Submitted by
Bane
a Downhiller
from Zajecar,Srbija
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2011
Strengths: I have owned Saint 810,new SLX,and tried ma
ny other. This brake is sweet. Cheap,easy to use and maintain and does the job. I am 124kg and no problems with overheating or power.
Similar Products Used: Saint 810,SLX,Juicy 7,Formula...
Bike Setup: Opium 7
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Submitted by
hoolie
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland CA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2011
Strengths: These are the best brakes in their category as far as I am concerned, especially for an average price. On sale even better. Great adjustability reach/stroke. EASY to bleed/replace oil. East to adjust calipers
Weaknesses: Need to keep Caliper pistons clean. Alcohol on Q-tips very easy.
Bottom Line:
I never have a problem w these(CA Temperature is mild). See guys try brake after brake w/ problems then try XT and are happy. I change Mineral oil every yr. Also, I have wimpy 160mm rotors. 180 are probably even better. Sometimes we descend 1500-2000 ft at a time and they never fade.
Similar Products Used: Hayes El Camino, Juicy five(good), Saint single piston(2 not 4)good,
Bike Setup: GT Carbon Marathon Pro, Niner SIR 9
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Submitted by
voodoochild
a Cross Country Rider
from berkely, CA, usa
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2011
Strengths: Relatively easy to set up and bleed.
Nice adjusters for reach and power/lever "feel".
Best ergo/feeling lever of any brake I've used, reminds me of the XTR v-brake lever.
Great modulation/feel, not like some brakes (hayes) that have a distinct "on/off" feel.
Weaknesses: Post-mounts suck when it comes to trying to align the caliper.
Uses mineral oil -- a mixed bag, really -- while there's no worry about eating paint, the brakes do tend to pump up a little on longer descents which I'd attribute to the mineral oil. It's not a deal breaker (I have these brakes on 3 bikes, I like them that much) but I do notice it.
No split clamp so you have to remove grips to get the lever off.
The pads they come with stock squeal like mad in the wet.
Bottom Line:
While I've listed a bunch of little complaints, these really are very nice brakes for xc use.
I might try them on my nomad, but I tend to ride that bike on steeper stuff with lots of heavy braking and would have to wonder about the (minor) pump issue.
If you're riding xc trails without too many extended descents (where you're going to be really heating up the brakes) I'd give these a shot, I think you'll like 'em.
Similar Products Used: Disc brakes from Shimano, Magura (never again), Avid, and Hayes (strokers, not bad but a little too "on/off").
Bike Setup: singlespeed.
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Submitted by
qbngringo
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2011
Strengths: Strong, lots of pad clearance, silent except when wet, solid construction
Weaknesses: Weight, not the fanciest brakes
Bottom Line:
I am using these brakes right now and love them. They have a lot more pad clearance than my Elixir CR's which made noise all the time and were nearly impossible to get adjusted so you had no drag. These shimano's have been completely quite except when wet and are plenty strong. They are a little heavy and expensive but are very good brakes.
Similar Products Used: Elixir CR, Juicy 3 & 5, BB5
Bike Setup: Rip 9
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Submitted by
thechez
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2011
Strengths: Utilitarian, looks, strength, MINERAL OIL!, ease of bleeding, availability of parts
Weaknesses: Weight, pads are LOUD when dirty
Bottom Line:
I scored some XTs for a buddy and felt them on his bike and was sold instantly. In comparison to my old Hayes they have modulation! First time out, after buying them used on mtbr classifieds, they were squealing like a dead woman howling for her children! I was close to selling them pronto. Instead, I read up and used brake cleaner and baked the pads and they are now silent! LOTS of power and I'm only running 160 Alligator rotors. I have a 180 for the front but I don't think I'll need it. The feel of the lever is incredible and they never squealed or faded on a good 7 mile downhill. They're a little more heavy than the Carbons but for the modulation, adjustability, mineral oil vs DOT and power, I'll take a minor weight penalty.
Last but not least, every single part is available through Universal so I feel secure for the future. At retail, they're expensive, but they are really solid brakes that are no frills but work the best that I've tried.
Not a good brake from Shimano. Poor modulation and never felt strong. On 30-degree rides this brake would rub like crazy: Shimano response: "uhh yeah we don't guarantee this brake under 30-degrees" During a race in JULY, the front seals blow out. Shimano warranty'd the caliper, which blow up again in December! Hey Shimano, quit pawning your junk off on the honest working man; I bet the XTR versions don't break every other month during "use". Or advertise XT for "light trail use only".
Similar Products Used: Magura, Hope, Formula, Avid, Sram
Bike Setup: MTB, whatever
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Submitted by
wishywashy7
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2011
Strengths: loads of power, excellent modulation, no fade on long descents
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I upgraded my Avid BB7 and Deore XT complete brake set-up and I would say it definitely equals the BB7 in terms of power. It is actually much more responsive than a BB7 with Gore cables. Brake pad clearance with the rotor is much more than my BB7 for the same brake feel. It is TRUE ONE FINGER BRAKING. I've used the Avid BB7 for the better part of a decade...this blows it clear out of the water!
Submitted by
KO
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2010
Strengths: Works great in warm weather.
Weaknesses: 08 model does not work at all in cold weather, the pistons do not retract. Had the brakes bled, worked fine in the shop. Put the bike on top of my car for the 5 minute ride home. Once I got home the pistons did not retract
Bottom Line:
Will never buy Shimano brakes again.
Shimano told me that if I plan to ride in below 40F weather I should put the bike inside the car when I drive to the trail head.
Strengths: easy reach adjust, quiet, good stopping power
Weaknesses: could use a little bit more bite
Bottom Line:
good brakes that are easy to adjust it seems. i wish they had a little bit more sensitivity and stopping power, but they handle well, are extremely predictable and are whisper quiet.
i also have not felt any brake fade on long descents like i used to get on my magura martas. i haven't bled them yet (they're only a month old) but hope it's not too much brain damage
Strengths: -well made
-consistent
-tool less reach adj
Weaknesses: -STOCK PADS!!!
-lever feel (pivot location)
-servo wave is a joke...
-power kicks in to fast (you can get used to it...)
-lack of ability to lock up the front wheel in tight situations, lack of end stroke power
-weight, ...in comparison
Bottom Line:
my rear formula bianco (superb brakes) went bust (mc) so i was in a search for a new set of brakes. rx was just impossible to get a hold of so i had to decide between 775 and elixir. i demo-ed 775 with stock pads 180/160, add boy oh boy, did they suck...
they were less powerful than biancos with organic, and biancos are less powerful than elixir with sintered, so i went for elixir and i did not regret my decision.
my friend was also very frustrated with stock pads so he took my advice and got some sintered pads for the front brake. organic pads still can do the job in the rear.
sintered pads made a huge difference, they added quite a lot of power and consistency.
i'm a big guy (90kg) and i usually find myself in a situation when i have to lock up my front wheel to tackle some tight bends, on very steep descents while the brakes are already overheated, and tis brake is just not capable of doing such a thing even with sintered pads.
another thing that really bugs ME is lever ergonomics; pivot is far away from the bars and that creates unnatural feel when you're squeezing the lever hard (i am so convinced by avid power reverse, i will never buy a brake with radial mc, new formulas included)
and yeah, they could just increase mechanical lever ratio instead of fiddling with servo that really does nothing more than above mentioned system does.
HOWEVER, you just can't ignore the quality that is screaming from these brakes. and the fact that these brakes don't fit my riding style doesn't mean that they will not fit yours, especially if you are lighter rider and if you prefer braking with two middle fingers.
my advice; demo these brakes, they may easily fulfill your needs, and if you decide to get them, for the love of God change the stock pads, at least in the front.
to conclude, these are great brakes as long as you are convinced that they have enough power for your riding style and weight.
i'm also convinced that you can get as good or better brake for the money.
Bike Setup: my friends bike i demo-ed: ktm al hardtail, reba, dt swiss wheels, syntace cockpit
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Submitted by
Slowup
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver BC
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2010
Strengths: Powerfull enough, consistent, excellent lever feel, good clearance for Gripshift.
Weaknesses: None now!
Bottom Line:
Impressive brakes. After having my original '07 XT's replaced under warranty because of the cold weather leaking issue, I have been very happy with the performance of these brakes. So happy in fact that the Elixirs that came with my Altitude are in semi-retiremnt after only 2 months.
Submitted by
mjcort27
a Weekend Warrior
from El Dorado Hills, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2010
Strengths: Power, responsiveness, accuracy
Weaknesses: What is this servo wave feature? Not really a weakness.
Bottom Line:
Had a XTR 975 brake levers with an XT 775 caliper, the levers where not really that powerful. Switched to XTs 775 levers and solved the problem. Awesome performance. I had to sell the XTR for cheap to my friend. Good job shimano.
Submitted by
Nomadic Buckeye
a Weekend Warrior
from Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2010
Strengths: Good power and modulation
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
I've had these brakes for 2 years and have only had to change pads. They're still very firm at the handlebar. I've done NO MAINTENANCE on them. They're perfect.
