes is excellent. There is no squealing at all, even with no toe-in. The contruction quality is top notch. Paul makes these up in Chico, CA, and has great customer service. For a retro-grouch like me who wants nothing to do with discs, these are perfect. My only complaint is that they are bit tedious to set up, but once installed, they are very reliable. Highly recommended. 4 Chilis for value becuase they're expensive; 5 Chilis for performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
flea
a Cross Country Rider
from saint paul, mn Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
singletrack baby singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
webcyclery
Strengths:
sweet stuff. have one on back and a disc on front. smooth, light, simple.
Similar Products Used:
shimano, avid
Bike Setup:
SS conversion w/paul fhub, front avid mech disc, white rear hub, white crank and freewheel. paul mini levers, ti seatpost
Bottom Line:
really really like this piece of machinery. i might get another for the front and put the disc on another bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Branford, CT Date Reviewed: April 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Colorado trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Pauls
Strengths:
Solid, simple construction. Absolutely no slop anywhere. The best rim brakes there are.
Weaknesses:
zip. nada.
Similar Products Used:
Pauls Stoplight MC, Love levers, XT V-brakes, Avid Arch deluxe, Pauls Rear Derailleur
Bike Setup:
Ti hardtail. XT drivetrain. Raceface cranks, time pedals, Hugi wheelset. Black fork.
Bottom Line:
In the sciences when something works flawlessly and simply it is said to be elegant. That is what these brakes are. Absolutely solid and controllable. From locking up to feathered touches. You need to think about what you are doing when you set them up. But they make sense. You can look at them and understand why they work better. The pivots are machined and sealed which means there is no slop. The arms are solid and stiff. And the whole brake from pad set up to centering and tensioning is fully adjustable and tunable. This is not stuff that works well if you don't understand how to set up a bike. Shimano stuff is made so that a monkey could build a bike. Hence things like adjustability and durability are out the window. Pauls is made for the purist. It's a joy to work on and ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Racer
from Fredonia NY Date Reviewed: March 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Shindagin
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Braking Strength, Light Weight
Weaknesses:
Set Up is a pain
Similar Products Used:
XTR, STXRC Cantilevers
Bike Setup:
Ibis Alibi, White Brothers AT-4, White Industries/217, Thomson, Terry, XTR, Paul Brakes
Bottom Line:
These brakes are great. Their weight and power smokes anything else I've ridden. They are a pain to set up, but after some fiddling they work incredibly well. All I had to do was bust out a pair of vice-grips to hold the "rebound" adjustment deal so the spring tension would be appropriate.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterloo, IA, USA Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003
Pain to set up. Old style, wound spring, not a linear spring. Cannot upgrade to regular V-brake pads.
Similar Products Used:
DiaCompe 737 (POS) Avid 20 Avid SD 3
Bike Setup:
Bontrager Race, Double Barrel cranks, Mavic/Hugi wheels, Manitou Six Deluxe/Skareb fork, 1X8 gearing, these brakes.
Bottom Line:
This be known, these brake are of vintage. Somewhere about 1996. They are the first design that only accept cantilever brake pads, which isn't the end of the world but does piss me off when I spend a whole day adjusting the brakes over and over getting them just right and then taking a test ride to find I need to readjust the spring tension again and again.
One of the four brake arms had some shoddy machining and WOULD NOT react to any adjustments that I made. I truly do not know how the previous owner dealt with this. After several emails directly from Paul himself, to no avail, I ended up using emery cloth to correct the lack of machining to the one reluctant brake arm pivot bushing. Should have been taken care of by Paul, but the whole warranty issue and not being the original owner worked against my favor.
Paul definitely knew what was going on when he invented the non-Shimano quick release. This alone is a reason to buy these brakes and is invention that EVERY brake manufacturer should use, provided Paul would let them.
Aside from the obvious increase in braking power, I may as well be using cantilevers. These brakes are a BEEOTCH to set up with the infinitely variable spring tension, pad alignment, double bushing pivots, and amount of tools needed to actually adjust the brakes. I will be looking to buy new Avid SD 7 brakes this winter and end my continuous brake adjusting...all the while not losing braking power. If only I had lucked out and gotten the newer style...I degress. Great product!! I just haven't had the best time wiht them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MJM
a Cross Country Rider
from Rocklin Date Reviewed: June 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Have not found it yet, but still ridin!!!
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Very strong and powerful. Light. Swank.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
XTR and XT linear pull.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Caad 3 Full XTR w/Paul braked front & rea. Mavic rims
Bottom Line:
I have used Paul brakes from the beginning, when Paul worked out of a little shop in his backyard. When I got my Cannondale frame I also got a XTR groupe, so I put the XTR brakes on the frame. They were good but made a ton of noise, no matter what I did I couldn't get it to go away, so I went to Paul. When I put the Pauls on I noticed two things, first NO noise, second the stopping power. The stopping power was stronger than XTR, and just as progressive and easy to control. Others have complained about the difficulty of the set up, while they are a little harder to set-up than XTR, but not much, you only have to set them up once. So get these brakes, practice a little patience, put them on your bike and be very very happy with them!!!Now shut-up and ride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Racer
from Hope Valley, RI Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
arcadia--yellow trail, big river
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
don't remember..Victory Cycles?
Strengths:
Light, not Shimano, American made, appearence
Weaknesses:
Strength relative to set up/installation
Similar Products Used:
XTR V Brake
Bike Setup:
Merlin Fat TI XL: FSA Carbon Pro, CT2 bar/seatpost, Selle Italia SLR, King/Bontrager wheels, SRAM XO, Hutchinson Mosquitos--you get the picture: the 19.8 racer.
Bottom Line:
I've had a 3 yearlove/like with these brakes. Initially they were nowhere near the strength of XTR V's but they did offer great modulation. I found the XTR to be too on/off. So I kept with it and their less than stellar performance UNTIL I went to PedroFest and hooked up with a wrench named Jed (from Belmont Wheel works)who held that magic touch. He had adjusted my brakes after installing the SRAM XO and BANG. The Pauls came alive for the first time--they were GREAT! Powerful and great modualtion. All was well until I went to Mt Snow and had STAN's knucklehead mechanic install No-Tubes on my bike. Stan's bonehead mechanic could'nt figure out the quick release on the brakes and subsequently unnattached the brakes from the bike. Flaming idiot. Thus the brakes went back to being..average,adequate. I've had several wrenches adjust them but none came close to Jed's set up. BOTOM LINE: They're great if they are set up properly. Its ALL in the set up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Anderson
a Cross Country Rider
from Edina, MN Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$214.00
Purchased At:
Eriks Bike Shop
Strengths:
awesome stopping power, lightweight, set up is very simple just get the pads aligned with the rim and tighten, once tighten the toe in is a piece of cake, trick look
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
xt
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper M4, Marzocchi Atom Race, Thomson stem, post, ck hubs and headset, Mavic x618 ceramic rims, xt drivetrain
Bottom Line:
I installed the brakes with love levers and Avid flac jacket cables and have been riding during the spring thaw in Minnesota and have not had any problems stopping in the wet conditions. The brakes can lock up the wheels @ any time. Probably twice the stopping power that I had with my old xt set up. If you are looking for a light brake set with some amazing stopping power look no further. I bought them from my lbs, but if you hit the web you can find them for less. The price is high but well worth it. I am a heavy rider 215 and haven't had a single issue with not being able to stop in any condition.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley Date Reviewed: February 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Johnson's
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
All Por
Strengths:
Sheer stopping power.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Avid, XTR
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 100, Mars Super, XTR Drivetrain,
Bottom Line:
I'm a big rider (195+)and there is no where I can't lock up either wheel with two fingers. Paul's Components are the Chris King of brakes. Full stop. Maybe if I lived in wetter country I'd go with disk, but in So. Cal., who needs them when you have Pauls?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derrick Seys
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, AL Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
So Mtn - PHX AZ
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Cahaba Cycles
Strengths:
Excellent Arms, reversible, quick release, and long term use
Weaknesses:
After one year, still thinking
Similar Products Used:
Cantis, LX, XT
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Tsali, XT drive train, Race Face cranks, SID, Thompson, XTR hubs on 517 rims, etc.
Bottom Line:
Bought one of these to replace the 2000 Shimano XT's. Broke and XT arm, and decided to go with Paul over XTR after a quick fix using a robbed 1998 LX (no parallel push) arm showed significant arm stiffness on hard braking. I knew then I would get away from Shimano (stil ride XT levers). I never liked the parallel push linkages, and think they wear quickly (links and such). Rode the XT's for one year to get a real feel of them. They are soft. Cane Creek Direct Curve or Paul were my only considerations. Cost was an issue, but liked the sealed arm, simplicity, awkward but clean look. Had a bushing fit problem as well, but Paul took care of that pronto.
I tried one set on the rear. I felt I had real flexing back there, but was not going to put an arch on the Ti frame (defeated the frame design,, but I assumed that was happening). The LX's proved it was the XT brake. Paul's fixed all of that quickly. I swapped out the Shimano cartridges for the Kool Stops (they tended to wear rims harshly in the center). Just replaced the most evenly worn pads I have ever had. I attribute that to the stout arms and excellent adjustability. Somewhat of trick to set up, but follow-on toe in adjustment is a snap with one set screw to twist the pad on the arm (no affect on vertical angle of pad. The reversible set up worked great for my ride with a RH cable route. The quick release is much better than others. I have had no problems with these and bought another set for the front about a month after the rear set.
Still riding the XT's on a Trek 8500 HT and they have more flex than the old LX's.
I give them fives all around. May cost a bit, but I do not expect to have to do anything to these things. Performance is twice the XT's and justifies the cost. Maybe Love Levers soon.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darrell
a Cross Country Rider
from Cartersville, GA Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
lightweight lots of stopping power trick looking
Weaknesses:
cost set-up a little difficult
Similar Products Used:
LX, XT, XTR v-brakes Have used Paul hubs on my SS--they make good stuff
Bottom Line:
I've never really been satisfied with V brakes, but being a bit of a weight weenie, I did'nt want to add disks, buy new hubs, etc. These brakes, while being very light, have tremendous stopping power, work great in mud and have a huge range of adjustments. Personally, I like the Kool Stop pads, having never been a fan of the cartridge. I encourage anybody looking for top-notch craftsmanship and form as well as function. Five flaming carrots to Paul for these beauties.
Lite! Since I put these on my bike I don't hit any more trees, and they look good.
Weaknesses:
No cartridge brakes. Cost, but does any thing quality come cheap.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, XT, XTR, Avid, Tektro,
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Truth, Sid SL, Mavic 517 with King hubs, XTR derailuers & shifters, Race Face next cranks, Monkey lite bars, Ritchy stem, King headset, Easton carbon seat post, WTB Stealth pedals, AD-12 rear shock
Bottom Line:
If you can get through the set up and the cost, these brakes rock!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Driggs, ID, US Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
The helpful guys at beyondbikes.com steered me to the Paul Motolites when I was looking to get rid of the XT v-brakes and upgrade. I bought the front,rear, and Paul Love Levers at the same time. I love to support the small company and after putting about 90 miles on these brakes I am sold. Both the levers and brake arms are machined aluminum so I have confidence they will last. The stopping power is so good that I cannot imagine needing/wanting disc brakes. Perfectly tuned brakes gives me confidence to bomb down hills and makes riding more fun!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Love 'em All
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Weight Infinite Adjustability Stopping Power Hwy, Its PAUL !!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
XTR, XT
Bike Setup:
Custom Ti Hardtail/Superfly/Moots Stem & Seatpost/Seven Cycles Custom Handlebar/XTR DRivetrain/King Ti Headset & Wheelset/RaceFace Crankset/Motolite Brakes/ATACs
Bottom Line:
These things are awesome. I ma a huge fan of supporting the smaller manufacturers like PAUL. Traded in the XTR's and was gonna go disc, but couldn't get the adapter thing right. Decided the only thing to do was go with Paul. The adjustability of these, regarded by some as an inconvenience, is amazing. Limitless vertical and 'toe' variations possible. Had an issue iunstalling them where one of the canti support threads stripped under very little torque. Called Paul on Monday afternoon (3PM NYT) might have even been speaking to Paul himself. Anyway, he was shocked at the problem and promised to send out a replacement. I had it in my hand on Wednesday at noon !!!!!! Even sent two supports not just one. Customer service is a lost art. Rode 'em for the first time yesterday and I love 'em. Super stopping power, a little squeal out of the front at first, disappeared quickly. I would highly recommnd these brakes. I am now looking to upgrade from an XTR shifter/brkae combo to shifter pods and Love Levers. Call Paul and get a set. "Give love to the Little Guy" - Matt Chester
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Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from chicago Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
cambria
Strengths:
unique, simple, they just plain work.
Weaknesses:
a bit pricey....but who's counting??
Similar Products Used:
old canti's
Bike Setup:
built up c-dale killer v 900
Bottom Line:
How can you expect less than 5 chilis when you go from old coda cantis to some motolites??? The machining is beautiful and the design is beautiful as well. I almost endo'd in the parking lot when first trying them out. Get 'em if you can. They work....and they're made here in the good old USA.
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Submitted by
R Anderson
a Cross Country Rider
from Buffalo, New York Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
mood pending on most
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
direct from Paul.inc
Strengths:
Very stiff, good CNC work, simple yet not simple....You can see alot of research went into these brakes...
Weaknesses:
TUNING, springs constantly need a tweek to center pads...A real pain to tune all the time...I run a 2001 X-fly and the noodle carrier just graces the M arch, no fault of brake design...
Similar Products Used:
XTR 98' rattle traps, 2001 XTR not so noisy but still a everyone has em brake set up....XT on older rigs
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth truth 98' (yes with pivots not those stupid cartdridge bearings) I figured anyone graduating from XTR would appreciate my feelings towards cartdridge Bearings!!!! X-fly 100, CT2 monkey light riser, thomson post, sella flite saddle, time under my feet and a mix of other overpriced vanity issue @#$%.
Bottom Line:
I must admit, I have issues with my rigs...They have to be like no one elses period......I bought the brakes because well, no one else had em...Now I am glad I run em for the sheer stoping power...I crawl down hills if I choose to and can let off the binders and bolt full speed due to the confidence in the end from the stoping power.. EXPENSIVE You bet, so are parachutes!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Submitted by
Craig Tangner
a Cross Country Rider
from Thousand Oaks Date Reviewed: June 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Trails in and around Chesboro
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Cabria brakes/ Speedgoat for the levers
Strengths:
Very strong braking. I was supprised. Work great in conjunction with the love levers. Never used disk brakes, but I can't see needing anything more powerful than these for x-country riding. I immediately noticed less arm fatigue from braking. They are also lightweight. Can't speak for their durability yet, though, but so far they kick ass. For excellent cross country braking, go with the Pauls and ceramic rims. You won't be disappointed.
Weaknesses:
Exensive. I had a hard time adjusing the brakes initially, but I think I got the hang of it. Brakes went out of adjustment on one of my rides. Perhaps I just didn't have things tightened down properly. I have ceramic rims so I have to find some ceramic pads that will fit on the Pauls. So far, the Kool Stops seem to be working great, although I have been told they will wear down quickly.
Similar Products Used:
Avid, Dia-comp, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Stupmy M2 w/ XTR, Mavic Cross Max UST wheels, USE suspension seatpost, Speedplay Frog pedals, Chris King headset, Selle Italia Flight saddle.
Bottom Line:
Very powerful. I recommend using the brakes in conjunction with the love levers. Great combo. Also, if you can get ceramic rims, do so. It will only improve on already great stopping power.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bradley Kriley
a Racer
from BUTLER, PA Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
speedgoat.com
Strengths:
Can be perfectly tune for rim contact area
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
XT-V's. Hayes. Avid SD.
Bike Setup:
Merlin Tiaga w/ Crossrock UST, Raceface, SRAM9.0, '01 Mars
Bottom Line:
These brakes are at the top of top end rim brakes making them more powerful than anything other than the highest performing Disk Brakes. If you are thinking about getting rid of your favorite riding frame so that you can get a new one with disk mounts - forget about it - keep your pre-disk frame & buy these brakes you will not be sorry.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tim
a Weekend Warrior
from cincinnati, ohio Date Reviewed: December 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
simple- no extra pivots light but still plenty stiff nice looking burly as hell return springs reversible cable routing
Weaknesses:
expensive requires a 4mm allen, 5mm allen, and 15mm cone wrench to set up
i ride trials with this brake as my rear stopper, and i am able to land pretty big pedal kicks and whatnot in a dead stop- they've never slipped as long as it's been dry (i use koolstop's grippy, squishy salmon-colored pads). also, the springs are really stiff so you can set them up to retract very rapidly, this makes doing big pedal kicks a bit easier, and it makes feathering the brakes for doing wheelies a bit easier, as well. if you can afford them, don't want disc brakes for whatever reason, and don't want a complicated brake, this is one good way to go.
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Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont Date Reviewed: October 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Toads
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Universal
Strengths:
Light,extremly strong, and they look trick.
Weaknesses:
A bit of a pain to install but once set up they stay put.
Similar Products Used:
XT,XTR,Magura,and Hayes.
Bike Setup:
Superlight with all the good stuff.
Bottom Line:
These brakes are great. They are stronger than the XTR brakes they replaced and are lighter too. I am using Real X levers but the Pauls are probablly even stronger . I think these stop almost as good as Hayes disks and are at least a pound lighter, so its a good choice for weight weenies like myself . The only thing negative might be the price but I think they are worth it.
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Submitted by
Tom
a
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: October 16, 2000
You're going to laugh at me, but I'm going to complain because my Love Lever bent when I hit a tree. What do you expect, though - they work great and they are really light.
One of the noodles just sort of let go of the brace that holds it. The brake still works fine with it disconnected, but I think It'd be way better to have the parts connected with some kind of replacable fastener, rather than just kind of pressed together so you have to order a new specialized piece when they come apart.
They use two different sizes of allen tool to adjust at the brake arm. Why not just use one? it's a little easier.
When I first bought them, one of the little metal bushing sleeve cylinder things that the arms ride on was machined to a too small, incorrect size. They (Paul) were really good about rushing me a replacement part quickly with absolutely no fuss at all. You have to deal with this kind of thing sometimes when going with smaller, boutique-ey companies, but like I said, they were really cool about helping me, and when you're done you've got these beautiful things on your bike, not the typical Shimano stuff.
Similar Products Used:
My friends' Shimano stuff (mostly XT and XTR)
Bike Setup:
Cannondale CAAD3 with DD60 fork and high-end Frankenstein parts mix
Bottom Line:
I like these brakes a lot. It's not like they're disc brakes or anything, but hey, they seem to work as well as Shimano's parallel push stuff and they don't have any of that bushing crud built in - I've had 'em on there for years and they still work great. All I've ever had to do is replace pads and adjust. I'm really glad I got them.
Holy Crap they're expensive.
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Submitted by
tgill
a Cross Country Rider
from boulder, co Date Reviewed: October 3, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
light, beautiful, unbelievable stopping power
Weaknesses:
squeeking, but I fixed it
Similar Products Used:
xt, xtr, lx
Bike Setup:
ellsworth sub 22, white bros xc-4, cane creek wheels, sram shifters, srp crank, blah, blah
Bottom Line:
these red anodized brakes look great and work even better. I have them set up with avid ultimate levers and manage all downhill sections with one finger on the levers. great modulation. they are complicated but i found them easier to adjust than shimano which do not have as much adjustibility.
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Submitted by
JustinTime
a Racer
from Orlando Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Precise machined detail; beefy springs that allow for loads of return pressure; aesthetics; stiffness, adjustability, weight
Weaknesses:
-cost, but you're getting so much more... -pad style (some, including me would prefer cartridge, but I'll assume that is easy to replace)
Similar Products Used:
XT, Sram, XTR
Bike Setup:
Klein Adroit, SX carbon, XTR, Racelites, Titec 118, other overpriced componetry...
Bottom Line:
I expected a lot for the price, but was still surprised. Rate them nearly on the hydraulic level - close inspection reveals craftsmanship above the level of any of the big companies. And they are STIFF. I had expected to go over the bars due to my acclimation to weak brakes, but the modulation was very good - allowed for controlled braking. Also, the Paul Love levers are lightweight wonders - beautiful, stiff, take up minimal space on my shorter bars, with a "thicker" design (more rectangular than rounded), that probably accounts for stiffness. Also, the springs are 3x as thick as traditional v's. It allowed me to crank up the tension and finally achieve excellent rear braking from my internally routed frame. Spring tension design is the same as high zoots cantilever systems of years past - a much better and more dependable system than the screw and weak spring system off today's factory lines. Overall, very worth it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from California Date Reviewed: January 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
South Rim
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Awesome Looks, Extremely Light, A ton of pulling power(when you have the right set of rims), and once you set em they're gonna stay that way.....
Weaknesses:
The price, hard to adjust at first, but you get used to it quickly.....
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX, Dia Compe....
Bike Setup:
Giant hardtail with about $500 worth of added equip.
Bottom Line:
Awesome brakes, they stay in adjustment forever and I personally got these brakes from a recommendation from my friend. Plus I live about 3 minutes away from the factory so it was kinda cool to walk up and talk to Paul and watch em make the brakes I were to be using. I just took em on an awesome ride in the rain and mud and they held up better than anyone else's brakes...my suggestion....get these brakes if you're only into dry stuff. I really had to crank into the lever to get sufficient stoppage in the mud. All in all I love em cause they stop me on a dime. Personally there worth the extra $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I give it 5 Flamin Chiles to support my hometown, CHICO CA......
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Wheeler
a Cross-Country Rider
from Cupertino CA Date Reviewed: January 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Wilder Ranch
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Ease of service and slick design
Weaknesses:
Price
Similar Products Used:
Shimano V Brakes Avid V Breaks
Bike Setup:
97 M2 Comp Pro XTR Shifter/Break Levers WTB Bi Comp Pads
Bottom Line:
The Motolites were a snap to set up and adjust. The cone wrench adjustment is a blessing, as I like to set my breaks with a bit more tension. The cable release is the only release in the V break family that I have found that can be truly opened with one hand. Paul has made it a snap. And as a final plus the design is also the best out there. My only knock is the price, but you get what you pay for...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean C.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Houston, TX Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999
Favorite Trail:
ONE'S THAT AREN'T CLOSED!
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Light Weight
Weaknesses:
Mrazek MOC V/Moratti Brakes ARE LIGHTER W/PADS! AND EASIER TO ADJUST!
Similar Products Used:
NOTHING LIKE THESE TWO SYSTEMS ON THE MARKET...BOTH ARE ULTRA LIGHT RACING BRAKES
Bike Setup:
GIANT XTC Se1 w/Se2 Frame
Bottom Line:
Do your homework....
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from atlanta Date Reviewed: September 5, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
light
Bottom Line:
the lightest v brake out. they perform well. adjustment could be better. 4 chiles for weight. make that five chiles to offset the stupid one chile review.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ft. Worth, TX Date Reviewed: September 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
several in Colorado
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Levers, looks, light, modulation, serviceable.
Weaknesses:
Adjustment, Mud catchers, List price (I paid more than XT's, but much less than XTR's)
Similar Products Used:
Shimano V, non V
Bike Setup:
FS
Bottom Line:
Look great, light weight, seem to work fine, seem durable. I should probably see if I can replace the adjustment springs which have become distorted...and new pads. But I like feel much better than Shimano V's. They are hard to adjust, but I have only had to futz with them 3 or 4 times in 2 years. I can't let the only review be a 1. If these are a 1, Shimano's are a 1. But, no, they aren't 5's. How about 4 chili thangs. Another sucker is how I feel about AOL, not Paul's brakes.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hawaii Date Reviewed: April 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
South MTN, AZ
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Nice noodle guide,Black anodizing
Weaknesses:
Flexy. Requires too many tools. Tough to adjust.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX, XT, XTR.
Bike Setup:
Ti Fat, with '99 SID, Kooka V Levers, Avid Flak Jackets
Bottom Line:
These brakes violate the mechanics creedo of minimal work on your own bike. Requires a 4mm and 5mm to adjust, plus a 15mm cone wrench. Spring tension is hard to adjust. CNC tolerances on spring adjusters are sloppy. Don't sit flush on brake posts, about a quarter inch (or so) of nekkid post, which makes little sense. They look nice, and they are light. The do flex a lot under braking, you can actually see them. They stop fine, but the pad adjustment and spring tension is too much of a pain to live with. Back to my XTR's, with all their slop and tiny pukas to hold mud.
Overall Rating:
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