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Submitted by
pierre bourgon
a Cross Country Rider
from cornwall, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | trails around cornwall | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay, used | | Strengths: | stops better than the Hayes nine brakes on my Secialised Bighit Expert FR bike. no squeal once toed in properly. attactive | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Deore V brakes:not nearly as good as XT | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC 2002 Manitou Super Axel fork Bontager lite saddle & Mustang rims Deore OE crankset, Brake levers, STX RC 8spd shifters Sora BB, 12-21 cassette Haro gooseneck, 90mm 25deg all other parts XT, Dart& Smoke 2.1
cool stop brake pads. thats all the local shop had | | Bottom Line: | these brakes rule. I was stunned when I realized that they actually outperformed the hydro brakes on my FR bike | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chaz c
a Weekend Warrior
from ridgefield, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Stops well. Servicable. Fully adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | THE SQUEAL. Weight. High maintenance. | | Bike Setup: | Ibis XT Thompson Race Face Easton | | Bottom Line: | Just finished servicing the front and rear. Used the shims in the XT maintanance kit, regreased, and replaced shimano stock pads with salmon colored koolstops (very nice). stops well with no front squeal and rear grind. wondering how long the silence is going to last. going to go with avids or pauls next time. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Local store | | Strengths: | These brakes stop the bike well if you really have to stop. I'm still on my first set of pads - the ear splitting screech that you get if you put your fingers anywhere near the lever is such that you only want them in an absolute emergency. You don't need to fit a bell to warn folks you're coming - they heard you half and hour ago. | | Weaknesses: | See above. | | Bottom Line: | I haven't got the noise sorted out yet. After reading some of the other posts here I might try something a bit drastic to get it fixed. If that doesn't work I'm thinking about buying a new bike soon anyway.
I'm glad I looked at this forum - I was starting to think that my bike fixing skills had gone to horses**t but it looks like I'm not alone in my woes. My bike was built pretty much from scratch so I thought I'd screwed it up somewhere along the way. Maybe this isn't the case after all.......
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Genoa City, WI
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | I solved the front brake squealing problem by toeing out the pads. I know it defies logic, but that was the recommendation from a local bike mechanic. Loosen the pads, put rubber bands on the forward end of them, and then adjust, tighten, and remove the bands. I was amazed at the results. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Hallidays Point, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Good power | | Weaknesses: | Brake squeal - but it is fixable. The squeal is caused by movement in the linkages allowing the brake shoe to rapidly move back and forward making the noise. There may be pad and rim variables as well but it is not simply poor setup that causes the problem. I think you have to be lucky to get a "tight" set to avoid the noise. Fortunately the brake can be dismantled - remove from the bike, pop off the plastic covers over the pivots, undo the tiny grub screws that hold in the bushing and push out the 2 bushings. You could use shims to remove the play between the arms and the "saddle" but I simply put the saddle in a vice and gently compressed it until the arm was a firm fit then reassembled the brake. It takes about 15 mins per side. You need to compress the saddle gently as its only aluminium. All bolts must also be tight. I think if you do this you will fix the noise even with shoes in a neutral position. Good luck. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid | | Bike Setup: | Specialized MTB Tandem | | Bottom Line: | A good brake let down by its squeal but you can tighten them up as above to fix it. I tried Koolstops but they actually made the problem worse - OK now after the above surgery. If you dont own these you probably can get others that will work as well and not have to worry about this but if you already own them you have not much to lose trying my fix. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eneko Golinski
a Weekend Warrior
from Basque Country (Spain)
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Local dealer | | Strengths: | Breaking power | | Weaknesses: | Front brake noise | | Similar Products Used: | Older cantilever brakes | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Bad Boy, Shimano XT (2000?) | | Bottom Line: | After 1 year using this brakes, I'm still trying to shut up my front brake. Now I'm going to try Kool Stop shoes, and I hope noise will, at least, reduce.
I installed the brakes myself, but don't think it's my fault. It seems that almost everybody has the same problem, specially with the front brake.
Anyway... I love the breaking power this brakes have. Just one BIG problem: I'm becoming a psycho biker too... and that's because I try to avoid using the front brake unless is unevitable.
So I'm decided: if I can't shut up the brake, I'll consider installing disk brakes in the fron wheel.
A final question... what is saying Shimano about this? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Light weight, effective, great modulation, a doddle to maintain, robust build quality.
| | Weaknesses: | Occasional squeal, loss of effectiveness in extremely wet conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | LX v's. Discs on friends bike. | | Bike Setup: | '99 Mount Vision. Fox Vanilla fork @ 100mm. Continental Verticals. Easton and WCS finishing kit. King headset. | | Bottom Line: | I have been using these brakes for nearly six years now as they came with the bike's full XT groupset. Shimano pads have been swapped out for Kool Stops. As conditions in Western Australia are very dry and dusty for 80% of the year and only very rarely do we experience extremely wet rides in the rainy season, these humble V's have proved to be very capable stoppers.
Indeed what ultimately determines braking performance locally is tyre choice. The Verts seem tailor made for us!
Yes, they do howl occasionally (zip-ties around the parralellogram go some way to addressring this) and require two finger braking but they stop the bike as effectively as discs in loose conditions.
However disc brakes also screech, disc brake levers have an awful tendency to creep towards the handle-bars (Hayes HFX 9's!!!) and people that use them frequently grumble about set-up, bleeding the system, and pad wear and choice.
I shall not consider discs until my currant (and completely original) wheelset dies, the gremlins have been largely sorted out and the price comes down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roland
a
from slc, ut
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | good power | | Weaknesses: | Noice...Noise ...Noise | | Similar Products Used: | Avid 5.0 | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR | | Bottom Line: | Good brakes with the exception of the noise issues. This prevents me from recommending them. It is THAT loud. Better yet, buy two sets. S&&t on the first set and cover it up with the second set. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
el ray
a
from someplace in the midwest
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | i suppose these brakes haven't caused me or my family any real physical harm...my pulse and sperm count are still normal | | Weaknesses: | when you squeeze the brake lever in an attempt to apply the brakes, pandora's box opens and all the evils in the world are unleashed upon my unsuspecting eardrums | | Similar Products Used: | fingernails on a chalkboard, nails in a blender, jamming a manual transmission car into reverse at 60 mph | | Bike Setup: | xc racing hardtail; long-travel fork | | Bottom Line: | it's funny - the more you toe these breakpads in, the worse the blood-chilling ear drilling becomes. i actually "heal"-ed in my rear brake pads and toed in 1 front and levelled the other front to produce the least amount of ear pillaging possible...if you have these brakes and haven't already found yourself curled in the bathtub in the fetal position reciting stairway to heaven backwards, try messing the the brake pads until the dentist drill becomes less piercing. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cicada The Insect Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Beauty Big Hill fire trail going up | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | They stop very well on the rear. (Very easy to adjust on the rear) | | Weaknesses: | On the front a design flaw causes vibration problems that result in hideous screaming, squealing and zero modulation.
On the front brake, screeeeech free pad alignment can only be achieved on the 7th day of the 7th month in the 7th year after a sacrificing 3 XTR rear derailleurs and a Dura-Ace equipped titanium road bike in a sacred fire fuelled by 7 kevlar race tires. | | Similar Products Used: | hmmmm the most similar product to this I've seen is a 3yr old throwing an tantrum because mommy will not by them a toy at the supermarket. Although that is a soothing melody compared to the noise my XT front brakes make. | | Bike Setup: | Giant AXT 890 with Bombers. | | Bottom Line: | pifffft get a certified bike mechanic to adjust your pads.... come on this is basic bike maintenance at best, not rocket science. Don’t take any notice of the people who keep saying “you don’t know how to adjust your pads and get a pro to do it, yudda yudda yudda......” I asked around a few very highly regarded bike shops and they all said it’s a known problem with the newer XT brakes on the front, and that there is no real solution.
The fact is on the front, on 90% of bikes these things will squeal and vibrate like all the demons of all the hellish dimentions of the universe have possessed you brake pads and are having a party in there
I’m running the worst possible combination for the noise factor with my brakes. Bomber forks and Mavic rims with the machined side walls.
I’ve been setting up riding and racing Mountain Bikes for 10 years... I know what I’m doing and no amount of *#$&ing around with the pad alignment will result in squeal free breaking for more than a few hours of dry ride time, (or 10 mins in the wet). As soon as the mystical perfect amount of toe-in wears away it’s back to the hideous screeeeeeching.
I’ve tried all the solutions mentioned. I find a massive amount of toe in is the best solution. Obviously this will FUBAR your pads in no time and the noise comes back quick.
I also get the best results (for noise not stopping power) with very cheap $10 Jagwire pads, the rubber compound is as hard as a cats head and its reduced grip adds to the modulation and prevents the sudden grip-release-grip shuddering that causes the hideous squealing noise with these breaks.
How the ..... did these things ever make it past RnD.
BTW it gets worse as the breaks get older.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
simo
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | a shop | | Strengths: | typical shimano build quality | | Weaknesses: | over engineered, and boy do they squeel. Dogs howl, sheep flee, horses bolt, grannies have heart attacks. | | Similar Products Used: | dia compes, shimano LX (don't squeel- how comes?) | | Bike Setup: | turner xc with xt throughout | | Bottom Line: | i really wanted to love these brakes- before i put them on the bike that is. everything people say below is true, only more so. until you have heard the sound these brakes you can't quite believe it. It's enough to make you take your hands off the brakes- equalling no stopping power. sheesh. however I have managed to cure them. how? changed to fibrax pads (little change), and MOVED THE ARMS FURTHER APART. you do this with the spacers provided for the brakepad holders and it seems to do the trick. apparently it makes the brakes stronger the further apart the arms are. either that or i'm just lucky. try it, you never know. i've never had any problems with shimano gear before, i only hope someone fell on their sword over these things back at hq..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hardcore
a Downhiller
from Germany
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Die Rinne | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | You get fast because they don't work.
Its name is not brake, it's fake!!! | | Weaknesses: | The paralelogram flew away while trialing along. Glad that I was just jumping around in my garden. Had not a long walk home. Squeeky. Dirty cables like all non-hydraulic brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | DX-Cantilevers, Maguras, Avids, LX-V's
Tested Gustav M, Hayes and Hope. | | Bike Setup: | GT ZASKAR
cool stuff | | Bottom Line: | If you have some, dismantle them, then your bike loses weight. Brakepower? What power? Take Magura or disks but stay away from this paralelogram things. It suxxx! Friends of V's take Avid SingleDigit 20. Cheap and working acceptable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dennisd
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall, Ontario
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Brockville | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | -POWERFUL
-Easy pad replacement
-Light | | Weaknesses: | -Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | AceraX cantis, LX, ProMax, etc.
| | Bike Setup: | Enduro '01 Sport | | Bottom Line: | I have a couple of riding buddies who have been using XT V brakes for years. They've never had a problem with all of this squealing nonsense. I know because I ride with them. Apparently, the problem really is with improper installation and brake pad wear. A word of advice to all of you home mechanics out there who think they can install their own brakes: don't.
XT V brakes really do need to be installed by a CERTIFIED bike mechanic. Also the pads need to be replaced on a fairly regular basis. Don't forget that these are performance oriented brakes. If you're getting a squealing noise after three or four months of riding then guess what? You're pads are worn out! For God's sakes replace them. If they still squeal, then they were improperly installed to begin with.
As for people with AMP or Girvin forks, well there's your problem right there. Those things twist like a piece of long underwear in the wind. Advice: Get a real fork.
I've just installed a new set of XT's a month ago and I've had zero problems. These things blow away just about any other V out there. Massive power, great modulation, an excellent design. They're also very light. XT's properly set up, really do rival disc brakes, yes even in mud (with machined rims of course).
Lookit, if you buy a Ferrari or a Porsche then you've got to take care it. Same thing with any performance orented system. I love these brakes. My only beef: they are a little pricey, but they're still a much cheaper alternative than a decent set of discs.
'nuff said. Get these.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes on Broadway | | Bottom Line: | The $1500 is for my GT Zaskar. I'm really writing this to help others with the extremely annoying squeal. My fronts squealed like a stuck pig until I installed a brake booster. Zero squeal after that.
I was quite happy with the XT's stopping power - until I tried disk brakes. No contest after that. The v-brakes are great in perfect conditions, but our trails are muddy 10 months a year!! Did I mention that v-brakes don't work at all in the snow?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | squeal | | Similar Products Used: | '97 XT, Avid SD Mag, Avid, SD Ti, catis | | Bike Setup: | full XT | | Bottom Line: | These came on a new bike that I purchased. I was very disappointed. I had an old set of XT v-brakes (1997) and they were decent brakes but the linkage wore out after 3 yers of riding. I opted for Avids and have been very happy with them. The new XT's are significantly worse than the '97 technology. The front brake squeals like crazy, and I've tried my best to quiet it. After two rides I purchased another set of Avids. In general I think Shimano makes good quality products. This is not one of them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Better than LX's for stopping power and adjust well | | Weaknesses: | Fronts squeal like mad. | | Similar Products Used: | STX, LX | | Bike Setup: | Marin Hardtail with XT components (well with the exception of the front brake that was changed back to LX) | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line: These brakes do squeal on some bike set-ups. I like Shimano components but these missed the mark IMHO. Use either LX or upgrade all the way to the XTR's. It is common knowledge that this problem exists so ignore the posts that say they're incorrectly adjusted. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stuart
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | s57 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Got them off a friend who hated them | | Strengths: | Look good, durable, easy to adjust | | Weaknesses: | Squeeeeal, constant adjustment is needed, should be more powerful | | Similar Products Used: | STX RC, LX V | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 900 | | Bottom Line: | Don't bother with these brakes. I got them form my friend because I believed they would be a better brake than the STX RC's I was running. They are not. Though they are easier to adjust and give your more adjustment options, this is cancelled out by the requirement to constantly adjust them to try and get rid of squeeal. They are not much more powerful than the STX RC's either, in fact I have not noticed it. They do have better modulation however. If I had pay money I'd be extremely p!$$ed off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edwin
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike2build | | Bottom Line: | Ahhhhhhhhhhhh,
changed to Avid and no more squeal.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Allen
a
from Edmonds, WA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Light weight with better modulation than the LX | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | LX V-brake, canti's, Hayes | | Bike Setup: | Cross max rims | | Bottom Line: | I have never gotten so much as a peep out of these things and I've run a number of different rims and pad compounds. V brakes are meant to run with no toe-in. If your brakes squeek adjust the pads to a neutral position, de-glaze the pads and the rims, use the right pad compound for your rims. If you feel a shimmy check wheel to see if its true and see if the brakes are tight on the bosses. Even Shimano wears out. The bushing go bad in a couple of years and its time to get new brakes. Simple as that. There may be better brakes out there, certainly hydraulics are more powerful, but the XT's are good brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville, KY
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Otter Creek Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | What can I say, the brakes work well. | | Weaknesses: | None really, except maybe the Shimano price tag. There are equivalents for less if you can live without the Shimano name. The only time ive ever encountered brake squeal with these brakes is when they were wet or the rims were dirty. Nothing a little alcohol or different pads couldnt change. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Single 5,7, Shimano XTR | | Bike Setup: | Trek OCLV | | Bottom Line: | They are good brakes. Ive never agreed with Shimano's prices, but who can argue against a monopoly. You get what you pay for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Carrboro, NC
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | In an earlier review I said "stops the bike", but... | | Weaknesses: | I replaced the front XT with Avid because of the squeal, but left the on the rear. Big mistake. The tip of the noodle stripped off on a particularly nasty downhill section near the start of a trail in Pisgah. Long story short: I'm over the bars, my rear wheel gets trashed, and my weekend ride in the mountains is over. I'm pretty certain brakes are not supposed to work this way.. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler / XT | | Bottom Line: | Dump the XT and go with Avid, Cane Creek, pretty much anything else. The only reason I'm not really ticked off at Shimano is that I had already purchased a new Avid SD7(?), but was too lazy to replace what I knew was a crappy rear XT brake before I left town. I'll add one Chili to the rating to make up for my own stupidity... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | Good stopping power | | Weaknesses: | Wear's out | | Similar Products Used: | cantilevers | | Bike Setup: | full XT Bontrager | | Bottom Line: | My bike has slightly older XT v-brakes. They worked great from day one. However, here it is 3 1/2 years later and the front brakes are shot. There's a lot of play (1/2 inch) in them now. It's time to get new ones. I'm not buying a new set with linkage (Shimano) that will wear, going to try Avid. I have cantilevers on a bike from 93 that have no play. Why did the v-breaks wear out so quick?
Great when new, but plan on buying new ones often. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roger
a Weekend Warrior
from Springfield, Il Sangamon
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | THE BOTTOM LINE.......
Im a bike mechanic and I can assure you the XT V brake only squels because most likely it just needs to be adjusted about the only other reason would be that you put some funky pads on it that have previously been on something else. However if you put this system on your bike new then it only needs some adjusting to eliminate the problem.I realize not everybody who has a few tools is a mechanic and the best thing you can do is admit that to yourself if your haveing trouble take it to a bike shop if they cant get it to stop take it somwhere else because they suck AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XtremeRider
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Putnam Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | FREE | | Strengths: | Great Stopping Power..Especially when you need it! | | Weaknesses: | Lots of Play on the caliper..Poor design..who cares they STOP when needed | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale XT/LX setup-Judy XL shock | | Bottom Line: | These brakes work when you need it..BOTTEM LINE!! if you have problems with lock up>learn how to Brake! and those complaining about Squeaking>Get a descent pair of brake pads! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Watlon FL USA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | Ok people I dont own these brakes but I read a review that worried the crap out of me. The said he put oil on his brake pads to stop the squeeking, DO NOT DO THIS!!!! If you are haveing problems with squeeky brakes the problem is probably that the rubber has gone hard or that the surface of the pads have gotten glazed. If the pads look glazed(hard shiney looking surface layer) get some coarse sand paper and sand this layer off. If the pads have gotten old and gone hard just replace them with softer brake pads. Most of your compliants I'm reading have nothing to do with the break mechanism at all, its all in the brake pads. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Pickett
a Cross Country Rider
from oakley
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | rockville | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Delta Freewheeler | | Strengths: | Excellent brakes, great modulation compared to squishy XTR's | | Weaknesses: | original pads eat up your rims so i got the WTB catridge replacement pads which is the best thing for the brake set | | Similar Products Used: | XTR's LX Tektro | | Bike Setup: | Ritchey NITI frame Manitou SX TI fork lx XT group | | Bottom Line: | XT brakes with WTB pads is the way to go if you seriously thinking about XTR's, get a set of brake boosters it will make them feel more positive | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Red/White, French Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Strengths: | Good stopping power. Easy adjustability. Close machining tolerances (not close enough?). | | Weaknesses: | The front brakes squeal and wail worse than a red-headed stepchild being whooped on with a leather belt (ceramic Mavic UST system with Koolstop ceramic pads). And I *KNOW* how to set up brakes. The rear is sound-free, as bizarre as that might seem. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid SD 2.5, LX | | Bottom Line: | I ended up putting the Avids back on the front, and the XT in the rear. Net result was good braking balance and no squeals. But I think it really sucks that the front is such a noisemaker, regardless of pad/alignment combo. There is CLEARLY a design flaw that needs to be dealt with. I'm going to see if Shimano will refund me for the unused set. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Smurf
a Weekend Warrior
from ON
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | It stops the bike. | | Weaknesses: | Fear that parts will snap or break when there is a dying need to stop to 0Mph from 60Mph, on a dime (-: | | Similar Products Used: | lx cantis, xt cantis | | Bike Setup: | XT gruppo | | Bottom Line: | What's wrong with you guys? Brake Squeeling is related to poor braking system knowledge. A good mech will know what to do in this situation. If you brought the bike to a friendly bike shop, they might even do it for free, since it is so simple. In anycase, I have been using this XT-V system for three years now, and the only caution about them is that they are so light, and that at times when I'm at speed, I am afraid that they might not stop well. But they do!!! One concern I 've always had with this system is that it seems flimsy-- the arms are long and thin, and seemingly made with weight reduction in mind. The brake lever , for instance is a very paltry lever and it gives a reason to prey that they won't snap. Otherwise, it is a very good system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Mill Valley
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | they work well | | Weaknesses: | squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeky | | Bottom Line: | I alsohave tried many things to make them stop squeling. I refuse to give up and I think I will try the posted advice of reverse toe in and smooth on the other side. Never give up. These are expensive brand name brakes that are going to sto squeling if they are adjusted enough times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Cross Country Rider
from mass
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | severed dick | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | family bike | | Strengths: | modulation and stopping power(sometimes) | | Weaknesses: | These brakes squeal like a pig getting slaudered.I have tries everything, the brakes just don't stop, the only thing that stops the squealing is oiling the break pads and that kills the power and when the oil drys, o sh**, these brakes suck, i wish i payed the exta $ for XTR | | Bike Setup: | specialzed rockhopper a1 comp fs, xt brakes and levers, gripshidt 8.0 shifters, hell bents, short stem, sid 100's, azonic butcher rims with ringle hubs, low seat | | Bottom Line: | if u like to be heard when you are riding buy these bad boys, if u like good strong brakes DON"T BUY THESE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean Cho
a Cross Country Rider
from Forest Hills, New York
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Strong braking, pretty good modulation feel (though not as good as XTR) | | Weaknesses: | Squeals alot initially, but problem cured completely. Not as streamlined looking as XTR. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XTR, Acera | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000, Dave's Speed Dream Wheels with ceramic hubs | | Bottom Line: | These are very good brakes for the money, except for the squealing everyone seems to complain about. The squealing on mine was even worse because of ceramic rims, which tend to squeal more than there non-ceramic counterparts to begin with.
Fortunately, the squealing can be COMPLETELY eliminated with a little trial and error in setting up your brake pads. You just have to abandon the standard mantra about setting up brakes and resort to a little trial and error. Forget about toeing in the brake pads -- they only make the squealing worse. Experiment with a tiny bit of reverse toe-in for both pads, or, a small amount of reverse toe-in for one pad along with the other pad being flush or slightly toed in. While this set up requires a slightly longer brake lever pull to achieve full braking power, it improves the modulation feel and still allows you to stop your bike on a dime with NO SQUEAL!
The adjustments should take you no longer than 5-7 minutes. Just make the adjustments in small increments, partially tighten the brake pad bolts, press down on the seat by hand and push the bike forward while partially pressing the brake lever. Once the wheels are able to rotate slowly through the brake pads with noticeable resistance but no squeal, just tighten up the bolts while making sure that they don't shift at all during the process.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa FL USA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | The breaks pull directly away from the rim. They do stop well. | | Weaknesses: | SSQQQQQUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLL!!!! (nuff said) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano breaks, Hayes disk breaks | | Bike Setup: | haro hardtail, Marzocchi z.3, time attack pedals...etc | | Bottom Line: | You will never get lost with these breaks! Yes, you will stop BUT EVERY FURY FOREST will run from the noise!! Damn, sounds like you are killing a pig!
Breaks worked well but its worse when you don't want to break to save emberassment.
If you can get hydrolic disk breaks do it and put the shimanos on your kid's Razor (so traffic can hear him coming) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerby Gorkon
a Downhiller
from Here
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | just like mother used to make | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | they stop you, most of the time, unless the wheel locks up | | Weaknesses: | lock ups, squeel, bits falling off | | Similar Products Used: | calipers | | Bike Setup: | graecross pinnacle with default setup | | Bottom Line: | ok, if you like that sort of thing | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gavin Moir
a Cross Country Rider
from Middlesbrough, Teesside, UK
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hartmann Rocks (yes it does), Gunnison, CO | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bike shop in Madrid, Spain | | Strengths: | Brake pads don't wear (as you're reluctant to use the damn things!). | | Weaknesses: | Everything.
After the initial bedding in period I had assumed that the squeal would dissapear and the performance would stabilise. Oh no. In the last year I have ridden in climates varying from the Utah desert to Peak District mud (UK). The brakes have underperformed in every situation, so much so that I have been holding back on nearly every downhill section. This is due to a) multiple overshoots on corners due to inefficient braking, b) a 40mph baleout due to rear wheel locking (eventually after much struggling!) and c) my eardrums aren't what they used to be after the unwanted effects of the shimano singsong. | | Similar Products Used: | Avids, LX, XTR. | | Bike Setup: | I tried cool stop pads, I tried XTR pads, I tried boosters, I tried toeing them in a bit, I tried toeing them in a lot, I tried not toeing them in at all. Then I cried 'cos they were still cr*p. | | Bottom Line: | If you want ALL your braking effort to be magically transformed into noise, then these babies are the business. If, however, like me you kinda like slowing down when you pull on the brake levers, buy something else. Anything else. Or if you have already invested in these engineering monstrosities, you'll just have to drag your feet in the dirt to slow down. Lastly, a piece of advice. Look into Magura's or Disc brakes. V-brakes in general are actually no better than cantis. Despite the hyped up marketing that we all swallowed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mad max
a Racer
from whocares
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Strengths: | Great stopping power. Good squeal (lets people know that you are coming - they usually let you pass) | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | older LX v's | | Bottom Line: | These are great brakes. I used to worry about the squeal and adjust it out. Now, who cares. If it sqeals too much, you're on the brakes too much :-)
Beats having one of those bells on your bike. The squeal does seem to get hiker's attention better. They get off the trail, then look back. I'm guessing that they think you are out of control due to the horrific sqeal. They get out of the way first, then stand there and look at you. The bell just seems to get them to turn around right where they stand (in your way). The bell is too pleasant.
Five flamers just to upset you.
Could be lighter but then buy XTR. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | lightweight, fairly powerful | | Weaknesses: | that @#%! squeal... | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX (non parallel-push), STX cantis | | Bike Setup: | Specialized HT, RockShox SID XL, XT drivetrain, Kore Elite stem, Syncros post, Easton Scandium DH bar, Cane Creek S5 headset, Mavic X517/XT wheels, Tioga Factory DH 2.1s | | Bottom Line: | I am not pleased with these brakes. They were good stoppers for about two months and then the squealing started and would not end, even with new Kool Stop pads and some major adjustment. These brakes nearly ruined a trip to Moab due to the squeal and subsequent loss of power. I have since put a Shimano booster on the front set and a Salsa booster on the rear and the squeal has stopped. Don't buy these - go with a non-parallel push brake like the Avid Mags or the old LX V-brakes that stop just as good with no squeal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip Foot
a Weekend Warrior
from Swansea,South Wales, UK
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Afan Argoed | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Mail Order | | Strengths: | Powerful, Nice Modulation, Look good, Easy to align with the parallel action | | Weaknesses: | Of course; The Noyze | | Similar Products Used: | Standard unbranded Trek V's | | Bike Setup: | Trek 920 (steel frame) Manitou '98 SXR's, Mavic Crossrides | | Bottom Line: | I think (I hope) I've sorted the squeeeeel. I've tried everything; toe in ,toe out, different pads, different wheels (!!!) cleaning, booster, swapping pads etc etc.
After reading a letter in a mountain bike mag (MBR in the UK) I've followed the letters advice and fitted Aztec shoes.
Using the old pads (cool stop) the squeel has GONE. I 've done 40 miles since and I can hear myself think!!!
You can use standard Shimano pads (I haven't tried the Aztec pads that came with it) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Floth
a Weekend Warrior
from Placerville, CA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | It's a secret | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Strengths: | Great feel, when they aren't squealing so bad that you can feel the vibration in the levers | | Weaknesses: | Im not even going to say it again | | Similar Products Used: | LX, avids, R.S. Disks | | Bike Setup: | 96 Avalanche 00' XT/XTR stuff | | Bottom Line: | I thought these brakes were going to drive me insane but careful setup will make them work. The key I found is to make everything extra tight. No toe in, torque down hard on the pad screws, and same for the brake boss screws. They've gone about 50 miles so far without a peep. Good luck | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trail Boss
a Racer
from Cincinnati
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | I can't think of any | | Weaknesses: | Look stupid, squeal, just plain suck | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XTR, Avid 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Lightweight hardtail | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are the worst I've ever used. When I puchased them mail order, I had no idea they were so big and stupid looking. They look as though they could stop an 18 wheeler, but they can't even stop my 185 lbs. They feel too squishy and the front sqeals like its getting raped. DO NOT purchase these brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trick
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville,AL
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | old goat | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | look nice, strong, the parrallel push, decent modulation | | Weaknesses: | squeel, a bit of play in all of those pivots | | Similar Products Used: | other shimano V's | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Black Widow, XT, Mavic 517's, Manitou SXR, Topo Boosters | | Bottom Line: | the back brake works without a problem (with a booster and zero toe angle). The front squeels like all hell is breaking loose. I was able to calm it down for the most part by putting no angle on the pads(Kool-Stops), keeping the rims dirty and the pads well sanded. there is also a booster which helps with the power. After a few months of riding there is some play in the front brake pivots. These are the only parts on my bike that are giving me problems. Next time I think I will go with some simple Avid SD's or other single pivot brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trick
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville,AL
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | old goat | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | look nice, strong, the parrallel push, decent modulation | | Weaknesses: | squeel, a bit of play in all of those pivots | | Similar Products Used: | other shimano V's | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Black Widow, XT, ESP, Kore, Thomson | | Bottom Line: | the back brake works without a problem, but that is with a booster and zero toe angle. The front squeels like all hell is breaking loose. I was able to calm it down for the most part by putting no angle on the pads(Kool-Stops), keeping the rims dirty and the pads well sanded. there is also a booster which helps with the power. After a few months of riding there is some play in the front brake pivots. Next time I think I will go with some simple Avid SD's or other single pivot brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great stopping power and modulation, easy-to-replace cartridge brake pads, linear pad movement. | | Weaknesses: | These things squeal so loud you could probably deafen yourself after a couple of hours. Seriously, I couldn't believe how much noise they made. They squealed from the word go, and although I tried every trick in the book I could not get them to stop squealing. I got rid of them within days. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Arch Rival 50, various others of no consequence. | | Bike Setup: | Frame, wheels, brakes, pedals, chain, derailleurs, saddle and cute little sqeezie-horn (the kids love it). | | Bottom Line: | Do not buy these brakes, no matter how cheap someone is unloading them. If someone comes to your door trying to give you a set of XT V-Brakes, call the police. If your friends buy these brakes, get new friends. Yes, they are that bad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gak Low
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunnyvale
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Saratoga Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | OK modulation, Reasonably light | | Weaknesses: | SQUEAL, Totally unacceptable squealing | | Similar Products Used: | Onza Cantis, Dia Tech disc, Avid AR 40 (currently) | | Bike Setup: | Marin Rift Zone, SX-R, Mavic CrossRide | | Bottom Line: | After one year of OK performance they have developed the most unacceptable squealing, tried every trick in the book (just like everyone else here) nothing seems to work long term.
Found a temporary fix - extreme toe-in. This fix lasted 2 rides and the squealing cameis back. Just in time for me to install Avid AR 40. Once the Avid is installed, no more suealing.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
maxwell
a Racer
from anaheim
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | batawa | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | beautiful fit and finish of cast and machine parts. Easy setup | | Weaknesses: | Picture an 18 wheeler, with 16 wheels locked up, sliding sideways down a corrugated paved road. That's the sound the front brake makes. It is unrideable as it makes your ears ring. | | Similar Products Used: | Old DeoreII canits, LX Cantis | | Bike Setup: | stock 96 GT Avalance - which I wanted to upgrade to V brakes... | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 2k models. The 2k models have a single linkage for the par. push design on teh inside of the rm, the odler style had two links surrounding the arm.
My 30 day return window is closing - the brakes are being returned. No amount of fiddling, toeing in /out/none, cleaning rims, swithing pads, adding boosters will get these brakes to be quiet. To the lucky lucky few who do NOT have the squeal issue - hey you got lucky. TO those considering purchsing these brakes (for the love of god, don't!!) Here are my top ten setup tips to eliminate the squeal;
1) Toe the brakes in a lot
2) do NOT toe the brakes in at all
3) Toe them OUT
4) NEVER toe them out
5) use a brake booster
6) do NOT user a brake booster
7) Toe them flat
8) switch the pads from left to right and forward to back
9) make sure the pads are NOT switched left to right or forward to back
10) Clean your rims with Sctohbrite pads,a light sandpaper and Simple Green. Do this after every 30 minutes of riding - pull over on the trail if neccessary. (This will take several hours, but hey for
And finally, tip #11;
11) Switch to Avid Arch 50's.
I am giving them 2 for overall because they are very nicely made, and just one flaming bike seat for value because the brakes are unuseable. I find my self putting my feet down to slow down, because I don't dare touch the brakes! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Beauford
a Weekend Warrior
from Zimbobway
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any w/ dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great stopping power, the looks | | Weaknesses: | the squeallllllllllll, other than that, none | | Similar Products Used: | pro-max, old cantalever | | Bike Setup: | gt lts 2, xt brakes, bb, cassettem, levers & shifters, lx crank, Rockshox Judy xc (old model, still the best) and rock shox delux (despite what the reviews think, the delux is the best, i think that it is how the bike is set up) | | Bottom Line: | it squeaks, but exelent stopping power. 5 flamin thingies for looks and stopping power, -1 thingie for squeal | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin
a Cross Country Rider
from Exeter,England
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Woodbury int xc course | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Excellent Power, looks, modulation | | Weaknesses: | USED TO SQUEEEEEL like nuts on the front-so embarassing it took me months to figure out how to fix em. | | Similar Products Used: | Lx, Dx, M600, | | Bike Setup: | db alu hardtail full xt, judy xc | | Bottom Line: | To fix this git of a squeel take the shoes off and reverse them (right on left and vice versa) so that now the direction arrow is now backwards and instead of toeing them in at the front of the brake actually 'heel' them in, I also fitted a brake booster and I don't know if that helped but now you can't hear them at all. Shimano- I love your xt kit but minus a flamer for all those squeely embarassing moments!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Damn good stoppers! | | Weaknesses: | As you all know, Squealllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Lx,Avid and 98 Xt | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Element with all the goodies | | Bottom Line: | The last half hour reading about the particular affliction these brakes have was great. But they still work good, and thats coming from a clydesdale. This way I don't need to carry bear repelent while I'm out in the sticks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Hancock
a Racer
from North Yorkshire, England
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | New beefsome linkage = longevity.
Quality finish and overall looks.
Serious stopping ability combined with modulation aplenty
with the right set-up. | | Weaknesses: | Way too sensitive to set up and when they are not set-up well(and no one at shimano seems bothered to find out what 'well' is)these brakes squeal and howl. This is a serious downer after forking out good money for them. | | Similar Products Used: | Pro-max (no noise but no power or sensitivity either)
STX (simple, cheap, effective, quiet,slightly lacking in power) | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD3, XT , Rolf, Flite, Coda | | Bottom Line: | These brakes have almost had me in tears(and I'm well hard almost) with the frustration of trying umpteen set-ups with different blocks ,rims, etc.
When these brakes are squealing they are not working properly !: when they squeal they tend to grab badly and due to their power this makes them dangerous to an unwitting rider.
After months I have found out how to set these up so I get no squeal, sensitivity and power:
TOE IN OR TOE OUT THE PADS SO THAT ONLY ABOUT 20% HITS THE RIM, THE POWER OF THE BRAKE WILL SQUEEZE MORE OF THE PAD ON TO THE RIM SO YOU STILL HAVE POWER, BECAUSE THE WHOLE PAD IS NOT BEING APPLIED TO THE RIM IN ONE GO THE PROGRESSIVENESS AND SENSITIVITY IS GREAT.
So there you go. The downer of this is that one section of the pad wears so the set-up has to be tweaked alternately from being toed-in to being toed-out. You will find that as one section of the brake block wears resulting in more block surface touching the wheel, so the squeal will start again.
If I had written this 1 month after fitting them I would have given it one burning flea. Now I will bestow a 4
1 burning flea for the importers who gave me no knowledgable advice and said they had not had any complaints re squealing!
Good luck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jules
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Scotland | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Power.
The back is fine - only squeals sometimes. | | Weaknesses: | You guessed it! Kind of a cross between an elephant and a donkey I'd say.
Don't use these brakes with ceramic rims!!!
Particularly resonant on a light steel frame.
| | Similar Products Used: | Avids.
Old LX cantis
| | Bike Setup: | Merlin WCS steel frame.
XT bits.
Z3 fork.
Ceramic rims.
| | Bottom Line: | These are the brakes that turned me into a psycho biker. As soon as I bought the bike I found that I detested the sound that the front brake made so much that I rarely (if ever)use it. This has created a curious situation where I find myself screaming down trails with the back wheel locked, shooting across cross-roads and generally taking rediculous and unnecessary risks - not to mention wearing out huge numbers of rear tyres.
I've tried everything in the book (and some not in the book) to stop the sqeal, including spreading grease on the rim (surprisingly the brake still worked really well, but squealed). I'm really surprised that Shimano can get away with selling a product like this which is blatantly unusable, and even continuing them this year - perhaps they should come with a health warning! e.g. never use this product on the front of a light steel frame or in combination with ceramic rims. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RYAN
a Racer
from ALBERTA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the one i made | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | awesome stopping power | | Weaknesses: | THE SQUEEL LIKE PIGS ON A RAMPAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
there kinda mushy | | Similar Products Used: | avid 1.9 single digit | | Bike Setup: | kona ku, raceface bar, raceface cranks, xt drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | these brakes stop really strong but the front squeels like a pig. me and my friend both ride em and love em but they are loud, but you can get used to that, and they are a little mushy. but hell the stopping power is pretty good | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sawin Durasawin
a
from Austin, TX, USA.
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Stop Well | | Weaknesses: | Very Ugly Noise At Front Brake. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano V brake series | | Bike Setup: | Access Ti, RS 2000 Race | | Bottom Line: | I have never found the brake like this before. I have been using XT brake for almost 10 years, but in this 99 model make me don't feel good with its.
I have fixed the problem since I first used this product, but is stiil not as good as I expect. Well, I think I'll quit fixing this problem and replace to the new model. Maybe XTR or Avid or 98 Model. The 98 Model doesn't have any problem with my other bike although I use the old campagnolo MTB rim.
If you wanna buy this model, you would change your mind.
However, the rear one is ok..
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Woodsy singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | They work well, XT name | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 1st generation XT-Vs, 93 LX cantis, Dia Compe VC 733s | | Bike Setup: | '99 Stumpjumper FSR-XC Pro, Shimano carbon fibre brake boosters (F & R) Shimano 858 pedals | | Bottom Line: | They work great, not even a minor squeal, way better than the crappy Dia Compes on my rigid Rockhopper.
No squeal whatsoever....maybe my brake boosters help? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j m
a
from dallas
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | powerful | | Weaknesses: | squeeeeeeellll!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | avid | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale XT/XTR, speedplay frogs | | Bottom Line: | These brakes stop fine but the squeel from the front brake is driving insane. I'm sure people can hear me braking from the next city. Local bike shop said they should brake in but I can hardly stand to use them for fear of going deaf. If anyone knows how to fix this problem PLEASE let me know!!!!! One chili for good braking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Rutherford
a Cross Country Rider
from San Rafael CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I did manage to stop. | | Weaknesses: | SQUEEEEELLLL!!!!
and wide size interfears with pedal stoke | | Similar Products Used: | Avid V-brakes,LX old XT | | Bike Setup: | Mantra Race Mix of XT and XTR with Sram shifters | | Bottom Line: | After numerous attemps to adjust the brakes, sand the rims,change the rims, change the pads by myself and 3 bike shop wrenches I finally took the bike to the best wrench in Marin Co. ( Kyle Tohlen-mgn. of a major bike shop in San Rafael) who told me that the XT's are prone to squealing and that he hates to even sell them to his customers. He upgraded to XTR and no problems out of the box, just perfect! I would go with the LX or the XTR or really anything but the XT's
Shimano really blew it on this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chaz
a Racer
from amherst
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | strong | | Weaknesses: | i reviewed the brake about 6 months ago | | Bottom Line: | i dunno if anyone else is having this problem, but my brake engages, then the lever just keeps on going because the linkage keeps moving around. i've tried everything i can, and i've seen it on a couple other bikes too. i can hardly even tell when the pads hit the rim. don't get me wrong, this brake is f'ing strong. i'm big (6 feet, 185 lbs) and i tear apart parts like in the same sort of way that cars run over squirles. this brake stops me just fine and i do some trials stuff with it. the feeling is just kinda disconcering. i'm gonna get an xtr to see if it's any different, which i think it is. NOTE: if you want XT brakes, be sure to buy the 99 or 2000 version. the 98 versions linkages died after a month or two. my linkages have yet to have problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete Whitlock
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethesda
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the one that I ride alot that doesn't have a name. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very strong, great looks | | Weaknesses: | SQUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | XTR
AVID SD40
HAYES HYDROS | | Bike Setup: | A Crack n' fail (cannondale) with a 99' z-2 Bam, Azonic, LX/XT | | Bottom Line: | Good price, they stop well, they look good, but make the ride miserable. I rode in the city a few times and people stared at me, covering their ears, if you can take this kind of abuse, go for it. I, on the other hand am going to get mine replaced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ed
a Cross Country Rider
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | fairly easy pad removal and setup. good power. decent modulation. | | Weaknesses: | SQQQQQQQUEALLLLLLLLL. This thing puts out an absolutely ridiculous amount of SQUEAL. Loud enough to kill small animals. Nothing will cure it, carbon brake booster, different pads, toe-in, no toe-in, different rims.
Yes the brake stops well, but hell so do dozens of other brakes, and this thing is stupid loud. | | Bottom Line: | Don't bother. Shimano's reworking to get rid of the play (compared to the 98 version) wasn't very successful. Its pretty light, stops decent, but is super loud. Maybe its ok if you never brake or always ride alone, but any riding buds will get tired of the NOISE real quick. As far as performance, well, many other brakes stop as well or better, and are far quieter. So bottom line? Why bother? Unless you got em stock with your bike, but even then you might want to dump em onto some unlucky sod. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hashinaponialisman Hordemangangrenesucky
a Downhiller
from Here
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | my living roomasdkfhakljsd | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | They squeal greatly i love the soprano tone of them. If you like opera, these are for you! | | Weaknesses: | They stop youur bike.FAST. Believe me I am now in a hospital bed with 5 broken limbs | | Similar Products Used: | Rocks sticks and my brother | | Bike Setup: | MOnster T , Giant mosh BMX frame. 24 inch wheels | | Bottom Line: | They suck for BMX but for xc they rule if you want to have a blast flying down a mountain and then being flung head over heels at the slightest touch of the lever.
Have fun be safe
Tomac Rules | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Terrell
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, Ca
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pine Mtn Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Ease of setup, appearance, weight, cost | | Weaknesses: | Return spring, squeals when used on the front | | Bike Setup: | King hubs, ceramic Valiant rims, Marzocchi Z2 X-fly fork | | Bottom Line: | I had zero problems or noise when I used the brakes with the IRD TL5 fork. However, when I switched to the Marzocchi, the brakes began to sing like a tenor on crack. My theory is that the placement of the brake bosses on the fork encourage the pads to be pulled away from the arms. When used in the rear, the pads are pushed into the arms, suppressing any vibration. The TL5 fork, with the rear facing bosses, act just like a rear brake. In order to minimize the singing, I swapped pads to ceramic-specific Shimanos (I normally don't used ceramic pads on ceramic rims), as well as installing a Shimano brake booster. The brake still sings when cold, but quiets down nicely during long or fast downhills. Through it all, the brakes are stone-axe reliable and are very powerful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pimp Daddy Mifsud
a
from Mt. Hope, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dundas/Ancaster | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Very powerful, easy to adjust, look great | | Weaknesses: | The damned break pads totally suck. The noise especially | | Similar Products Used: | Alivo,LX, XTR canti's and V's | | Bike Setup: | Norco Team 853 Marzocchi Z2 atom 80 fork, XT, XTR setupn and Mavic wheels | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are totally awesome but change the pads before you leave the store with them. With my weight {200lbs} behind the wheel of my bike going down a big hill the noise of these breaks is guarenteed to brake every pane of glass within 10 miles. They are so obnoctious I refrain from using them. But if you dont mind the squeel they are absoutely awesome!
These brakes are really good priced--5 chillies
Overall the brakes are good but the squeel stinks-- 4 flamin chillies | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SK
a Cross-Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Emma Carlin | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Light, stops well | | Weaknesses: |
Wails like a banshee | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid Arch 50 | | Bike Setup: |
GT Zaskar LE with King/Valiant Wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Very good stopping power, yet when I switched from the stock Crosslinks, the brakes started to howl like it was the full moon. I switched pads, adjusted the brakes, even screwed with taking the levers on and off, but no dice. The Avids are much quieter, and were at a decent price. I'd love the Arch Supremes, but I am not willing to dish out the cash for them. Shimano makes a pretty good product though, and I'd say that if you have a ceramic coated rim, they are a great set.
5 thingies for stopping power
1 thingy for noise pollution
4 thingies for value
4 thingies for weight | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trialsguru
a Cross-Country Rider
from stratford,ont
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
the parks downtown with lots of benches,stairs and fountains etc. | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
very good performance, so powerful they flex my frame(solved by adding a brake booster). | | Weaknesses: |
not much return power(solved by bending springs outwards). | | Similar Products Used: |
stx V's, cantis, cheap V's | | Bike Setup: |
XT V's, tektro levers(yes they are totally fine for trials), XTR cables and housing, Sun rims Rhyno Lite. | | Bottom Line: | they are a very good brake, did not have to tar my rims at all. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warmond
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga, ON
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Obviously more powerful than cantilever ones. Delivers comparable stopping power to disc-brake setups. Maybe lighter than them?? | | Weaknesses: |
Whenever you need to change a wheel, you need to loosen the brake cables. Flexes the rear triangle upon maximum stopping power. | | Bike Setup: |
older Cannondale M800, Manitou 3, stock brake pads, Mavic 217s on XTR hubs | | Bottom Line: | All I'm worried about this brake setup is the amount of flexing in my fork and my frame from applying a large amount of pressure on the levers. I guess a good brake arch is a good solution.Good braking power for the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tsunami a wanna be
a Racer
from NorCal
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ho Chi Minh Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very very little maintenance required.
Stops great.
Price!
Lighter than disc | | Weaknesses: |
Squeals like a mad pig (yes my brakes are toed in!).
Causes flat tires (by rims heating up) on long downhill ski runs. | | Similar Products Used: |
owned various canti's
tried various discs | | Bike Setup: |
Santa Cruz SuperLight
Z2 xFly
Fox vanilla float RC
XT build kit | | Bottom Line: | Stops well 95% of the time, but the squeling is just too much. I would give 5 chilis if were not for the squel. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Snoop
a Cross-Country Rider
from Carrboro, NC
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
stopping power | | Weaknesses: |
squeal like pigs | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano LX V-brakes | | Bike Setup: |
Sanra Cruz Heckler, Z2 Bobmer up front | | Bottom Line: | The things DO actually stop the bike well, but the squealing in the front is absurd. I switched to WTB pads which mostly eliminated the problem when it's dry, but how often do you avoid getting the pads/rims wet? The answer's almost never if you live in the East (and don't bother telling me to toe the things in/out/up/down - it doesn't work). A friend who works for a bike company told/suggested to me that the problem is not the pads or the toe-in, but the multiple pivots which cause the pad to vibrate on the rim; I don't know if it's true or not, but it makes sense. Cantis (sans pivots) NEVER squaled like this when adjusted properly.3 turds for stopping the bike and letting the hunters know I'm probably not a deer, but common - we should get more than this (like a pleasant riding experience)! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park, MD
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Patapsco | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
mmmm.... XT satin grey...
strong
they work | | Weaknesses: |
mad squeal | | Similar Products Used: |
promax - Cool Value Over Biking | | Bike Setup: |
930, z.3 LT, LX/XT, azonic bars | | Bottom Line: | These puppies WORK. I've got all kinds of brake squeal up front, even after swapping pads to kool-stops, but I suspect that's as much the rim that I have (Bonty maverick eyeletted). I bought one pair three months ago, and just now got so fed up with my cheapy pro-max POSs that I got another set today for the rear. It's nice to be able to effortlessly lock up the rear wheel when I want to and have mad modulation when I don't. If you're on any kind of budget, go buy these brakes. why are you still reading this? I said go buy the brakes.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Gionet
a Cross-Country Rider
from Halifax N.S.
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Randys Revange | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Awsome breaking power
look cool | | Weaknesses: |
They are sooooo loud | | Similar Products Used: |
LX
And Crap canties | | Bike Setup: |
Stumper jumper
LX,XT more XT
Manitou SX | | Bottom Line: | They are a great brake if they just didn't make so much noise they would be awsome. The have give me no truble at all. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Eckel
a Weekend Warrior
from Moorestown, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wissahickon's Indian Head | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Power, modulation, ease of pad adjustment | | Weaknesses: |
Raging loud shrieks of banshee proportions from the front | | Similar Products Used: |
STX Cantis
Dia Compe 747 | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX 870
Manitou FS-Ti
XT shifter/levers
Mavic 222/LX wheels | | Bottom Line: | First of all, are there any mountain bikers out there who can spell their way out of a wet paper sack? I mean, really, people! Computers have backspace keys for a reason!Anyhoo, these stoppers are light years ahead of my Dia Craps--easily adjustable pad camber and toe, spring tension that actually stays where you set it, lots of power, and natty looks. However, if I wanted to listen to high-pitched wailing, I would have spent my money on some opera CDs. I am extremely bummed that I cannot get the squealing to stop. I have tried toe-in of all degrees, toe-out, pads flat against the rim, scrubbed pad surfaces, and I even cleaned the rims with emory cloth. The only thing that has helped has been my realization that the squealing is worst when the going is very slow--i.e., plonking down a very technical piece of single trackery. My solution? Keep the speed high. Gives the fork a workout, but at least your ears don't bleed.My next step is to try a brake booster up front. After that? Discs, I guess. It's all very frustrating, really. Love the brakes, but you really need to be deaf to enjoy them fully. Of course, I very well may be deaf from using them within the year. I'll give them 2.5 chilis. And please note the proper spelling of chilis. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MadD b0mBeR
a Weekend Warrior
from ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Chalk Gully | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
GREAT POWER, LIGHT AS HELIUM! | | Weaknesses: |
noise (?), sponge (?) | | Similar Products Used: |
98 XT, crap cantis | | Bike Setup: |
WB DC118, LTS custom | | Bottom Line: | I was thinking about getting those MD-1's, but have now decided against it. 98 developed play withen a month, and after a year it was at the stage of under the rim, then hitting the tyre. I had had enough, i up-graded, and the power was only slightly better. They only squeak sometimes, but when they do its DAMN loud (doesnt bother me thou), they are spongey, like the 98's but also that doesnt bother me either, it gives me confidence. I can pull the lever right down to the grip (bending my frame and forks) and i KNOW that NOTHING will move my wheel. Very confidence insipreing when doing trials, and nasty DH's with kicks that can dislodge the back wheel. Love them, VERY CHEAP (£25 a pair!!!!!! WHAT!) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Racer99
a Cross-Country Rider
from Concord, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Briones Loop | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Nice and powerful! Priced right. | | Weaknesses: |
Brakes seem to come with the pads assembled wrong. 6mm washer and 2mm washer are reversed. | | Similar Products Used: |
Tektro (crap!!!)
Avid Arch rivals | | Bike Setup: |
Mongoose NX 7.5 with full XT setup, Bontrager Mustang ASYM w/ XT hubs (awesome wheels!) | | Bottom Line: | Most people say these brakes squeal like a stuck pig They probably have dirty braking surfaces or there brakes are not adjusted right. Set the correct toe and spacing and your brakes will work great. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chaz
a Cross-Country Rider
from amherst
Date Reviewed: September 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
mt. lincoln | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
pretty strong
very smooth action | | Weaknesses: |
they get loud after being engaged for like 10 seconds. | | Similar Products Used: |
98 lx | | Bottom Line: | they're pretty strong. i've been working on my pad setup like every day to try to get rid of the squeak, but i guess that everyone's brakes have this problem, so i won't try as hard now. also, if you don't use a 99 xt lever, the brakes never really stop engaging. i first used a 98 lx lever, and you could tell when the brakes had hit the rim, but then you could just keep on pulling until the lever hit the bar. but since i got the right lever, it's been working pretty good. i like it. but the noise kinda sucks. but at least it's only in the brake, and it doesn't shake the whole frame like some brake squeak does. certinly not perfect, but alot better than last years xt's, who's linkage sucked after like a month. 4 turds | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island
Date Reviewed: September 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Makes a great trail horn | | Weaknesses: |
NOISY, NOISY, NOISY!!! | | Bike Setup: |
HT w/Z2 | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are-were-the $hits! I couldn't wait to replace them, they were so embarrasing to ride with all the squealing. NO amount of adjustment could get them to work, so I dumped them for the new Cane Creeks. Nopw these are stoppers!!!
Like to give the XT's zero chillies, but one is the minimum | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephan
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ridderkerk (Holland)
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Schoorl (Holland) | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Braker power.
Weight
adjustment | | Weaknesses: |
The NOISE!!!
Springs had to be bent to get more strenght. | | Similar Products Used: |
DiaCompe V-brake | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX
Mavic Crossland
Deore XT | | Bottom Line: | This brakes stop like hell!! On my first testride I had an OTB.(over the bare). My chin is seriously damaged by my kiss with the road. Fortunately, I was wearing gloves, so my I can still ride my bike. Nevertheless, 5 chili's! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JJ
a Cross-Country Rider
from Londonderry, NH
Date Reviewed: September 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
stops good, scares away any bears in the woods | | Weaknesses: |
make them stop howling!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
LX, removing front brake and doing it flintstone style | | Bike Setup: |
fisher, xt, judy | | Bottom Line: | i spent 3 days in the woods by myself cleaning my rims and pads, had 18 different bike gurus adjust the toe-in, and prayed to budah to make them stop sqeeling.
i no longer enjoy mountian biking because i cant deal with the never ending
howl coming from my front end. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Doanes
a Weekend Warrior
from Westminster, CO
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
White Ranch -- Golden, CO | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Will stop you on a quarter. (Only discs will stop you on a dime.) | | Weaknesses: |
You're joking, right?! | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn S9.6, full suspension; RockShoc on front, Cane Creek on back. | | Bottom Line: | I paid attention to all warnings that I would endo if not careful. My first test (after getting rid of those crappy cantis) was on pavement. I light touch on the rear brakes and they locked. Before, I rolled into switchbacks, but now I slide, swing the rear and keep going on the trail. These brakes exceeded my expectations!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jibcrusher
a Cross-Country Rider
from Front Range
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
paved bike paths with rollerbladers | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Similar Products Used: |
cantis | | Bottom Line: | Those of you who knock these brakes are either too inexperienced to have dealt with canits, or you are just stupid. If your brakes squeal, clean your rims, realign your pads and spring tension, and stop whining. These are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and will be so until disk brakes get dialed.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KillerV
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ýst
Date Reviewed: September 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Really strong enough to stretch my frame!!! | | Weaknesses: |
Not Weak!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
98 XT | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale KillerV800 | | Bottom Line: | You can hear me from a mile because the system is too bad it makes a vibration an it causes a very bad noise!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross-Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Seaton | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light
Strong
Look cool | | Weaknesses: |
none! Mine don't squeal AT ALL!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
XTR
Past XT's
Avid arch Supreme
Hayes Disk | | Bike Setup: |
'99 Trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | Grat brakes fer the bucks, nice and light, very strong. One of the best overall! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sprockethead
a Cross-Country Rider
from British Columbia
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
good stoppers | | Weaknesses: |
loud...sound like a goose in heat | | Similar Products Used: |
older xt's | | Bike Setup: |
rigid with Z2's | | Bottom Line: | Powerful braking yes but the squeling makes you want to stay off the brakes when you need them the most. The big thing is shimano is aware of this and keep telling people that it is just a few brakes....it is all of them no matter what compound of pad you use. Do not believe them if they tellyou to use a brake booster that does not work either | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross-Country Rider
from Marin, Ca
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
stop well | | Weaknesses: |
squeeled like pigs | | Similar Products Used: |
xtr, avid arch supreme | | Bike Setup: |
marin, xtr/xt/race face, z2 | | Bottom Line: | I got these on my bike, went on one ride down the steep side (kent lake side) of bolinas ridge, you could hear me comin 2 miles away. Took em back to the shop where I was told that they squeeked on some bikes, others not, and couldnt figure out why. Theyrer trying to get rid of em...people keep returning em. I decided to try the XTRs...No Problems whatsoever. Go with the XTRs right off the bat, theyre only 15 bucks more. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
smack
a Cross-Country Rider
from larry, ks
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
theyre brakes and they stop the bike | | Similar Products Used: |
onza, machine tech | | Bottom Line: | got mine with the little hazard sticker that tells you that these things will stop your bike. didnt take them seriously and set it to the maximum braking power...flew over the handlebars.
they work.
and though shimano isnt my favorite company, but
they make good stuff that you can rely on. not like some high end manufacturers that make termpermental equipment.
like mine...wont trade them for anything but some xtr. id also suggest going with the xt or higher for the parellel pivot design.
i think it works. everything wears even and makes solid contact. also setup is easy and obvious.
5 dukes high.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Batman
a Weekend Warrior
from calgary,alberta,canada
Date Reviewed: August 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Looks awsome
Good modulation
Strong | | Weaknesses: |
The FRONT brake squels!!!
MUSHY cause the tension screws are hard to adjust | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid 2.0 | | Bike Setup: |
schwinn homegrown | | Bottom Line: | I have these brakes hooked up to Avid 1.9 levers which came stock on my bike, and these are great brakes, WAY better than the avids. I like the cartridge pads and the paralell push link is cool too.Only complaints are that they are kinda hard to adjust so they arnt mushy, and the first day that i rode my new bike, i rode into a puddle and the front brake has been squeaking ever since. arg.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curis R. Dove
a Cross-Country Rider
from Arlington, TX
Date Reviewed: July 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cedar Hill, TX | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Stays flat against rim, saving pads, reducing fatigue on rims, brakes, and produces smooth strong braking. | | Similar Products Used: |
I had Avid 2.0 stock, were on only for about a day.... decent brakes. | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn S-20
Dual Rock Shox
Xtr Rear Derailer
Mountain mix comp.
Xt V-Brakes, and levers
Rapidfire | | Bottom Line: | I trust these brakes, with my safety. I also have the utmost reliance on them, and they havn't left me diasapointed me yet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse
a Cross-Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
National | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Not as loud as last year | | Weaknesses: |
-Spring likes to jump off arm
-Still pretty damn loud | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid SD 25 | | Bike Setup: |
-Dale SV 2000 + FattySL | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are a slighy improvement over the 98 model, but are not worth getting when brakes like the Avid models are available for less money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross-Country Rider
from Minnetonka, MN
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Easy to setup.
Cheap.
Mucho stopping power. | | Weaknesses: |
Front squeals like a stuck pig.
Return springs needed to be bent to provide any return.
Front doesn't let the wheel be removed without deflating the tire.
NO MODULATION | | Similar Products Used: |
98 XT, Suntour XC-pro, Ritchey Logic | | Bike Setup: |
Fuji Pro, RockShox Judy SL | | Bottom Line: | Good brake if you want an on/off control. Much better power than any other that I've used. But can Shimano make a front brake that DOESN't squeal? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike machado
a Weekend Warrior
from brantford, on
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
the ones I make. | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
for those that are into wieght, these are lighter then the xtr's and lx's ( altough still beefy. but oh that mech.. | | Weaknesses: |
silly little stickers which try and cover pivots. one of mine fell of before I got it on my bike.. | | Similar Products Used: |
none, I have obviously been deprived! | | Bike Setup: |
I have a GT Hardtail with mostly shit parts, but one good rear V-brake. My XT! | | Bottom Line: | I was most impressed here in Canada these things run like 70 bucks.. (dollors for the yanks) but hell i'm gonna grab the front one now to.. and these look way sweeter then those silly looking lx's and xtr's with there little skiny leverage arm (don't exactly know its proper4 title)
as you can see below, this gets a freakin - FIVE CHILLIES! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Etheridge
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lancaster CA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
All of them. | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Mucho Modulation! | | Weaknesses: |
Block the air values on my 99 Superfly fork. Really Marzocchi's fault for a dumb design. Still a GREAT fork even with the lame valve placement. | | Similar Products Used: |
97 XTR-V, 98 XTR-V, 99 Avid 2.5 V | | Bike Setup: |
99 Santa Cruz Superlight w/Superfly fork, custom wheelset, full XT group. | | Bottom Line: | The best brakes I've ever used. Redesigned for 99. Completely different than all previous years. Modulate better than the 99 Avids. Easy to setup. Built to last forever! Really great on STEEP lose downhill sections. More progressive action than earlier XTR-V's. No rattling. The review by Ann below is a complete fabrication! No way in the world these redesigned beefy pivots will fail in any short period of time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross-Country Rider
from McHenry
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kettle | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Awsome braking power
Affordable
Tight looks | | Weaknesses: |
Collect mud
Tricky to set up-squeal!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
XT canti's
Avid 2.0
Machine Tech canti's | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 8000 frame
Manitou SX
Specialized stout hubs/Mavic 222 rims
Kooka cranks/Syncros B.B./XTR derailleurs
Plasma shifters
Real X-Levers
Kore stem/bar/post | | Bottom Line: | Ann, get a life and a tampon! P.M.S. definatley got the best of your ass! Anyway, I have been extremely impressed with these brakes. I try to stray from Shimano as much as possible, but these brakes (like XTR derailleurs) perform wonderfully. I swapped out my Avids with the XT's and was amazed with the performance. The brass pivots are protected by metal stickers the eventually fall off. I took them all off because I can easily drop a little oil into the bushings every few rides. Better in my opinion than the XTR bearings-which are unnecessary and more difficult to maintain-especially when failure occurs.
BUSHING FELL OUT!!!WHAT!!! How the hell can a bushing out if it is held in place by the mounting bolt. Not only was Ann P.M.Sing but she was on acid too! Nothing against women, but I hate it when someone tries to diss a good thing, especially when they are completely out in left field (while smoking crack).100 CHILI'S!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ann
a Weekend Warrior
from Indiana
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | The product is the most cheezey piece of $hit on the market, the pivits are coverd with stickers!! I lost a pivit on the trails and had no front breaks and only had this product for a couple of days. Waste of money, would like to give zero chillis but I can't | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross-Country Rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
John Muir (Wisconsin) | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Strength, looks, feel | | Weaknesses: |
Need to toe just right to avoid squeel with Mavic rims (UB) | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid Arch Supreme, XTR | | Bike Setup: |
Homegrown Factory | | Bottom Line: | Wow! Very impressive bite for an inexpensive brake. Actually have some modulation for a V brake. Good looks and built to take it. Able to lock up wheels (if want to) in slurry. Much better job this time Shimano. Still get a little squeel out of the front (matched to SID XC). Better deal than XTR. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sewook Jung
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seoul, Korea
Date Reviewed: June 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kwan-Ak San | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very Good | | Weaknesses: |
Easy to be dirty | | Similar Products Used: |
'98 XT V-Brake | | Bike Setup: |
Full XT | | Bottom Line: | This is the best brake I have ever used. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross-Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cane Creek | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
coolest looking V-Brakes on the market, stooping power is absolutely incredible, pretty cheap | | Weaknesses: |
none yet | | Similar Products Used: |
98 LX, 99 Avid 1.0 & 2.0 | | Bike Setup: |
'97 Proflex 657 all 99 XT, clipless(515) | | Bottom Line: | awesome, strong,& cheap-does it get any better for the price? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Missoula
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
rattlesnake | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
affordable, solid | | Weaknesses: |
difficult to take f.wheel on/off | | Similar Products Used: |
98 LX v's | | Bike Setup: |
GT/Hardtail
Z2 BOMBER | | Bottom Line: | I dont have things fine tuned yet but these are verly solid brakes. Went back & forth between these and arch-rivals, but made the correct choice......;-> | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mojo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: May 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
BC - Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Better bearing protection than prior year's models.
Beefier than most anyone could need.
Easily maintained.
Super-Crazy-Strong!! | | Weaknesses: |
None - well priced for the improved braking power they offer. | | Similar Products Used: |
LX V's and Avid V's | | Bike Setup: |
RM Element Race - all XT
Avid SD 2.0 levers | | Bottom Line: | Really excellent brakes, totally affordable, immense stopping power wet, dry or mudded to the nines - and nice to see they've shrouded the tender bits that used to be so exposed in previous models. Buy them...soon *grin* | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allan
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Snoqualmie | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
easy set-up, power, looks | | Weaknesses: |
none yet | | Similar Products Used: |
lx v-brakes | | Bike Setup: |
GT LTS | | Bottom Line: | I just went on the first trail with these brakes and they worked great. I was trying the power while the rims were all mudded up, and I was able to lock up both wheels. They are great! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ErikR
a Cross-Country Rider
from MSLA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Well-designed! Strong, easy to set up | | Weaknesses: |
No additional shims to perfecting the fit. | | Similar Products Used: |
Onza, Shimano xt/lx, alvio junk, Avid | | Bike Setup: |
K2 3000 | | Bottom Line: | These are superb brakes! They make up for all the poorly made junk shimano has been foisting on us for years. Buy these now! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rene
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Prairie Creek Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Linear pull eliminates adjustments on pads. Tension screw uses hex (found in most bike repair kits). Powerful! | | Weaknesses: |
Installing the first one was difficult. Second went much better. | | Similar Products Used: |
98 XTR's, 98 LX's. | | Bike Setup: |
Gard Fisher Genesis with Bomber. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome brakes. Never owned the old style, but have heard these are a big improvement. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
monkeyboy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Davenport, IA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
loud thunder | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
No noise, no rattle, incredible power, easy set-up, fair price, great looks | | Weaknesses: |
the cheap @#* little sticky paper that covers the pivets. They fell off while i was installing so i covered the pivets with silicone. | | Similar Products Used: |
98 XT v's, 98 LX v's, old Onza HO's | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized rockhopper, Maintou 97 FS Ti | | Bottom Line: | A huge leap ahead of the 98's. If you want the linkage brakes these are the ticket. Super stiff and great power. These will probably last a couple years without developing the play like the old ones, but only time will tell. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrei
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: March 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
catoctin trail | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Super strong, spot on demand, look beter then '98, no play. | | Weaknesses: |
you need an allen to adjust them instead of a skrewdriver. | | Similar Products Used: |
'98 XT and '98 XTR | | Bike Setup: |
'96 TREK Y3, manitou x-vert R, helix expert, hayes disc. | | Bottom Line: | The new design is much better then the old one because shimano could not bare to see all the negative comments about the old model. They had way to much play, and the mechanism was not designed to be bullet proof. But now they finally did it an afordable brake that requires ZERO maintenance and is practically bullet proof. try them on a trail and you will fall in love with them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a cross-country rider
from san jose,CA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
These brakes kick some pretty major amounts of ass. I used to have some 97 XT's but dumped them because of the play. These puppies have more power, no play, and overall worry-free performance. However I will probably get Avid 2.0's on my new bike just because of the heft-factor. Damn nice stuff though | | Overall Rating: |
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