Strengths: I have complete faith in these brakes- they will stop me as and when needed. Have proved totally reliable for the last year. Reasonably priced. Easy to setup.
Weaknesses: I can imagine them having a little more modulation, but that might reduce the stopping power so I don't mind. They modulate pretty good anyways.
Bottom Line:
They do everything asked of them and are totally reliable- if all other MTB components were the same bike shops would be going out of business.
Bike Setup: Using these with XTR rotors now. Had XT rotors but they were too thin & noisy. Didn't want the SAINT rotors as that would have required a hub change.
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Submitted by
Will Hamling
a Weekend Warrior
from U.K
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2007
Strengths: Powerful and well modulated. Well made. Reliable
Weaknesses: had some problems with the pads, that's maybe because my first 3 rides were in the rain. Rotors can screech quite a bit
Bottom Line:
Apart from the screeching and some problems with the pads I am pretty pleased with these brakes. I think they are very good value for money but maybe not quite as good as the Formula Oro with the big disc or Magura Louise but certainly better thatn the Hope M4 and much more reliable.
Similar Products Used: Magura Louies, Formula Oro K24, Hope M4
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Submitted by
Pongee
a Weekend Warrior
from Shah Alam, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2006
Strengths: Modulation, control, feel, brake power, nice colour, quite (with resin pads), and did I mention modulation.
Weaknesses: Weight?
Bottom Line:
I have to qualify this review as my Saint calipers come with XT levers and 6" XT rotors, and the price paid excluded the rotors. I decided to make the move to hydro's when building my new ML. After a year of constantly adjusting my BB7's and having them squeal at me all the time, I had a look around and discovered that all my friends that were using Shimano hydro's had 0 problems.
Make no mistake, the BB7's are surely the best mech disc system out there, but they are very sensitive to cable condition, and are a little wanting in the modulation department. I only have 60km on these puppies, but boy, what a difference.
Modulation is extremely good, and the ability to precisely meter out braking power down a tricky and slippery descent is a huge boon. I had several over the weekend, and was progressively getting more confident and able to travel a little faster down the slopes knowing I was in control.
Initially it felt like they didn't quite have the power of the BB7's, but this isn't the case, as you soon get used to the braking pressure required, and I think it feels more natural. Also, there seems to be no sign of fade (even on the resin pads) and they simply don't squeal under heavy/prolonged braking.
So far no sign of any brake rub or uneven braking either, and the much lower maintenance required has simply sealed the deal for me. Highly recommended.
Similar Products Used: Juicy 5, Juicy 7, Formula Oro Puro
Bike Setup: 29er geared hardtail...but I've had them on my 4" full-squish 29er also..they shine everywhere...
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Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2005
Strengths: Power and Modulation ratio
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I got these to have pro level equipment and also to replace my Hayes HFX Comp Disc brakes that I have. The new Saint brakes blow any and all Hayes brakes (IMHO) out of the water. Shimano has giving these brakes the perfect power/modulation ratio you could ever ask, may be a little heavy, but I haven't notice it yet. Get these brakes, you won't be disappointed.
Also I gave the price without rotors, just used my current centerlock rotors that I used with my Hayes.
Strengths: Super stoppingpower, easy to set up, looks killer!
Weaknesses: That it took Shimano a full year to realize that a pair of SAINT branded brakelevers would be a nice compliment to the SAINT calipers! other than that, none realy!
Bottom Line:
I built my bike up with Hayes HFX-Mag 6" brakes from the start, these are brakes that has served me well in the past but that did not prove to be the point with the pair i got stuck with. After looking back and forth between HOPE and Shimano i went for the shimanos.
These brakes have proven to be as powerful as i thought they would be, and with a nice and easy feel..
I picked 6" rotors do to the fact that they were going to go on my street bike, and 8" can get dangeresly close to curbes and what not. And with the SAINT brakes the power is more than enough with the "small rotors".
A cool feauture is that you get 2 pairs of brakepads with each brake, a nice tuch.
I have my brakes set up with XT rotors with international standard 6 bolt mounting, wich works perfect. I will how ever build a new backwheel with the SAINT hub and deralliur combo soon. (its a shame that there isent a Lefty compatible SAINT front hub)
Well ill stop rambeling here, get these brakes, you wount be dissapointed. Sure there are people who are against shimano becouse you find their stuff everywhere, but you do that of a sertain reason, you cant go wrong with shimano..
