Formula The One Disc Brakes: Designed as a DH race brake the ONE is light enough to be used for XC. Forged radial flip flop master cylinder with high capacity integrated reservoir, forged aluminum lever blades and dual bleed ports...
Strengths: Strong, Light,,,,did I say strong. People have mentioned lack of 'feel' but I don't see that, they modulate fine for me. Pretty bullet-proof, more of a fading than a fail when you need to work on them.
Weaknesses: Difficult to maintain, as in the most difficult disc brake system out there that I ever worked on (by far). Finicky. Pads not in most shops, so you better count on toting a few around with you
Bottom Line:
They are light and expensive but you already knew that. They are the best, but if you aren't really comfortable fiddling around during bleeding or have a strong shop near by, you should factor in the difficult maintainance, They need less, however than any system I've used, and, in my expireance, they get "mushy" instead of how some systems just go lever flat to the bar when they need a bleed. The are the best and I've found them to be really reliable. Strong, like next-level strong vs. other systems. Very predictable and always there with the same feel and grab. Little or no fade with heavy use.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
bkboom123
a Downhiller
from Saratoga Springs
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2011
Strengths: Unbelievably power from such a small lightweight package. Modulation is amazing. Love the minimalistic design and asthetics. Customer Service
Weaknesses: The clamp between the left and right levers are the same so they aren't symmetrical (nothing performance wise wrong with this) A bit of turkey garble on the rear, but nothing to write home about. Pricey.
Bottom Line:
Amazing brakes. These are a bit pricey, but you truly get what you pay for.
When I originally received the product the front caliper had a bad seal on the pistons and leaked a bit of oil. I contacted Formula USA and they had it fixed and backed to me within a week. They overnited the package back to me. Replaced all seals in the front, as well as piston, and pads. I was told this is something that happens with one in about 3,000 units, LUCKY ME.
Anyways ever since I got it back the brakes have been superb. They are very very durable. I'm rocking a 180/160 combo and have plenty stopping power for Plattekill.
Similar Products Used: Magura Louise, Shimano XT, Hayes Stroker Ace
Bike Setup: Specialized epic, rockshox fork, fox rear, Formula the one brakes, thomson post
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
RandyBoy
a Weekend Warrior
from Mammoth
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2011
Strengths: This is for a 2009 set of The Ones. Large diameter pistons, adjustable levers, powerful, great modulation
Weaknesses: Price, price of spare pads.
Bottom Line:
These brakes are strong yet sensitive, great modulation, couldn't ask for much more. Love how well they allow you to control your bike when decelerating. They stop you right now.
Good looking with the gold anodize. Great brakes if you are a Clyde, ride steep stuff, and need absolute control taking it to the limit slowing down.
I'd buy another set if I didn't already have a set of MeGa's for my other 29'er
Similar Products Used: Juicy Seven, Elixir, Nine, Stroke.
Bike Setup: GT Fury Carbon, FOx 40 Kashima, Crank Brothers Opium, Saint, Race Face Atlas.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
JimEG
a Weekend Warrior
from Olympia WA
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2010
Strengths: True on finger action, uber light.
Weaknesses: BLEEDING!!!!!! These brakes are going back to Formula for the 2nd time in the last year to be bled. LBS cant do it, I've tried too. We both followed the instructions perfectly. Lever gets mushy after a few months of use.
This is a recurring theme with others as well.
Bottom Line:
Great if you are a factory rider with Formula support around to maintain your brakes after every race.
Unacceptable reliability. Too bad. These things are f'n light and strong. Would not recommend buying these. I'm going to Saint's.
Sorry for the one flame rating, never done that before.
Submitted by
rmdolfing
a Cross Country Rider
from netherlands
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2010
Strengths: stopping power. Looks.
Weaknesses: Extremely maintenance sensitive to such an extend that it really spoils the enjoyment of my bike.
Bottom Line:
I would happily change 'the ONE' for a brake set that keeps performing well over a longer time and doesn't need the amount of maintenance and frequent service intervals. It really interfers with biking. The manufacturer says it is due to the agressive DOT 4 brake fluid used in the system. This provides the agressive instant braking but also affects the brakes (i.e. use a system that operates with mineral oil). My rear brakes need an overhaul at the factory after only 2 years of use because the brake pistons won't retract into the calipers anymore. My bike buddy's brakes are exactly the same. Both bikes are consequently out of action for 2 to 4 weeks.
Submitted by
sasfish
a Cross Country Rider
from sydney
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2010
Strengths: These things stop and straight away. They are light for a brakes rated for downhill. there is no fading or very little and i am 100 kg. I like the solid black color with gold.
Weaknesses: The levers are longish but that's a personal thing. Expensive.
Bottom Line:
Look I have ridden many types of disk brakes and NONE work like these. They may be a tad heaver then the lightest cross country brakes 450g but with this kind of braking power, I think they maybe make you faster on the course.
Bike Setup: Titus x, full xtr, Ritchie carbon, magura durin race, cross max slrs and lots of other expensive s*&t.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jasonrek
a Downhiller
from Chandler Az
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2010
Strengths: Easy to set up and will stop you period.
Weaknesses: None, too easy to use
Bottom Line:
If you want to one finger stop and you don't want to worry about braking ever, get these. My favorite is watching my friend hammer the brakes not knowing the power and watch him launch over the bars as well as a strong Turkey neck slap with the saddle. If you want stop without thinking don't be fool, buy these. Only thing I will use from now on.
Strengths: 2010 light, amazing power, great modulation, no fade on bigger descents, prefictable an trustworthy.
Weaknesses: Id like the pad contact back!!
Bottom Line:
Best brake period! My only complaint is they got rid of the oad contact adjustment which was great for different courses depending on terrain and drop you couls adjust them.. Brake pad wear no big deal adjust them. NOW theres no pad adjustment which sucks but if thats my only gripe then Im OK with it...
Still the most powerfull brake you can get, its a moster in al ight package...
I give it 4 chilis because of the lack of the pad contact adjuster like last year...
Submitted by
elblingo
a Downhiller
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2009
Strengths: Well finished, easy to setup, wide range of discs and mounts available. Awesome modulation and power.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I'm loving these brakes, I can't believe how much power they have, with a 200mm rotor on the front, and 180 on the back I don't worry at all about slowing down, and there's just no effort required to get huge power. They bedded in in no time, I thiought I'd tak it easy on their first run but they seemed to be working at full strength after about 50 metres. No hestation in recommending these, they worked perfectly out of the box. Can't comment on how they compare to similar produsts as I've only used hope minis on my XC bike, and they have trouble slowing me down with a 180mm rotor on he front.
Submitted by
quinndo
a Downhiller
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2009
Strengths: Crazy stopping power, without effort
Weaknesses: Expensive
Bottom Line:
Believe the hype. These brakes are the schiznit! Took a couple of tries to get the bleed right, but once I had the right amount of fluid and got the brakes "bedded in", the experience was amazing. Never knew slowing down could be so precise and intentional.
And bleeding was not really that hard... in fact it was my first time ever cutting hydraulic brake lines. Just left them in a stand vertically overnight to allow bubbles to rise up to the top.
Also many have made comments about the actuation being too close to the bars. I disagree with this, as I am able to adjust the levers to engage in different spots. It took a call to Formula USA - and they instructed me to pump the brakes a few times with the rotors removed, just to help get the pistons set in better (but not so much that you can't get the rotors back in).
Strengths: Huge stopping power, great feel and modulation, light enough for XC race application--all in one brake. Best brake ever!
Weaknesses: This brake is very fuzzy with the amount of brake fluid in it. Poor factory bleeding work.
Bottom Line:
This brake is amazing in terms of stopping power and modulation. It is also very light. But what impresses me most is that I can "feel" the action and I can get the feedback from the lever. Only the Italians know how to do this sort of science and arts blend.
On the other side of the coin, this brake is as fuzzy as a Ferrari when it comes to setting up and adjustments. Mine came with excessive brake fluid in it it grabs a rotor all the time so I need to bleed a few drops out.
Mind you, too much bleeding and a lever travel will be too much before a contact. So you need to add some brake fluid back in. You may need to do it a few times until you find your optimal point. This can be painful to some.
Be sure to READ THE BLEEDING MANUAL! Else this brake can become a pain in the neck.
DOT4 brake fluid is not paint friendly. Factory bleeding job (also remind me of another side of the Italians :)) left some DOT4 residue outside, causing a paint to peel off but I am too lazy to return the unit since I am very happy with its performance now.
Similar Products Used: Shimano XTR, Magura Martha, Hope Mini/M4, Hayes Mag
Bike Setup: Trek Session 77
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
hockeynut91
a Downhiller
from Timmins, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2009
Strengths: Absolutely AMAZING power, good modulation, I like all of the external adjustments, Made in Italy, and very very light!
Weaknesses: levers aren't very well designed but i now have Twenty 6 dualie ones for it and I would suggest those.
Pain to bleed.
Bottom Line:
Absolutely Amazing brake, great power (most powerful brake on the market) while still being the lightest!. I personally like the modulation and adjustments but like I said i didnt like the stock levers. More of a niche brake since they are quite expensive. But hey your paying for the best brake on the Market
Similar Products Used: Juicy 7, Mega, Gustav, Code's
Bike Setup: Big Hit, 888 RC2X VA, Rocco WC push'd, Straitline pedals, holzfeller bar/crank. MRP G2, Odi Grips, E 13 Guide ring, MTX rims
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
YeahWhatever
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2009
Strengths: Light weight, excellent quality of materials, well made
Weaknesses: Too much lever travel before pad engagement
Bottom Line:
This brake has lots of power and modulation. It exudes quality as is very well made. My problem with "The One" is that there is too much lever travel before the brake engages. I like to set up my brakes so that the lever has almost no travel before they engage, and this is impossible to do with the Formula "The One" model. I called customer support at Formula after bleeding them three times and they confirmed that this trait was part of their "one finger braking" design. For me, this was unacceptable and I switched to Avid Elixir CR. Problem solved.
best brake so far. it's lighter than other dh promoted brakes (450 gr lighter than the codes), it's powerful and it has great modulation.
Plus...a great feeling at your fingers ;)
