Submitted by
Cliff Hughes
a Weekend Warrior
from SA ,CA Date Reviewed: June 16, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Good weight looks great with th lines, nice modulation.
Weaknesses:
Brake lever setup is limited and they rub a bit. The power could be more. Air can get into the calipers from the reservoir. Stock pads are not the best and after market replacements are better. Difficult to find spares.
Similar Products Used:
Magura, Hope, Shimano and Formula.
Bike Setup:
Spec Enduro
Bottom Line:
Good brakes but with a few reservations. Mine rub a bit and get hot but that seems not to do any harm. I have also found that changing the pads makes them better. You need to transport the bike in an upright position because otherwise the air in the system goes to the calipers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Squamish, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: October 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Cheap Thrills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
North Shore Bike Swap
Strengths:
Great braking power, no fade Once set up you can forget them Gold brake lines always draw a crowd
I got these brakes when I purchased the bike second hand. Although I know they aren't making them anymore, I don't need them too, I can update my rotors anytime, and the Shimano pads will be around forever. The brakes work great. The only downside is adjustment. It may just be the adapters I got with them, but there is no freedom to adjust them side-to-side. When I bought the bike there were a few spacers in between the caliper housing and the brake mounts on the frame and I had some disc rubbing. Finding additional spacers that made the fit just right was a pain, next time I need to do any adjusting I may look for different adapters. My value rating ishigh as I got a great deal on the whole bike, and these are way beter than my Hayes ever were.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas Date Reviewed: May 28, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$170.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Great modulation, somewhat light, v. powerful when needed. Cheap compared to Hope's or Marta SL's.
Weaknesses:
Hard to find anymore. Hope pads are available for several more years.
Similar Products Used:
Shi@#mano, Hayes
Bike Setup:
Titus Racer X 100 w/ Fox F100X forks, 5th Element shock and X0 drivetrain. Next LP carbon cranks & Eggbeater pedals. Maxm carbon bars and seatpost. 9.0 disc brakes & frt. derail.!
Bottom Line:
V. happy w/this choice of disc brakes. Single finger braking is v. linear and controllable. Use two fingers to brake and they're still linear but MUCH more powerful. Braided lines look great! Once setup, ZERO adjustments needed. Anyone that trys the Titus; the top two things they mention are how nice the frame rides and how they love the brakes!
Might try Juicy's after these die or can't find parts anymore but not until then!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gabi
a Weekend Warrior
from Tel Aviv, Israel Date Reviewed: December 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mt Carmel Singletracks
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
I do not like hardpack trails, and I felt my V-brakes were not powerful enough. This brake works flawlessly, lot of stopping power, no technical problems, and they did well in really step descents
Weaknesses:
Seems they stopped manufacturing it... Not cheap, but you get what you pay for...
Four piston brakes, lot of stopping power (be careful if you come from V-brakes like myself, or you'll be ballistic :), little pricey
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Raul Campos
a Weekend Warrior
from Coimbra, Portugal Date Reviewed: January 6, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
BikeComp Racing
Strengths:
Light, powerfull (I have the shimano 203mm disc, with shimano pads), they do not fade, look coll as well...
Weaknesses:
I had some problems with the DOT4 fluid... it kept loosing the "touch". Anyway, I changed it with DOT 5.1 and it's much better. The pads and the rotor aren't that great either... I changed the pads for the XT pads (much better) and the rotor got damaged (they changed it for free), and I replaced it for a Shimano 203mm disc (much more powerfull)
DiamondBack Jump Comp, '02 Z1 FR QR20, FSA X-Drives, Tioga Stem/Handlebars, SRAM's brakes, Shimano LX Shifter with 105 deraileur. Front Wheel: Marzocchi 20mm Hub laced to DoubleTrack. Back Whell: Dabomb 12mm hub laced to 321
Bottom Line:
They are ok. I like the way the brake, but I had some problems (new disc 40$, new pads 20$), new fluid... I also had to buy a new hose (45$) 'cause it broke on a crash, but that's not the brake's fault. Anyway, the only original thing I have is the calliper, and the levers/body. I'm looking to buy the old style XT. Basically the same thing, but work better from my/my mates experience.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Smith
a
from Newmarket, Ontario Date Reviewed: November 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Urban
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Spoke O Motion
Strengths:
Using washers to center up the caliper is much better, and more reliable, it may take a little longer, but after that no problems ever. These brakes are also extremely easy to bleed, as long as u have the bleed kit. 4 - pistons give great modulation, and plenty of stopping power. DRAG FREE. Good looks, works well, and not too expensive. Best Brake I have tried yet.
Weaknesses:
If your bike is turned upside down, u must wait for all the air to go back up to the levers, may make the brake feel like you have lost fluid, no worries, give it 5 minutes, they are good as new.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes HMX-1, Hayes HMX-2, Avid Mechanical, Hayes HFX-9, Hayes Comp, Formula Hydraulic, Gremica System 8(same brake), Shimano XT(same brake, but with mineral oil)
Bike Setup:
Frame: DMR Sidekick Brakes: SRAM 9.0 Hydraulic Discs Stem: Easton EA-70 Bar: Easton CT2 Headset: Chris King Fork: RST - soon to be a Marzocchi FR Rims: Mavic D521 Hubs: Shimano - Soon to be Chris King Derailleur: XTR Crank: Truvativ Holzfeller Shifters: Deore
Bottom Line:
These are sick brakes, recommended. Have had no problems with these or Griumeca System 8's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gordon
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, Idaho Date Reviewed: October 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hull's
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Braided lines look great in gold, allow more positive feel than plastic. Ease of setup. Four piston action with great feeling levers.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Magura, Hayes
Bike Setup:
Kona Stinky, fairly stock with a triple ring.
Bottom Line:
Maguras work well and you don't ever have to look at them again once you get them setup, but getting them set up is a chore ! Hayes...just not impressed with them, I'd expect more for the money, that's why they're specd' on so many bikes from the manufacturer along with Deore grade components ! The SRAM 9's took a little time to set up but were a breeze compared to other brands. Very straight forward if you follow the directions. No squealing as of yet. They fit my Kona frame perfect, but my Marzocchi fork took a little work. I used a whet stone, medium grade, to grind the paint off the brake bosses, doing both at once assurred me a flat and parallel surface on them. Once I got to bare metal, I fit the brake, had to take off a little more metal with the stone and then viola...the brakes were aligned almost perfect. For the money, I can't think of a better choice. I've always like Maggies, but I don't think I'll ever go back now that I know life can be easier and better !!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Troutdale, OR. USA Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Lewis River
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$320.00
Purchased At:
Fat Tire Farm
Strengths:
Light weight, great looks, super control, quite ride
Weaknesses:
Only have had the product for less than a month, but so far the testing I've done shows this brake system rocks! So much control that you feel you can do just about anything on your bike from fast all out running to tech stuff.
Similar Products Used:
Avid Mechanical Disc
Bike Setup:
2001 GT 3.0 I-Drive, SID World Cup, Raceface Next LP, Easton carbon bar and seat post, WTB Laser V, XTR rd/ XT fd, Fox Float RL, LX shifters, Syncros rims, with Sunrace hubs, XT 12-34 cassette 9SPD, Time ATAC Z pedals, SRAM 9.0 brakes F/R, Avid FlackJacket wires
Bottom Line:
I have run these brakes on trails aroud my house a lot of tech stuff sand, rocks, water, light mud. Some steep down hills sections the SRAM 9.0 system rocks! I don't know how long the break-in is on these brakes, but the people at Fat Tire Farm installed them on my bike. They said they get better after break-in. I will do a follow up after I pass 3 months.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO USA Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Deer Creek, CO
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$279.00
Purchased At:
PricePoint
Strengths:
Light weight, four caliper design, brake levers, excellent stopping power.
Weaknesses:
The brake hoses should be designed in such a way that you can shorten the length. The gray color really doesn't match anything. They should be black. :-(
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Hope Mini
Bike Setup:
Azonic Saber, DJII, SRAM X.0, etc...
Bottom Line:
For the price, you can't beat these brakes. SRAM makes quality products and I love to buy anything non-Shimano. I also modified the spring slightly to increase the tension. **TIP** drain the crappy fluid that comes with these and replace with DOT 5.1 brake fluid. My older Hope Minis required 5.1 and I found out why. You will instantly feel the difference. I've only been able to find 5.1 at motorcycle shops and bleeding these brakes is a breeze. Shortening the brake hoses sucked! Great product all around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marco alberio
a Weekend Warrior
from Italy Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
dealer
Strengths:
. design . power (180mm front and 160mm rear rotors) . reliability . power feeling
Weaknesses:
. some little poor detail
Bike Setup:
custom Trek VRX 300
Bottom Line:
This is a good product, but some little parts could be improved. Screws aren't inoxidable, I change them. The return springs something break, I modify them adding a little pice of metal pipe where the locking pin crosses the spring, avoiding flexions in this delicate part of the sping, solved !
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephan
a Cross Country Rider
from Martinez, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
OK, now they have been put to the acid test! See my earlier post. Just got back from three days bashing around Downieville, and another day of epic proportions on the Tahoe Rim Trail & Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. These brakes ROCK! Hot, dusty, dirty & no fade, just consistent powerful performers. I am impressed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephan
a Cross Country Rider
from Martinez, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The rowdy stuff
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Pegasus, Danville, CA
Strengths:
POWER, modulation, overall design
Weaknesses:
None found yet
Similar Products Used:
Magura Clara, Hayes
Bike Setup:
Titus Switchblade, Fox Float R, Psylo SL w/U-Turn, SRAM 9.0, FSA CarbonPro cranks, Hadley hubs, Aeroheat rims, Chris King HS, McMahon Ti Seatpost, Azonic stem, Answer bars, WTB saddle
Bottom Line:
Although only a few rides in, these have impressed me. Buy 'em if you want great value & performance! I considered (at least initially) everything out on the market; in the end, Sh*tmano was the only other considered (I'm trying to avoid them [Campy on the road steed]); Marta SLs were in the running, but reputation for "finickiness" & expensive replacement pads, as well as high initial cost dropped 'wm off the list. Hayes seem to have fallen behind the curve, and Hope, although they have the highest "look-cool factor" have been poo-pooed by enough folks out there to disuade me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joao Dias
a Weekend Warrior
from Portugal -Lisbon Date Reviewed: May 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great stopping ability, great operation and adjustment
Weaknesses:
design & appearance, weight
Similar Products Used:
xt
Bottom Line:
In my opinion, really the best all around disc brake available when considering price, stopping power, ease of initial-set-up, and ongoing maintenance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Kiara
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Great modulation and stopping power, easy setup, relatively light, looks good with gold kevlar tubes
Weaknesses:
still rubs abit....
Similar Products Used:
XT, Giant MPH, Avid
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS, Marz Mara, XT/XTR
Bottom Line:
This disc brakes are fantastic for the value and money. They are basically similar to XT in terms of performance however, they are lighter, and have kevlar tubes which looks fantastic. So hey good value, light weight, fantastic performance what the heck. The only problem is I am still having some slight break rub, maybe I didint set it up well not a big problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
stew philpotts
a Cross Country Rider
from kidderminster Date Reviewed: December 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
wyre forest ( any really)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
local shop for local people
Strengths:
price,light weight,performance
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
HOPE X2's, HOPE MINI, MAGURA
Bike Setup:
Scott octane frame, XT group set, Rock Shock forks, HOPE X2 front brake, SRAM REAR
Bottom Line:
Good stopping power is always good and this brake is excellent,so far. It performs loads better than the Mini - don't know why people love those things - and looks better too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Balázs Horváth
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
X-Factor
Strengths:
Easy setup. Relatively cheap. Great quality
Weaknesses:
Brake lever setup is limited
Bike Setup:
Kona Caldera. Shimano XT and Sram 9.0 mixture. Front rotor 180mm, rear rotor 160mm.
Bottom Line:
This brake system is just awesome. I have been using it for about 3 months (also on races). They work extremely well. No squeeks, great modulation. Excellent stopping power. Easy setup. I would suggest everyone to buy 'em!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Balázs Horváth
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest Date Reviewed: July 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Pilis
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
X-Factor
Strengths:
Easy setup. Great stopping power.
Weaknesses:
None discovered yet.
Bike Setup:
2001 Kona caldera. XT, Bomber.
Bottom Line:
The brake system was extremely easy to set up. It has great stopping power, but still requires breaking in. As I hav had the system for only a couple of days I will post an updated review in a couple of weeks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andre Pimenta
a Cross Country Rider
from Portugal Date Reviewed: February 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$140.00
Strengths:
light weight, lighter than shimano XT, almost half the price and very good power brake
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
shimano XT
Bike Setup:
giant xtc team 2001, manitou mars one, mavic crossroc tubeless
Bottom Line:
at the first use i think its a very good brake, now i must do more test but until its very very good
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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