You've seen the new hydraulic disc brakes on XTR-equipped bikes, and may have envied their light weight, high performance, and super modulation. Now those same benefits come to the XT level in the new Deore XT hydraulic disc brake.
Submitted by
illcomm33
a Cross Country Rider
from Cololorado Springs, CO Date Reviewed: October 28, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Anything Fruita
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Craigslist
Strengths:
Great modulation (when weather is warm), easy to bleed, uses mineral oil, easy set up, great stopping power, pads last forever, pad installation and removal (super easy, no magic needing to be done to get them in/out and they will not fall out like some other brands).
Weaknesses:
Modulation in levers during cold (40 f) weather
Similar Products Used:
Older XT hydros, Juicy 7
Bike Setup:
Spot Longboard 29er SS belt drive
Bottom Line:
It is true. When the temperature starts to drop the levers feel terrible. So disappointing because overall these are amazing brakes. Fairly lightweight, and amazing stopping power. I have always been a shimano fan. I ended up selling a pair of Juicy 7's because of the dreaded turkey garble they were producing on my GF Rig to get these brakes. Not disappointed in getting rid of those brakes but to pick up something that is so finicky to cold weather? I will start looking for older XT brakes to replace these if that is going to be the way they perform when "cold." Like others have said...the levers get crazy tight and the free stroke is just about gone. Don't even waste your time adjusting the free stroke screw or bleeding because it will not fix the modulation. :) Doubt? Bring your bike inside your house for a day so it gets warm, pull the pads and reset the pistons, and you will see your levers feel fine.
These are 5 chili brakes in summer, 3 in winter. Boo.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kona.mtbr
a Cross Country Rider
from Buffalo, ny Date Reviewed: September 10, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Easy to work on, no toxic oils...
Easy to set up, can't see how people are saying they are getting a lot of drag. Loosen caliper, squeez brake, tighten caliper, done.
Weaknesses:
After about 250 miles the disc (sm-rt78) started to get some
play. At first I thought it was there new center lock ring, wrong. The "rivets" that conect the metel outer disc to the plastic center loosed, a lot. I called shimano tech and they said I had to send them back. What good does that do me right now! He said I wasn't the first to call but got really vague when asked how many got sent back. If they know it's any issue they should send me new ones now!!
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, avid, hope, your mom.
Bike Setup:
Intense tracer VP, basterd is like a scalpel going through butter!!!
If you have the means I highly recommend picking one up
Bottom Line:
Avid....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GoodFriar
a Weekend Warrior
from Niagara, Canada Date Reviewed: April 10, 2009
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
I run XT dual controls (even though it's an all-mountain bike setup) - I'm use to it from my XC bike. The shimano XT brakes have preformed well in warm season and survived 3-stage, eduro events where riders were going through pads daily due to sand grit and decents. They've also been a great product on my XC race bike - decent modulation sufficient power when needed.
Weaknesses:
Poor cold weather performance. I'm in agreement with Artic Tiger and experience the same isssues when riding in < -5C. I've blown a seal on the rears this wiinter and now believe the fronts are leaking.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Nomad, XT Drivetrain, XT Dual Control, Rockshox Lyric 2 Step.
Also - Trek 8000 XC race bike setup.
Bottom Line:
Decent performance and reliability in "normal" riding conditions - they've lasted my 3 years on both bikes. However, in past 2 years I've had failures and poor performance during the winter season. I wouldn't recommend if you are a 4 season rider.
Would get 4-5 chilli's if they figure out the cold weather issue.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jorge_sk
a Weekend Warrior
from Bratislava, Slovakia Date Reviewed: March 13, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
reliable, carefree, very good modulation - no biting
Weaknesses:
weak overall stopping power, heavy
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore (BR-M525), Hayes Stroker Trail, Magura Marta SL
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance X, previously used on Merida Matts Team HT
Bottom Line:
This review is for BR-M765 hydraulic disc brakes - the old Shimano XT 2004 model.
The design is really simple so its no need to worry about any damage - thats the plus. The brake is really reliable - no need to bleed it for 2 seasons. Well, there were no issues with the brake at all. It may be a little heavy for race XC use but the weigth is acceptable. The price was also the plus. Also the modulation was very good, no bite issues at all - the lever feel is a bit soft compared to Magura Martas (but these are firm in general)
And to the CONS - I was really satisfied with the brake as I previously used the Deore M525 model, which is something thats trying to look like hydraulic brake, but is really weak in performance. But then I bought Magura Marta and I found out what means braking with one finger, great modulation and feel. So the brake is really good deal for the money but the overall braking power is WEAK in my opinion.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
XXLspot
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands Date Reviewed: March 12, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
BRM765 - Inexpensive as part of groupset, good modulation, good power, mineral oil, front pad axle difficult to un/screw (bend?!)
Weaknesses:
Pistons stick easily, although it seems to get better over time; Lever of frontbrake developes play; rotors wear out after about 4sets of pads each; on steep and long decents in the Alpes leverfeel started to change and rotors became overheated
Similar Products Used:
Magure HS33 rim brakes on old bike
Bike Setup:
5.5 Spot, M765 with 180mm front and 160mm back
Bottom Line:
Although rather cheap initially, maintenance and parts are rather expensive. Not as troublefree as hoped for. Practically spoken the front brake is worn down after 2 seasons with about 10000km in total of which 7000 in the Alps. I hope for another season after I've done the necessary replacements. I think that's better for the planet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
arctic_tiger
a Cross Country Rider
from Finland Date Reviewed: March 11, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
On-One
Weaknesses:
Poor performance in freezing conditions.
Bottom Line:
I have the 2007 Deore XT BR-M765 brakes. Several issues when riding in the cold (down to -12C degrees or so)
1) Levers tighten up. Seems the pads aren't returning properly (?).
2) Poor braking power. Particularly, my front brake has very power. Possibly oil has leaked from the pistons onto the pad. Will have to check that. Others have reported such problems. Really disappointing if practically new pads (less than 100km ridden) are now ruined.
3) Awful squeaking and squealing sounds. Especially bad when it's snowing. They can hear you from a kilometer away.
Some people here in Finland have had really bad oil leakages and local Shimano rep has replaced their calipers. Considering the same if it gets worse. This lousy cold weather performance is surely a result of a) seal failure or b) oil performance in the cold. Or a combination of both.
Question: has anybody experimented with other oils? (other than the Shimano mineral oil) For instance in car engines, the fully synthetic motor oils perform much better in low temperatures than regular mineral motor oil.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eleymonster
a Cross Country Rider
from North-east, England Date Reviewed: February 9, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Ebay / marlin cycles
Strengths:
Very good lever possisioning, and feel. Little to no brake squeal in the wet.
Weaknesses:
Pain the the backside to get bled.
Similar Products Used:
Avid Juicy, Hope mini mono
Bottom Line:
Excellent stopping power, and too be quite frank these brakes are the best i've had in a long time although it took a while to bleed it was worth it, the only problem I had was the stainless steel front rotor got slightly bent after a trail:-( but not enough to stop the good preformance. Overall I'm extremely pleased with these brakes! They are great for any rider who enjoy getting on a bike and riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
astr0moose
a Cross Country Rider
from Silver Spring, MD USA Date Reviewed: January 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
One with jumps
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Intense
Strengths:
None. These brakes SUCK!!!!! They drag, the pads do not return and they SELF-CONTAMINATE IN THE COLD
Weaknesses:
These brakes SUCK!!!!! They drag, the pads do not return and they SELF-CONTAMINATE IN THE COLD
Similar Products Used:
Formulas, Hayes, Avids
Bike Setup:
Intense 6.6; last year it was a 5.5 with Shimano brakes and they sucked just as much.
Bottom Line:
I ran XT discs for the past two seasons. The first year, they sucked--pads drag more than other manufacturers, and the best part is they brakes ruin themselves in the cold. I called Shimano and they shrugged their shoulders. WTF!
I thougtht they would have fixed them a year later, but nope. So no more Shimano stoppers--be warned if you ride in sub-freezing temps, too. The pads will self-contaminate. I kid you not.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lamzor
a Weekend Warrior
from Bratislava, Slovakia Date Reviewed: January 10, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
kupkolo.cz
Strengths:
easy to install, easy to maintain, easy to setup.
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
hayes mx1
Bike Setup:
giant iguana dics
Bottom Line:
I thought that i wont be able to install this on my own. But i was really amazed how easy it was to install this brakes(bleeding, adding/removing brake pads and fine tuning). I really love them sofar. I wasnt able to test them very much, because i have them only for few days.
I will update my review later.
Sofar 5/5.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dumbaSS
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethlehem, PA Date Reviewed: January 6, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Great brakes when it's not cold.
Weaknesses:
Add me to the list... totally suck when the temp drops below freezing. The levers get real tight and now the rear apparently lost some oil from the expansion, there's play in the lever and the brakes squeal like they're covered in oil.
Similar Products Used:
Avid Juicy
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575
Bottom Line:
If you ride at all below freezing these brakes are not worth the risk.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tinshield
a Cross Country Rider
from Dunstable, MA Date Reviewed: December 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Carr Ridge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
JRA Cycles
Strengths:
Great design and power
Weaknesses:
Absolute terrible cold weather performance and the free stroke adjustment doesn't do much. Below freezing the lever gets so tightLately I am wishing for my XTR V-Brakes.
Bike Setup:
08 Yeti 575 with complete XT group.
Bottom Line:
Mixed bag. If I only rode in warm weather I would be 100% happy but the cold weather performance really is bad.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
devo5
a Racer
from Petaluma, CA Date Reviewed: November 26, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very Strong
Awesome adjustablility
Extremely easy to set up
Rarely rubs due to servo wave
Weaknesses:
Poor performance in cold weather
Stock 6 bolt rotors suck
Similar Products Used:
Juicy 5, 7, and ultimate
XTR
Mechanical
Bike Setup:
Trek
Bottom Line:
These brakes are great and feel awesome, but they do have one problem and that is cold weather performance. They get really slow, which I think is due to the mineral oil used in the hydraulic lines getting cold and slowing down. Besides that they are very adjustable, have good modulation, and great wet weather performance
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
UpSideDownBiker
a Cross Country Rider
from Holmen, WI, USA Date Reviewed: November 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
boB
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Set up easy, adjust easy, powerful.
Weaknesses:
Cold weather brake performance
Similar Products Used:
Avid Juicy 7's, XTR, Avid Ultimate, BB7's
Bike Setup:
Pivot with XT '08 components
Bottom Line:
I'm torn on how to rate these brakes because of the cold weather performance. The last few months I've been telling people to buy these brakes above all others. The power and the ease of set up is awesome. They were way better in both those categories than the XTR's I had from '07.
BUT!! They totally get funky in the cold. The lever increasingly gets tighter and tighter as if the brake pads aren't releasing. So I tried to lube the pistons to make sure they were returning. No luck. I've had the lines bled, no luck. What is up with them not working under about 40 degrees. We have cold weather up here and normally I ride into some very cold stuff and now I need to do something about the brakes to ride. Kind of lame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
roadchoad
a Cross Country Rider
from South Jersey Date Reviewed: November 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Excellent stopping power and lever feel when it's warm outside.
Weaknesses:
Pads push against the rotor when it is cold outside. Shimano rep claims that the seal may be sticking, but this is not the case. The fluid is actually expanding and pushing the pads out before the lever is ever grabbed.
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel EX9.0
Bottom Line:
I thought these brakes were great until it got cold out. Now they just suck! Shimano will only say that they cannot gaurantee braking performance below 32 degrees. I have NEVER had this kind of a problem with other brakes. Man up and recall these POS brakes Shimano.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Marin County, California Date Reviewed: November 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Do I have to choose just one?
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Amazing stopping power, very comfortable/great ergonomics, easy to use
Weaknesses:
Easy to over-brake and skid.
Similar Products Used:
Cantilever and V-brakes, various Juicy brakes
Bike Setup:
Borrowed Fuji SLM 2.0 with all XT and Ritchey WCS components
Bottom Line:
These brakes are fantastic. I went on a cross country ride on a friend's bike equipped with these brakes, and the stopping power just blew me away. The ride was a long hill climb followed by a long downhill, and on the downhill I discovered that it took just one finger on each lever, and not much effort, to haul the bike down from speed instantly. The levers are comfortable, the brakes act instantly, and they stayed strong throughout the whole ride. I would reccomend them to anybody.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Blackwood, SA, Australia Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008
I have the BR-M775's on my trail/all-mountain rig with 8" Shimano rotors front and rear.
Bottom Line:
These brakes are really superb. The action is smooth and gradual to full power. This allows you to peel off a little speed with slick effortless precision or perform a controlled emergency stop with minimal sliding. The whole way through the lever stroke the feel is buttery smooth, predictably progressive and oh so quiet (in the wet there is only the slightest occassional squeal, much better than most).
My eight inch rotors may seem like overkill to some but I figure your brakes can never be too powerful/smooth/quiet/well-cooled - and with the velvety action of these brakes I don't have a problem with unintentional lock-ups. Thankfully, Shimano were sensible enough to produce six-bolt rotors to suit us non-Centrelock folk.
They are also simple and easy to work with. I have cut the lines to length on two sets of these now (once for a friend) and they were a cinch to work with and bleed if you follow the instructions. Not having to worry about corrosive brake fluid all over my paint job was a bonus too.
My only (minor) criticisms: The 'free-stroke' adjusment is entirely pointless as it does nothing (so just don't use it, no biggy, the reach adjust compensates nicely). The rear brake feels ever so slightly spongier than the front, and it does on my friend's set also - I can only think that this is due to the brake hoses (I've heard rumors that Shimano's hoses are pretty average). Perhaps a set of Goodridge's will be my next purchase?
Overall, fantastic. No other brake has stopped me this quickly in such a controlled fashion.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
blahwtf?
a Weekend Warrior
from BC, Canada Date Reviewed: July 21, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
online retail.
Strengths:
works good for xc low cost, about 100 for brakes F&R, like the use of mineral oil as opposed to dot4/5.1
Weaknesses:
lame stock pads
Similar Products Used:
j5, j7, hope, etc.
Bike Setup:
mountain commuter, dual controls w/ 160mm xt765, mostly xt group, deus bars, elite post
Bottom Line:
these work good for xc, never had a problem under regular use.
after riding on the local fr trails cooked rear pads, glazed over. i know they areent designed to do this, but i've done this trail with hopes and J7's many times, and never had a problem, these took one run, and i wasnt over using them, they worked alright after, but not as good as before. i dont think a 180 rotor would've helped. im going to replace pads and reevaluate on the same run, perhaps its the disc and not the pads.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
yellowbike
a Cross Country Rider
from raleigh, nc Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
new light
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$210.00
Strengths:
Good modulation, very strong, does not overheat, servo wave is great, reach adjustment is easy to use
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
avid juicy 5s, 7s, ultimates, xtr
Bike Setup:
xtr with xt brakes, xlite wheels, thomson and race face.
Bottom Line:
I have tried out many different Avids, and was not that impressed with any of them. I have tried out a pair of xtrs, and i liked them alot. when i tried these out i knew i had to have them. after 6 months of hard use, they have stood up very well. the servo wave is great, when you pull the levers you can feel the pads move more quickly, then when they get closer to the rotor, they slow down. the reach adjustment was great too, it was very user-friendly. these brakes have a wide range of modulation, but if you need to lock up they will definitaly do that too. you dont have to yank on these brakes to get them to stop, they are very strong. they have never lost power on a descent, while i have not taken them on a longer descent, im confident that they would not overheat. when i first got them they did start to squel a little, so i cleaned the rotors, and sanded the pads a little, and problem solved! After that they have not made any noise at all, even on creek crosings. overall, a very good brake for the money, if you are even thinking about these, buy them, they are well worth the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
willem3
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, Oregon USA Date Reviewed: June 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any in Bend, Moab, or Colorado
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
AWESOME. Bullet proof! The best I have owned. Just superb.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Avid, etc...
Bike Setup:
Ventana X-5 with all the best stuff. I have the XT 775 Calipers, Levers, and Rotors...
Bottom Line:
Buy it. Awesome performance for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CHEN Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Taichung Taiwan Date Reviewed: June 3, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Merida Bicycle Shops
Strengths:
Powerful...Almost the same stoping power with M970 XTR Brake System and the stroke can also be adjust ,it can change the stoping curve line
Weaknesses:
a little bit hard to adjust the lever Reach and the storke in Dual control shifter
Similar Products Used:
Shimano M970 XTR Avid Juicy 3,7,ultimate Magura louise bat
Bike Setup:
Merida HFS 3000D(Magura louise bat),Merida matts HFS X5(all set of 2008XT system) Obrea almacarbon(M970 XTR) Giant anthem (AVID Juicy series)
Bottom Line:
fully adjustable the reach and stoke by user enormus braking power,almost the same braking power as M970 and got better liner then all AVID Juicy series that i had used!! it looks much better then magura louise bat!! So far...the most valuable braking system that i had ever used!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Torrance, CA Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Decent power, easy to setup , easy to bleed
Weaknesses:
Non-linear feel
Similar Products Used:
Magura Marta SL, Juicy, Formula, Hope
Bike Setup:
Intense 5.5, Uzzi
Bottom Line:
I ended up getting rid of it after few months. Just never got comfortable with the Servo-wave technology. Non-linear feel. Locked up the brakes too much. Powerful for XC/AM, and if you like the feel, it is a great brake system. Very simple to setup and bleed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred Flinstone
a Weekend Warrior
from N.W.England Date Reviewed: May 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Grizedale Forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Bikes-U-Like
Strengths:
This is for the new 2008 M770 Servo wave brakes. Excellent all round performance and weight.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Hope Mini, Mono, Avid, Formula Oro.
Bike Setup:
Marin Rift Zone
Bottom Line:
This is for the new 2008 M770 Servo wave brakes. This is a superb brake. Light...powerfull, in fact very powerfull indeed. Great price and superb modulation. Extremely reliable. And it is easy to set up. Totally recommendable!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred Flinstone
a Weekend Warrior
from N.W.England Date Reviewed: May 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Grizedale Forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Bikes-U-Like
Strengths:
This is for the new 2008 M770 Servo wave brakes. Excellent all round performance and weight.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Hope Mini, Mono, Avid, Formula Oro.
Bike Setup:
Marin Rift Zone
Bottom Line:
This is for the new 2008 M770 Servo wave brakes. This is a superb brake. Light...powerfull, in fact very powerfull indeed. Great price and superb modulation. Extremely reliable. And it is easy to set up. Totally recommendable!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from Ne Date Reviewed: April 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
any CC trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
The brake system is excellent; This is the first time I've used disk brakes under race conditions and was impressed. Brake modulation is very nice, and stopping ability is great.
Weaknesses:
The inside (right) front brake pad fiber material miraculously disappeared during my ride and I ended up braking using the brake pad metal on rotor for quite some time before I realized why I was squeaking so loudly. so it was metal on metal for some time. It did not affect the piston surface.
Similar Products Used:
none, only used rim brakes prior to these
Bike Setup:
Felt Nine Pro, Crossmax tire, all shimano xt components
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike and trained with it about 3 weeks. this past weekend, I raced it in a long distance race under some of the most difficult conditions I've ever seen. Single track, road, gravel road conditions. Mud-front to back, top to bottom, water, snow caked everywhere. Brakes performed well, until the front inside pad fell apart. I didn't realized it for some time, and continued to ride with what I thought was an annoying squeak/rub, turns out it was metal brake pad on rotor. Will require new rotor and pads. No huge deal as it is under warranty, but it shouldn't have happened. Considering this, great braking power, smooth modulation. still gets 4/5 chilis, had to deduct due to pad disentigration.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Juan Raff
a Weekend Warrior
from Jakarta Date Reviewed: April 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Shops near Home
Strengths:
Great....!!! Even with one Finger
Weaknesses:
So Far None
Similar Products Used:
Avid, Hayes
Bike Setup:
XCEED, XT Groupos
Bottom Line:
Magnificent....!!! I Really love this Brake,Low Maintenance, Recomennded Product
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Playing Place, Cornwall, United Kingdom Date Reviewed: April 11, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$198.00
Purchased At:
HONG-KONG-BIKE-DISTRIBUTOR
Strengths:
Solid build, easy adjustments, light, looks great!!! Levers are short and have easy reach adjustment
Weaknesses:
None as yet and don't expect any!
Similar Products Used:
Magura, Hope
Bike Setup:
Self built oversize alu hardtail frame with various raceface, hope, shimano XT, dabomb, crank bros, Marzocchi 888 and tioga bits!!
Bottom Line:
I have the XT M775's with 203mm front and 160mm rear rotors, and will probably never use anything else!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from White Salmon, WA Date Reviewed: April 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Coyote Cliff
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$185.00
Purchased At:
Local LBS
Strengths:
Modulation is awesome! I use the organic pads. Almost completely quiet even in the wet. No DOT fluid! Levers are nice. No rubbing.
Weaknesses:
Organic pads get eaten fast in the rear.
Similar Products Used:
Magura, Avid, XTR, Hayes.
Bike Setup:
Turner 5 Spot.
Bottom Line:
Great brakes! The best I have ridden. Very underrated in my mind. They are not as strong as some but kick every other brakes system to the curb in my experience. I run the XT 765.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Schraubi
a Cross Country Rider
from Austria Date Reviewed: March 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Alps
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
MTB-Dealer
Strengths:
Strong with one finger, easy to setup, light, front 180mm amazing, rear 160mm unbeliveable, brake levers are good to adjust and fit my hands well
Weaknesses:
first, the brake pads didn´t go back as they should and there was a mild grinding noise, but then i fixed the problem by expanding the x-shaped spring carefully. now it has more tension and the pads return in their startingposition.
Similar Products Used:
xt-v-brakes for 3 month then fired this peace of crap, because of the incredible nois in all conditions. then 5 years magura hs-33. with no probs all the time. best i ever had (miss you).
Bike Setup:
specialized epic, reba 100mm, crossmax slr
Bottom Line:
The first impression is not bad, braking power is enormous (tested it in cold conditions 1-2 degree celsius, on saturday i will try it in cold/wet conditions. If there will be leaking, as discribed by the other users i change to avid or formula. avid was on a stumpjumper testbike and worked well the 4 days i tried it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve McCaughan
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch Date Reviewed: March 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Port hills
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Titus
Strengths:
Better braking than XTR 960, 975 and XT 760 series No Pad rub more clearance Excellent modulation Strong even with one finger!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Everything over the last 2 years!
Bike Setup:
Ti Motolite with all XTR EXCEPT Servo wave XT brakes
Bottom Line:
This review is for XT servowave. I felt the need to write this as they are very impressive. Set them up from day 1 and they have remained perfect. I swapped out factory metal pads for resin and love the way these things work and feel. 160 mm rotors provide great power 180mm on front must be awesome! They are better than ALL other brakes I have tried! To be honest if there was better I would put them on my bike money is not a problem!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don Houan
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester U.K Date Reviewed: February 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Coed-y-brenin
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Bikes-you-like
Strengths:
Excellent power and modulation. Great price. Mine have been totally reliable. Very light too. Amazing power from 160mm rotors.
Weaknesses:
None
Bottom Line:
I have had no problems at all with these superb brakes. And I am not new to disc brakes. Apart from say Formula and maybe Avid all the rest pale into insignificance compared to these truly worthy brakes. The weight, the power, the reliability, the simplicity, the modulation and the price are all simply superb!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
anch wich
a Cross Country Rider
from takoma Date Reviewed: February 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
frederick
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Intense
Strengths:
Light
Weaknesses:
They leak in freezing cold weather and self-ruin the pads!!
Similar Products Used:
Hayes hydros, no leaking in cold weather
Bike Setup:
Intense 5.5 EVP
Bottom Line:
A brake that ruins itself in the cold? Stupid!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lou
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia PA Date Reviewed: February 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
***This review is for the new calpiers, NOT the trusty 4 piston ones, which I still run on anotehr bike and they are bulletproof*** Awesome levers, easy set up, great stopping power and modulation.
Weaknesses:
Calipers leak oil onto pads in cold weather!!! This happened last winter (2007) and just happened this year. Total BS! The pads get ruined and I have to replace them, but have to wait until it's warm so it doesn't happen again. This also happened to my Saint calipers. I will NEVER buy these calipers again.
Bottom Line:
I will NEVER buy these calipers again. I own 2 sets (Saint and XT) and my brother owns the exact same Saints. We have this same problem with all six calipers!!!!! I swear by Shimano disc brakes because I can bleed them myself, and the old four piston calipers have lasted me over 8 years! The new calipers leak in cold weather. This is a bad design flaw!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tom dough
a Weekend Warrior
from tampa, fl Date Reviewed: January 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
alafia st prk
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
2007 trek 8500 at LBS
Strengths:
Great stopping power
Weaknesses:
rubs every time I take the front wheel off...which I then have to readjust to stop the rubbing
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
brand new 2007 trek 8500
Bottom Line:
great brakes when you don't take the wheels off. I think I must be doing something wrong when I remount the front wheel because I can't believe you would have to readjust them every time you have to transport the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ion
a Cross Country Rider
from Romania Date Reviewed: January 9, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Local LBS, came with the bike
Strengths:
Good braking power with 160mm rotors front/rear. Great modulation (unlike Hayes HFX 9's, which feel more like on/off). Were easy to bleed. If my fork wouldn't flex, I'm sure the front won't squeal so much.
Weaknesses:
Sticky piston on front caliper (but I didn't try yet to lube it, reset pistons and bleed, maybe this would cure it, at least partially). It sticks so much that the disk touches the caliper at times and made a (very) small dent in it.
When used with 07 Dual Control levers and a not-so-wide handlebar (mine is 580mm), the hoses will tend to overlap at the point where they are attached to the shifters. This is because they attach straight into the shifters and I couldn't find an angled adapter / fitting to use. I tried to mount some bar ends lately but it proved to be an impossible task, because I couldn't move the shifters inwards on the handlebar. This one is solved with the new design for XT 08 where the hoses exit at an angle.
Similar Products Used:
V-brake, Hayes HFX 9 XC
Bike Setup:
Mostly Shimano XT. This review is for '07 ST-M765 Dual Control Levers and BR-M765 calipers. I believe the pads are resin, not 100% sure though.
Bottom Line:
Great improvement over V's. No real drawbacks for me, only minor dislikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Colin
a Weekend Warrior
from Hertfordshire, United Kingdom Date Reviewed: December 13, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$135.00
Purchased At:
Merlin Cycles
Strengths:
Easy set up, good modulation (could never be decribed as on/off), fairly light and powerful. (went for center lock 160 mm xtr rotor)
Weaknesses:
Innitially squealed liked a pig when wet but now i have properly centered brakes only squeales when wet but will dry out and stop after 10-15 seconds.
Similar Products Used:
Upgrade from V
Bike Setup:
Klein frame, Marzochi MX Pro Lock out forks and a lot of old original equipment which really should be replaced when money allows. Have Thudbuster Lt to fit, looking fwd to a more comfortable ride.
Bottom Line:
Early days but i think after innitial set up problem fixed i am going to be getting the kind of smooth, well modulated stopping power that i was hopping for. The set up technique i have used is: loosen fixing bolts then apply brake hard, then while still applying hard pressure tighten bolts gradually one at a time. Would of given 5 overall but slightly dissapointed by squealing when wet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom The King
a Racer
from UK Date Reviewed: December 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Cannock
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Good feel, not "on/off" like hayes and some others, taken considerable beating and still in top nick.
Plenty of power for XC/Trail riding.
Weaknesses:
Levers not ideal (finding out if replaceable, would change the seriousness of this as a problem).
Provided that its possible to change the levers, i wont have a single complaint against them.
Plenty of power for general XC/trail riding, and thats on the standard 160mm rotor... the bigger ones obviously will give more power and more cooling options, which would make this brake even better... I just dont need it.
Highly recommended, one of the very best...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
stuart
a Cross Country Rider
from liverpool Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
penmachno wales
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
leisure lakes preston
Strengths:
light weight cool looks powerful and well modulated
Weaknesses:
bit of a mare to bleed but when tou have got the knack it is so easy to do no special tools needed unlike avid and formula
A lightweight brake system that is perfect for cross country riding that will also do a bit of downhill but be prepared for them to get very hot if you throw yourself down very long downhills I have been using mine for about 150 miles a week through the worst summer weather we have had in merry old england for a long time the original pads have disappeared but I have replaced them with swiss stop green pads which work beautifully
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Well engineered, very progressive feel (not grabby), very easy to service, great lever shape
Weaknesses:
Not as powerful as some other brakes out there but that is easily alleviated by putting on a 7" rotor. Centerlock is crap but you can use other company's rotors on them.
Bike Setup:
5" travel Titus SB with resin (M07S)pads and formula oro rotors 180mm up front and 160 rear
Bottom Line:
I think you can find these for $100 on eBay and these are really good brakes and a really good value. This is coming from a guy who does not have much love for the big S usually. I think centerlock and dual control are crap! Anyway back to the brakes. They are very progressive even with the up-sized rotor up front. They don't make any sound at all. Bleeding them is very easy (you don't have to take the levers off b/c the reservoir tank is on top) and inexpensive, not to mention non-toxic. They look awesome with the Formula oro rotors. Will try goodridge pads on them and see what happens then.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Racer
from Berkeley, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
tamarancho & solstice
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Easy set-up, great modulation, quiet, and easy to center due to post-style mount. I like the shape and feel of shimano brake levers, too, they fit my hand well.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Hope, Magura, and Avid.
Bike Setup:
Fisher 293.
Bottom Line:
I purchased the parts on ebay: lines, levers, and calipers. I was initially a little put-off when I read Shimano's instruction sheet, what with using a little plastic bag to catch fluid and all. It seemed a bit micky mouse. But I followed the instructions to the letter and couldn't be happier. Very simple, straight-forward installation. You just have to be patient and observant -- pump the lever slowly and keep the reservoir filled.
Their performance has been stellar thus far. Nice, solid lever feel, good modulation, and quiet. We'll see if they get really noise once the rains come. I've run Shimano brakes in the past and never really had such issues, not like my avid brakes.
Who should buy them? Anyone who likes Shimano gear but doesn't want to kick-down for xtr. I think these would be suitable for both all-mountain and xc-race bikes. I could even see running these on my dh race bike. Who shouldn't buy them? Maybe super weight-conscious folks, money-is-no-object types, or Shimano haters.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kristina
a Weekend Warrior
from NSW Australia Date Reviewed: October 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
CRC
Strengths:
Great Modulation & Power Easy to bleed, resize hoses etc. Readily available parts & reasonably priced (pads, bleed oil etc) Just a no hassle system.
Weaknesses:
Inserts can be hard to get into the hose if you shorten them yourself.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Sole
Bike Setup:
Got the XT's for my Trance to replace the soles, and they are now on my Husbands Giant Alias. I've ordered another set of XT's for whatever my next bike turns out to be :)
Bottom Line:
Great, I'm really happy with these so much so that I've ordered another set for my next bike (and I'm not even sure what my next bike is going to be). They are easy to work with, parts are cheap compared to other brands (like bleed kits & pads for example). And if you get them at the right place the brake system is very affordable. I ordered mine as a complete set front & rear from CRC for $350Au recently (including postage and a couple of other very small items). Sure I've had to center them a couple of times after they were first installed on the bike, the post mount makes this very easy. There has been an occasional squeal but nothing that doesn't sort itself out, or is sorted with giving the rotors a quick clean with isopropyl.
I was never game to attempt bleeding my Hayes Soles, with the shimanos for some reason I'm very comfortable working with them, even shortening the hoses myself!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from SF CA Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
old cabin
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Jensen
Strengths:
Easy setup, great modulation, good power, good value: I got them as part of a brake/lever/shifter/wheelset package for cheap from Jensen. top loading calipers make pad changes stupid simple.
Weaknesses:
OE organic pads are weak, I killed them in 3 or 4 months of (admittedly pretty aggressive) XC riding, which is probably 300-400 miles for me. I have had to fiddle with them a bit to kill some rubbing but it's simple to do and the rubbing does stop. Dual control levers do not rock my world.
Similar Products Used:
Avid BB7, Hayes 9, Hayes comp
Bike Setup:
'05 Heckler, full XT, Fox VAN 140 RLC fork, Fox RP23 shock
Bottom Line:
Installing a set of Galfer sintered pads made a big improvement in power and took all of 10 minutes at the trail head. I've gotten a lot more aggressive and started to fade them a bit lately, but I'm ~240lbs geared up and I'm running 160mm rotors. They're awesome for normal XC riding, and probably fine for pretty aggro XC stuff if you're not a clyde. They're more than adequate for me 80% of the time, but I'll probably move them over to my aluminum hard tail loaner/spare and get something a little burlier for this bike...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Finney
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN USA Date Reviewed: August 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Brown County State Park (Southern IN!)
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Garage Indy
Strengths:
Strong, reliable, good modulation. Mineral oil is far better to work with than traditional brake fluid (which EATS paint, etc. Probably eats CF, too!)
Weaknesses:
O-ring failures starting to be 'predictable.' Small reservoir makes it easy to suck air into the system when bleeding (without a special bleeding tool).
Similar Products Used:
Hayes (blew 0-ring between 2 halves of the caliper).
Good stuff. Strong and easy to get used to. Modulation is good. Shimano (organic) pads burned through pretty fast, but the Avids are great. Bent a rotor, but can't tell any difference between the original Shimano rotor and the replacement Avid one.
PROBLEM SPOT: There's an o-ring that seals the side-mounted hose to the caliper with a banjo bolt. That o-ring doesn't last forever. (Mine lasted 3 years.) When it starts to go bad, you'll see brake fluid seep out between the bolt and the banjo fitting, and eventually coat your caliper, pad and rotor with mineral oil. Oh, and your brake will go flat within minutes/moments of pumping it up solid. The part is <$5, but missing a ride while I was out of town was a hassle! Also, bleeding any hydraulic brake is a pain in the a** unless you have the tools to pump fluid in from the bottom. The reservoir only holds enough fluid for 2.5 lever strokes before you suck more air into the system. Argh!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from London Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Derbyshire, Chatsworth etc
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
wiggle.co.uk
Strengths:
Beautiful smooth brakes, with all the power when needed.
Weaknesses:
set up was a little tricky, but got there in the end
Bike Setup:
trek fuel - xt throughout - brakes are set up with 180mm rotors ( V Nice ) full sp.
Bottom Line:
This post is for anyone who is frustrated by the rotors rubbing. When you tighten the brake to the frame it always slips so no matter how accurate you are the pad always slides over and makes contact with the rotor. I tried to sort this on a ride but really made it it worse. I found that if you pack the gap between the rotor and disc and the tighten it, the brake can only slide so much. The brakes now work a treat. You need something really thin and quite tough, I used a plastic label from a plant in the garden which made light work. For the time being these are very new and I am very pleased, so I will post 5 & 5, if with time they get bad I will be back....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Minnesota Date Reviewed: June 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Modulation, easy setup, dual control levers
Weaknesses:
Not as strong as the old XT M755s, make a bit of noise when wet, but it goes away pretty quick.
Similar Products Used:
The best hydraulics ever made, the old XT M755s 4 piston brakes
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Piranha all XT and Raceface, Mavic wheels
Bottom Line:
I was skeptical of these brakes when I got them as I love my old 4 piston XTs and had tested these at a bike shop and was not impressed.
I got mine on Ebay already bled. I installed them and they felt weak. So I was dissapointed that I couldn't find a set of old XTs. I took 20 minutes and properly bled them and it made a world of a differance. They are still not as powerfull as the old XTs but they are good enough for just about and XC rider. They have saved me from a few trees already. I love the dual control levers and even bought a set of the levers and matched them up with my old XTs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pedro
a Weekend Warrior
from Lisboa Date Reviewed: May 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At:
fizzbikes
Strengths:
very smooth, price, low manteinence
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
its my first hidraulics
Bottom Line:
excelent brakes. very smooth
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Willem Boom
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, OR Date Reviewed: May 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Storm King
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
JensonUSA.com
Strengths:
Great stopping power. No annoying sounds like with Hayes or Avid. Very nicely blended with my XT 765 Dual Control Shifters. Look great on the bike!
Weaknesses:
None thus far
Similar Products Used:
Avid and Hayes
Bike Setup:
Ventana Pantera, All 07' XT Drivetrain + Brakes, Chris King Headset, Thomson Stem + Seatpost, Yeti Carbon Bar, XTR Pedals, Panaracer Tires, Sun RynoLite Rims with DT Swiss Spokes, XT Hubs and XT Skewers, WTB Shadow V Saddle, Fox Float RLC Fork and Fox RP23 Rear Shock
Bottom Line:
Awesome brakes
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aries14
a Weekend Warrior
from DE Date Reviewed: April 20, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Stopping power and added control help me become more confident in tight situations I would normally have to consider stopping in or dismounting.
Weaknesses:
I hear Bleeding the system can be a pain.
Similar Products Used:
XTR V is as close as I’ve come.
Bike Setup:
Full XT: Trek 8500 Hard Tail
Bottom Line:
At this time I have to say that I’ll become a more confident rider as a result of my added control. Using the XT Hydros has many benefits I’m sure and as time goes by I’ll get use to the difference in modulation compared to my old XTR V’s. The power I now have is amazing to me, mainly because I never rode disk for an extended period on the trails. I plan to use one finger until I get familiar with the power. I can’t see me going back to V’s for any reason, even if I’m racing in a local competition. I would recommend this system to anyone looking to go Hydro, based on price and performance alone. My system came stock on my Trek 8500. Not a huge fan of the duel shifters, but they work and I will not switch them out until something breaks or fails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Hampton
a Cross Country Rider
from Kannapolis Date Reviewed: April 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
US National Whitewater Center (Catawba)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclery
Strengths:
Purchased with Dual Control XT Levers. Was suprised with how easy setup was centered 1st try no noise at all. Immediately worked great, Excellent modulation.In conjunction with dual controls I feel a hard to beat combination
Weaknesses:
None at all
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Disc
Bike Setup:
Now full XT Kona Kikapu deluxe. FSA, Mavic Wheels,
Bottom Line:
I have been riding for years. Have used Mech Disc and hydro disc. These are absolutly the best I have ever ridden. I'm a big XT fan and have been for years Still have a mongoose with cantilever XT's. If you are planning on upgrading these are the ones. I feel a good value and Colorado Cyclery is the place to get them at the best price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr.E.D.
a Weekend Warrior
from Dorion Date Reviewed: March 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
On the edge
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Le Suroit
Strengths:
Think about it,never fails
Weaknesses:
Idiots
Similar Products Used:
Nothing is comparable
Bike Setup:
come and see it.
Bottom Line:
Obviously John Poulsen was not lucky.I`m sure if he had bought at his (LBS) it would have been warranty.John was the weekness of the product this time.suck to be you this time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Rai
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol Date Reviewed: February 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bristol
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
Merlin
Strengths:
Great stopping power, light and cheaper than some.
Reliability and ease of fitment.
Weaknesses:
Bleeding is a pain if carried out incorrectly.
Once you bleed it like a car, it will be fine.
Similar Products Used:
V-brakes to death, XTR 975 Discs,
Bike Setup:
Full XTR bar XT hubs and Cranks
Bottom Line:
Reliabilty, light and cheaper than most models like shock horror: XTR!
Downhilling? Go for Hope 4 pots etc.
Good all round power and great for xc and all mountain with 140, 160 and 180mm discs availiability.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Corey Cassell
a Cross Country Rider
from Enumclaw WA USA Date Reviewed: January 4, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Black Diamond
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Ebay (NIB)
Strengths:
Stopping power second to none.
Weaknesses:
I've had to bleed the front twice now and it needs it again. I hang the bike upside down by hooks so I think that's causing it. Rear has been fine though.
Bike Setup:
'05 Trance1 XT throughout
Bottom Line:
These brakes are exceptionally good. I've let several friends ride my bike who have other brands of hydraulic brakes. They step off with their mouths hanging open. I have to warn anyone who rides it that they should NOT pull too hard on those brakes or you'll end up on your nose. The cotrol is amazing and they don't make any noise at all. I'm using them with the original metal impregnated pads and have yet to change them after a year of CC riding. I use them with the dual control levers and shifters and I like them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joel ercolani
a Racer
from Randolph NJ usa Date Reviewed: November 23, 2006
Favorite Trail:
moab
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
STOPPING POWER AND MODULATION
Weaknesses:
none wea i hear but not for me yet
Similar Products Used:
hayes
Bike Setup:
SCOTT Nitrous S11 pretty stock
Bottom Line:
I have had a major operation which means they gave me steroids after and i balloned to 250. i am now down to 190 and still dropping. so i know the brakes from many points. as a fat man and midleweight and soon a skinny man. THIS BRAKE WORKS BETTER THAT JUICY OR HAYES AND I THINK THE RELIABILITY WILL PROVE OUT. I have the 8 inch(203mm) front and this could make a difference. but mark my words they work.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, Australia Date Reviewed: November 18, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The Chambers Gully/ Wine Shanty Track/ Horsenell Gully Loop
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Powerful stoppers!
Weaknesses:
none as yet... i guess they rub a lil bit
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Avid Juicy 7's
Bike Setup:
Bullit
Bottom Line:
Awesome stoppers! That is of course, after the pads wear-in, cause they don't do jack initially. But now they're working, LOOK OUT!! Several days ago I grabbed a handful of front brake at the end of yet another dream run... shoulda known better. The bike virtually jacknifed into a bone jarring endo, with me catapulted straight into a rock face! Lucky I've mastered the art of somehow always landing on my back, even when coming to a very sudden, very vertical stop. Completely knocked the wind outa me, LOL! Interesting to see how they go for maintanence, since the 'dudes' at my LBS reckon they're virtually maintanence free. Can they really be THIS awesome in the long run, like after a few muddy winters? We'll see...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Petar B.
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: September 13, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Good overall quality.
Weaknesses:
Expensive Shimano mineral oil.
Bottom Line:
This is a solid brake that does what it's supposed to: it breaks. However, the mineral oil sold by shimano is lavishly expensive: $15 for 50 ml?!?! I did some googling and found out that Pentosin central hydraulic fluid should do the trick ($15 for 1 litre). Either of LHM Plus or CHF 7.1(No. 54106) will work fine. LHM Plus & CHF 7.1 are rated at 18 cSt@40C/6.0 cSt@100C/VI 340. Here's a link to the original article: http://www.cyclingcentralva.org/geninfo.html
Ride on!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
george smith
a Cross Country Rider
from toronto Date Reviewed: August 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
the don valley
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$115.00
Purchased At:
cyclepath
Strengths:
good in wet and muddy terrain
Weaknesses:
cant think of one
Bottom Line:
its a good brake and im enjoying it its affordable and easytoset up
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron Wixon
a Cross Country Rider
from Needham, MA, US Date Reviewed: August 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The ones without names
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
International Bicycle Center
Strengths:
Very efficient, Relatively lightweight, Modulation feedback is in direct relation to the brake pad material, and easy to upgrade. Best master cylinder design on the market, Mineral Oil for fluid.
Weaknesses:
Factory brake pads, Not sold as a complete package with brakelines and levers. (Must be purchased seperately.)
K2 Attack 3.0 Dual suspension, 2002 Marzocchi DJ2 130 forks, Chris King Headset, Thompson Elite stem, Azonic World Force riser bars, Jagwire linear shift cable, Deore LX Front Derailleur, SRAM SX5 9spd gripshifts, SRAM X9 Rear Derailleur, XTR Chain, SRAM Powerglide cassette, Sun Rhynolite rims laced with DT'S to Deore Disk hubs, Ti Skewers. TruVativ Holzfeller cranks, Wellgo MG16 Pedals, Maxxis High Roller 2.2'S, Easton Seatpost, Mosh Seat.
Bottom Line:
These brakes are virtually maintenance free. Pain in the ass to bleed and set up at first, stock brake pads suck, very stiff calipers, great feel, very easy to work with. I use Galfer brake pads on them and im happy with the performance. Stops faster than friends Hayes Nine's on a Trek Fuel 80, Without the stiff lifeless feel associated with hydraulic brakes. If you buy these, You won't be let down. Shimano does not have rebuild kits for these yet but wait for 3rd party companies to offer them soon. 4 Chili's all around. Not the "best" in the world but it just does its job. These brakes will work for many years without major maintenance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cooter
a Weekend Warrior
from Mass Date Reviewed: July 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Small, easy to mount and align. Mineral oil is easy to buy.
Weaknesses:
Never worked as well as my Avid BB7. I tried new pads, different alignments. But they were never as impressive as hayes hydros. Instead they just made a ton of noise.
Similar Products Used:
Avid BB7 mech, Hayes hydrallic
Bottom Line:
Seriously frustrated and dissapointed. I would recomend the avid mechanicals over these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RAJ KHEMRAJ
a Weekend Warrior
from SPRINGFIELD,MO Date Reviewed: May 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
SAC
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
OEM Setup
Strengths:
GREAT DEPENDABILITY AND STOPPING POWER
Weaknesses:
HYDRAULIC, YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH THE WHEEL OFF OR YOU WONT GET IT ON WITH EASE.
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
03 BLUR
Bottom Line:
THEY WORK GREAT. EASY TO GET USE TO AND NO PROBLEMS WITH STOPPING POWER. I ONLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH BLEEDING THE BRAKES AND GETTING OIL ON THE PADS. GREAT WAY TO DESTROY THEM.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason C
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN Date Reviewed: April 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
OE on bike
Strengths:
Good modulation, strong stopping power, and I think the rotors look cool.
Weaknesses:
none that I know of yet
Similar Products Used:
Magura Julie, Tektro mechanical discs
Bike Setup:
'06 Scott Scale 20 - brakes are controlled with XT 766 Dual Control levers
Bottom Line:
These brakes came with my Scale 20 and I am glad they did. I was a little disappointed with the power at first, but after a dozen or so hard stops to wear in the pads, the brakes really showed their true ability. Strong stopping power even with one finger, and is easy to scrub off a little speed at a time. My XTs came coupled to the XT 766 Dual Control levers combining shifting and braking into one control unit. Push the brake lever down and it shifts up a gear - very ingenious design and reduces the parts count on my bars.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eugene
a Weekend Warrior
from Peoria, IL Date Reviewed: March 18, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Upper Loop Trail in Crested Butte
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Powerful. Can lock wheels with one finger.
Weaknesses:
Calipers are hard to align and don't return well.
Similar Products Used:
Avid, Shimano V brakes.
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper FSR 120 Pro
Bottom Line:
I've got the calipers aligned with even, parallel gaps on both sides of the rotor. The brakes squeal during dry rides, and the pads don't return well after you release the brake lever, causing the pads to rub. Several minutes after the ride, the brakes are not rubbing anymore, and everything seems fine... until the next ride. I would like to sell these so I can get Avid Mechanical Discs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steven
a
from Oxfordshire Date Reviewed: March 3, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$320.00
Purchased At:
Banbury Cycles Ltd.
Strengths:
Very nice feel, look good, strong stopping power in most conditions, relatively light.
Weaknesses:
Squeal when wet.
Bike Setup:
Dawes Watoga 2002 upgraded to hydraulic disc with disc specific wheels.
Bottom Line:
When the brake is new, the power is dissapointing. However, when they bed in the becom very effective and powerful allowing quick and controlled stopping power. The only problem with them is that they make an awful noise when they're wet, but they dry out eventually with frequent use. Overall, a solid brake with a lot of potential when set up correctly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joss taylor
a Downhiller
from yorkshire, england Date Reviewed: January 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
wharncliff woods/dalby forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
210
Strengths:
Light, easy to set up, two sets of pads, good looking, nice feel, easy to set up.
Weaknesses:
Pad wear on resin pads, I recommend using the to bed the brakes in, before switching to sintered.
Similar Products Used:
hope o2,xc4,mini,mono mini,enduro 4, m4,mono m4. Hayes HFX 9 V8
Bike Setup:
Ex Jim Davage Curtis SX24 frame, Sherman firefly's, double tracks, hope hubs and headset,24seven,atomlab,titec. Single speed.
Bottom Line:
Having used almost all the types of brakes hope have ever made, i am obviously a great fan. However, I began to get fed up with constantly having to mess around setting them up, only for them to glaze over, leak, or overheat. Hope brakes seem to be getting worse, they seem to concentrate on making them look good rather than be reliable. I hope for their sake the next offerings are up to scratch. Anyway, the XT's are much more like it. They are very similar to the Saints, with only the rotors and paint being different. They are quite powerful (6 inch rotors), but a 7 inch option would be nice. The feel is constant, with the sintered pads on the front, the power increases when the disc warms up. Mineral oil doesn't ruin paint like dot fluid, and is easier to dispose of safely. Overall an excellent brake, I will be fitting saints to my full sus rig soon.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Tan
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore Date Reviewed: December 21, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve & Trail 15
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$305.00
Purchased At:
Hup Leong Company
Strengths:
Sexy design; black piston cap and lovely curvatures Powerful; stops on a dime Great lever feel (personal preference)
Weaknesses:
None at the moment
Similar Products Used:
Hayes MX-2 Mechanical Disc brakes
Bike Setup:
Diamondback Response Sport with full XT groupset and Fox Van R
Bottom Line:
Great brakes. They're affordable and powerful. No qualms about it !
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC Date Reviewed: November 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Decent power, not incredibly heavy. I never had any issues with squealing or any noise during decents. Easy to reset calipers to realign pads. Caliper body keeps fairly cool, not much fade or loss of power.
Weaknesses:
Not much modulation compared to others. Brake is very full on and full off.
Similar Products Used:
Upgraded to Hope Mono Minis 180/160 with 2-piece rotors
Bike Setup:
05 Stumpy Expert Disc 100 with mass upgrades
Bottom Line:
These came stock on my Stumpy. They work great. I actually decided on buying the FSR 100 instead of the 120 so I didn't have to get the Juicy 7s. I liked the power on the XTs much better. I also dogded some potential problems with the Juicys that I read later. If you like an on and off feel of the lever, these give you that. I looked for more modulation and found them in a Hope Mono Mini.
If you're looking to upgrade to a reliable set of discs, but want an alternative to the Juicys, give these a shot.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shimano XT
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, VIC, Australia Date Reviewed: November 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
awesome, easy service than Avid, looks
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
avid, hayes
Bike Setup:
standard
Bottom Line:
Buy it cos's its nice and cheaper than XTR... just change the pads during wet condition (slightly noisy).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rolf Sindoe
a Cross Country Rider
from Kolding, Denmark Date Reviewed: September 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Skamlingsbanken
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Good XC stopping power, relatively light, easy to service incl. brake oil, many good (: better than Shi.) copy brake pads everywhere. Good (oldstyle, all round) discs w. a lot of "stopping mileage" in them. Value for money is good, imho.
Weaknesses:
Original brake pads. Wear too fast and squeal when wet.
Similar Products Used:
Formula Oro, Magura Louise (tried only).
Bike Setup:
Scott RC30 w. Manitou Skareb Super, Race Face Deus cranks and Bontrager RaceLite UST wheels.
Bottom Line:
Very good brake (when installed w. un-original brake pads). Use the alternative original Shi. metal compound to avoid noise w. Shi. brake pads. This brake pad type last significantly longer than the standard type, too. Tried Koolstops which were good and, finally, Galfer, which were even better: More brake grip, longer lasting and almost no sqeal. As long as you ride XC w. moderate descents XT's w. 160 mm discs will be sufficient. I give only 3 chilis in the overall rating because of the lousy original brake pads.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryce
a Cross Country Rider
from Grass Valley, CA Date Reviewed: September 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Bullards Bar and Pioneer Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Stopping power and modulation.
Weaknesses:
Noise. On steep descents...they can hear me coming a mile away. LBS has had trouble centering the disc to prevent pad rub. There isn't any drag when this occurs..it's just annoying as hell.
Similar Products Used:
Avid, Shimano V's
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Comp
Bottom Line:
These brakes came stock on my bike and it's my first time with discs. I didn't really want/need them...but since they offered me the Epic Comp for the price of the Epic...I took it. On the first ride...I'm glad I got them. On steep STEEP descents...I can finally creep down the slope and not worry about my tires locking up. But they squeal like a pig. Anyone know a way of minimizing that?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike C.
a
from Bremerton, Washington Date Reviewed: August 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
the one farthest from work
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Fairly universal fit
Weaknesses:
Poor quality control, special tools required
Similar Products Used:
Avid mechanical discs *ABSOLUTELY THE BEST*, Avid jucy 7 hydraulic, Hayes, etc.
I purchased a set of Shimano M765 hubs with the 6" centerlock discs a few weeks ago. I don't have the rest of the brake system, because I use Avid mechanical brakes on all of my bikes. Shimano doesn't recommend using their rotors with anyone else's brakes, but there really isn't much difference between any manufacturer's design - except for the centerlock part. They line up with the caliper exactly the same as with a 6-bolt rotor design, so they should work fine, right? Well. . . They would work, if they were manufactured correctly. One of the rotors I got had a 0.002" variation in thickness as it rotated. That doesn't sound like much, but it was quite enough to almost shake my lunch free when I grabbed the front brake the first time. More for the challenge than any other reason, I spent about two hours with files and a sharpening stone getting the thickness to less than 0.0005" variation, and now the disc works fine. This problem is probably more than most people would be willing to fix themselves, and if I had purchased the brakes from my LBS I would have exchanged that rotor, but I got them on eBay, so no luck. Given the choice, go with Avid.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bert Heathwood
a Racer
from Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Date Reviewed: June 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Prospect Hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Trak Norwwod
Strengths:
Powerful, light, I really dig Dual Control
Weaknesses:
Pad life too short
Similar Products Used:
Armor Hydros
Bike Setup:
GT IDXC1.0 stock XT, DT swiss wheels
Bottom Line:
Great powerful breaks, but less than 1,500kms and I've already destroyed the rear pads. Only two races, one solo 24hr and one XC, some rough trails and some interval work. Seems as soon as the weather turned bad the pads said bye-bye. Maybe I'm hoping for too much, but I'd like to not have to change pads on a bi-monthly basis, I might as well go back to callipers and change pads every 28-days.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brown_Teeth
a Cross Country Rider
from Morro Bay, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 8, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Front is flawless rear has the stickey piston
Weaknesses:
Set up well, but goes thru pads like they are meant to last 500m and they do!
Bottom Line:
I must have a pinehole leak somewhere cause I blead the back 30X and its still sucking a piston while the front after 3 bleeds over a year ago use is stopping me unless its a downhill sand pit, hope tkhngs get better after the 1500 mile rebuild but who knows, best to all
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary Date Reviewed: May 30, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Light - i guess..
Weaknesses:
Pad wear, inconsistent performance
Similar Products Used:
hope minis avid mechs
Bike Setup:
Klein Palomino
Bottom Line:
These are on my girlfriends bike - she is 130lbs and rides 3times per week. I am constantly adjusting these clunkers - they don't 'self adjust' after being compressed which leads to rubbing which leads to her complaining. If that weren't bad enough they eat pads like oprah eats loose meat sandwiches.
poor product to put on high end bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shane Gouldthread
a Racer
from Weedville Date Reviewed: March 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
light weight for us gram counters, power, feel, and modultaion.
Weaknesses:
nothing found, but the brake pad clips. i have had problem with them from other shimano's and avids. hopefully not on this bike too!
Similar Products Used:
XTR
Bike Setup:
05 Trek 8500, 05 XT groupset, Bontrager Race Lite Wheels and parts, SID Team w/poploc, and Mosquotio tires.
Bottom Line:
these brakes are very nice made. first set of hydros and i love them. i cant wait till i hit the race course's with them. i used avid mechs and other shimano disc. but none like this one. very good feel and power. happy trails..
Shane
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Bozeangeles, Montana, USA Date Reviewed: February 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Little Wapiti
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Stark Raven
Strengths:
Very durable disc brakes with awsome trail stopping power, running six inch rotors. Dual control simply rocks once you get used to it. (if your a good rider just one long ride)
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Deore Hydros, Saint hydros(which are virtually the same unit)
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Truth Full xt, croosmax xl Fox Float 100rlc
Bottom Line:
I have overly abused these brakes in a 900 mile season. out preformed many in moab, along with our diverse trail system here in Bozeman. Five chillis
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville Date Reviewed: December 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Lock 4
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Awesome Stopping Power Incredible modulation (even in ice/snow)
Weaknesses:
Can't think of any
Similar Products Used:
Avid Mechanical Avid BB5
Bike Setup:
05 Santa Cruz Blur w/XT Integrated shifter/brakes
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that I weigh 245lbs. What does that mean? Most brakes aren't going to stop someone like me very fast. These brakes on the other hand stop me as fast as tire traction will allow no matter what speed or angle of descent. The earlier review of the guy who says he is going to give the brakes to his wife and go the Avid mechancal must not know how to install them properly because I have riden a few of those bikes and they don't have the modulation or power. Physics will tell you that at 245lbs I am a good indication of power and modulation.
I put 4k miles in on the road besides just on the dirt and I don't ride either slow! So buy the brakes from someone that knows how to install them. Take them to a big hill and really hit them numerous times so you wear the coating off the pad from the factory and enjoy them. This is very important! It will take 1-2 trail ride to get the ultimate stopping power, but the brakes were pretty damn stong the first time I rode my bike around before I as able to brake them in.
I do want to make two comments on some experiences on the trail. I have found that you can stop much faster with them because you can apply so much power and the feel in the level is so minimal compared to other brakes. Lastly I have made a few emergency stops and the bike stops on dime and you almost can't believe you've stopped that fast and that easily. FIVE STARS
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wannabeRacer
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, VIC, Australia Date Reviewed: December 7, 2004
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Strong, feel, looks etc..
Weaknesses:
none, sometimes accidentally press gears down
Similar Products Used:
old Shimano trigger shifters
Bike Setup:
mod to the max
Bottom Line:
This is better than my old Hayes brakes when it comes to break system although I have not tested the others also better than the old Shimano shifters. The bottom line is their much better feeling and when you want more power you get it and much more linear and looks good too. Go and get it and if you got more $ get the XTR.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
IMiss16
a
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA Date Reviewed: October 31, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Santa Fe Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$129.00
Purchased At:
Ted's Bicycle shop
Strengths:
Very light, durable, and dependable.
Weaknesses:
None that I've discovered yet.
Bike Setup:
GT Aggressor 1.0, RaceFace Prodigy Crank, Alien XTR Seatpost, Shimano XT Front and Rear Deraileurs, Manitou Black Elite Front Shock
Bottom Line:
This is the first disc brake I've used so don't have a lot to compare it to. I am, however, very impressed with this unit. The quality, fit, and finish are impeccable and modulation is very easy. Most of all, I like the feeling of confidence I now have when taking a long down-hill and being confident in a fade-free stop at the end of it. I'm a relatively heavy rider (195 pounds) and my old V-brakes never inspired confidence in long duration braking situations.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond RI Date Reviewed: October 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Arcadia
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Local Bike Shop
Strengths:
Excellent modulation and power
Weaknesses:
Price
Similar Products Used:
Avid V-Brakes
Bike Setup:
04 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp
Bottom Line:
These are my first disk brakes and I am not dissappointed. Came down to these or Avid Juicys and being brand loyal I chose the Shimanos. Very clean looking and powerful. Can modulate with one finger. Not cheap but the quality of these stoppers is top notch. I didn't jump into dual control levers however. I went with the standard xt disc lever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, NZ Date Reviewed: September 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
chainreactioncycles.com
Strengths:
Adjustment Easy to setup Looks
Weaknesses:
See "The Bottom Line"
Similar Products Used:
Magura Martas (utter rubbish) XT M755 disks
Bike Setup:
Stock 2002 Cannondale Scapel 2000
Bottom Line:
These units are fantastic. Sure, I've only ridden the bike once since fitting them but the brakes feel fantastic. Plus having then gear shifting in the same levers just feels so natural - what took them so long to come up with this system.
However, all is not rosey. There is a design fault. The brake lever units extend too far towards the centre of the handlebars. With the hose fittings coming straight out the master cylinders each side interferes with each other. So I can't mount the lever units close enough to the centre of the handlebars to give my paws enough room at the end of the bars. I use flat bars and barends. Riser bars probably wouldn't have this problem as they are wider. I'm going to have to fit 90 degree fittings on the lever units to give me enough clearance. And as I discovered, Shimano use a different thread size on the lever units compared to the calipers - doh!
I'd give these brakes 5 chillis each but for the problem described above. Looking at their design - they don't have to be as wide as they are. Plus the XTR lever units don't have this problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alexander
a Cross Country Rider
from Ommen, the Netherlands Date Reviewed: September 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Nowak Bikes Zwolle (NL)
Strengths:
Nice and smooth brakes. Even with one finger still full braking power. Combined with dual control shifting alway full control over your brakes en gears. Looks great. The pads can be changed without removing the wheel.
Weaknesses:
First pair of pads were worn very quick. According to my dealer, this is the result of the very sharp edges of the colling holes in the disc. In wet conditions the pads (origiginal Shimano, metal) last only 100 km's (max), due to a film of water (and durt) between the disc and the pad. Preparing the pads shoud increase the lifetime. Therefore you should brake appx. 30 times at full speed (in dry conditions) directly afer inserting the new pads (costs: 20 euro's per wheel).
Bike Setup:
Intersens XC750, full XT (front and rear), Rock Shox Duke XC U-turn, Schwalbe Fast Fred tyres, Rigida Taurus rims.
Bottom Line:
Great brakes! In wet conditions great braking power, but expensive ...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Racer
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: September 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Lysterfield Lake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Bike shop I work at
Strengths:
Easy to set up and bleed (using below method) Good power - especially with metal pads IS or manitou compatible
Weaknesses:
Can be fiddly to align calipers 100% to rotors
Similar Products Used:
Old XT's Avid Cable Discs New XTR Discs Every combination of V-brakes out there
Bike Setup:
Scott Genius - with XTR Discs Scott hardtail - XTR shifters with XT Calipers
Bottom Line:
These brakes seem to work very well - in fact are much more consistent and easier to set up than the XTR's. Resin pads on both XT and XTR don't work as well as the metals, and wear out quicker - but are half the weight.
Lever travel is about equal between F & R, at 2cm to full on - they stopped me from hitting another rider at high speed during a ride.
No probs with squeal - either with centrelock XTR rotor or 6-bolt XT. NOTE: Do not try Stans alloy rotors with XTR discs - no power, constant drag + banshee squeal.
Bleeding - This method gives great power for both XT and XTR:
Use a large syringe attached to 4mm (or normal shimano) bleed hose. This is attached (full with fluid) to the bleed screw on the caliper. For new brakes firstly push fluid up to the top reservoir, for a re-bleed alternately push up then suck down. Bubbles will appear @ top and bottom (remember to put bleed block in!). You can also flick the brake lever repetitively, this tends to release a burst of bubbles at the top. As long as you keep the reservoir at least 1/2 full, 5 mins of effort will give you 100% braking, as it has done for 4 or 5 systems I've tried it on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a
from Kaohsiung Taiwan Date Reviewed: July 30, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came stock on 04 Stumpy FSR Pro
Strengths:
None so far
Weaknesses:
Brakes overheat easily. Shimano scam to only use their products. Try to find a shop that has the new brake pads in stock - NOT!
Similar Products Used:
Avid Mech disc - still have 'em on my hardtail and they work like a charm.
Bike Setup:
04 Stumpy FSR Pro w/ upgrades not related to the brakes
Bottom Line:
The only reason I'm using these brakes is that they came on the bike. I bought my Stumpy in Taiwan and even tried to order the bike from the factory w/ a SRAM kit rather than Shimano ("no can do" they said... well they said it in Chinese, but you get the idea). I didn't like (and still do not) the idea of full Shimano kit. The combo brake/shift lever w/ hydro brakes has to be the worst. I was hoping to go w/ the brake/shift combo for rim brakes but instead use a pair of Avids w/ my upgraded wheelset (the XT/Mavic 717s work great if you weigh under 125lbs - I gave mine to my wife).
I have to give Shimano credit, they are accurate w/ their advertising. The XT brakes are truely crosscountry brakes because as soon as the trail heads downhill, these babies will heat up and start smoking! Never had that problem w/ my 2 years on Avid mechs. As a matter of fact, the longest downhill run I've taken was almost 40km long and my Avid's never smoked.
My wife weighs about 100lbs so I'm seriously considering putting these on her bike.
With Universal Cycles selling entry level Hayes Mechs for $39, the $100 asking price for the Shimano units (not including the dual control levers) has to be the mother-of-all rip offs in mountain biking for 2004.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Poulsen
a Weekend Warrior
from Burlington, Ontario. Canada Date Reviewed: June 22, 2004
Favorite Trail:
New Ones
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$230.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Good modulation, stopping power and feedback.Easy of use;once you get used to not looking for the rapidfire levers!
Weaknesses:
***WARNING***THESE CALIPERS ARE NOT RE-BUILDABLE! Shimano has NO replacement parts for these caliper(BR-M765). See below for full details.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes HFX-9 XC: Great brakes also with excellent support and parts to rebuild calipers! XTR V-brakes
Bike Setup:
Not that it matters but; for reference it's a 2003 Giant NRS-1 with pretty much all upgraded parts.
Bottom Line:
These are very fine brakes and shifter system. It's the same set-up as the XTR dual control with one-piece caliper. The shifting is very smooth(took a little getting used to at first) and the brakes feel and stop very well(I have the metaic pads installed). The only issue(I had discovered by chance) with these brakes (also with the XTR's) are that the calipers are not re-buildable(so Shimano will tell you). Here's the story....: I purchased these on eBay listed as "new take-offs". I installed them and went out for a ride. The rear caliper had a slight leak and the mineral oil was "sweating" from the back caliper. I removed the caliper and took out the pistons(yes, these calipers are re-buildable) thinking that I can just order new seals and go again. You don't have to touch the "torx-like" outer cap-bolt(these are there for manufacturing purpose only); just blow air into the hose fitting hole and hold one piston back while the first one comes out. Then remove the second one. The piston seal on one side had a slight "tear" requiring a new seal. The other side was fine so I reinstalled that piston back in. I tried my local bike shops (LBS) to see if I can get a replacement seal. NO LUCK! Shimano does not and will not have any build parts for these calipers! You have the buy the whole new caliper($200.00 CDN each)! What a load.... I had to phone Shimano Canada about this situation and was told that these calipers are not meant to be re-built. He sugested I send in the caliper to see if I can get a replacement under warranty. After 1-1/2 week of sending them in, He(I won't go naming names at Shimano) sent them back stating that the calipers are not meant to be re-built and therefore NOT covered under their warranty policy! What a waste of my time. I have never heard of such a ridiculous bull! All other disc brake manufactures offer replacement parts for their brake systems. These calipers are very well re-buildable. Actually it's much easier than the Hayes two-piece style type of calipers. BE VERY CAREFULL IF YOU'RE DECIDING TO PURCHASE THIS KIND OF A SET-UP FROM SHIMANO. I have already lost my purchasing power not to buy. I will leave the rest in your hands with the knowledge that these calipers have no re-build parts available(even if they are completely re-buildable). BOOO to Shimano for this one. This also goes completely against the whole idea of their "environment friendy" mentality that gives reason for them using mineral oil. I have always been very confident in their parts availability and components. Not any more. If the brakes came with your bike set-up; go directly to your LBS to have the caliper sent in for warranty if you have any problems with them. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I will give these brakes 4 for performance and a 3 (average) for value. I will give Shimano 0 for failing to supply parts for what they make and for having NO access to support. Try and find a link on Shimano's web site for customer or technical service. None! BOOOO SHIMANO!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark DeMarchi
a Weekend Warrior
from Tindal, N.T. Australia Date Reviewed: June 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Katherine Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great stopping power, Light weight, Good control of braking.
Weaknesses:
Had a few problems setting them up. Instructions say to back off mounting bolts, depress brake lever & re-tighten mounting bolts while holding levers in. I found every time I tightened the mounting bolts they pulled the caliper out of alignment. Ended up using an extra aluminium washer under the heads of the mounting bolts and it worked a treat.I recommend trying it if you have had similar problems.
Bike Setup:
2004 Giant NRS Air. (Stock For Now)
Bottom Line:
Seem to work great so far. My first set of Hyraulic discs & I,d never go back.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brown Teeth
a Cross Country Rider
from Morro Bay CA USA Date Reviewed: June 13, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$370.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Bike
Strengths:
Great modulation using the resin pads, with the metallics these brakes make an awesome grinding/growling noise and one finger stop FAST. No squeaking (so far). Easy set-up, easiest hoses to cut ever, since its plastic no worries on frame scraping like some other hoses. Decent instructions, but bleeding was about as big a deal as hayes. Very simple installation on the ic mounts (look ma no shims), breaks in fast on the resins (rough em up a bit with sandpaper), very fast brake in on metallics. Levers (M756) are shaped to perfection for my paws
Weaknesses:
Besides new hubs/wheels you have to like buy 5 things to make it work (levers,brakes,hoses,oil,locking hub tool). Bleeding was about average, best to go slow and take beer brakes so you don't make too may little bubbles. 50 ml bleed kit is just enough for 2 brakes with 10ml left over, jeez they should of given you at least 100ml if you FU, luckily I didn't
Similar Products Used:
Hayes comp, piles of v's
Bike Setup:
Marin trail pro, foxes both ends...
Bottom Line:
Make sure you get these from a shop that knows all the bits you need. My shop took almost 10 days to get everything to me and they are only a few 100 miles from Shimano HQ.
I found hanging up the bike up high and having the calipers dangle straight down was best for bleeding (do not bleed them mounted on the posts)! Front bled fast rear was a pain in the rear for some reason. Well, its cause I ran the hose thru a part of the frame so it was not totally straight.
Been running the resin pads cause the metallic a bit too powerful for me at 200 lbs. I have a tendancy to grab a bit fast and the metallics can turn you into a ballistic endo missle.
Have about 100 miles on them, very impressive brakes. Longest downhill I do is 2 miles with loads of moderate to severe braking, so far no fade and nice firm lever. First few rides back was vapor locking so I had to bleed the rear caliper a few more times.
Throw is about 3/4 of an inch with very predictable modulation on the resins, metallic's have less modulation but seems over twice the power of resins with a sexy growling/grinding noise to impress your friends with.
Only complaint is cost (with new wheelset this was a 550$ upgrade but at least I have lighter stronger wheels now too) and now with the yen going up they are just going to get more and more expensive.
So get them now you will not be sorry, these brakes will try to suck your eyeballs out of your head on heavy braking ;)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr.ED
a Weekend Warrior
from Dorion Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
One finger only.
Weaknesses:
noisy when wet but this isn`t a weakness.Do not touch your levers when bike is upside down to replace a flat.Don`t worry after a few pumps while riding(help`s to ride when doing this because of vibration)lever comes back as normal.
Similar Products Used:
none,except 12 different ones with same set up at Bromont and Bootleg(Vegas)demo days.Awsome!
Bike Setup:
04`Devinci Banzai(all mountain)
Bottom Line:
Well,I can climb,downhill,drop-off heck everything I use to do before this new product and even up shift and down shift under exagerated(believe me when I say this)pedal load and braking.Why did Shimano wait so long for this?Rode for years Hayes'6 with no problems but had to use 2 fingers,these ST-M765 fell like '8 Hayes so I use ONE finger only.What can I say more?Oh yes!Imagine '8's.It took me about four rides to get the max out of these brakes,still noisy when wet but still brakes when I want them to.About that noise I use it as a signal to pass people who whine and are slow in front of me.Sorry Justin Guy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Octoboy
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
anything fast and loose.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$220.00
Purchased At:
chainreaction.com and eBay
Strengths:
Pretty light, easy to fit, great modulation/power balance - does what it says on the box!
Weaknesses:
initial alignment somewhat tricky and they took forever to bleed.
UK riders dont have the luxury of waiting for fine weather -my stock Avid V's were usually powerful enough for the kind of riding I do (weekend hacks and the odd enduro) but just couldnt cope with the wet stuff. Boy, am I glad I decided to go disc. I sourced the calipers from chainreaction.com and the rest all unused from ebay - so got a pretty good deal overall.
These brakes have been great so far - I've heard a lot of complaints about squealing with these but I've yet to hear so much as a peep from either end, just a pleasing gentle hiss. Modulation is great - they feel a little squishy compared to the Hopes and Maguras but I find this comfortable and controllable - the bite point is still nice and positive and I can lock up with one finger no problem. I'm running the resin/metal pad combo.
Initially I found the alignment tricky as the auto-centering system (where you pull the lever to locate the caliper before tightening the bolts) works OK until you torq up the bolts which seems to shift the caliper again. I fixed this by applying a little extra grease to the threads.
Pistons were a little sticky at first too - seems the outboard one has more resistance - perhaps a feature of the design. I tried a tip from another forum and now they work great. basically you take out the pads and pump the pistons out about 5mm (no further - they can pop right out!)then add a tiny drop of the mineral oil fluid. This just eases the new seals a little - and low and behold - no drag! Just make sure there's no surplus oil hanging around the pads.
Otherwise setup is very simple though they did take a while to fill/bleed. I guess if you have to do this over and over in a store you wouldnt be happy about it, but for me it was a one-off. I recently took them on a 65 mile trek and they've proved totally reliable so far - even when covered in cow s*** (dont ask)
Bottom line is they work great. The Hopes fine peices of engineering but for the money I spent I'm very satisfied. No doubt too weak for serious downhillers but just the ticket for cross country and freeriding. 5 for value at the price i paid but I'm saving that last chilli for a 12 month review!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dean
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA Date Reviewed: May 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mountian Town
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Reality Bikes
Strengths:
Unclear at this point.
Weaknesses:
Getting them set-up correctly. In other words, getting them to stop the bike.
Similar Products Used:
V-brakes on a starter bike.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight - All XT - XT Hydralic brakes that don't stop - Maxxis tires - Thompson post and stem - Fox RLC fork and RL shock - Mavic Wheels
Bottom Line:
What is the deal? These brakes don't work for me. I pull the lever and just roll right along. I finally got Roswell Bikes to work on them and they got them fixed...then the pads fell out. Now, they don't work again. I will have to take them back to get them reset up.
What is the deal? I hear so many good things. If I did not have Disc specific wheels I would dump the disks all together. I am just not getting it. I had a Trek 4500 with crap brakes that never failed me.
BTW, Shimano's response to the poor performance was to get new pads. They did nothing. I think they new my shop was the problem.
I think the problem is getting someone to set them up right. I got the bike at Reality Bikes. They did not do a good job and I do not plan to go back. Heck, there was not a tight bolt on the bike when I got it... Long story. Check everything when you get a bike from a shop... Really nice guys but I found the just not cutting it. I just got tired of going up there every month to try to get this expensive bike working better then my old Trek 4500.
If you get these brakes, find someone who knows how to set them up. I just don't get the disk thing...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne Date Reviewed: April 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Decent pad wear. Perfect balance of power and modulation. Easy to set up, bleed etc.
Weaknesses:
Proprietry parts in some instances.
Similar Products Used:
Home Minis, Hayes
Bike Setup:
Steel hardtail, XT/XTR.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up to the review I posted earlier. The brakes are now 6 months old and I've just changed over to the metal pads, having put about 1,400km of dry weather riding into the resin ones (which it turned out, probably still had another 100km or so in them).
Anyway, once you get it worked out (which isn't hard), the pads are stupidly easy to change. In my last review I mentioned a red, gooey product called Disc Brake Quiet to slience squealing brakes. On recent advice from a Ferrari mechanic, it seems the best stuff to use is copper grease - available from good automotive supply shops. Disc Brake Quiet solidifies when things get hot and makes the pads a little tricky to remove come change-over time, a problem that copper grease eliminates. All you do is coat the back of the pads with the grease - maybe 1-2mm thick - before slotting them into the block. Just be careful not to get the grease on the pad surface.
For the record - the metal pads don't seem to be as powerful as the resin ones initially were, but in wet conditions I'm hoping they'll offer better durability. I've heard other users suggest that using the metal pads in hot, dry conditions can lead to heat and rotor wear issues, but I haven't experienced that.
Throughout the past six months the brakes have remained free running and drag free the entire time - the way brakes should be. It might be worth noting that I'm using these with Shimano's own rotors and centre-locking mounting system.
Hope's new 4-pot M4 and monoblock Minis look very nice, but at this stage I'd still be hard pressed to consider anything but another set of the XTs if I was kitting out another XCish kind of bike. They really are a great product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
OEM on a Kona Dawg
Strengths:
Reasonably light, easy set-up (subject to the little problem below), use mineral oil c.f. nasty dot5 fluid, work o.k. in most conditions.
Weaknesses:
The non-adjustable pistons tend not to reset themselves to centre properly, so regardless of how much time you spend aligning everything, you tend to get pad-drag. They also squeal like a set of out-of-tune bag pipes (and are about as much use for stopping) in the muck and wet, use dopey 'A' spec (manatou style) bolting system which, although easy to set up, looks cheap and ugly with the extra bolts and adapters required to get them onto 90% of all bikes, (also prone to coming loose - use locktite), but the biggest bummer is the usual array of shimano proprietry differences (low pad / rotor interface depth)which makes interchanging wheels a pain in the A unless you use shimano rotors and calipers on all your bikes - which now means using shimano centrelock hubs on all your wheels - which means more $$$ for shimano.
Similar Products Used:
Hope Minis, Avid mechanical
Bike Setup:
2004 Spec Kona Dawg Primo
Bottom Line:
The performance of these brakes is decidedly average, and coupled with the other issues, have been a bit disappointing so far. They aren't even close to the performance of Hope's minis by any measure (maybe I've been spoiled), and like too many of shimano's offerings, they aren't necessarily compatible with the rest of your gear. My bike came equipped with 2004 XT, including the integrated shifter / brake lever - another example of shimano creating a solution where there was never a problem. The new shifter / lever combo shifts no better than rapidfire+, and the levers also tend to flop around on bumpy stuff - having to fish around for them on bumpy decents with corners fast approaching isn't exactly reassuring. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for innovation, and some of the 2004 XT bits are great (e.g. cranks), but the brakes are nothing special. If I could retrofit Hope brakes I would - except doing so also means new shifter pods and presumably an old style XT rear derailleur. My recommendation would be to buy something else (Hope Minis would be a better alternative) unless you ride tame XC and don't mind being stuck with fairly ordinary gear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
studbike
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: March 17, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
performance lightweight
Weaknesses:
it doesnt look me in the eye and tell me im an amazing rider
Similar Products Used:
none for an extended period of time - have DEMOd hayes, magura martas, XTR,
Bike Setup:
2004 cannondale jekyll 1000 stock
Bottom Line:
the brakes are incredible. i think they are better then anything i have tried. the levers have a lot of throw to them - mucho travel. to me this makes modulation a lot easier, but it also means that as time goes by u wont be able to get maximum braking strength without bottoming out on the grips. however, there are over 100 hard miles on them and i havent noticed any difference in that yet. also the brakes make this really cool noise while braking, its just this slight grinding noise thats really satisfying for some reason. its unexplainable. or maybe im just odd. in any event, they rock, and setup and adjustment is simple as could be.
PS: the long lever throw could vary depending on the levers u use. i use the new XT dual control that came with the bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere around Bright, Vic.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Pushi
Strengths:
Light Great balance between power and modulation Look lovely
Weaknesses:
Yet to find any
Similar Products Used:
Hayes (not sure which model) Hope Minis
Bike Setup:
Baum (custom steel) Full XT but for an XTR rear derraileur RaceFace Prodigy cranks Easton carbon bar and post
Bottom Line:
I was going to review these a while back but wanted to wait till I had some put some miles and mud into them. This review is written based on the performance of the resin pads. The brake system is supplied with a set of resin and a set of metal pads for each end (that's 4 sets of pads total).
Anyway, I've now been riding these for almost three months and have put a good 600km of hard and varied XC use into them.
What can I say, they're by far the best brakes I've ever used. I may actually get nose wheelies down pat with these. For feel it was down to the XTs or the Hope Minis, because the Minis do have a lovely feel, but I was concerned about rotor warp and sheer stopping power. The new XTs seem to have nailed the balance perfectly.
Also tipping the scales in favour of the Shimanos is the fact that they use biodegradable mineral oil. Not so deadly on the skin or environment as icky dot fluid - something you should pay a thought to because you do like to ride in it (the environment that is, not dot fluid; I doubt very much that you'd enjoy riding emmersed in dot fluid).
Lever feel isn't as abrubt as the Hopes, and probably not quite as squishy as the Hope Minis - though it does soften up a little with wear. Power and control are freakishly intuitive from the get go.
Brake squeal was hideous on installation and refused to shut up even after a good 20 minutes of riding around with the brakes on, hard stopps and spashing water on the rotors. Whipping out the pads (so simple - good design from the big S) and smearing the backs of them with 'break quiet' goo did the trick.
They've proven to be fantastic in all conditions, the extra control is a great advantage at low speed, on very loose surfaces or on really technical sections. No stutter-breaking from too-grabby Hayes, no holding on to the leavers for dear life on big fast fireroad pull-ups.
Heat doesn't seem to be a problem, but I haven't DH'd them so who knows. I've immersed the entire rotor/calliper assembler in goopy mud the consistancy of pumpkin soup and they ran silent after two rotations with the lever pulled gently on. So power and modulation seem to stay great even in the crappiest of conditions. I do get some loud squeel in the rain every now and then, but it's really not a big deal.
Umm... I think that covers it all. Probably should make a note that I'm running the old `03 levers, not the integrated shifter dealies, because I convert my bike to singlespeed and back and I wanted removable shifter pods, but I've no reason to doubt that the newer leavers would offer any lesser performance.
Would I buy them again? It's fair to say I wouldn't buy any other and recommend to all and sundry who can affort the entry fee. Some may feel that they're expensive, and well, I guess they are, but they do deliver EXACTLY what you'd expect for the smackdown, so 5 flamin' dogs for value, and as you can already guess, 5 big ones for performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe Bloggs
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland Date Reviewed: January 11, 2004
Various cheapo cable disks, Hope mini, Hope m4, HS-33's, Avid Ti V's
Bike Setup:
Kinesis Maxlight with full XT 9-speed gearing, Thomson seatpost/stem, Truvativ Stylo chainset, Mavic XC717 on 2004 XT Splined hubs + full 2004 XD hydro's
Bottom Line:
What can I say .... the 2004 XT Disks are superb, power compareable to m4's but far more modulation, light too, look fantastic. These are by far the simplest disks I have ever set-up the mounting mech is very simple, all you do is slacken off 4 allen bolts then pull the lever, the caliper adjusts itself to the right position then you just tighten up the bolts and thats it. They are of a totally different design from the 2003 model, the caliper is cut from a single peice of alloy (as opposed to 2 halfs bolted together) making them stronger and lighter than before, they have 2 pistons compared to the 2003 4 piston design but dont be fooled into thinking this makes them and less powerful, quite the opposite, the new pistons are considerably larger and this combined with the 1 peice caliper makes for VERY powerful stopping experience but with so much more modulation than any of hope's offerings, I personally dont like the stop/go feel with hopes, I prefer a more controlled feeling but I still know I can drop the anchors with them if its needed.
The 2004 system has taken its design from last years XTR disks, splined rotors and hubs as opposed to the standard 6 bolt, honestly I cannot say if this has any advantage on the trails but its a bit different and I like that. While on the subject of rotors the new XT ones are lovley, they are 160mm, polished with a black spider in the middle of them and in my opinion look much better than the boring plain ones you see on most disk brakesm there is also an option for a 205mm disk if your a downhiller.
All in all a great product from shimano, (why does everybody slate shimano ????)I just love shimano XT gear, I have full XT on my bike and I would not have it any other way unless I could afford XTR :D
I got my brakes from Merlin cycles in the uk in a package deal with mavic/xt wheels for £300 (about $470?) which is good value in my book.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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