The quad-piston caliper looks good on the bike due to its narrow shape and compact design. It also allows a larger brake pad to be used with a narrow rotor. The stainless steel rotor features a drilled-out pattern to reduce weight and aid cooling. Available in Fronts with 51mm caliper or 74mm caliper to fit Manitou. Kit includes caliper, rotor, lever, and hardware. Hoses sold separately 421g
Strengths: Modulation great, stopping power good, lots of adjustments.
Weaknesses: Durability, leaking problem, not re-build able
Bottom Line:
The brakes worked horrible when I first got them but was because of the resin pads-they suck for any type of downhill, even if you go easy. I switched to the metals and they worked fine. The rear caliper started leaking 10 months after I got it but shimano warranted it. They are not rebuild able (according to shimano) and you can't find rebuild kits, so when they leak they are dead. Very annoying. When working they modulate good and work well (no better then the hayes fxs I had on my trance) I wouldn't recommend these because of the leaking issues and because you cant rebuild them. If you have a choice don't buy these. If they come stock on your rig no big deal, just know they may leak and put metals pads on.
Strengths: Light, Strong, Easy setUp, Powerfull, Modular, Reach and pad adjustment.
Weaknesses: None `till now.
Bottom Line:
Just Upgraded from Juicy 3. I do agressive riding AM. The XT 09 are very ease to set up. No rub in the rotors. Easy to bleed. easy to change the pads ... and the best part (wich i like) a very modulated feel. Awsome feel on the lever (easy adjustment) and the power is there when you need it (180 rotors front and back). No fuss brakes that work (no fade or wobbling). First opinion ... Nice / good brakes - very nice lever feel (if you like modulation).. open up new lines on the trail/single track ...
Bike Setup: Cannondale Prophet. XT Crankset. Mavics. Lefty Carbon SPV Max - 180 rotor - front and back. Sram drive train.
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Submitted by
dirt_merchant
a Weekend Warrior
from Philly
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2009
Strengths: **This review is for the quad piston calipers** Super feel and modulation, super durable. I have had these brakes for almost 10 years!
Weaknesses: A little tricky to set up because you have to use spacers but that is it!
Bottom Line:
**This review is for the quad piston calipers**
These are the best brakes EVER! I bought these way back in 2000, maybe even before that, and they are still working like when they were new! All I ever had to do was bleed them to get out the old oil and refresh with new, and it is soooo easy, not like any other brakes on the market. These things are so strong and durable! You can still buy these brakes on eBay so if you want a super reliable and strong set of calipers, get these. You can lace them up to any Shimano levers too which is nice.
Similar Products Used: Shimano XT and Saint new double piston calipers (not happy with them) Hayes HFX9 (horrible) and Hayes stroker (nice so far)
Bike Setup: I have these calipers on my Cannondale Gemini trail bike as well as my Rocky Mountain RMX DH rig. I started out way back using the original XT levers but upgraded to Saint Levers
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Submitted by
Jules Evans
a Cross Country Rider
from hobart, tas
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2008
Strengths: Very strong braking power!
Light.
Very adjustable
easy to bleed
Weaknesses: designed for big hands.
setting up shifters close to fingers is a bit tricky if you want these as 1 finger wonder brakes.
Bottom Line:
Great brakes for my big hands. Anybody with small hands or short fingers may struggle with these.
Modulation and overall power is fantastic.
Adjustability is great although the phillips head screw doesn't seem to move the pads much just the levers which is what the black knobs do so maybe a bit useless.
Calliper and pad setup is excellent.
Strengths: This review is for the xt 765's. Solid lever feel. Good modulation. Zero rotor drag. Easy bleed pushing fluid from caliper to lever.
Weaknesses: Centerlock rotor only unless you use an adapter.
Bottom Line:
Excellent brake set. Modulation is on par or even better than my juicy's and no more turkey warbling sound. If you are in the market for a no fuss set it and forget it disk brake system these may just be for you....
I got these after based on the reviews here after being very disappointed with the reliability and durability of the hope stuff.
and I have to say I LOVE THESE BRAKES!
strong good feel they have everything a freerider wants from their brakes.
got mine on e bay for 60quid with 203mm disks and brackets and this combination of large disks and 4 pots give IMO much better performance than M4 monos.
They do have to be accurately shimmed to avoid drag but once set they seem bomb proof.
Submitted by
sothira
a Weekend Warrior
from NorCal
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2008
Strengths: Excellent power and modulation. Incredibly low maintenance.
Weaknesses: Steel lines mean fixed length, and they scratch paint. Shimano pads howl like pigs.
Bottom Line:
I bought these nearly seven years, Shimano's first year, I believe. I rode them a few years before I ever changed the oil! Power is as strong as the Hayes I've ridden, and provide better feel. Rarely, the disc will rub a little more than extremely minorly, but it seems to vanish after a ride. I use EBC pads, since the Shimanos howled like mad. I wish all my bike parts lasted this long, worked this well, and required so little care. The only person I wouldn't recommend these to would be a fanatical weight weenie.
Submitted by
Fritz Lehr
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2008
Strengths: Powerful braking, never squeals(I will not keep brakes that squeal), great ergonomic lever design, reliability, braided steel lines
Weaknesses: Heavier than the current line of brakes offered, adjusting/alignment not as easy as Avid system, braided steel lines can scratch frame if not secured, slightly squishy feel of lever, but rarely notice it on the trail
Bottom Line:
These have been a great brakes. MBA Magazine once said they felt like they could stop a motorcycle, but I don't feel they are that strong. Perhaps because I am a bigger rider at 205lbs. I recently tried out a pair of Juicy 7 with 7" rotor and my XT brakes easily have the same amount of braking power. Also, for whatever reason, almost every Juicy 7 brake I have tried squeals which I can't stand and the brake lever is terrible. I didn't like the Avid Mechanicals I owned, they feel grabby where the XT seem to modulate much more. V-brakes just feel weak compared to discs and inconsistent. On rare occasions I have felt just a little fade with the XT Discs, but nothing that made me feel I needed a different or better brake. I have never had a bake squeal problem or a reliability issue. In fact, I have only bled them once for the almost 4 years that I have owned them. The only drawback is the weight when compared with some of the newer brake systems. The new XTR stuff is significantly lighter, but I haven't tried them out on the trail. For the money I spent, the reliability and just plain great brakes they were well worth it. Hopefully, when it comes time to replace them I can get the same value in a new set as I had with these.
Bike Setup: 2003 Santa Cruz Blur(Classic), Marzocchi Marathon S, 2007 XTR Cranks, Shifter and Rear Derailler, XTR Disc hubs & XTR 6" rotors, Mavic 317s, XT cassette, Monkey Lite bars, XTR Pedals
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Submitted by
Thu Beav
a Cross Country Rider
from Decatur, GA, USA, Duh.
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2007
Strengths: They just work. No issues.
Weaknesses: Perhaps weight and they aren't too esthetically pleasing. They could have a little more bling-itude.
Bottom Line:
I just changed the XTR metal pads out after ? a year. The pads were shot. Read the package and fully depress the pistons before replacing the brakes. Remove the wheel and don't lever off of the rotor and use a plastic tire tool so as not to scratch anything. Then you re set the lateral adjust by loosening the allen bolts on the brake calipers, pinch the lever to hold the rotor and retighten. Then you're all centered up and ready to ride. MICHAEL LIKES BRAKES has got a great suggestion there to paint the calipers red. Why didn't I think of that. Next week though. It's already Friday nite and too late for my ride on Sunday.
Strengths: They have a simplistic design and are very easy to disassemble and replace pads.
Weaknesses: They are somewhat difficult to adjust and the pads wear out quickly. Also, when you squeeze the brake lever, there seems to be a rather "squishy" feel.
Bottom Line:
If you enjoy adjusting your brakes and buying new pads you should get these. Or you could purchase different brakes
Strengths: Power, modulation and consistency. Exquisite quality, pads have long life. Don't fade on the big downhills.
Weaknesses: Front brake squeals like a pig.
Bottom Line:
Fantastic power and modulation. Consistent, relaible, no fade when the going gets tough. Possibly overkill on the Superlight but we have some big hills here in New Zealand. They take some time to set up right and I had problems fitting the adaptor bracket to the '06 MX pro eta forks. Ended up polishing some metal off the post mounts to ensure bracket fitted perfectly. Pad life is good, six months and still on originals. Suspect new pads may fix squealing problem. Definitly recommended.
Submitted by
westin
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2006
Strengths: Excellent modulation, easy pad changes, mineral oil, great power.
Weaknesses: Hoses are expensive if you need longer lengths.
Bottom Line:
The oldie but goodie. Kinda heavy but bombproof. Absolutely no complaints. Know how good these are? I don't even think about "what if" when I grab the lever. Modulation is tops via 4 pistons and durability is bombproof. I had the Juicy 7 and Magura Marta and blah blah. Most brakes have a lot of good attributes, but most have one "flaw" that takes away from the overall package. I sold all of them to run the 755 calipers, and I have not regretted it one second.
Try to find a good deal on eBay. I got front and rear for $145!
Anyone know where OR who might have a NEW Shimano XT BR-M755 Rear Disk for sale?
looked all over can't find a rear set up. Please help me.
If not I will go with a new XT/XTR hy Read More »
[B]need help!!!![/B]
I have three breaks:
[B]1.xt m755
2.avid juicy 7
3.XT BL-M756 + XTR BR-M965 [/B]
which one is the BEST choose?
thank you Read More »
XPost from Braketime Forum
Hoping I could get some information from the large experience/thought pool of mtbr
1) What's the evolution of the 4 piston brake design? I seem to Read More »
XPost from Shimano Forum
Hoping I could get some information from the large experience/thought pool of mtbr
1) What's the evolution of the 4 piston brake design? I seem to re Read More »
