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RockShox
Shox Disc Brakes
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Submitted by
Dave Walkerden
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | RNP | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 38 | | Strengths: | Different | | Weaknesses: | Different | | Similar Products Used: | AMP Research D1 | | Bike Setup: | As listed in previous post | | Bottom Line: | Further to my review in the last post. Many sets of these brakes are coming up on ebay etc and folks are getting a set of brakes they can't use from people who bought them and are offloading them for the same reason. If you find yourself stuck with a set then hey, I'm looking for a spare set of these calipers. If the set up is too much for you and you want to move 'em out of the garage, I'll might buy them off you. Remember they cost $38 a set before icyclesUSA.com ran out of stock so be sensible about your asking price. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Walkerden
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Royal National Park (Sydney) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$38.00 | | Purchased At: | icyclesUSA.com | | Strengths: | Light(ish), cable operation means easier to fix, floating caliper | | Weaknesses: | Parts availability, a litle tricky to set up. Not child-proof. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes, AMP, coda | | Bike Setup: | KHS alite, AMP F4-BLT forks, lightweight bits etc | | Bottom Line: | These brakes get a lot of negative reviews, probably because they're old skool and require a bit of old skool knowledge. I worked on the AMP D1 discs on our race team in 1999 and got the hot set-up back then. I knew what to expect and how to fit these RockShox disc brakes before I bought them.
I fitted the front caliper and mount to the rear (yes, rear) of my bike by cutting 4mm off the caliper carrier mount with the dremel tool. I then fitted the 145mm dia rear disc onto the standard 6 bolt disc hub (used only three holes of course). The front caliper was fitted to my AMP forks. I ordered a caliper bracket from Brion at AMP Research for my 165mm AMP disc (fitted to my AMP front hub) and it works perfectly.
For players fitting the kit to their standard bikes, you'll need to buy two RockShox disc brake kits (at $38 it's as cheap as a second set of pads). Ditch the funky caliper from the rear caliper as it needs a special hub. Use the front ones on both ends. The problem with fitting comes from the fact that the disc rotors have very little clearance between the disc and the spokes. Hayes etc won't fit in there. The early days of discs used standard spacing hub flanges and the inboard side of the caliper was much slimmer. So, to fit these on your standard IS mount disc brake ready bike with your standard disc wheels, you have to mill or cut 4mm (measure first) off the caliper carrier.
Next, because the calipers are floating on sliding mounts (this is a good thing, self centering) you need to have fairly straight cable routing above the caliper. If you cable tie the cable to the fork, make sure you have about 10" running directly vertical from the caliper. This will ensure that there's no sideways pressure causing the caliper to slide on it's sliders and rub on the disc. Same at the rear.
Use special cable outers that don't allow compression. Use the best cables that you can afford and find an old bike mechanic who knows a few of the old tricks.
Maintain them by undoing that small screw on the slider pin and cleaning the slider pins regularly. The secret to their performance is their ability to find center and apply even pressure along a longer swept area. This means they need to slide freely.
Rotors. These are punched out of a sheet and the rears have a sharp side like a cheese grater. The front has sharp edges like a wood planer. This eats away the first two sets of pads and will drive you nuts. Get out the dremel tool and gently chamfer the sharp edges wherever the pad contacts the rotor. Go easy and try not to bend the rotor. This will help the pads last as long as Hayes. EBC make harder (gold) pads, but they're a bit harsh on rotors.
Levers, follow the instructions and use the canti setting on V levers, or better yet, get a set of Shimano 440 flat bar levers for road bikes. They have the correct leverage for these brakes.
They're not as good or as easy to fit as a set of Hayes dual piston or Avid juicys, so maybe, if you don't have a dremel (you should get one anyway), you would be better off with the popular new brands. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DEAN DAVIES
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | LOOK NICE | | Weaknesses: | IMPOSSIBLE TO GET PARTS, REPLACING WITH NEW DISCS COST TOO MUCH AS THE SET UP IS NON STANDARD, AND IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO REPLACE ALL YOU REAR SET UP AS GETTING A FULL HYDROLIC SYSTEM MEAN REPLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER AND THEY DONT MAKE 8 SPEED SHIFTERS ANY MORE + 3 BOLT DISC ROTOR IS NOT STANDARD | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS 1000 DS | | Bottom Line: | WHEN I BOUGHT THE BIKE IT WORKED FINE FOR AGES EVEN THOUGH I GOT THROUGH NUMEROUS SETS OF ORGANIC PADS.THE H CLIP BROKE SEVERAL TIMES. IN THE UK GETTING PARTS IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE.ESPECIALLY AS ROCKSHOX GOT BOUGHT OUT AND DONT DO PARTS ANYMORE. BUGGER, AND THE NON STANDARD FITTING OF THE ROTOR(3 BOLT)REPLACING FOR A DIFFERENT SET UP MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR SHIFTER AND DERALIER AS THE SYSTEM USES THE STANDARD BRAKE LEVER WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE GEAR SHIFTER, AND NOW YOU CANT GET 8 SPEED SHIFTERS ON THEIR OWN. AN EVPENSIVE UPGRADE AS THE KNOCK ON EFFECT IS REPLACEMENT OF HUB TOO. SHAME COZ IT LOOKS NICE!AND DID WORK WELL FOR A WHILE. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick
a
from WY
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Well...Better (longerlasting) than any V in wet. | | Weaknesses: | Odd pattern, Its mechanical... | | Similar Products Used: | Never disks in summer | | Bike Setup: | Freeride Winter trasher, all kinda junk... | | Bottom Line: | Get the metallic pads, lasts forever. If buying a used bike with those, tell him they are junk, cut the prize, get metallic pads,(and NEW brake wires), ride happy...
Value is for this brake NOW, not then.
Overall-good brake if you can set it up and know what it is made for. If you can get them for "nothing" and it always rain where you live,go get them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from NH
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | None too many. They work better than v-brakes in the wet, but not by much and only when set up right. | | Weaknesses: | Weak. A pain to get working correctly. Expensive pads. Heavy (I guess). | | Similar Products Used: | V brakes | | Bike Setup: | Marin Indian Fire Trail w/ front disk. | | Bottom Line: | Avoid these brakes unless you get them for free, can't get anything else, and it rains every day where you live. These brakes are far weaker than V-brakes, even when they're set up correctly. Their only strength is wet weather, and they don't even do that very well. Oh yeah, one other thing. RockShox is says they are unservicable at home. THAT IS TOTAL BULLSH*T!! They are exactly the same as the amp research brakes. Go to find the instructions for maintaining the brakes yourself http://amp-research.com/products/Mountain_Bikes/mountain_bikes.htm it's the D1 disc brake. It voids the warranty but that doesn't matter anyways. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Northern California
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Downieville | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | This brake sucked... I struggled to adjust this thing time after time.... then on my last ride the rotor snapped in 2 (no there were no rocks on this trail) and I endoed big time! Avoid these discs like the plague!
Tried to contact R/S to talk over the problem and I got the big blow off.
Weak product weak support! Not a nice combo! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from NH
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Brook | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | It's a disk brake....works better than V-brakes in wet conditions | | Weaknesses: | Extremely difficult to service. RockShox says that it is impossible but they lie. | | Bike Setup: | MArin Indian Fire Trail, LX/XTR, RS front disk only | | Bottom Line: | These brakes work pretty well in rim deem water and mud but the advantages stop there. I had to get an AMP research disk brake manual (RS bought the patent for the brake from AMP, so they're actually identical to AMP brakes) in order to service them. The process is incredibly different and even required submerging the brakes in oil. Uggh! The pads are heinously expensive, like $50. And you have to buy them from AMP BTW. There is a long break in period, and the stopping power was never that great. It's no wonder that RS only made this brake. Don't pay more than $30 for this brake, and be prepared to pay much more on pads. Or better yet get another disk system or V-brakes. 2 chilis for wet performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Murphy
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper Steves | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Looks, set-up, wet weather performance | | Weaknesses: | Drag, squeak, v-brake (or less) stopping performance in dry or dusty conditions, rotor & hub adaptability. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR-v, Hayes | | Bike Setup: | LTS1000 ds/ GT | | Bottom Line: | Like the others, I was stoked to get a front disc set-up on my new bike. Shortly after my first ride however, the brakes began dragging and squeaking constantly. I would remove and clean them, but the problem persisted. Also, the stopping power leaves much to be desired in most conditions. The only time I appreciate them is in the mud, when my rear xtr-v will hardly slow down the rim. Pads are expensive, and it takes the hands of a gerbil surgion to avoid braking the spring clip.
My biggest gripe about Rock Shox came today when I went down to my LBS to pick up a front Shimano XT-Disc brake and get rid of this peice-o-crap RS Disc. Wouldn't you know it, Rock shox' rotor is thicker and a bit smaller than Shimanos, so I couldn't do a quick swap install of the XT on my existing rotor. Worse than that, R.S. seems to be the only crappy company making disc brakes that has a 3-bolt pattern holding the rotor to the front hub. So on top of replacing the rotor (comes with the XT disc anyhow), I have to buy a new hub with the STANDARD 8-bolt rotor mount.
Bottom line is this: Rock shox makes a poor product and they lock you into using a hub and rotor that is specially compatable with their product. Thanks a lot for wasting my time and money, R.S.
The worst value for the money - especially if you might want to upgrade someday = 1 chili. Stops better than Vs in the wet & mud = 2 chilis | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnny Boy
a Cross Country Rider
from Whittier, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Leatham Hollow - Logan, Ut | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Looked very cool on a new bike - for someone with no disc experience. | | Weaknesses: | Diffuculty finding pads. Drag. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | LTS 1000 | | Bottom Line: | This brake was spec'd on the GT I purchased last summer. The bike shop didn't provide a manual, so I rode the brake without maintenance through the winter. I was able to keep the drag from getting to bad by fiddling with the pistons, but finally lost the battle (and the pads).
Now - as many of you using this brake already know - pads are becoming scarce since Rock Shox stopped producing this brake.
I found a manual at the Rock Shox website and discovered that regular lubing of the pistons is required. Well, I hope the brake was downwind of the overspray of the triflow on my derailers...
My new pads are on back order at my local bike shop...They're selling brand new Rock Shox discs at $99 and the pads for $30. Hmmmm.
Sitting right next to the new Rock Shox disc is a hydraulic XT disc. Bring on Shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant AAdler
a Downhiller
from Holsworthy
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Minjin ,Cairns | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Looks good | | Weaknesses: | Where do I start? They have never really felt like performing! | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Arch Rival , Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose 9.7Pro 1998 | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line dudes is that these bad boys look good but that is about it! The stopping power and feel of the system were not what I would call adequate at best. I was very dissapointed in my jump to discs. I just bought another bike as a Freeride bike and alternative to the 9.7 and that immediately was fitted with Hayes Disc, RS did not even Cross my mind. These are unfortunately as I have stated, a great dissapointment as anything else I have used with the RockShox name has been outstanding value. C'mon guys at RS lets get it right. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ROBB
a
from Ottawa Canada
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The discs looked cool in the store | | Weaknesses: | everything | | Bike Setup: | GT LOBO DH | | Bottom Line: | When I got my bike, I was excited that I had disc brakes. For the first ride, I went away to Bromont to do some downhilling on the world cup course, and other excellent trails that they have there. It was pouring rain, and the ground was very slick and muddy. I had ideal conditions to test and see if these brakes were all that they were suposed to be. On the first run, i did find that they worked a little better than the v-brakes that a friend was riding with. After about the third run, my rear brake stoped working well. The pistons jammed, and the brake was in locked position, greatly slowing down the wheel rotation. After the second day, my rear pad was gone, the spring was broken, and ever since my rear has hardly worked.
When they are working perfectly, they do work better than v- brakes when the conditions are very wet and muddy. In dry conditions, v-brakes actually stop faster. My advice would be definately do not use these for downhill. They would alright if you often ride wet muddy trails, but with all of the hassle that I as well as other reviewers have had, I would suggest looking into a different disc system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shockee
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ned's | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | It's a disc brake - braking power in muck and snow. Reasonably powerful | | Weaknesses: | Cable activation leads to sponginess - poor modulation. Drag doesn't bother me too much, but sometimes it gets real noisy. Just lacks the beautiful feel of my Hayes discs ro even my HS33s. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes Hydro discs, Magura HS33 rim brakes | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mtn DHRace, Z1, Mavic 321, Hayes&Rockshox discs | | Bottom Line: | Keep away from this brake (unless you can by a functional one for $30 and can't afford anything better). Shimano, Hayes, even Hope, Avid and Magura fully-hydraulic disc prices are all falling. Go fully-hydraulic if you can!
2 chilis for the wet weather performance over rim brakes - if you get em cheap! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe ma
a Weekend Warrior
from hong kong
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Weaknesses: |
adapter hard to find for spinergy wheel, then i use spin ,hard to get spring & pad, when heat up have noise, rotor touch caliber at rear need modify | | Similar Products Used: |
xtr v | | Bike Setup: |
cannondale super v freeride, spin wheel , moto dh(try spinergy before) | | Bottom Line: | stop power compare with v brake is better but compare with other disk , reaction is slow or can call it smooth , cause me many trouble when first install it, i also got one spare pad for future, can't find the information for the rs wet page now, next time i will buy hope or hayes , when i use spinergy i need to make the front adapter myself, it look funny ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlos marcantoni
a Weekend Warrior
from caracas
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Easy setup | | Weaknesses: |
Difficult to find parts in Venezuela | | Similar Products Used: |
V-brake xtr Shimano | | Bike Setup: |
STS1000-ds GT | | Bottom Line: | I have two months waiting for parts of my disk brake. The dealer here in Venezuela of Rock Shock products doesn´t have the minimun stock to delivery service and mantenaince. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Den
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
all of them | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
easy to set up | | Weaknesses: |
pads worn out fast and H spring broke | | Similar Products Used: |
pro stop although heavier | | Bike Setup: |
GT and LT SID | | Bottom Line: | bought the disc last april and after 6(SIX)months the pads were already worn out and the H spring broke. Worst is no LBS have this parts in stock you have to special order it to RS through your LBS which is a hassle coz RS don't sell parts directly to consumer (which sucks). anyway i'll try HAYES next time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Weekend Warrior
from T.O.,CA
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
BrianHead,UT 15m DH | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
I race motorcross now and used race pro downhill, and there is nothing better than disc brakes. Excellent stopping power and feel, plus you dont have to true your rim or worry about heating your tube till it pops, or having v-brakes come loose and goning into your tire, nice!! | | Weaknesses: |
When it comes to pads stick with EBC Green, they dont last as long but work much better than metallic, ( which is for motorcycles) and keep it clean. | | Similar Products Used: |
Maguras, v-brakes, little time on Hayes | | Bike Setup: |
98 GT STS xt/r | | Bottom Line: | If you ride with only your rear brake, or think disc is heavy, or think going downhill fast is scary then forget about disc, its not for you. I think overall the R/S Disc is good for faster than normal riding but not downhill racing. Its never required any maintance, as far as bleeding it, its all internal. Order an extra set of pads when you first get a disc so you dont have to wait around to ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Weekend Warrior
from T.O.,CA
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
BrianHead,UT 15m DH | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Excellent stopping power and feel, Plus you dont have to true your rim or worry about heating your tube till it pops. Also good for nose wheelies | | Weaknesses: |
When it comes to pads stick with EBC Green, they dont last as long but work much better than metallic, ( which is for motorcycles) and keep it clean. | | Similar Products Used: |
Maguras, v-brakes | | Bike Setup: |
98 GT STS xt/r | | Bottom Line: | If you ride with only your rear brake, or think disc is heavy, or think going downhill fast is scary then forget about disc, its not for you. I think overall the R/S Disc is good for faster than normal riding but not downhill racing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james hite
a Weekend Warrior
from atlanta ga usa
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Good stopping power | | Weaknesses: |
bad drag, noise, high teclical maintenance. A V brake has much more modulation and feel to braking, and they are much easier to activate as in amount of presure aplied to the brake leaver. | | Similar Products Used: |
just good V's | | Bike Setup: |
Mongoose 7.7 judy xc | | Bottom Line: | I bought a $2,500 well speced in most casses, but these brakes stink. I thought I was going to be in brake heaven before getting this bike, but the fact of the matter is I wish I had V's. I do admit disk brakes are superior as in braking power, all condition use. The thing I'm not sold on is cable activated discs. If I could I'd have full hydrolics!!!
If i could I'd just go back to V's they are such good brakes for the dough. But in order for me to do that I'd need new rims because my mike came with mavric discs. As soon as I can afford to something about this these brakes are finding themselves in the bottom of some lake.
If these brakes are comming equiped as a part of a bike I'd consider planning on buying new brakes, seriously. And if your considering buyiny them trust me you will not end up in brake heaven Rock Shox does suspention they should leave it that way. If you are looking for cable activated discs I'd suggest that you look into hayes or do two things
1. Wait and go full hydrolic or
2. by a good set of V's they really are better, especially for the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Solley
a Weekend Warrior
from Tuckerton, N.J.
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
There's so many strengths I'm still namen them!!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
There is none !!! It's the best | | Similar Products Used: |
I haven't tried any!!! | | Bike Setup: |
I put it on my Mongoose D40 r I used a GT lobo DH 1000!!!! | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is it's the best $&#*#^ product I ever tried DUDE!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louie Weber
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wheeling WV
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Moraine State park | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Pleanty of braking power in reserve that I rarely need to use but know is there allowing my decents to be a bit more reckless (faster). Performance in any condition (wet, mud) very consistant. I have had the same pads so far with no noticeable wear and use them hard. Use of standard levers with power of hydrolic pistons. Virtually no drag. | | Weaknesses: |
added weight, very sensitive took a couple of endos before I realized how well they stopped the wheels. When rotor is heated up after a long down hill the brake tends to get sticky and grabs more easily. | | Similar Products Used: |
standard V-brake styles | | Bike Setup: |
Came standard on my 1998 schwinn homegrown pro with a judy xc, xt/xtr drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | It adds weight to the machine, but really allows me to have added performance on the downhills and keep top speed higher overall. I find myself riding down areas where others dismount and walk because of loos wet conditions. Only four flames because of the weight(lighter than hayes though), but five for performance and definately an edge over the standard v-brakes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff 12 year old
a Cross-Country Rider
from mn
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
xc | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
every thing they rule | | Weaknesses: |
none but don't use them for DH | | Similar Products Used: |
hayes,hope rule to | | Bike Setup: |
trek | | Bottom Line: | disk brakes rule | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffrey
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: September 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
looks cool
when working stops well | | Weaknesses: |
drags, locks, stops braking, pads wear out fast etc. etc. etc | | Similar Products Used: |
Hayes discs
xt V brakes | | Bike Setup: |
lts 1000 ds | | Bottom Line: | these things really blow unless you are willing to put an unbeleivable amount of time and energy into keeping them running well. in my opinion just spring for a set of hayes. you'll be much happier and have less trouble replacing pads. The bottom line is that rock shox makes good suspension and they should have stuck to what they knew and not branched into something unfamiliar to them | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington NZ
Date Reviewed: September 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
whatever | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | I am not reviewing this product, but I want to offer some advice to people who have it. If you are getting ripped on the brake pad scene, try visiting an automotive brake repair outfit. I am yet to try it myself with my diatech ones, but I am told that all pads can be relined at some brake repairer shops. Pays to keep a spare set as they will take a couple of days to complete. Just a thought. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from LaMirada ,Ca
Date Reviewed: August 30, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Chino Hills | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Stopping power, no rocky sand grinding noise from the front V's after crossing water | | Weaknesses: |
Pad wear sucks Bad, 300 to 350 miles.Have to wait weaks to get pads, so I have to order 4 or 5 sets. Rock shox sucks at cust. relations. Parts back ordered blah, blah, blah. | | Similar Products Used: |
Only V brakes | | Bike Setup: |
LTS 1000 DS. Original equipment.I had a rear rs disc installed before I ever road it | | Bottom Line: | Over all the brakes preform very well compared to V brakes, especialy when crossing water, then mixing dirt into the picture. Rock shox sucks to sell something and then stop making it, and make me stock the parts so I don't have miss any rides | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Waugh
a Cross-Country Rider
from Truro Nova Scotia
Date Reviewed: August 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
anything thats technical | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
excellent stopping power, the cool factor, | | Weaknesses: |
oh geez where do i start, ok first off the disc does drag, i managed to keep the drag in mine to a minimal only with a lot of maintence though! (meaning regreasing the bushing and sometimes restretching the retaining clip!) pads wear out quickly, i go through about 1 set every 2 months (metallic) and they cost me 60$$ a set! umm can be unpredictable when heated up, | | Similar Products Used: |
XTR v's,?? never tried another disc? | | Bike Setup: |
i ride a 98 Schwinn Homegrown XT brake came standard on my bike | | Bottom Line: | first off dont buy this brake if you dont have the know how or the energy to to maintain it reguraly, i race so i am harder on equipment that way maybe thats why my brake requires so much maintence however ive heard good things about hayes, and hope, but i dont like the idea of having 2 differenet brake levers? thats whats great about the cable actuated ones, the price for brake pads is insane! i mean rock shox is stupid cause u know the only reason they sell the pads for that much is because ppl like me have no other choice but to fork out 60$ everytime they need new pads, oh well i would give the brake 5 chillis if the cool factor meant that much, but for performance the brake gets about a 3 becuase of unmatched stopping power and predictablilty in all conditions however due to required maintence and cost its 2 short of a five... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JAY CHAVEZ
a Cross-Country Rider
from DANVALLE CA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
WONT TELL | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
THEY WORK GREAT | | Weaknesses: |
THE PADS WEAR OUT TO DAM FAST. I HAVE NO PROBLEM FINDING PADS, BUT AT $25.00 A POP. | | Bike Setup: |
99 GT IDRIVE XCR 1000 WITH A 99 Z1BAM. | | Bottom Line: | THEY WORK GREAT. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Kelly
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: April 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Earlstoke | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
They are very good because when you are going downhill V brakes get mud in them rock Shox Disc Brakes do not and they hold they braking power they are Top class!!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
I do not like mantaining the hydrolic side of them | | Similar Products Used: |
I have the Rock Boxer tripple clamp they are the bissness | | Bike Setup: |
I used a GT lobo DH 1000 | | Bottom Line: | I was very plesed whit the standard of qualty with the Rock Shox Disc Brakes I recomend any person doing downhilling to bye them | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daavid
a cross-country rider
from Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 5, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had thesxe brakes for a one year on my GT STS-1000 ds and they are now toast. Initially I was very impressed and I doubt I will own another bike without a front disk brake.About a month back they started dragging. Now after setting them up just one squeeze of the brake lever they permanently lock the front wheel making them totally useless. Things sometimes break and go wrong which is fair enough you might say.I got hold of the RockSux rep for Canada and he informed me:1) They have not got a recall on these brakes but you would not know it by the number that have been returned.
2) They are still being sold but I do not know why.
3) We have not been able to get replacement calipers for over three months now. They do not try to repair them.
4) Get your LBS to give us a ring and we will organise a credit towards another brand of brake.Sheesh!Is it any wonder I have a strong dislike for RuckSlox!I am now in the market for a new front brake... which brings me to these reviews. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a cross-country rider
from newark, de
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
was really happy with the performance of these brakes until they began to leak, which just so happened to be the same time my RS Judy cartridge leaked. am taking both in for warranty today. only ridden each for a month. if i could give less than one flame i would. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
As far as your concerned i am GOD
a weekend warrior
from edmonton,CANADA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THESE BRAKES SUCK
THEY DRAG ,THERE HEAVY ,AND THEY SEEM REAL FLIMSY
I USED THEM FOR A WEEK AND SOLD THEM
DON'T BUY THESE BRAKES. I GOT TO USE UP SOME SPACE SO DONT KEEP READING
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH . OH YEAH I REPLACED THEM WITH ARCH SUPREMES
AND THEY ARE GREAT | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren Harrold
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Most of the previous reviews are right on the money, as far as brake pads go. The problem, in my opinion, is Rock Shox was under the gun to get this product out for this season, and used those terrible organic brake pads. After encountering the same problems everyone else seems to have endured (waiting for repacement pads), the greatest bike shop in the world (Spokes & Attire) opened a brake package and gave me the metallic pads. Since then, I a haven't encountered a single problem. This brake works is tremendous. Great for wet weather riding, as strong at the bottom of a run as at the top.
Rock Shox needs to work on their customer service, and stop concentrating solely on advertising.
The one critique I have of the system is the amount of flex I feel in the Judy XC fork, especially during turns. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big John
a weekend warrior
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These things are a piece of s%#t. They came installed on my GT STS 1000. I have replaced two set of pads and retaining springs. Now I've heard that Rock Shox is no longer going to manufacture disc brakes. Gee, I wonder why. I love disc brakes, but not this crap. As soon as I can, this garbage is heading for the dump. I won't get the Amp either (Rock Shox bought the rights to the Amp Design). Most likley the Hayes or Hope. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a downhiller
from Northwest
Date Reviewed: August 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I wish I could give a review on performance, but can't yet. I bought a GT LTS 1000 which came equiped with the Roch Shox disc up front. Before I even rode the bike, I swapped the Judy XL for a Boxxer fork. Due to the different axle, I had to purchace a new hub. I got a White Industries hub which is supposed to be built per Rock Shox specs to fit their disc rotor. After builing a new wheel with the hub, come to find out the disc won't match up to the caliper when installed on the Boxxer. The tech at Rock Shox says she has the same set up, but put custom spacers in to fix this. Custom? I asked how I could get some so I could ride my damn bike. She tells me their not available and if I made some, it would cancel my warranty. You gotta be s%$@ing me. Now I'm running a V-brake waiting for 2 months until the proper parts are available to the public. What a crock. I own Rock Shox top of the line fork and brake, but they can't be used together. Nice move Rock Shox.
From reading other posts, I better stock up on brake pads too. Thanks guys. Since there is no such thing as negative chillies for rating, I'm going to give them.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a cross-country rider
from new jersey
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
From a mechanical point of view, the disc brake system works very well. Because your contact point is at the hub rather than the ground you aren't bothered by mud. Hence, 100% stopping power is always available. Unforunitly, I've owed my bike for 3 months and already have the 3rd set of pads installed. I have worn out the rear pads and replaced them once. The shop where I purchased the bike has been very accomodating. They are anticipating me walking in every month and have ordered more replacement pads to keep in stock. The facrory on the other hand seems to believe that I had gotten grease or lubricant on the disc itself (yeah right). The owner of the shop advised me Don't ride the front brake dude. My opinion overall, I hope they redesin them for next year so I can upgrade. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martín Bustamante
a cross-country rider
from Quito-Ecuador... S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Mein name ist Martin Andrés, I live in Ecuador, Mein adresse ist Riobamba 507
y Carlos Quinto.
Mein Telefonnumer ist 573 02 292801, or 400895I have a Trek 800 bike with rock Shox Indy C, but my brakes are regular to bad, So I would like to have This:
V-Brakes, The better ones, but the cheaper ones.Thank very much!!!...Congratulate you... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a downhiller
from Agawam, MA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've used a front RS Disc on my GT LTS1000 DS for almost a month (no more than 8-10 rides) and the retaining spring has broken twice. Also the pads are already worn out. These brakes have all the stopping power I need, but the durability is un-excuseably poor. Rock Shox has sent replacements under warranty but it is still an inconvenience. No shop in my area stocks any RS replacement springs or pads. If you own this product, better stock up now to avoid sitting at home waiting for parts while your buddies ride! I'm very disappointed, and considering putting XT V's up front instead. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a downhiller
from Breckenridge, Co
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Although the braking from the RockShox Disc is good, they drag all the time. After replacing the first warped rotor, the second is only marginally better. The problem is not the return spring or the fact that there is only one piston, its that the rotor are not true. This brake set-up came on a GT STS 1000, and for that kind of money they should work perfect. I should know by now that with RockShox, you should never buy the first year release. Next year, I'll buy the Hayes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Bouwmeester
a racer
from Calgary Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The modulation of the brake was superior to any linear braking system I've ridden. The setup of the brake posed no problems. The fact that it is a cable pull system makes trail maintenance easy as opposed to a hydraulic disc brake. The only problem is the negative return spring for the pads is weak and breaks easily while changing pads. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Davanzo
a cross-country rider
from Manchester - UK
Date Reviewed: June 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I tried one of these on a GT 'bout a month back (they are still OEM-only in my area), and found the braking action to be very good indeed. As in was only a demo ride I didn't have the bike long enough to really test it, but I was impressed. It is better than a set of V-Brakes.
Then I asked how much. I was told it will retail in the UK at £250 for caliper, disc and hub. How Much? Okay for a cable brake system it's pretty good, but hydro disc systems are far better. And you can find full hydro systems (Hope and Formula) for £300-400. These are far better. Don't buy the Rockshox disc, if you really want disc's buy Hope or Magura. If these are too pricy stuck to V's (and degrease you rims regularly for max power) cos they work well enough 99% of the time, and are fantastic value. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a weekend warrior
a
from hawaii
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been riding with the RS disc brakes for five months now (came as original equipment on my bike) and have gone through two sets of brakes pads already. Replacement brake pads are almost impossible to get (I've been waiting over two months) . It sucks when you spend over $3,000 on a bike and can't ride it because you can't get brake pads. Finally got tired of waiting so I removed the discs and installed Shimano V's instead....at least I know I can get replacement pads readily. Performance is okay, but I'm giving it a one star because the pads wear out too fast, the retaining springs are too flimsy (snapped while changing the pads), and the poor parts availability. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE
a cross-country rider
from ont
Date Reviewed: June 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
At first I thought the Rock Shox disc was just something to catch an untrained eye but hey, it really works. I've only been on the disc for 3 weeks but I haven't found any sloppy stuff yet that has affected the smooth stopping power. Just don't lock it up 'cause then you're fly'n solo!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Mulroy
a weekend warrior
from scottdale , pa
Date Reviewed: April 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This product has performed excellently since i purchased it two months ago. In my ridings, I've encountered mud and slippery dirt where this was almost too much brake for the front end and it compromised steering but on the dry stuff, it's hard to beat. The overall maintainance is about the same as V-brakes so there's very little upkeep involved. I think there great. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Hebert
a weekend warrior
from Lafayette, LA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This brake system has a very easy set up as well as great stopping power. If you want to compare it to other disc systems your on your own, but compare it to most v-brakes out there and the RS disc is a winner for performance. The cost of the system would stop me from adding it on, a bit of overkill in S. Louisiana, but as on OEM product it rules. The cool factor might wear off but the stopping power wont---INDO CITY! JUST WATCH AS YOU FLY OVER THE BARS! | | Overall Rating: |
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