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Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, CanadaDate Reviewed: October 26, 2004
Strengths: Great and helps you lock the rear very easily. I have only used it on the back so don't know if its any good for front but should be the same. They also have great looks.Weaknesses: Sometimes makes you lock the wheel too easily on road and driftBottom Line: Great stopping power
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Purchased At: came w/ bike
Similar Products Used: magura booster that come with HS33 rim brakes
Bike Setup: GT Zaskar
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Gaughan
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester, EnglandDate Reviewed: November 6, 2002
Strengths: I upgraded my bike about a year or so ago from a heavy low spec tank. The bike I bought came with these boosters. Initially I felt that they were too powerful, this is probably due to the fact that my previous bike had cantilever brakes. Also I had quite a nasty accident where I went over the handle bars and broke with my face. In response to this I remove the brake boosters and bought a giro switchblade helmet (the business). The more trails I did and the more comfortable I became with the bike, I felt like I needed more breaking power. At theis point I re-fitted the boosters and they gave me all the power I needed.Weaknesses: If you are a novice they may be too powerful (see above), as the majority of the people reading this won't be then there are none. What you buy is what you get.Bottom Line: This is an excelent product which will enhance the breaking power of any v-brake system.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Purchased At: Local MTB shop
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: Marin alloy frame (hardtail), rock shox judy f/s, xt setup throughtout, roox seat post, flite seat, club roost stem, x-lite bars and bolts.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from NH, USADate Reviewed: August 13, 2002
Strengths: 1. Looks.
2. Stiffness
3. Weight
4. Works very well.Weaknesses: 1. Um...scratches easily??? Hold up - this is a mountain bike product review, right? The only mountain bike I've seen that doesn't have any scrateches is the one thats never been off-road.
In other words, If your that worried about scratching the thing, don't buy it or do the laminating trick like mentioned in the preceeding post.Bottom Line: A very nice buy, even though it was a little expensive. I bought two of these boosters because I knew they were hard to find and pricepoint was having a good deal on them. I knew for certain that I needed one on the rear of the bike, and I felt that one for the front would improve power and put an end to some brake squeal. They have worked very nicely since they have been installed, cutting down on squeal and definitely improving power and modulation. I can feel the difference every time I brake hard. They are perfect for the XC rider/racer who is weight conscious or for the rider who doesn't/can't move up to disc yet but wants almost disc-like performance out of their V-Brakes. I thought my XTR's were a powerful upgrade to my braking systyem. I didn't know how powerful until I slapped a pair of these babies on. 5 flamin chilis for overall. 4 Flamin chilis for values, because these things are expensive!!
Favorite Trail: Anything TECHNICAL
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$44.00
Purchased At: pricepoint.com
Similar Products Used: My first brake booster. Used on XTR V-Brakes.
Bike Setup: Schwinn Moab 3(pre buy-out by Pacific) with M536 pedals, XTR brakes and levers, Thomson post, Selle San Marco RaceGel saddle, LX rear der., Manitou SX fork. Stock most everything else.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bradley Keller
a Weekend Warrior
from Brightwood OR U.S.A.Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002
Strengths: Awesome. This is cutting edge technology at it's pinnacle. This unit weighs about the same as a piece of toast and is strongerthan a southern accent.This thing is a work of art, no frills, no hype, just stiff carbon that works. It's good looking too for all us chi-chi fans, with classic carbon web design and the graphics are deep set into the high gloss finish, so they will never scratch off.Weaknesses: During instalation it became apparent that adjusting the cable anchor bolt would be a challenge. The booster is now so close to the brake arm that fitting a standard allen wrench behind it is impossible. Two remedies here, either replace the allen anchor bolt with a traditional style bolt or, cut down an allen wrench to suitable size making a custom tool.(this was my remedy and it works great)Bottom Line: Weigh your options when looking to purchase a brake booster.there are so many models to choose from some good and some bad. In my case, it all added up to shimano.
Favorite Trail: wildwood park
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At: pricepoint
Similar Products Used: if you want light and strong, there are no others. Well, there is salsa, but they feel the need to put aluminum reinforcments supports in a carbon booster. uhhhh.... hello carbon is far stronger than alloy. Go figure huh?
Bike Setup: Cannondale jekyll. If you own a Cannondale head shok fork set you need this item.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Simon Black
a Cross Country Rider
from ScotlandDate Reviewed: June 9, 2002
Strengths: Did the trick in stoppping awful scream for XTR V-brakes. Very stiff. Vibration absorbing. Looks great.Weaknesses: No so far other than they are as rare has unicorn turds. Does anyone know where I can find another??!!Bottom Line: THE DEFINITIVE LIGHT WEIGHT BOOSTER. GOT NOISY BARKES OR STAYS FLEXING MORE THAN YOUR EYES CAN BELIEVE? GET ONE OF YOU CAN FIND ONE!!
Favorite Trail: Fort William
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: Evans Cycles
Similar Products Used: Woodman. Using one on the rear as can't find other shimano booster. It is very light but no where near as stiff as the shimano
Bike Setup: E X P E N S I V E ($5000)
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Samuel VeraSforzza
a Racer
from Seattle, Wa, USADate Reviewed: April 19, 2002
Strengths: It works, looks better than most others if that matters, pretty buff for the weight although I don't exactly crash very often, won't rust or corrode, did I say it works.Weaknesses: None that I've experienced, considered discs on my XC HT racers due to severe brake faaaade and seat-stay flexion, but didn't want to 'pork-up' the bike (I've already worked so hard to drop it below 20lbs), I thought it would be a gimmic, but it works. Adds some weight to your ride (if you care).Bottom Line: I had pretty bad brake fade and squeeling from the XTR brakes/levers (only in the rear though), especilly on the decent (I'm only 145lbs), and the stays were flexing like Conan the Barbarian. This was the magical "Lucky Charms" fix I needed. Buy one if you want disc-like power from a linear brake or your bike sounds like Celine Dion on a tricky decent.
Favorite Trail: Whistler XC routes
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: Several S-Works M4 "stiff-ass weight-whinn-o" hard tails (99-present), everything's upgraded to the best, rather be riding than writing a list.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Desmond --
a Cross Country Rider
from SingaporeDate Reviewed: February 19, 2002
Strengths: 1. Light without sacrifying any material.
2. Nice design
3. Very stiff
4. Vibration absorbentWeaknesses: So far so goodBottom Line: This booster is extremely stiff n light. It can also a vibration absorber when u brake due to it made from carbon. i read all the reviews that having a small weakness of this booster may scratch easily. So i suggest this may avoid by paying some bucks to buy a transparent laminating paper to paste on it. I tried this n it may prevent any deep scratches. BEST BUY.
Favorite Trail: Any XC
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At: T.H.H
Similar Products Used: previously using XT disc
Bike Setup: Giant ATX 890 with all high end parts
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Lang
a Cross Country Rider
from AsiaDate Reviewed: August 29, 2001
Strengths: Weight, Strength and works as advertised.Weaknesses: Imprinting scratches of easily - but then, whoopdeedoo.Bottom Line: Put it on my new hardtail as it noticeably suffered from more seat stay flex than my dead Zaskar. Massive improvement and certainly not a fashion accessory. Great and USEFUL product.
Favorite Trail: any trail.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: LBS
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
FELIX YUEN
a Downhiller
from VANCOUVERDate Reviewed: August 15, 2001
Strengths: STRONG
SUPPER STRONG
LOOK NICE
THIS IS THE BEST
Weaknesses: PRICEY
TOO EASY TO SRATCHBottom Line: IS THE BEST
Favorite Trail: TRIALS RIDER
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Similar Products Used: Titanium STAR LIGHT
Bike Setup: XTR
ECHO TRIALS BIKE
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
reverendswampy
a Cross Country Rider
from baltimoreDate Reviewed: March 14, 2001
Strengths: light, strong, rigid, looks trick.Weaknesses: If you care a lot about chi chi looks, than you might have a problem with the finish wearing off. $$$$$$Bottom Line: All the flex that the v-brakes caused in my seat stays is basically gone, much crisper feel in the rear brake.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Bike Setup: custom Cannondale, sub 22lbs.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from EnglandDate Reviewed: February 24, 2001
Strengths: Light, Looks, quality make.Weaknesses: The gloss can be chipped off quite easily.Bottom Line: A good booster.The price is quite high but it is quality. If you frame is flexy this is worth having. This booster defintly makes your brakes feel way more powerfull! Buy!
Favorite Trail: Any Trials
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At: Chain Reaction Cycles
Similar Products Used: Magura, Tektro.
Bike Setup: Saracen x-tort frame, tioga headset, tioga cube stem, tioga bars, Xtr v-brake set, Fsa power pro crank with middleburn 22t ring, un52 BB, Mavic D521 on Xtr rear, lx front, tioga pedals, lx r-mech .
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dr Gonzo
a
from Las VegasDate Reviewed: August 24, 2000
Strengths: Strong man, damn strong
Looks trick.Weaknesses: Cost too much man, but what do you expect when you want the
good stuffBottom Line: As your attorney, I advise you to go down the store and buy one. Ive melted these down and sniffed the vapors and boy I can tell you these are one of God's own prototypes.
Doesnt take much to put you over the edge man, just grip that brake and shell pull up on a dime.
Once more man, How much for the chimpanzee?<- the question mark is emphasized.
Favorite Trail: Ether
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: Topeak aluminium
Bike Setup: 517/XT hub, 99 LX brakes, CARBON booster.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jon H
a Racer
from Monterey, CaliforniaDate Reviewed: July 13, 2000
Strengths: Extremely StiffWeaknesses: External clear finish cracks/chips at mounting point over time which results in deeper crack development which equals you need to replace it every few years.Bottom Line: Have tried a few different kinds and nothing eliminates flex like these do. On the front I can only see one post move ever so slightly while cranking down on the brake lever. In the rear I can not detect any brake post movement at all. Have used these for about three years and they make a noticeable difference in control and braking power per effort applied. Especially notice when doing slow technical steep downhill the brakes are what I call linear - they don't get grabby or squeaky.
Only suggestion I have for Shimano on these is to include larger diameter washers where the booster bolt goes through. This would spread the load out more and tend to reduce the tendency for the boosters to start cracking at that location. Did upgrade on my own with larger diameter thick stainless steel washers and it does do the trick.
Bottom line - if you want to elliminate all flex from your brake posts then buy a pair of these.
Favorite Trail: Fort Ord
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Similar Products Used: Moonlighter (Titanium), Salsa (6061 Aluminum), Interlock (Chromoly)
Bike Setup: XT V-Brakes
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
POPYEE
a Weekend Warrior
from NOrTh SHorE Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000
Strengths: Nice Booster
Weaknesses: COST WAY TO MUCH MONEY ....Why would you spend this much when you can buy 2 Salsa's and have money left over...Bottom Line: Sorry wieght Weenies ...But seriously why spend 50.00 US each for something thats no Better then A Decent Booster made from 6061 Alumniun or better and cost half as much.
Doesnt sound right No value Here so a 1
Works like the others and look cool so 4 Factor for rating
Favorite Trail: Like you know
Duration Product Used: Tested or demo'ed only
Similar Products Used: Various 6061 ALuminium Boosters
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from UrbanaDate Reviewed: March 30, 2000
Strengths: Helps against frame flex.Weaknesses: Really enormous, expensive as hell, Salsa booster looks way betta and comes in many colorsBottom Line: it helps against flex, looks pretty cool but is very large and obtrusive. I would get the Salsa booster even though it weighs like 20 grams more. This thing is way too expensive unless you are a total weight weenie.
Favorite Trail: Porcupine Rim
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Bike Setup: Cannondale F1000, XTR shifters, XTR rear der, XTR brakes and levers, Race Face crank w/ rings, Time ATAC pedals
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