The Shimano Saint Assembled Hydraulic Disc Brake Set uses a dual-piston system for increased power and modulation when it really matters. Years of R&D and testing by pro freeriders like Thomas Vanderham have led to a totally dialed system. These breaks provide up to 50% more power over older Saint versions, so you won't worry about arm pump when you drop into the steep. Whether you're pinning a DH race run or need something to stop your big freeride bike, you can count on this pre-assembled syst
Submitted by
Sarkons
a Downhiller
from Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2012
Strengths: Very good stopping power, once engaged it locks on. Very sturdy casing on the breaks, seems rather indestructible.
Weaknesses: None that i've found so far, except the stopping power is too good.
Bottom Line:
Shimano saints were probably one of the best investments i've made for my bike. If your looking for a reliable break that does the job and looks sexy on the trail. This break is for you.
Similar Products Used: Juicy's, CR Mags and Hayes way back
Bike Setup: SC VP-Free
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Submitted by
armada1111
a Weekend Warrior
from Zürich Switzerland
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2011
Strengths: I am a 250 pounds athletic guy and I have never owned such reliable brakes. Great modulation and no fading. I also have much less brake pad use than with other brands. They stop me on a dime.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Buy them and you will not regret - for met the best bikes on the market - great power and no hazel!
Submitted by
Jeepnut22
a Cross Country Rider
from Va.
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2011
Strengths: Power, modulation, ease of use... Oh, and let me mention POWER!
Weaknesses: Price posted is retail. You can do better. Either way, it costs to play with the big boys...
Bottom Line:
These aren't cheap, but they are worth EVERY PENNY! Insane power, great modulation, all weather beasts.
These brakes are sick. Conquer East Coast nonsense and West Coast baller trails with ease. Only downside is the cost to play with serious brakes. Nothing else could play in this ball park. Anyone that tells you these are TOO MUCH BRAKE are just a bunch of haters...
Similar Products Used: avid code tektro aurigra pro
Bike Setup: umf freddy 2 boxxer world cup, marzocchi roco
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Submitted by
mkrp1976
a Weekend Warrior
from Britain
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2010
Strengths: Power, looks, never fade! I have a set of these on my hardtail and my dowhill bike. I have used hayes and various avid brakes and they are not a patch on shimao saints! Once you get used to the power of these you wont want to use any other brake!!
Weaknesses: The standard pads in these are rubbish! Yes they are powerful but because they have a slight amount of play inside the calipers they squeel,howl nd vibrate like hell when under serious load. If you buy these brakes also buy a set of Goodrich Sintered pads to go with these. They have zero squeel and are actually more powerful than the standard shimano pads.
Bottom Line:
Great great brakes, just ditch the crap standard pads and get the goodrich ones which is the only reason why I havent given these and overall rating of 5/5. Dont beilve the total rubbish about modulation. They just feel different to the norm and people dont like change do they!!!! Once you get used to the way they feel you'll love them.
Similar Products Used: Hayes, avid juicy, avid elixir.
Bike Setup: Trek Session FR and DMR Exalt hardtail custom build.
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Submitted by
E.L.
a Downhiller
from Granada Hills, CA, US
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2010
Strengths: Amazing stopping power, lever design
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
These brakes are awesome and extremely strong. I can easily stop with only one finger unlike some of the other brakes and at $350 for both, it was definitely worth it.
Submitted by
Lycra Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno, NV USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2010
Strengths: Excellent full-range modulation. Easy pull for lots of power.
Weaknesses: None yet. Oh, wait... they don't come with rotors.
Bottom Line:
They give me the best skid control of any brake I've ever used. The last brake I used was a pair of Avid Codes, which were very good brakes, when they worked. The issue with the Codes, and I didn't really know it until I upgraded, was that they really didn't modulate very well in the 50-100 percent range. You know how some brakes are great in the 20-30-40 percent range and then, it's all the way to 100? All I can say is that the Saint 810 brakes allowed me to tap into that unfamiliar range and I like it!
Oh, and they are very powerful.
And they are so easy to bleed. All you need is a piece of tubing. Far superior to the crazy adapter/syringe set-up that Avid uses. And if they are anything like my old 960XTR series brakes, the ones I bought new back in late 2002, you won't need to bleed them often, as they just seem to keep working and working.
Similar Products Used: Aviid Juicy 3,5,7 ,Hayes HFX 9 xc,HD,mag , Hope Mono6Ti, Magura gustav
Bike Setup: 2006 Ellsworth Dare,Fox 40RC2,Fox Dhx 5.0, Atomlab DHR wheels, Saint components. Other bike is 05 Santa Cruz V10 White bros DH2 fork,Fox Dhx 5.0, Arrow racing wheels hadley hubs.
Strengths: Amazing brakes, Massive stopping power, I could brake with my pinkie all day with them. On the fly reach adjustment. Never Fades. Easy as 1 2 3 to bleed. a 10 year old kid could bleed them.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
So far the best brakes i tried. Worth the upgrade.
3 days of riding on them, rediculous power. i had to relearn how to brake with these brakes. you can brake very late into a corner and scrub just the right amount of speed. modulation is incredible on these you can really feel when the pads start to engage the rotors. pad contact and lever adjust work very well also.
plus they look bad ass!
Similar Products Used: juicy's, codes, elixer's, formula's, hayes, xtr's
Bike Setup: o7 SxTrail with a totem.
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Submitted by
tony450x
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, Aus
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2010
Strengths: stunning stopping power and great modulation. have never had any sign of fade or overheating
Weaknesses: can lock up very easy in wet
Bottom Line:
Great product you really do get what you pay for. But be aware that these seem to gain power as they get wet. If your looking for amazing stopping power and the ability to keep going beyond the limits of many of the other brakes on the market then these are for you. But if you ride consists of only short descents and fairly falt ground where large amounts of braking power isn't required then these may be a bit of overkill.
