No Levers
-cutable brake lines for custom fit
-user-friendly mineral oil
-powerful dual opposed piston design
-drilled rotor
-two pads available
-center lock system mounts disc to hub quickly thru a spline and lockring mechanism
Submitted by
ligfiets
a Racer
from delft, netherlands Date Reviewed: March 19, 2009
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Stopping power, reliability, safety.
Weaknesses:
Expensive pads
Similar Products Used:
Magura Louise
Bike Setup:
Challenge Jester road racing recumbent
Bottom Line:
These brakes are very strong, and reliable as long as you change the pads before they wear out. No problems after some 25.000 km in Dutch weather. Nice detail is that the pad wear is a tiny bit overcompensated, which makes it impossible to ride with non-working brakes. Braking is very controlled and takes only one finger or thumb, even on a road recumbent which tolerates much higher decelerations than an MTB.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Albert Manuel
a Downhiller
from Las Vegas, Neveda Date Reviewed: June 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Bootleg canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Easy to bleed and maintainance are simple.
Small and light.
Weaknesses:
Pads wear out fast.
Similar Products Used:
LX and XT
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Prophet.
Bottom Line:
Front rotor 203mm, no stopping problem. Did plenty long downhill with these and works awesome. I keep and eye on the pads and use the shims, no rubbing so far and the hasn't add any oil, I rode the bike 60 miles a week.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunnyvale, CA Date Reviewed: April 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Wilder Ranch/UCSC
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Performance/CBO
Strengths:
Lightweight, Brake pad choices included, nice packaging/finish, travel spacer
Weaknesses:
Everybody hears me coming when I use the metallic pads (who cares?!)
Similar Products Used:
Juicy 3s, Avid Mechanicals
Bike Setup:
SC Superlight w/ Reba Race
Bottom Line:
Good price now that they're "obsolete" for a really lightweight, good XC brake kit. Nearly half the size of my Juicy 3s so they don't stick out like a sore thumb. Good modulation, good power. Easy to shim and bleed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CHUN YU NG
a Cross Country Rider
from Honolulu,Hawaii Date Reviewed: February 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
None
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
from Shiamno OEM Product
Strengths:
super powerful, light
Weaknesses:
Change shifter cable is very different
Similar Products Used:
NONe
Bike Setup:
2003 Cannondale F1000 SL Sobe team edition with 2003 full set shiamno XTR and the crank is 2004 SHiamno XT 48T
Bottom Line:
I love shiamno XTR Dual Control Disc brake becuse this is very strong
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID Date Reviewed: July 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Redfish Lake Loop
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Great stopping power. Dual control system. Light weight.
Weaknesses:
Pad sticking (migration), howling metal pads, expensive pads wear quickly
Bike Setup:
Specialized S-Works Epic
Bottom Line:
I've got the XTR Dual Control (STI) brakes. Putting the review here since saw no other specific place for.
I'm starting to hate this set up. Just about since day 1 the pads (or pucks) haven't retracted properly & rubbed the rotor. Continuely take back to the shop & even sent back to Shimano, but no better. Was running the metal pads but due to extreme howling, switched to resin. It helped but they wear out way too quick. Going through 2 sets of pads a season (4 x $25 ea= $100 a season in pads???) Now trying one metal, one resin on each wheel. Still get the howl & of course the resin wear out much quicker than the metals.
With the "XTR" label on them, I expect better. What is this crap?!@?!?!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA, USA Date Reviewed: February 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$68.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Easy setup and easy bleeding. Great stopping power for XC style. Very quiet. Somehow I feel that it stops better when it's wet.
Weaknesses:
Not much stopping power with one finger. A lot of people mentioned that it rubs and drags, but never occured to me at all.
Bottom Line:
Cheap. No brainer setup/bleeding. I personally love it. The shims made aligning a snap. I never got any drag or rub. Not super powerful, but it does the job for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BikeGuy
a Weekend Warrior
from Socal Date Reviewed: October 23, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$57.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Easy setup, easy to bleed, easy to change pads, great design , great modulation, and special XTR color. Never b****ed at me during steep descends or wet condition.
Weaknesses:
Brakes aren't that powerful but still can stop you on a dime only with two fingers. Tiny rubbing once awhile.
Similar Products Used:
Xt v's, BB7s, SD7 v's, Juicy3
Bottom Line:
I got it at a great/cheap price for top of the line Shimano hydro so I dont really care. No one finger action for me but it's powerful when you use two fingers. It's very easy to bleed/setup/maintain/use and it's very light too. I would recommand this for XC use.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Date Reviewed: May 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
LBL Kentucky
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
on line
Strengths:
Reliablility, modulation, light weight, lever feel.
Weaknesses:
Expensive
Similar Products Used:
Hayes hydro brakes, Magura hydro rim brakes.
Bike Setup:
all 2003 xtr group
Bottom Line:
After 3 years of regular riding, these brakes have held up better than I expected. Perhaps I got the only good set but that's hard to believe. Lever feed back is excellent, modulation is terrific. I can always tell when lock-up is about to happen. This is really a case where the brakes help me to ride faster. I've ridden northern Michigan, Pisgah, Tsali, Land Between the Lakes, and Wisconsin. The brakes have never failed or dissappointed. I have no drag issues, no squeal issues (except when wet but every brake does), no dependability issues.
These really have been worth the money for me. It's an all around great group and the brakes are one of the stand-out aspects.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Orygun Date Reviewed: May 17, 2006
Favorite Trail:
North Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Lightweight, Dual Control, centerlock rotors
Weaknesses:
WHAT!? No user servicable parts inside? I would have never imagined. Just goes to show you I am a moron for buying this sight unseen.
Inconsistant modulation.
Similar Products Used:
XTR V-Brakes, Hope Mini
Bike Setup:
On a road bike, no less.
Bottom Line:
Inconsistant modulation
Not repairable
Typical Shimano Dealer Warranty: Send it in and wait for six weeks
Way too expensive for this
Due to be replaced and scraped when I can sneak the cost into the family budget.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cory Hirsch
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: May 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
bike universe
Strengths:
Definitely light and I like the dual control levers.
Weaknesses:
Nearly impossible to adjust so they don't rub.
Similar Products Used:
hayes
Bike Setup:
Turner flux with full xtr
Bottom Line:
Pretty much the same issues as alot of reviews I have read. I got these brakes in 2003 on a new bike. The first year they were pretty good. After not riding the brakes for a few months the rubbing issues began. One of the pistons wouldn't even move never mind moving and equal amount to the other piston. Sent them back to shimano and they sent me a completely new set of brakes and levers. I thought there was maybe some warranty issue. The new brakes worked well for about a year and now I have the same brake rub problems. Funny enough, it is with the front brake as many other people have mentioned. The rear seems to be ok.
Anyways, I am switching to either marta sl's or avid juicy's and in the proces also getting some x.o. trigger shifters and rear derailleur. Would be a great brake if shimano would send you a new set every year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kurt erickson
a Weekend Warrior
from anderson, sc, usa Date Reviewed: May 2, 2006
first time with discs - but i've been riding / racing for 15+ years and used to be a bike mechanic
Bike Setup:
Custom Kelly with full XTR
Bottom Line:
PLEASE pay attention to some of these reviews. there really is a problem with this disc brake system. In the last 8 months, my bike has spent more time in the shop than on the trail. i've had it in there 4 times for the same problem - these things have an enormous amount of drag. you can take hours to set them up perfectly, but it only takes about 2 - 4 hours of riding for them to suck once again. I got so frustrated the other day, i almost left my whole darn bike in the woods and walked out!! I'm contemplating scrapping the whole deal and starting over with SRAM and some other brake. i only wish i had brake bosses on my frame...i really do. for the money these things cost, you'd expect them to work right, or at least close to right. they are too finicky and that type of junk doesn't belong on a MTBike. who should buy these??? a perfectionist that want's to hang the bike on the wall and not ride it... or some masochistic idiot!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cleaner
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa Fl USA Date Reviewed: April 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$235.00
Purchased At:
WWW
Strengths:
Superior modulation (relative to V-brakes) and stopping power. Lightweight easy to set up with shims and centerlock rotor mounting allows for fast removal install of rotors.
Weaknesses:
Pad retention clips can come off and let the pads fall out. They could be more secure with a slight change to the design.
Similar Products Used:
XTR V brakes, XT hydros
Bike Setup:
Turner Burner with XTR disc hubs and XTR/XT build Fox float RLC /Manitou 3 way. XT hydro levers.
Bottom Line:
I have been running metal/resin pads mixed at each wheel with no noise from them unless they get wet. I am able to use them to keep the wheels rolling on the steepest technical sections, v-brakes would often lock up. Very little maintenance required to keep them running drag free once they are set up. I did lose the pad retaining clip and pin on a ride but the pads did not come out. I had picked up a stick in the wheel which probably unclipped the retainer.
I installed them myself and getting the air out of the rear took some work, it is best done with the caliper not mounted on the bike to insure all air is purged.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ralph Latersky
a Weekend Warrior
from Westchester, NY USA Date Reviewed: February 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Blue Mt, Peekskill NY
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Light, responsive.
Weaknesses:
Pod is poorly made, have snapped a thumb shifter and the pod cover fell off.
Similar Products Used:
V-Brake
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS Air
Bottom Line:
Would not buy again. Shimano does not back up its products (called and was told twice that if it's broken it's my fault and if I want them to take a look at it, I'd have to send it in, rather than have it replaced and then send if for their consideration (catch 22)). I'm one of your older riders who does not abuse his equipment and these brakes are poorly designed. Parts that are damagable stick out. I've noticed a better design since I bought these, but it does little to help me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jamie Alackness
a Cross Country Rider
from Edwards, Co Date Reviewed: February 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
gooseberry mesa
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Vail bike supply
Strengths:
Great feel. Modulate perfectly. Single finger braking, I've never needed more with these brakes. Pads and rotors pretty cheap compared to some others. Easy to set up and Bleed.
Weaknesses:
Very hard to keep running drag free. It can be done but takes constant attention. They do Howl when wet sometimes but every brake does.
Similar Products Used:
Magura Marta SL another Great brake Avid jucy 5s and 7s don't like the levers and they are pretty hefty, but other wise very good as well. Hayes HFX Mag great lever and feel just a little heavy.
Bike Setup:
Foe's FXR Full XTR, Ti Curnutt, Fox Talas, King, Easton, Thompson, Stans wheels
Bottom Line:
The lever feel, the power, the modulation, and light weight are reason for Five chilies. But the constant fiddling with the calipers to keep them running drag free is real pain in the butt. Please note for the first year they ran relatively drag free, and that was roughly 3000 miles. The brake shifter combo is love hate, but you can always use XT levers. All in all these are great brakes. I would have no problem selling them to any XC rider. They feel awsome and with a regular tune up run drag free.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Teo Guerrero
a Cross Country Rider
from Pacoima Date Reviewed: January 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Virging River Rim, UT
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Great Power, Less effort to engage than V-brakes, light weight
Weaknesses:
Less adjustability than V-brakes
Similar Products Used:
Avid Mechanical, XTR V-brakes
Bike Setup:
Scale 30 frame, XTR drive train and disc brakes, 240s hubs on 717’s, Rock Shox SID WC, Egg Beater Ti’s and various other carbon parts from USE, Easton, Woodman.
Bottom Line:
To be honest I would prefer not to use disc brakes but my new frame does not have v-brake bosses. Having said that, I am happy with my XTR discs. I have not experienced any of the squealing or rotor rub that some others have complained about. I read all the reviews and wanted to avoid this so I really took my time centering these things. It took me about 45 minutes to an hour to get them centered just right. With proper setup these breaks have power to spare. With my old XTR V-brakes sometimes during long descents my hands would become sore because of the effort required to stop. Not with these. It takes very little effort to engage the brakes. Overall this is a great set of brakes accept for one minor drawback.
The reason I would still prefer V-brakes is because of the adjustments that you can make to them. I had my brakes adjusted so that I would not skid until the brake levers were depressed all the way, almost touching the handlebar. With XTR Discs this doesn’t seem to be possible. The brakes engage very quickly and will make my bike skid when the lever is about 1/3 of the way to the handlebar. If I could have my disc brakes setup the way I setup my V-brakes then they would be perfect. If anybody out there knows how to make this adjustment shoot me an email, I would love to have them setup this way.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Cluttey
a Cross Country Rider
from Trabuco Canyon, CA, USA Date Reviewed: December 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Saddleback Mountain(Cleveland National forest)
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
Came standard with epic marathon 2003
Strengths:
Totally reliable. Good stopping power and light fingered action. Easy to change pads and bleeding. Once you have done the first bleed job (following Park Tools book instructions) it is easy to maintain..
Weaknesses:
Bit of rubbing at first but the bike shop put in a spacer and now perfect. Hard pads squeal. I combine a hard and soft in each wheel.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes that came standard with my old fsr enduro pro. also excellent
Bike Setup:
Epic marathon 2003
Bottom Line:
I have had my bike since 2003. It was the first marathon and it came with a lot of good stuff that seems to be missing on the newer models. I do a lot of endurance events like the Vison Quest, 24 hours of adrenaline etc and being 51 years old I consider myself to be a conservative down hill rider. In other words I rely on my brakes more than most folks. I also weigh 205 pounds. I tend to go through pads quite quickly so have tried various combinations of hard and soft pads. I advocate a mix of the metal and resin in each wheel. I am extremely happy with the brakes but it was a while before the rubbing was elimated entirely. All it took was a bit of fine adjustment with those little spacer things.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gregg Kuljian
a Cross Country Rider
from Coquille, OR, USA Date Reviewed: July 31, 2005
Favorite Trail:
My backyard.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
I've been riding these since 2003. Finally got around to posting a review. Very very cool. Simple.
Weaknesses:
Sticking pistons. But after carefully centering the calipers and bleeding, and keeping an eye on pad wear, they never give problems anymore. End of subject.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes.
Bike Setup:
2003 NRS Air.
Bottom Line:
Love em, totally. After being plagued by the sticking piston problem, I have solved it. And use nothing but Galfer pads for the best stopping.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
geoff
a Racer
from e.h.p. Date Reviewed: June 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
narrow happy trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
qbp
Strengths:
sexy sexy sexy, small with lots of power, cutable hose, ease of adaptation to xt levers so older shift pods can be used, rear brake is stronger than my front hayes.
Weaknesses:
sharp a$$ rotors to cut yo fingers with, torx bolts are dumb
Similar Products Used:
hayes, avid, hydro and mech
Bike Setup:
ventana marble peak, radical style. i use one mettalic and one organic pad together, no squeal like pig.
Bottom Line:
sexy bike parts give me wood. this brake is no exception. i set em up with a simple xt hydro lever, new style, and cutable hose so it fits with no saggy extra hoes. brakes were installed by a pro (my friend deet) right before going up to Squamish to do the 2005 test of metal. it was pissing rain for the whole 44 mile race, mud galore, roots, rain and spilled sports drink. the brakes worked f-ing perfect, no fade, no rub, no squeal, i like it like a fat kid loves cake. five flaming P00PS for value because i didnt pay full retail, and five flaming D00KS for performance
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tien
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Chutes
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Light Weight
Weaknesses:
Drag, lazy pistons, and Squealing
Similar Products Used:
v-brakes (avid sd-7)
Bike Setup:
Titus Switchblade
Bottom Line:
The first few rides require constant adjustments in the front. My rear works great from the start. I got the M966's which are similar to Hayes style mount. I can't imagine dealing with the shims everytime I need to adjust with the M965 versions. I have the 2004 version, but only the front exhibits sticky pistons. I never had hydraulic brakes before, but I soon learn piston stickiness is greatly reduced with persistent bleeding effort to get all the bubbles out. Shimano's manual is helpful to setup if it was build correctly at their factories, but not enough to deal with their product irregularies.
To deal with sticky pistons, I employed numberous efforts to effectively bleed the sucker. With the reservoir open, pumping the level while tapping the lines and caliper till you can't see the bubbles will do about 90% of the job. When the active piston is out 1mm or 2mm out and push it fast in with fingers or a soft edge tool. Do this 2 or 3 times until you can't see any more bubbles. After the active piston is pushed flush in the caliper, use a tool (not your fingers, I use open crescent wrench) to keep the active piston from moving as you squeeze the levers. You should see the lazy piston started to move out. Get it to come out about 1mm or 2mm then push it back in with your fingers. Do this a few times until you see no more bubbles. Next perform the 1/2 seconds close/open of the bleed valve as instructed in the manual to get any remaining bubbles out. I've talked to various shop and most mechanics say to stay away from these. The drag by disc brake isn't as bad as v-brake drag at all due to being close to the center. Regardless, mentally, you would think/feel that it's slowing you down. Why try to shave off a few ounces, then having to overcome the drag that equates to carrying an extra pound. After 2 weeks of break in period, I don't have to touch the front for maybe after 3 or 4 rides which can be as simple as loosening the mounting screw, squeeze the lever, then tighten the mounting screws.
As with any disc brake, make sure the rotor is true before adjusting the caliper.
BTW, when wet these brakes howl like a pig caught in a bear trap. My buddy has Hayes HFX9 which are much heavier, but no drag due to the larger displacement of the pistons retracting.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Supernewb
a Cross Country Rider
from Ont Date Reviewed: May 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anything dirt
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
They are discs! They work as they are supposed to. Light too
Weaknesses:
Sticky pistins with the earlier model.
Similar Products Used:
old XT dble pistons, Hayes
Bottom Line:
I dont think I made a post about these before but If I did well this is the update then. The older model did develope the SPS (sticky piston syndrome) and I had them for almost 2 years but I sent mine back 3 months ago and got them 2 weeks later.
The newer design is a bit longer as they made the front? of the caliper like 1cm longer I guess for more oil? They work just like the old ones and havent gotten the STS thing yet where as the old ones wouldve got them after 4 rides. I'll update if they do get STS again though. But overall I still like them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Antoine
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal Canada Date Reviewed: May 26, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Great stopping power Easy to change pad, available pretty much in every bike store, 2 choice of pads They didn't fade on me
Weaknesses:
They squeel a little bit when hot The rotor doesn't support heat, it will wave a little bit Drag....
Similar Products Used:
none, except of v brake and old cantilever
Bike Setup:
Scalpel 3000 all stock parts
Bottom Line:
I really like the stopping power and modulation, the design is great. I didn't noticed any difference between the organic and metallic pad besides their life span. They will squeel when used heavily during a long descent, but once they cool off, the are totally silent. The only thing that bugs me is the rotor drags on the pad. There is no way to adjust the pad so they don't drag. If someone knows how to solve this problem, e-mail me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ed
a Cross Country Rider
from slc,ut Date Reviewed: April 25, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Good braking power.
Weaknesses:
Same as everyone else: sticking, rubbing, squealing.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic
Bottom Line:
These are my first set of discs which I've been using for a year and a half, and I've been tempted several times to junk them and go to v-brakes. When I originally bought the bike I had a lot of problems with the sticking and rubbing. Tried adjusting them several times which would work temporarily, but not a permanent fix. After reading the reviews here realized it was a design problem, and got Shimano to reluctantly replace the calipers which worked for awhile, though they'd still rub and squeal a lot when hot. Now, several months later, they'e back to the same old problems. In other words, these brakes suuuuck. I've got friends with other brands of hydraulic discs who have no problems at all. I've never gone more than a few rides without having to mess with these and it's aggravating to say the least. Wondering if the new Saint set up is better? Seems like Shimano threw these out there without adequate testing and now don't really want to admit there's a problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont, CO Date Reviewed: February 23, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Sovereign
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Plenty strong for XC, relatively easy set up, good modulation.
Weaknesses:
time may tell, but none yet.
Similar Products Used:
Avid mechanicals, older XT 4-piston
Bike Setup:
Moots Smoothie Blend, Fox, XO w/ X9 triggers, etc.
Bottom Line:
This is an initial impression, just used them for the first time in Moab. XT levers. Very first ride ever on them was on Sovereign trail near Moab, UT. Very good modulation, more than enough power, felt instantly comfortable with them. Using metallic pads in front, mix in rear. I wasn't displeased with my old Avid Mechanicals, but wanted to try newer hydros. I'm glad I did. Now to use them a bit longer and hope the problems listed in other reviews don't crop up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sander Keuris
a Weekend Warrior
from Alphen a/d Rijn Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
van Ruijten - Rijwijk
Strengths:
Great looks, no squealing.
Weaknesses:
Mediocre power, some rubbing, sensitive to water/mud.
Similar Products Used:
Magura HS-33
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic
Bottom Line:
After having ridden hard-tail for 15 years and using Magura HS-33's for 5. I decided to upgrade to a fully with discs.
Compared to the HS-33 rimbrakes however the '03 XTR discs are a bit dissapointing. Stopping power is only marginally better compared to the HS-33's and water/mud-effect is even worse. One large puddle and power is reduced to one-quarter.
The only upside is that I was able to get them for about $100 for the pair(!) and that they don't squeal at all.
I'll be going back to Magura this spring...
Value = 5 chilis due to the extreme low price I got them for. Overall = 2 chillis due to dissapointing power and poor wet/mud-performance.
If you can get them for the price I did... go for it; otherwise stay clear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tele Tubby
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Date Reviewed: January 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
always "the last one"
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$311.00
Purchased At:
eBay (where else!)
Strengths:
very light, integrated dual levers, mineral oil, great modulation, awsome stopping power, super-easy for one/two finger braking, metal pads up front are like tarzan's grip
Weaknesses:
price(?) but as we know - light/strong/cheap...can only have 2. slight squeal under heavy brakes (but hell, who cares if it stops you compared to quiet brakes with a painful stop). resin pads were meant to address this to a degree?
Similar Products Used:
no hydraulics. shimano M525 mechanical, promax rim v-brakes
i KNOW this is a 2003 XTR review b-u-t...there is no review for the 2004 product and i suspect shimano may have improved some of the 'sticking caliper' problems from 2003. i also agree with the post recommending installing EXACTLY as specified. ensure the lever is not depressed at all at any time when the rotor is not in the caliper - as it becomes extremely difficult to ensure the piston will operate smoothly as designed. also consider getting the mounts faced accurately if you have 'older' forks because this setup is designed for very close tolerances.
bottom line: one of the very best upgrades i have made. 4 jalopenos for the 'high' price, 5 for the outstanding performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chumbuddy
a Cross Country Rider
from PA Date Reviewed: December 2, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Stopping power & feel, modulation
Weaknesses:
Sticky pistons, pad rub
Similar Products Used:
v's only
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Marathon
Bottom Line:
I just want to echo the majority's opinion that these calibers do not work properly, retract unevenly, and will rub. I'm in the process of trying to send these back to Shimano for warranty work/replacement and they have been badgering the bike shop to try everything else that includes buying their product (i.e. try new pads, try different pads, try an xt pad axel, bleed and refill). I've done all of this maintenance previously and its obviously not the problem. With pads off, you can clearly see that a clean, newly oiled piston does not retract evenly when the lever is pulled slightly. While I keep trying to fight for replacement (XTR 3 year warranty is nothing but marketing hype), I'll be planning on eventually replacing the system with Avid or Hope. I'll be missing those dual control levers though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ethan
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA Date Reviewed: November 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Nelson, BC
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
good power and modulation
Weaknesses:
constant problems w. sticky piston; pads fell out
Similar Products Used:
Magura Marta, Avid Juicy
Bike Setup:
Blur w. '03 XTR, XTR wheels
Bottom Line:
This is far and away the worst Shimano product I have ever used.
I have been fighting a sticky piston in my front caliper for about a year, and I am ready to give up. I am on my *third* caliper! One was replaced by my LBS, one directly by Shimano. All three had a piston that would never fully retract.
I have been waiting to write this review since the problems started with this brake last summer ('03). I bought a Blur in the spring and had no problems until one day, my front pads fell out of the caliper on a mild downhill! This is now a known issue with the pad retention clip, which I think has been solved.
Ever since then, however, my front brake has been dragging and the right-hand piston will not retract. First I had the original caliper re-bled, to no avail. Then it was replaced, and I had all the same problems - usually the space between the pads and rotor was so tiny you couldn't see any light between them. The brake would rub just a little, quite a bit, or a lot, based on the day of the week and the weather, apparently. Even taking the wheel on and off for a drive was enough to disrupt the piston. I got used to changing the shims before every ride. Strangely, I've never had a problem with the rear caliper.
As I said, the second caliper had the exact same problem. I thought it might be an '03 model, so now I just got a new '04 model installed, and after 2 rides it's doing the exact same thing. What is going on?? I have an extremely experienced and well-known bike shop working on these issues and they have not had any success. I am now ready to try an XT caliper (just because I like the new XTR shifting) or give up completely and use a Hayes or Avid system.
Adding insult to injury, Shimano still does not acknowledge this problem. It's that more than anything that makes me willing to abandon the brand.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from alaska Date Reviewed: November 10, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Well made, durable, excellent stopping power, great modulation.
Weaknesses:
Wish the lever was 2-piece so I didn't have to remove shifters and what no to mess with the lever.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Louise, Formula B4 and a couple others I can't remember
Bike Setup:
Turner 5 spot, Maverick fork and a bunch of other crap
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up review to last spring's, I have the xt/xtr combo and they've been awesome. Though I got an early set, I didn't have the sticky piston issue.
They have been bullet proof, they stop on a dime, pad wear is fantastic -- I get a whole season and more on one set, I bled them once in the spring and haven't had to worry about them since -- same as last year and they still look near new after two season's of use.
Bottom line they have been great for me. I've got a case of upgrade-itis since the 5-spot has been so damn nice too and I've been trying to convince myself that I should get some new brakes. But I can't seem to get myself to pull the trigger so the xt/xtr's are staying for another year.
I mixed the pads so I'd have 2 full sets and I still haven't chewed through the both of them. I'll probably get through next summer before having to buy a new set. Not bad if you ask me.
Not the lightest, not the heaviest, not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but for me a set it and forget it brarke. Who could ask for more? If I had to do it all over again, I would still buy them. Five fire-turds for sure.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
R Brockett
a Cross Country Rider
from Tennessee Date Reviewed: October 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bear Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light Weight, Power, Modulation. Did I mention that they are light?
Weaknesses:
If any at all, Price. That is certainly up for debate, though.
Similar Products Used:
XTR V-brakes, Hayes hydraulics, Avid mechanicals
Bike Setup:
2004 Specialized Epic S-Works Disc - All Stock
Bottom Line:
Shimano must have fixed any problems that the first batch of brakes had, because the 2004s on my Epic are perfect. I hated the Hayes that I had - they seemed to be a constant pain. I really liked the Avids - they were powerful and easy to setup and use. When I first tried XTR discs about 8 months ago, I was very favorably impressed with their feel and power. After purchasing my Epic, my original opinion has just been reinforced. They are fabulous brakes - no problems whatsoever. Did I say that they are light?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vaughn
a Weekend Warrior
from Oroville, Ca Date Reviewed: September 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
South Fork, Or
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Nice modulation, light weight, nice appearance
Weaknesses:
Sticky caliper
Similar Products Used:
Avid Mechanical, Hayes
Bike Setup:
Turner 5 Spot with full XTR
Bottom Line:
Quite unhappy. Front caliper will not give me a rub free ride. I have tried all kinds of remedies, but it just comes down to the fact that the pistons stick and will not compress or retract evenly. I have wasted hours on these things. If I lube the piston it will work nice and quiet for about the first two miles of any ride, but after a few hard lever squeezes, the the rotor and pad will start rubbing. The pads wear unevenly because one piston never retracts adequately.
I have not had any real problem with the rear caliper.
I really do like Shimano overall. Years back I would buy all the one off American made stuff, but was breaking things left and right. Returning to the more pedestrian Shimano has left me with very few problems. Overall, I like the XTR build. I really like the dual control levers, much more than I thought I would.
I am planning on purchasing an XT or Saint caliper and wedding it to my XTR system, then I will try to send in the XTR caliper to Shimano through an LBS, to see if I can get an improved caliper piston interface. If the XT/XTR rebuild does not do the trick, I will probably dump the whole system for Avid Juicy and some of my old XTR trigger shifters or give a go at the new SRAM trigger.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashland, Or Date Reviewed: September 9, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Applegate loop
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Lightweight, brake well, quiet, stylin, did I say light?
Weaknesses:
? haven't come across any yet...maybe the cheap pin thing
Similar Products Used:
First disks
Bike Setup:
Turner 5-Spot and a Kona Unit SS....both w/XTR Hydros
Bottom Line:
I must have good luck I guess, because I have two pairs of these brakes on two different ikes, and both work flawlessly. WEasy set up and bleed, and I haven't messed with them at all yet, after hundreds of miles...still don't need a rebleed.
Myine are silent as a mounse, unless they get very hot or soaking wet...then they squeek a little. But isn't this common with every disk?
My riding partner has Hope Minis and those damn things shreik with this ear peircing whine the whole way down...by the end I want to kill him. Also i allways hear others with brake howl from far, far away...but not with the XTRs.
I love these brakes and would by another pair, infact I might by some for my wife.
5 tamales all around. Outstanding (knock on wood)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Patterson
a
from Topanga Date Reviewed: September 3, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Lightness, braking power, modulation.
Weaknesses:
Pads don't retract enough, resevoir must be opened any time pads must be pumped back out, which is frequent because we bikers are constantly taking our wheels off. LInes are prone to getting air bubbles.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Hydros.
Bike Setup:
Full XTR
Bottom Line:
These brakes are a nightmare. Getting the pads to stop rubbing is nearly impossible. I have had both calipers replaced by Shimano, and the inside piston on all four calipers I have used simply does not retract enough. If you adjust the shims to compensate for this, you will shrink the already too small space between the rotor and the outside piston. Once your caliper is adjusted perfectly, as my front brake is now (I'll get the rear perfect next time I have 8 hours to spare) there will be a space between the pads and the rotor on both sides that is scarcely large enough for light to pass through. This is the nature of this early batch of XTR brakes. On a bicycle brake system, the pistons should retract liberally and evenly every time the brakes are activated. My Hayes brakes only rubbed on the few occasions the brake lever was pumped when the wheels were off the bike. I then pumped out the Pistons, and my brakes were rub-free for the next 6 months. Try pumping out your XTR brakes. The only way to do this is to open the resevoir!!! Also, the brakes don't work consistently. The brakes sometimes have a spongy feel, and sometimes they are solid. The sponginess, as I have learned, is due to air bubbles travelling up the brake lines when the bike is turned upside down. Eventually the bubbles will work themselves out, but your screwed until they do. My Hayes NEVER had that problem. They were crisp and solid every time I used them, and they still work perfectly for the guy I sold them to. I think the problems with the XTR brakes are due to the fact that this is Shimano's first time with Hydro brakes. However this is no excuse for them. The XTR disc brake system should not have been released with such tragic design flaws. I have had to screw with these brakes for hours, and I can imagine that most bikers would have given up. Disc brakes should not rub. That should be among the top design features of any bicycle brake system. I am still dumfounded that Shimano layed such a large egg with XTR, being that it is their supposed top of the line product. The new XT came out a year later and from what I've heard, are benefitting from the R and D that we the consumers did for the company. My suggestion to anyone considering these brakes or the complete gruppo: Get the XTR drivetrain, but avoid the brakes like the plague (which is a bummer because the dual control levers are absolutely fantastic once you get used to them) Get Hayes brakes. They have been making thing for 40 some-odd years now and that is Hydraulic brake systems. Hydraulic brakes should be trouble free and consistent. That is the whole point of going away from mechanical brakes in the first place. I gave these brakes three chili's for value because they are reasonably priced when compared to other systems, and the feel of them is superb when they are working, and I am a former bike shop employee, so I have ridden tons of other bikes with different systems. One chili overall because the flaws of these brakes simply should not be there. Shimano is too great a company to mess up so bad.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Myles
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
All of Colorado
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$230.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
They're light and have great lever feel. They stop very predictably. One piece calipers are solid.
Weaknesses:
Kinda expensive but they're XTR to, oh well...
Similar Products Used:
Magura hydraulic rim brakes, Hope mini's
Bike Setup:
Full 2003 XTR, and wheels, on new Blur- dude, this bike rocks!
Bottom Line:
The brakes setup without any drama, without any hassle. The rotors feel very solid and the single piece caliper design is a winner- everyone's doing it now. These brakes stop really well. Every trail I've ridden all over Colorado has been technical and challenging. The brakes have never let me down. They have never dragged, they have never squealled. These are the best brakes on the market for most cross-country, all-day, all-mountain, epic rides.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything outdoors
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Light, powerful for strength, great feedback, integrated
Weaknesses:
Lever size
Similar Products Used:
Hayes hydro disc, Magura hydro rim brakes
Bike Setup:
Full 2003 XTR on MountainCycles Slix
Bottom Line:
These brakes are better than what I hoped for. They have great stopping power for their light weight. I am able to switch between my Mavic wheels w/ IS rotors as well as XTR wheels w/ spine rotors and the brakes just simply work. I'm not sure if I got the single working brake or what- but I can tell you that after three years of using nothing but XTR (new and old) I am a Shimano fan for life.
These brakes just simply work for me. They have NEVER failed in any way. Light weight, powerful, terriffic feedback, predictabe lockup.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
davide valentini
a
from italy Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
integrated shift lever combo, lightweight, beautyful finish
Weaknesses:
rear rightside piston does not return in place, not that much power
Similar Products Used:
Minis, Formula b4
Bike Setup:
Heckler, full xtr
Bottom Line:
great problem with rear rightside piston wich remains about 1 mm outside the caliper; I've tried all the fixes Shimano suggests with no results, so I'have to deal with a little drag. Front works flowlessly. Hope minis are more powerful with a firmer feel at the lever at least with the resin pads (the only supplyed with my brakes). If, while negotiating super steep descents you push on the levers to find momentum, these will move down (shifting), so I definitly won't suggest them for super technical riding (apart from this the shifting sistem is amazingly good) I
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Cheyenne WY Date Reviewed: July 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Stops the bike
Weaknesses:
The front caliper pistons stuk from day one , they are now being sent back to shimano but I have a race this week so have to rig up something for that. I thought long and hard about buying these with all the piston problems noted on this web site but was assured by my LBS that all was well with these brakes. I also really wanted the xtr wheelset which by the way is really sweet, so went for them.Big mistake.
Similar Products Used:
xtr v-brakes
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur , full xtr, fox f100x
Bottom Line:
Don't , do not , no way buy these brakes, I can't believe I was so stupid, believe what you read on this site, it's true. For those wanting the xtr wheels w ith the center lock mount there are now adapters that allow other braking systems to be used.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Cheyenne WY Date Reviewed: July 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Stops the bike
Weaknesses:
The front caliper pistons stuk from day one , they are now being sent back to shimano but I have a race this week so have to rig up something for that. I thought long and hard about buying these with all the piston problems noted on this web site but was assured by my LBS that all was well with these brakes. I also really wanted the xtr wheelset which by the way is really sweet, so went for them.Big mistake.
Similar Products Used:
xtr v-brakes
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur , full xtr, fox f100x
Bottom Line:
Don't , do not , no way buy these brakes, I can't believe I was so stupid, believe what you read on this site, it's true. For those wanting the xtr wheels w ith the center lock mount there are now adapters that allow other braking systems to be used.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marco righetti
a Weekend Warrior
from hamilton,scotland, UK Date Reviewed: June 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
glentress forest,peebles,scotland,UK
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
low maintenance,unlike rim brakes because if you want optimum performance from rim brakes you have to constantly clean/replace cables and pads! discs are closer to hub so water/mud from tyres is less likely to reach discs as opposed to rims. consistent quality braking wet or dry,good modulation. lightweight,good looks.
Weaknesses:
keep expecting sticky pistons but none so far.these are 04 models. had some terrible squeeling but i got rid of that when i used the resin/metal pad combo in one caliper.
Similar Products Used:
first disc brake system. nearly went for formula b4 sl's but was reminded that the sl's and 220 lbs dont mix!
Bike Setup:
trek fuel
Bottom Line:
i would not hesitate recommending disc brakes over rim type and i was a die hard ceramic pad/rim brake man! all i can say is that i've had no real problems with these brakes so i have to recommend them,plus shimano in my experience have always been good and quick in resolving problems (in the few times i've had problems!)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cory Hirsch
a Cross Country Rider
from Saskatoon, SK, Canada Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Bike Universe
Strengths:
Great brakes when they aren't rubbing
Weaknesses:
Sticky pistons, Terrible product support from Shimano
Similar Products Used:
Hayes
Bike Setup:
2003 Devinci Moonracer with full XTR
Bottom Line:
I was ecstatic with my XTR brakes for the 2003 season. It seems that one of the pistons in the front caliper seized over the winter. One of the pistons wouldn't move at all and the other would not retract. After several trips back to my LBS and many hours of cleaning the piston according to the Shimano service reps directions I decided to send the brakes back to Shimano (Canada) for warranty replacement. After being promised a 1 day turn around (plus shipping time) my brakes didn't come back for 3 1/2 weeks. First it seems that they never received the brakes, but a call to Fed Ex confirmed that someone had signed for them. A week into the ordeal the brakes were found on a shelf. At this point I was promised they would be shipped out the next day. 10 days later no brakes. Another phone call to shimano revealed that they were to be shipped "the next day". Two more days whent by and no brakes. My LBS owner finally freaked out on the service guy and talked to the manager who sent me a new set of brakes and levers air mail that arrived the day before my favorite race of the year. The fact that they actually replaced my calipers makes me think there was some sort of production flaw in the 2003 version (as does the number of complaints on this website). Don't let shimano bully you around. If the pistons on your XTR calipers are sticking, insist on having them replaced.
As far as the performance of the brakes go, they are great. Very good modulation and more than enough power for xc applications. The performance of Shimano's service group is terrible.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Mavrikakis
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Cathederal Pines
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$170.00
Purchased At:
Ebay / Jenson
Strengths:
Lightweight, plenty of controllable stopping power for XC trail riding.
Weaknesses:
None that I have found !
Similar Products Used:
Giant brand hydraulics on warp bike. Avid mecanical discs on stock NRS bike.
Bike Setup:
2003 Giant NRS 2 with shimano XT brake levers and XTR calipers, XT crankset, XTR front/rear derailleur, XTR shifters, Manitou minute 3 fork with 100/130mm travel, Mavic x317 rims with stans no tubes conversion, WTB weirwolf 2.1 tires, WTB lazer v saddle, Thomson seatpost and stem, Easton monkey light xc handlebar, avid rollamajig.
Bottom Line:
I can't believe the bad reviews I am reading here. I think these brakes are terrific !
I purchased front/rear calipers and rotors brand new on ebay in 2003 for around $120. The xt levers were purchased at jenson for $58 a pair and the hose purchased at my LBS. I sold off the XTR disc rotors and bought (2) ISO bolt rotors for $20 from jenson.
I followed the installation directions given. My only problem was filling the resovoirs with oil. I found that the rubber diaphram that is installed under the cover plate was preventing me from filling it with oil. Looking back I don't know why I did not remove the diaphram before hand ? Anyway, once the oil filled the resovoir I bled the caliper as the instructions show. When done they worked flawlessly ! I did spend extra time squeezing the lever, tapping on the brake hose and caliper to remove unwanted air bubbles. Just recently I upgraded the fork to a manitou minute 3 and had to get a new caliper. I could have used an a2z adapter with larger rotor but I opted for the manitou post specific caliper to replace my front ISO caliper. My LBS ordered the caliper for $120. I almost spent more for this part than the entire disc setup which cost around $170. At least I still have the ISO caliper incase I ever change forks again. After installing the new 2004 post mount caliper I am finding that the brake lever has to be pulled more than the rear lever. I rebled it and still the same. I do recall spending more time removing air bubbles when I first installed the brakes. Guess I'll have to bleed them again.
I recently went to Mountain Creek in NJ as part of our mountain biking club. We were told that there were xc trails. Bull crap !!! I used these the brakes for the entire ride down steep sections that others were using with freeride/dh bikes. Despite this I had no problems stopping or with overheating. My friend had overheating problems on his xt disc brakes because the rotors were not vented as well as my newer xt rotors. After a day on the mountain these brakes held up well with no damage and no noticable pad wear.
I alway read about modulation. Are the brakes supposed to pulse ? The brakes can slowly stop the rotor or stop it in its tracks depending on how fast I apply the brakes. The only comparision I can give is from the stock hydraulics found on my Giant warp ds/1 bike and they were not as good as far as stopping power is concerned.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bart
a Cross Country Rider
from Amsterdam (Holland) Date Reviewed: June 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
It looks very nice and they are light. Since i changed the resin brake pads for BBB pads the brakepower is improved. I will test some other brands in the future like Koolstop or EBC, but i am surprised by the BBB pads because they come cheap. I also like the feel of the brake. At first i was not convinced that the brakingpower of the XTR brakes were better than the Magura Julie, but now , when i start to get used to them, they feel very convident and easy to use with a lot of feel and modulation.
Weaknesses:
I had some sticky piston problems at the front brake but after removing a shim(0.2mm) and the Shimano trick with the pistons (i did not use oil on them) it seems ok for now. The finish of the XTR disc looks great but beware of sharp edges on the them. The thing (don't know the word) between the pads when installed can easily scratch the finish of the brake when hitting it when removed. So be careful.
Similar Products Used:
On started with Magura Julies on my first bike. They were heavy but they did work fine for me. No problems what so ever.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Marathon 2004 with Mavic Crossmax XL disc 2003 wheels, Thomson stem, Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires, XT Dual control shifters, XT 2004 derailleur, Eggbeater Steel 2004 and Fizik Aliante ti saddle.
Bottom Line:
I like the XTR disc brake 2004. The problems that some people had with the 2003 version are gone. Shimano has improved the 2004 version over the 2003. I am pleased that the bolt that holds the pads in it's place is improved and cannot fall out anymore.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Flory
a Cross Country Rider
from Livermore, CA Date Reviewed: June 5, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$236.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Great power and modulation. Very light weight. These are such an improvment over the stock Avid V-brakes on my Palimino. Very solid feel.
Weaknesses:
A lot of bad reviews. There have been a lot of complaints about the breaks but apparently Shimano has worked out the kinks or people just weren't setting them up right. Just follow the instruction from Shimano step and by step and you should not have any problems.
Similar Products Used:
Stock Avid V-Brakes that came on my Palamino. First disc breaks.
Bike Setup:
Klein Palamino with Shimano XT STI Shifters/Levers. Michelin UST Front S UST and XL in the rear with Stan's rimstrips. Using metal pads in the back and the resin pads in the front.
Bottom Line:
These brakes work great!. Well worth the investment. I would definately recommend.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Camuesa Connector, Gridley
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Hazzard's
Strengths:
Not too many at this point!
Weaknesses:
Sticky piston, "self-centering" pretty weak, service time
Bike Setup:
2003 Specialized Epic Marathon
Bottom Line:
I too am having the sticky piston issue. At this point my local shop has removed the rears and sent them to Shimano for replacement. Their diagnosis was that the early version of the XTR's had a machining issue. The two surfaces (piston, caliper) were machined to smoothly and this causes the piston to stick. Apparently they have fixed the problem but judging by the amount of negative feedback i am guessing they didn't.
I also had a front break problem when the retainer pin magically unthreaded itself, the cotterpin disappeared and the pads went flying off on a tech downhill. sweet.
so besides all this and the amount of time it spends in the shop for all this they're great.
My compliments to the guys at Hazzard's for being patient and trying to solve the issue. They've been great to work with.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete Basinger
a
from Anchorage, Alaska Date Reviewed: May 15, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
They are light. I've found that they don't squeel as often as other systems I've used.
Weaknesses:
There are three major problems that I've had with these brakes. The first is that they do not feel that great compared to other disc brake. Bleed them all you want and they still feel mushy. The second problem is that they are not that powerfull. They'll stop you, but they just don't have the grab that other brakes have. The third and most troubling thing about these brakes is that the pistons do not retract as they should. One pison always seems to get stuck causing brake drag. When I first got these brakes I called shimano regarding this problem. They said that it was becuase of the close tolerences between the caliped and the pistons. The Shimano guy recomended removing the pads, placing a few drops of triflow or mineral oil around the edge of the piston and working the piston back and forth by squeezing the lever (being careful not to allow the piston to come all the way out) and then pushing the piston back into position. He said I should repeat this a few times and that after the break in period they should be fine. Well its been a year now, and over 4000 miles and the pistons still do not retract consistantly. I've repeated the procedure just described many times seeing only minor and temporary improvement.
Similar Products Used:
Avid mechnicals, Hope XC 4s, Hope mini
Bottom Line:
Don't buy these brakes. The new XTs seem to feel better though I have not tried them. Shimano did a good job on their new cranks but these brakes were a real screw up. I'm going to stick to Avid mechanicals but if you want hydro I'd go with the Hope Minis or Hayes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Pleasanton, CA Date Reviewed: May 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
tahoe rim trail network
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Reeds
Strengths:
Light weight. Slick integrated design. Make me a faster rider because they piss me off so much I use my brakes as little as possible.
Weaknesses:
Tight tolerance, Sticky pistons, and drag. Squeal like a pig!!
Similar Products Used:
1st time on disc brakes, but none of the friends i ride with have any of the issues i have with their disc setups from other manufacturers - these make me want to go back to v brakes.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur, full XTR including hubs, Mavic x317 Disc rims, brake pad setup: 1 metallic/1 resin
Bottom Line:
Been riding with these brakes for ~ 10mths now and I'm not impressed. Totally agree with Mike from OR, and Dan from CO.
They squeal like crazy when they heat up even on moderate descents. No noticeable hit to braking power - but very annoying & scars the critters in the woods. Tried cleaning rotors regularly with alcohol - helps a little, but forget it on big descents. Plan to experiment with different pad combo's nest - all resin pads supposed to help. we'll see.
Biggest problem however is tight tolerance of setup, sticky pistons, and resulting brake drag. Very finicky to get setup, and just taking my front wheel off and on is enough to throw everything out of wack. Even if get it all dialed in, sticky pistons keep pads from retracting enough resulting in drag from rotors rubbing constantly. No way to adjust or open up pad spacing. Call me picky, but I don't think brakes should drag constantly on a human powered machine.
I'm not a bike mechanic, but i'd say Shimano has a lot of work to do to get these things working hassle free. Overall this is a pretty slick integrated design with dual control shifters, XTR hubs, and disc specific rims - but now i'm locked in to these crappy brakes.
Been working with my LBS, but unable to make any noticeable improvement so far. I would stay away until Shimano re-designs them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rafael Robledo
a Cross Country Rider
from Cali, Colombia Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Trocha del Cali
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Outside
Strengths:
Weight, Design, Low o non manteinance, Great stoping power and excelent modulation.
Weaknesses:
Installation instruction lack of helpfull hints and recomendations. For example: Caliper aligment and type of pads to be use to reduce tire blocking in hard braking.
I only have to mention that this are the best XC hydraulic brakes money can buy. The helpfull hints I can give any rider for installation are the following: For best Caliper aligment install caliper before installing the brake pads. Make shure that the hydraulic pistons are both completelly inside the caliper (follow Shimano instructions for this porpouse).Use the shims to center the Caliper in relation to the disc and don´t be affraid of using different shim sizes for each bolt. I recommend using any measuring equipment, to center the caliper around the disc, that has an exactitud no less than 0.2 mm which is the size of the smallest shim provided by Shimano. Once this is done the pads will fit perfectly and you will notice that each of the pistons will move outward almost the same distance and return to their original position. In the case of bake pads I installed resin pads for the front brake (more friction) and metal pads for the rear break (less friction) this combination makes more difficult to block the rear brake which will finally give more control of the bike in difficult trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
g love
a Cross Country Rider
from charleston Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
tsali
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
oem
Strengths:
powerful, light, modulation, smooth
Weaknesses:
non
Similar Products Used:
avid mechanical
Bike Setup:
04 s-works epic full xtr, crossmax
Bottom Line:
these are the best brakes that I have ever used. I have had no problems with them at all. they are very powerful and modulate very well. the fact that they are very light is also a plus. on long downhill runs I haven't noticed any fading which is a big plus. overall great brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, Colo. Date Reviewed: April 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Reno Loop Crested Butte
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great Braking
Weaknesses:
Noisy, complicated, unadjustable, The damned pistons don't retract
Bike Setup:
Klien Palimino Team
Bottom Line:
God was it great to read these reviews (count em 8 of these complain of pistons that fail to retract). I've been fighting a sticky piston on my XTR Disks for over 6 months. Six trips to two different bike shops, numerous system bleeds, countless alignments, spot facing of the dropout, brand new replacement caliper from Shimano and I still have a piston that won’t retract when it warms slightly. I was told that I could ship the caliper back to Shimano at my expense (two more weeks minimum off my bike) and they’d evaluate them once again. If I only had it to do over again!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay B
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah Date Reviewed: February 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Pollock Bench in Fruita :^( Now closed
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Solid performance, crisp integration on the shifter brake, aesthetically pleasing
Weaknesses:
None yet--the LBS has kept me clean lean and mean
Similar Products Used:
Upgraded from v-brakes & was so impressed that I sold my Mt Tam w/ CK hubs so I can get a setup similar to this for the next ride.
Bike Setup:
2003 S-Works Enduro, Full XTR, CK hubs/headset, Carbon handlebar, Time carbon pedals
Bottom Line:
Sweet. These are fabulous. Excellent stopping power, nice lever feel on the fingers, love the integration. Maybe the probem folks are having is that they didn't get Chris King hubs and that lil bit of extra mojo to counter the bad juju?
5 out of 5
You get what you pay for...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Richards
a Cross Country Rider
from La Jolla Date Reviewed: February 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Nobel Canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4600.00
Purchased At:
Bike Wharehouse
Strengths:
Weight
Weaknesses:
Weak stopping power with soft pads
Similar Products Used:
Hayes
Bike Setup:
XTR Santa Cruz Blur
Bottom Line:
I have had nothing but problems with the front one. It is strange considering the back one seems fine. I have had a problem with the positioning of my front wheel. ie. will not spin freely at times. Also a "fluttering" noise coming from the front on downhills. I have had the calipers R&R. Fluttering still there. My shop now tells me that Shimano says this noise is from the air getting trapped in the holes on the roter. My friends with XT don't hear it. Anyone have any ideas on this? Also stopping power does not seem strong enough. The shop is putting in metallic pads as I write this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
james
a
from chicago, il Date Reviewed: February 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
shimano directly
Strengths:
feel, power, modulation
Weaknesses:
the only weakness i can think of is that shimano was willing to sell this product to dull customers...bunch of babies you all are!!!
bike setup? the way it was suppose to be...by reading the directions BEFORE installing them !!! (the bike is a titus switchblade)
Bottom Line:
okay guys (and mostly girls), these are the best brakes you can own and this is why; they work the way a brake is suppose to work, you pull the brake lever and the bike slows according to the pressure of force from your fingers (in shimano's case, one finger). the only way to screw this up is improper installment, that is it. if your bike is experiencing problems 9 times outta 10 it is the fault of the one who installed them..i know this because i am a "professional" bicycle machanic and thought that just because i have done this with simular products that this should be any different...i was wrong. i first threw this things on and went for a ride and i thought the same thing that many previous reviewers thought "what a waste of money!" but after talking to a very zen-like shimano rep in californai he told me to go read the directions and call him back.i had to swallow my pride and read the directions and go step-by-step just like anybody. i called him back and told him just how much i love these brakes...and you can too, just read the directions. if you don't have the directions, get 'em, learn how to work on your own bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Allen
a Cross Country Rider
from France Date Reviewed: January 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Esterel Nat. Park, France
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light, good feel, consistent performance
Weaknesses:
Slight squeal at first on front,soon disappeared
Similar Products Used:
no other disk brakes
Bike Setup:
2003 Enduro Pro
Bottom Line:
These came as standard with the 2003 Enduro Pro. The front brake had a very slight rub at first, which soon vanished after a couple of rides. The rear has been faultless. These brakes have a good consistency and progressive feel. After 6 months riding in mostly dry conditions, they are performing very well. Reading some of the other reviews, mabye I have been fortunate with the setup!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Harris
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Javalina
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Great modulation, looks
Weaknesses:
SQEEEEEEEEEEEELL!!! Can't get the ft to stop screeming. I've had it in twice and the LBS says the pads were dirty, cleaned 'em, "you should be fine". % imn in to the next ride.....sqeeeeeeeeell! No noticeable resistence (the wheel spins forever when I turn it over) but, damn, it's annoying.
Similar Products Used:
Coda expert. (I'd rather have the sqeeling)
Bike Setup:
'03 Enduro Pro. Factory spec XTR rear, XT ft and cranks. Very cool new XTR shifter/brake combo. and those damn XTR brakes
Bottom Line:
Believe it or not, I like the whole set up. You have to understand, I went from a 6yr old Cannondale hard tail ("upgraded" to Headshock Ultra disc specific and coda expert disc brakes) to my trick Enduro pro (merry christmas to me). The stopping power is night and day from the crap I was riding. I've been in slightly wet and completely dry conditions with no change in braking ability. But that damn squeel! LBS says the moved a shim this time and that should do the trick if not I'm going to try to warentee the front caliper. I would be OK with a little niose if it didn't have the big XTR monicer on the side. XTR = ferrari, top of the line, best you can get!These are not the best you can get. Performance-good/ noise and inability to figure out why-bad. These brakes are going to be great if I can get them to shut the hell up. I would recomend these brakes to anyone with more patience and tollerence for anoying shreeks than I have. If I were deaf, these XTR disc brakes would get 5 chillis all the way.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a
from Chicago Date Reviewed: December 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
modulation and stopping power no matter what the trail conditions are. later breaking in turns increases handeling and control.
Weaknesses:
Forced to use new Shimano shifters rather than a stand break alone lever. Drag, drag, drag until Shimano finally fessed uo that there's a problem after many shop trips and waisting mechanic's time and creating alot of frustration.
Now that I have had them working, they are awesome. Performance is well worh any trade off with weight (and once they're set up right) maintenance free versus V brakes. I wish I went with Magura's or maybe Formula's due to the initial problems I had then Shimano not taking responsibility for the tight tolerances in the piston. Now that they work, I am happy now and it appears the drag issues were mostly related to the first batch right when they came out.
Low value rating due to hassel and manufacturer not initially taking ownership of the problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chuck Taylor
a
from Ft. Worth, TX Date Reviewed: December 23, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Good modulation with good feel.
Weaknesses:
Sticky piston problem, ergo drag, drag, drag.
Similar Products Used:
v-brakes are only prior experience
Bike Setup:
brake/shifter combo lever to XTR discs w/ XT rotors on Mavic rims/hubs
Bottom Line:
I really like the feel of these brakes when they are working but that has not been often. The sticky piston issue is extremely frustrating. (Shimano, did you test your design out before going to production? How can these be so bad, cost so much, and you are not bending over backwards apologizing and getting replacements out to everybody with problem calipers/pistons? Keep it up, and you WILL drive off every customer you have. Life it too short to put up with crappy merchandise.) I have had my mechanic rebuild one of my calipers twice already, but will minimal improvement. I can only suggest not using the current '03/'04 design. Hopefully, Shimano will come out with an improved design. Maybe they will sell the calipers separately so that all of us with this FAULTY DESIGN can then simply replace our current calipers. (My guess however is that Shimano will not make their next set compatible and we'll be shelling out more money. If that is the way it goes down, then I may just chunk all of their stuff and go SRAM.)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cisco
a
from USA Date Reviewed: December 21, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Nice feel Good power
Weaknesses:
Reliability Can cause fits of rage when working improperly (which is most of the time)
Similar Products Used:
Avid mechs
Bottom Line:
Just had my XTR's warrantied, as both front and rear had the dreaded sticky piston problem. First ride on the new calipers, and the rear one starts sticking again! The brakes were set up by a pro mechanic (not me) so it is not an issue of human error. These things suck! The Avids don't feel quite as nice as the XTR's but at least they work. I have had no problems with them. Do yourself a favor and do not buy them!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nitish Nag
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Skeggs Point
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Phat Tire
Strengths:
This is an extremely lightweight brake system compared to others on the market. It has good modulation and also power is acceptable for most XC riding.
Weaknesses:
Brake has had a slight drag scince installation. Metal Pads squeal.
These brakes are excellent for you if you are an agressive crosscountry rider. They have great modulation. The organic pads only work well enough to provide the power needed for light XC. They also dont squeal as much as the metalic pads.Buy these if you like the benifits of discs but dont like to be weighed down.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Torrance
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: December 12, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Great modulation and stopping power
Weaknesses:
two different calipers for post mount and internat. standard mount, caliper has a tendency to get "gummed up"
Similar Products Used:
hope mini, avid mechanical, coda expert
Bike Setup:
titus ti racer-x, progressive shock, full xtr, skareb platimun, crossmax sl
Bottom Line:
I was never a big fan of disc brakes. Back in '99, I had a pair of the old coda expert disc brakes. For those of you who don't remember, they were the worst bicycle component that GOD has ever put down on this earth. Because of them, i'd sworn of discs forever. Well, when Shimano came out with xtr discs, the coda experience had all but faded from my memory, so i gave discs a try again. Impressed to say the least. One finger braking is sufficient in all situations. The modulation is excellent, they feel like very powerful xtr v-brakes. The only problem that i've encountered was that the front caliper did get "gummed up" and didn't want to retract all the way. there's nothing like the sound of a rubbing rotor to irritate you. I tried the fix that Shimano recommended, but still didn't work. I finally gave up and sent the caliper back to shimano. Inside a week, I'd recieved a compete set-up, including new rotor and extra pads, very nice. One other thing that also wasn't too cool was that when i switched forks, from a marathon to a skareb, i had to buy a new caliper. Shimano said they don't make an adapter. all things considered, i still have to give them a five chili rating. I did have to send one back, but it was back very quickly, with $50 in extra pads and an extra rotor.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon Date Reviewed: November 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
lightweight
Weaknesses:
DRAG,DRAG,DRAG,DRAG,DRAG & more DRAG. Sticky pistons. Pad spacing is not adjustable.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Hope, Magura
Bike Setup:
Titus Racer-X 100 with '03 XTR
Bottom Line:
These brakes Suck with a capital S! I can't believe all the positive reviews (?) I have used these for approx. 10 months in all conditions. I had problems from the beginning with pads rubbing/dragging, pistons sticking, & slowing me down. These brakes have been to several bike shops numerous times and no one can stop them from sticking/rubbing. I eventually sent the calipers back to Shimano for replacement. All was OK with the replacements for about 1 month, now the new calipers are sticking, rubbing & dragging as well. These brakes are very finicky to set up & require me to fiddle with them before every ride. The pads are not manually adjustable & do not have enough space between them for the disc to rotate without rubbing. I have never given a product a bad review but these brake calipers deserve the worst and people need to know. These calipers have singlehandedly interfered with my riding for the last year & I feel stuck with them since the brake lever shifter combo is all integrated. Trust me, stay away until Shimano re-designs them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dann
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, Colorado Date Reviewed: November 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Stopping power/control. Light weight.
Weaknesses:
Design flaw: calipers do not retract correctly. These brakes do not work well with XTR wheels. No adjustment. Constant rubbing/squealing/howling. Ridiculous problems for the cost.
Similar Products Used:
None, first set of Disc Brakes.
Bike Setup:
Intense Spyder, full 2003 XTR, XTR wheels, Thompson seatpost, Easton bars and stem, Hutchinson tires
Bottom Line:
What a disappointment! Like some of the other reviewers below, I finally switched to dual suspension and built my dream bike. Thanks to the XTR disc brakes, it has been a nightmare. Maybe this only applies if you use the brakes with the XTR wheels (as has been documented recently in many mtb magazine articles - unfortunately too late for me), but my experience with the brakes started off horribly and has not improved much. It began right away with unbearable squealing/howling, when NOT applying the brakes. My LBS tried everything with no success. After enduring a lengthy "break-in" period which included many Colorado-sized descents, the squealing disappated somewhat but still continued intermittantly. After 6 months of riding, I have yet to have a ride without the brakes squealing or noticeably rubbing. Very frustrating. I've tried every trick that I could find (shim, lube, etc.) with very limited success. Shimano finally admitted that they are aware of this problem and are working on a solution. Until they figure it out, I would not recommend XTR disc brakes with XTR wheels.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chase
a Cross Country Rider
from Marietta, OH USA Date Reviewed: November 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Great stopping power especially in wet conditions and you can definately wait a little longer before you brake! The brakes are lightweight and have a nice, sleek design(Beautiful on titanium). The hydraulic fluid is effected by temp. which in cold weather seems to have a more solid feel to it...not a problem though, whatever your preference is...
Weaknesses:
Having never bled brakes before I was cussing like a trucker when I found out you were supposed to leave the yellow spacer pad in while bleeding them. The pitons fell out and fluid went everywhere....LEAVE THE YELLOW SPACER IN WHEN INSTALLING!! Have not had any problems with noise....not even in wet conditions....I did take the advice and stagger the brake pads...one metallic/one organic per brake.....
Wasn't quite sure what to expect from these brakes but I have to say that I am very impressed! Control has difinately been improved.....buy 'em you'll like 'em....remember the yellow spacer or you too will be cussin' up a storm....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leerink
a
from Holland Date Reviewed: October 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Cristalp
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very progressive feel. Powerful. Light weight. No warping. Just a little bit of fading in extreme conditions but not to an extend to worry about.
Weaknesses:
Read my earlier review below: I now have lost the cotter pin three times on the rear. An unbelievable design flaw somewhere but other systems use the same configuration, I mean cotter pin and retainer clip construction.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro Pro, see my review below.
Bottom Line:
After a year of extreme rides in Holland, Czech republik and Zwitserland i lost brakepads from the rear brake three times. And still Shimano says that there are no known problems with this brake. I wonder if someone lost the cotter pin on his front brakes because thats the brake you use the most. ??????????????????? Other system then.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Xcrider
a Racer
from UK Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Betws-y-coed
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light weight Looks MOdulation Braking power is above average rotors are stiff and don't promote squealing
Weaknesses:
not the easiest system to bleed but now that I've sorted the technique out it's no problem
Similar Products Used:
first disc brakes owned
Bike Setup:
Cannondael F3000SL
Bottom Line:
great brakes. Work as advertised. Bleeding initially was an issue but that was part of the growing pain of being amoung the first to buy this groupset. Bleed the brake from the caliper end by using a syringe and simply force the fluid into the system. Also sorted out the sticky piston problem. Simply remove the pads and pump the brake lever a few time til about 3mm of the piston is showing. Lube the piston with the mineral oil hydraulic fluid and force it back into the body evenly. Repeat a few times and problem sorted. Really happy with pad wear as well. Used the metal pads in winter and they're going back in next weekend (still the originals. Resins have lasted all summer.
great brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cudlow
a Cross Country Rider
from Vienna, VA Date Reviewed: October 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any Singletrack
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
I'm not a fan of all things Shi*-mano but these seem to be top quality, well designed and well made. Totally bulletproof with the locking tabs on the rotor (6 bolt only) and the safety wire on the caliper bolts. They definitely don't want these brakes to fall off. Installation and setup of the rotors and calipers is straight forward. Seriously better control and braking power over the XTR v-brakes I was using. Running the metal pads on the front and resins on the rear seems to give the best performance.
Weaknesses:
Since I have no interest in Shi*-mano shifters/deraillers I'm running their XT M756 levers. They interface on the bar better than the XTR canti levers and allow better positioning of the XO shifters. The downside is the fluid reservoirs are perpendicular to the levers. This means that anytime you check the fluid level you have to loosen the lever and rotate it until the top of reservoir is parallel with the ground, bad design. I run my levers about 45 degrees down. In addition, the hose interface is not a banjo fitting, it enters the lever much like a regular cable housing. The instruction have NO information on installing this style of hose end. It's not rocket science but it should still be there. Since the banjo fittings are not used I have some interference between the left and right hoses but that's due to my set up (w/ SRAM XO) and narrow bars. Shi*-mano really needs to step up and design an XTR brake only hydro lever.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
Bianchi Tycoon XL 5000, Marzochi X-Fly 80, CK ISO hubs, SRAM XO, etc.
Bottom Line:
Installation and setup is pretty easy and quick. As others have mentioned you need to do the break in to get the best performance. I never felt that discs were absolutely needed on the relatively flat east coast. In fact there is only one trail I've ever ridden (east or west) that I felt that v-brakes were inadequate. I can now brake later and with higher confidence on the twisty, short, steep decents that I ride most of the time. When winter comes I'm sure I'll be happy not having to deal with iced rims any more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Inman
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock, CO Date Reviewed: October 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Kenosha pass to Georgia pass
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Great power, light weight, good modulation
Weaknesses:
Sticky caliper on front outside brake
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur, Fox 100RLC, 5th element rear, Full XTR Components
Bottom Line:
Good break-in is essential... for these brakes to work well. Go to the top of a long hill and get going about 30 mph, and then just drag the back and then the front to heat the pads and rotors up. After several times the brakes showed a marked improvement. I also lubed the caliper pistions with some tri-flow, and put an oragnic and metalic pad on each rotor with good success. Also clean the rotors and pads with alcohol after each ride. So far no brake noise. Overall great system.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
William Cook
a Weekend Warrior
from Annapolis, MD Date Reviewed: September 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Patapsco/Avalon or Woodhill Forest, Auckland
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Bike Doctor Kent Island as part of the build kit
Strengths:
Light weight, integration with STI lever, great roto mount.
Weaknesses:
Poor modulation compared to other Hydraulics out there. Problems with pad retraction. Stupid cotter pin on the pad axle that you lose on the first ride.
Similar Products Used:
Hope Mini, Hayes Hydraulics, Magura Marta
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur, Shimano WH-M965 Wheels, Shimano drivetrain, XTR STI levers. Goodridge hydraulic hoses
Bottom Line:
These brakes are OK, but not outstanding. I would probably buy them again because they are so darned light, but their performance is a little disappointing for top-of-the-line kit.
(1) Installation and bleeding is as difficult as it can possibly be. The major problem is that they have problems on some calipers getting the outer pad to retract. There is a proceedure recommended by shimano for breaking them in but so far it hasn;t seemed to help and I still have some rub on the front caliper due to a non-retracting outer piston. This doesn't provide a lot of drag but squeaks and squeels constantly and does drag a little.
(2) Modulation just isn't as good as the Hope, Hayes, or Magura brakes I am used to riding with. They have plenty of one-finger power but it is difficult to control. They tend to grab unexpectedly, which makes fast downhills a bit dodgy. I'm always afraid I'm going to go over the bar and have to be on my toes about how I use the front brake. I'm relying on my rear brakes more than i like these days.
(3) That stupid cotter pin. See the reviews below. Who had the brilliant idea that this little pin was going to stay on for more than a few minutes?
These aren;t bad brakes. They are in fact very good brakes. And their light weight propels them to the top of the heap. But it's close. If they can fix the problems with installation and modulation, they'll have an untouchable winner here.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich E
a Racer
from Wisconsin Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
John Mur
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Awsome Modulation, Very light, Awsome looks, Very frendly fluid.
Weaknesses:
the older models had problems with pad retention pin falling out.
Similar Products Used:
Avid UT, Martha, avid.
Bike Setup:
Trek 9.9 03 xtr group, Fox TIV
Bottom Line:
They do exactly what there supposed to do. Best modulation i have ever experienced with a caliper. The newer calipers use the threded pad pin so it wont fall out. Rember to burn in the brake pads RIGHT AWAY. get up to 25mph and slam on brake to burn in. If you dont you wont get full performance, and they will squeek(marthas, avids, all calipers have this need). Super easy to bleed. Brakes are important, get the best, get shimano xtr.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Norbz
a Racer
from San Juan, PR Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Lightweight, Looks, XTR Reputation.
Weaknesses:
Weak kutter pin, sticky pistons, leaky bleed valve, no pad adjustment barrel/dial.
Similar Products Used:
First Disc set owned, but have tried some from friends', and LBS showroom bikes.
Bike Setup:
'03 Ellsworth Truth, Fox Forx F100X, '03 XTR, Chris King, Easton Carbon, Thomson, Fizik, Truvativ w/Giga-Pipe Ti, 5th Element Air(on order).
Bottom Line:
I was very excited about my new purchase. After 12+ years as a Mtn. Biker, I finally put together a 'Dream Bike' with all the latest technology. Lightweight Full Suspension Frame, Inertia valve Fork, new shiny XTR disc brakes/levers/shifters/wheels(tubeless). After initial and easy setup, I hit the trail. First ride was OK. The front brake (ceramic pads) felt good, but the rear (metallic pads) squealed very loudly, and had less than average stopping power. I had already read all the reviews here prior to purchase, and knew of the brake-in period. Second ride, I noticed oil on the rear caliper. It was leaking out of the bleed valve. Tightened the valve, and added oil. Third ride, the front brake braking-in nicely. Rear brake still loud, no stopping power, and bleed valve still leaking. Re-tightened bleed valve, added more oil. Fourth ride, front brake stopping powerfully. Rear brake continued to squeal and leak mineral oil through bleed valve. The leak, even though it was small, was reaching the rotor, thus the squealing and less than average stopping power of a side-pull brake. Something was up. Four rides, 100+ miles, still very poor stopping power on rear brake. Took bike to LBS. Bled rear caliper, inspected bleed nipple and o-ring, looked OK. Re-installed, stroll through parking lot, still leaking. Called mechanic friend at Supergo Santa Monica. Told me my worst fear. Factory defect. Many calipers returned to Shimano due to leaky bleed valves. I was not able to ride my 'Dream Bike' at my local, and once a year Enduro race, which was one of the main reasons I bought the disc brakes to begin with. My personal Thanks to Shimano for sending XTR disc brakes into production without working out the kinks! I will warranty the caliper and give it another go. If I could do it again, I would either buy different disc brakes, or wait for XTR '04 and see if Shimano works the kinks out. The kutter pins can be easily pulled off with two fingers, and one of the pistons in the rear caliper needed to be lubed so it would retract fully. I know once I get the rear caliper in working order, these brakes will work just fine. I just hope that the front caliper bleed valve does not start to leak, since it did so on the first ride, but has not done it again since. In conclusion, 4 turds for Value (yes, they are expensive, but they are XTR!), and 3 turds for Overall. If rear caliper would have worked, 4 turds would have been enough. Only a God would get 5! 'nough said.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scooter
a Racer
from Falmouth MA Date Reviewed: August 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
They stop the bike
Weaknesses:
Cost, System integration, noise, annoying pin fallout
Similar Products Used:
Magura Marta SL, Avid Mech
Bike Setup:
Tomac 98 Special
Bottom Line:
LOUD!!
XTR levers/shifters are expensive and didn't work nearly as well as a marta sl brake and XO gripshift.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
randy dombrowski
a
from orange MA Date Reviewed: July 31, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
power, weight, look ease of setup
Weaknesses:
price if anything
Similar Products Used:
xt ,formula,avid,hayes
Bike Setup:
santa cruz
Bottom Line:
very good brakes good for downhill riding also better then hayes
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Alaska Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
easy to setup, mucho power, quiet and smooth
Weaknesses:
not the cheapest brake, pad retention clip sucks
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, XT, Louise, B4, B4SL
Bike Setup:
Turner 5-Spot, Vanilla 125 RLC, 03 XT driveline, carbon bars and post, WTB Velocity wheels, WTB Weirwolf 2.5f and Mutanoraptor 2.4r tires, eggbeaters, 28.5# on calibrated scale
Bottom Line:
I have the popular XTR caliper/XT lever/6-bolt rotor combo and it has been absolutely awesome so far. Break-in period was fast, they are really powerful and stop my 195 pounds with ease.
Setup was a snap, was able to get a solid bleed easier than some of the others I have owned, esp the B4's. On both the fork and the rear mount, a rub free alignment was achieved with one of the thinnest shims porvided in the kit on each caliper.
I have owned a few discs and ridden a few others and so far thesea re the finest discs I have ever used. They come with 2 different kinds of pads, and a popular setup is using one of each, giving you two full sets of pads from the beginning. This is working fine for me and many others.
As far as some of the pad retention clips coming out and people losing their junk on the trail, I put loctite on the bolt and got some e-clips to replace the pins, a solid setup and I have spares just in case.
Overall, awesome power, modulation, easy to setup and they look oh so cool. What more could you ask for?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hugh
a
from common senseville Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
Has anyone ever thought of a small drop of blue loctite on the threaded part of the pad retaining pin. You can still change the pads when needed and the pin will never vibrate out. I have been running these brakes for a little over 6 months now and never installed the clips on the pin from the start. Not one problem noted to date.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
abe
a
from baton rouge, LA Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
great integrated design.....good stopping power
Weaknesses:
setup was a pain and to use the xtr rotors you have to use the xtr hubs.
Similar Products Used:
avid mechs..
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS air, xtr
Bottom Line:
great product once you get it setup correctly. I really enjoy the the new shifter/brake combo for 2003 and the brakes work like a champ....and they look pretty cool also ;)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Iznof
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland Date Reviewed: July 12, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
FTF
Bike Setup:
Trek 9.8 w/03 XTR.
Bottom Line:
This is a very nice brake set up period. The only problem that I did have was from the frame flex on the 9.8. The seatstay likes to flex causing the caliper to rub the disc. I am not sure if I like the shim spacers. I think hayes has a better system of mounting the calliper to the frame. ...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kam
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A., Ca Date Reviewed: July 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At:
(F&R)mtn. high cylcery with xt levers and rotors
Strengths:
everything...great power, drag free, light weight, look great and have been reliable. this is my second set, check out my review a few spots down.
Weaknesses:
can't really think of any.
Similar Products Used:
martas, avid mechs. and formula activas
Bike Setup:
marin mt. vision pro with a duke race, sram shifting and a set of am classic disc/vxc wheels.
Bottom Line:
these have been great for me. they have all the power i need and they feel great. can't say enough great things about them. my main reason for posting this review is for those with non-retracting pistons. here is a link for a possible fix...hopefully it's work and keep you all happy. link; http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/3945.0.html
here is what's stated in the link;
Assuming there are no air bubbles trapped behind the piston, We have seen a few XTR calipers that are experiencing this symptom. Due to the high machining tolerances and improved seals, the piston/caliper interface sometimes needs lubrication to assist in the initial break in period. In order to lubricate the piston, the wheel and pads will need to be removed from the bike. Manually retract the pistons all the way into the caliper. Using an adjustable wrench and a clean rag to prevent marring of the caliper, stabilize one of the pistons while simultaneously pumping the brake lever very lightly to protract the opposing piston approximately 2-3mm. Using a light lubricating oil, place a small drop around the perimeter of the piston. Manually retract and protract the piston a couple of times to insure complete lubrication. Manually retract the piston and repeat on the opposite piston. Replace the wheel in the frame or fork. Center the caliper over the rotor. Re-install the brake pads and center the brakes by depressing the brake lever (pistons are self centering). --Jason W. Leith Shimano American
Hope this helps you all and happy riding!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Beavercreek (NOT 'ton'), OR, USA Date Reviewed: July 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Skegg's Point, CA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Fat Tire Farm, Portland,OR
Strengths:
Great modulation, weight, feel, looks. Amazing control on steep descents with no lock-up unless you want it, regarless of ground composition or wetness. I've used them in dry, dusty, rocky, superhard Cali dirt, and gooey Oregon mud. Use of mineral oil a great plus. No torx-bolts when used wit the XTR spline-lock hubs, so you save some weight there. Nicely compatable w/ XT levers- IMO, the XTR levers/shifters are just about the worst "high-end" bike product on the market!
Weaknesses:
First ride out, lost kotter pin, lost the retaining pin, LUCKILY the pads stayed in. Took almost two weeks to get replacment from Shimano. Easy fix with a custom kotter, but you should not have to resort to this with a product of this price> DO THIS AT INSTALLATION!! Noisy 'till break-in; I use the mettalic pad set. No "field" adjustment (like a barrel adj.)
Similar Products Used:
1st disk brake set-up owned. Tried some Hayes and XTs.
Bike Setup:
'03 Trek Fuel 98 w/ XTR hubs, Mavic Tubeless, SID Race forks, Fox Float RL,Monkey-lite highrisers, Easton CF post, XTR cranks/b-bracket, XT shifters, and a big fat smile on my face.
Bottom Line:
Great brake, but I cant get over how easy it is for the retaining pins to come out. Reviews from the beginning of their release for some reason have not promted Shimano to fix a VERY simple design flaw. Since an owner-fix is so easy, I still love these brakes. Most XC riders upgrading from rim or mechanical disks will benefit from much more precise control.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Wrycza
a Racer
from Naperville, IL USA Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003
good modulation, no apparent drag. However, I cannot get the center-lock-rotor rear wheel to SHUT UP... When I run the 6 bolt XT rotor rear its nice & quiet. I had a shop tool the frame studs with the Magura Gnann-o-mat Disc Optimizer -Designed to work with International Standard disc-brake mounts, this frame-prepping tool provides perfect alignment of the disc-brake caliper. It does this by mounting the cutter on one of two dead-axles (100mm front and 135mm rear). Yet, still no luck for the M-965 rear wheel, using the metal pad(s) seems to make things worse.. Must need more time to play with it -
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mitch
a
from NorCal Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
www.mtnhighcyclery.com
Strengths:
see previous review
Weaknesses:
see previous review
Similar Products Used:
see previous review
Bike Setup:
see previous review
Bottom Line:
I have not had the retaining clip problem referenced below. Nevertheless, in the interest of "preventative maintenance," I purchased the following at my local hardware store:
Servalite E-Clip Part No. EC 9 (3/32" diameter)(11 cents)
Servalite Hair Pin Clip Part No. HP-05-059 (11 cents)
I removed the Shimano retaining clips and replaced with the e-clips. The e-clip doesn't appear to be going anywhere. Completely different design. It is a very small retaining ring - rather than a wire clip.
The hair pin clip is a second option. It is similar to the Shimano-supplied clip, but slightly different design, which produces more tension, and a larger diameter wire. Unlike the tiny Shimano-supplied clip, the hair pin clip fits very snug and appears sturdier.
Either one of these parts appears to be a substantial improvement over the clip provided by Shimano. WARNING/DISCLAIMER: I am not recommending or advising that anyone modify these brakes- you do so at your own risk!
It is inexcusable when the consumer is left to find a fix to an (apparent) design flaw. However, I will repeat my 5 chili rating only because I have not experience the problem reference by the 3 other reviewers. These brakes have been trouble-free and have awesome modulation..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Vermont Date Reviewed: June 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Easy set up and maintenance. Good modulation. Streamline design (out of harm's way).
Weaknesses:
I am the third person to post this problem: riding along and having brake shoes fall off. The problem originates with a threaded bolt with a kotter safety pin. The kotter pin is very easily bumped off the bolt, and the bolt quickly vibrates loose. Once that's gone, it's only a matter of time before your shoes fall off and whoops, no brakes. Judging by the scarcity of replacement shoes and pins (yet all other parts are readily available), many must be learning the same hard lesson. Shimano customer service claims there is no problem, and that with a threaded bolt AND a pin, just plain losing it is impossible. 20% of the reviewers here to date beg to differ. If you have these brakes, check this bolt frequently, carry spare kotter pins, and you won't have to buy a whole new brake to cannibalize for the parts (or wait weeks for replacements).
Similar Products Used:
These are my first disk brakes. Formerly I have used Avid and Shimano V-brakes and Magura hydraulics.
Bike Setup:
Specialized S-Works Enduro. Yup, it's a stock bike, but it blows away pretty much anything you'd spec on our own for similar geometry/travel.
Bottom Line:
Be a diligent rider and check your bolts (as one always should). But Shimano, come on, fess up with a fix.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Torrance, CA Date Reviewed: June 25, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$119.00
Strengths:
Innovative design (integrated shifters). Light.
Weaknesses:
Poor manufacturing tolorances, weak compared to Hayes and Avid disc.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Avid Mechanicals
Bike Setup:
Blur, Fox RLC, '03 XTR
Bottom Line:
Great for racing but not a substitute for Hayes or similar disc in real XC usage. In extended descents (not downhill racing just harder XC stuff) brakes are not as strong as Hayes or Avid. Your hands will suffer like dogs in short order. Shimano is right they "feel" like V-brakes with great modulation and make a nice upgrade for rim brake racers. In flatter, dry rides with race-like shorter descents they work well. If you've used Hayes with metalic pads, you will be disappointed here. Wet performance even with XTR metal pads installed is just okay. Takes much longer to return to full power than Avids or Hayes.
I had to replace the front caliper twice due to early production pad retraction problems. Finally working correctly without drag.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mitch
a
from NorCal Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
www.mountainhighcyclery.com
Strengths:
They work as good as they look...
Weaknesses:
Huhhh...Ok....they are not free.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes disc and Avid mechanical, Avid V brakes, XT V brakes.
Bike Setup:
Full suspension carbon-frame Proflex/K2 4500. I am not a XC racer, nor am I a "free rider." I ride (not race) single-track trails.
Bottom Line:
Everyone talks about "modulation" when discussing disc brakes. I think a better description is "progressive braking." These XTR disc brakes are the ultimate "progressive" brakes. Backward movement of the brake lever results in a very smooth, progressively stronger braking force. Much better than the Hayes brakes I've tried, and definitely better than V brakes - which are basically on-off switches. This allows fine adjustments in braking control, which translates into improved bike handling and control. I am using the '03 XTR calipers with '03 XT levers, '03 XT 6 bolt rotors and "03 XT hoses. Make sure you get the right hoses. (I did not want to go with the XTR brake/shifter combo because I love my Sram 9.0 twist shifters. I did not want to got with the Shimano integrated hub/disc set-up because I love my DT Swiss disc hubs.) Shimano waited a long time to introduce these brakes. I think they were worth the wait, and I would not want to be using any other disc brakes at this time. They are Shimano. They are XTR. Parts are readily avaiable. THe guys at my LBS know how they work. They are easy to bleed. They use mineral oil instead of corrosive brake fluid. These are some of the reasons I went with these brakes over the Formula B4 SL's. Just Do It.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Integrated shifter/brake pod, excellent braking control
Weaknesses:
Brake pad locking mechanism. Lose the pin - lose your brakes. Make sure to check the bolt/pin before you ride. I might try replacing the pin with a c-ring if I can find one that fits.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur - 03 XTR - Mavic - Fox
Bottom Line:
Overall, the brakes work very well. I'm a little concerned that the brake pad locking mechanism depends upon an exposed pin that has proven it can fail. If it had failed on a difficult downhill, I might be writing this review from a hospital bed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim XcRacer
a Racer
from UK Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Marin Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Strengths:
Looks, lack of weight,modulation, overal performance and quality
Weaknesses:
lack of lever mounted adjustment
Similar Products Used:
Hope Mini
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F3000SL, Coda Tarantula 2x9 crank full M965 XTR group with Mavic X3.1 rims on XTR hubs.
Bottom Line:
These brakes are excellent. Better modulation than Hope Mini, Lighter and less squeal when wet and none when dry. Came supplied with Bleed kit, Red pad spacers for transport and yellow bleed spacers. Also included 1 set of resin pads and one set of Sintered Metal (wet weather)
Simply love the look an feel of these brakes, no squeal nor pad retraction problems as some have had.
Shifters are the bees knees too. Definately the future of shifting.
Long live Rapid Rise too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leerink
a Weekend Warrior
from The Netherlands Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pas de Lona (ya kidding)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light, strong and modulation is far far better than Hope Enduro's I had before.
Weaknesses:
Hey Kieran (below) I encountered the same problem. After 4 hours riding I heard a popping metallic sound. I braked and oops the rearbrake lever could toutch the handlebar. From then on I realized hommies I got a problem haha. Brake pads were gone and also retainer pin and clip as Kieran described below. Thats the only negative thing for now I encountered but I'am going to ride a huge bikemarathon in the Swiss Alps this summer and am curious how they would cope the heat that is generated during the long downhills there.
Specialized Enduro Pro 2003. Completely stock except for tires wich I every now en then change to my needs and different terrain.
Bottom Line:
Specialized was the problem I think but I am not shure. They got me on my bike again in one day, what a service. They forgot to put a clip on the retainer pin. Problem solved. 4 turds is enough, if it was 5 turds then it must be the Uberbremse of the galaxy. Peace
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kieran
a Downhiller
from Mammoth Lakes, CA Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Great stopping power, and sleek look. I also really like the combination brake/shifter.
Weaknesses:
I lost my brake pads on the trail the other day because a rock came up and popped the cotter pin off of the retainer pin. Overall good design, but a locking cotter pin or some safety wire should remedy this problem. I still do not understand why the mounting bolts have safety wire to keep them from moving, but a non-locking cotter pin is used on the retainer pin.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro Pro, more or less stock
Bottom Line:
Overall, I really like these brakes, but I am upset that I have to buy a new retainer pin, spring clip, and brake pads because of this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mellie Mel
a Racer
from Canada Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Litespeed dealership
Strengths:
Awesome modulation, great for xc racing!
Weaknesses:
Setting up, it is really touchy setting up calipers properly with the spacers. The Calipers are open on the top and allows mud to enter into alot of the little areas in the mechanism.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Magura Louise
Bike Setup:
2003 Unicoi full XTR, Sid Race, Easton Carbon cockpit, Cane Creek Team Ti tubeless.
Bottom Line:
If you are a racer, these are awesome! But if you are going to buy a trail bike for the weekend, this groupo is not intended for that type of riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Walter Guan
a
from Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
This is an update.
Weaknesses:
Squels when wet(but which discs doesn't?). No adjustments. The integrated lever/shifter(can't trials around).
Bottom Line:
If u don't like the levers, use XT. These brakes are truly awesome(2 bad Shimano is not).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JONES
a
from ORLANDO Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Strengths:
THESE BRAKES ARE AWFUL
Weaknesses:
THEY SQUEAL, AND MY CALIPER HALVES SPLIT IN TWO, I CRASHED INTO A TREE, BROKE MY ARM AND SHOULDER BECAUSE NO BRAKING POWER. I WISH I COULD GIVE THIS A NEGATIVE CHILLY
Similar Products Used:
THESE THINGS ARE UGLY, TOO
Bike Setup:
BUY HOPE DISC BRAKES - ALL MY FRIENDS HAVE THEM AND THEY ARE APPARENTLY THE BEST
Bottom Line:
THESE SUCK, THEY INJURED MY BODY, THEY MAKE MY BIKE LOOK STUPID, AND THE INTEGRATED BRAKE AND SHIFTERS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS - DEFINITELY SHIMANO'S WAY OF FORCING PEOPLE TO USE ONLY SHIMANO STUFF. SHIMNO STUFF IS GENERALLY GOOD, BUT THEIR DISC BRAKES SUCK.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Walter Guan
a
from Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Awesome power, modulation, looks, weight.
Weaknesses:
Expensive.
Bottom Line:
This are THE best brakes I've used. Superb (surprising)power and modulation. Get them if u have the cash!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JP LaMere
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Siouxon Creek WA
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
They work great, incredible stopping power, when you are riding the off camber on the descents, you hit the brakes and feel total control, like the bike is sucking you back into the safety of the mountain.
Weaknesses:
New XTR disc brakes have no way to loosen. I can't believe this, shame on Shimano to think their self adjusting mechanism is foolproof, especially on a new system. My brakes were rubbing for the first 2 miles, and I know in Shimano's manual they mention a break in period, so perhaps that's all it was. I will say the brakes work fantastically, they do squeak for a while after getting wet, but then when they dry the squeaking goes away. I would still like an on the fly adjustment for loosening the brake to move the calipers out like Avid, Hayes, Magura and everyone else has. Or at least Shimano should include the red spacer and bleed kit with the system which they mention in their manual as necessary for readjustment. Or at the very very least they should make it available for sale to consumers as the work is not hard to do, just a scheme to keep the bike shops happy making you go in for service. The guys at the local bike shop here in Portland, OR mentioned they have had to send some new XTR disc brakes back to Shimano as the pistons which push the calipers do not fully retract. I must say again though, the brakes work fantastically.
Similar Products Used:
Avid
Bike Setup:
New Jamis Dakar Pro XC with full XTR.
Bottom Line:
They work great, but I fear having them go slightly out of adjustment and not being able to tune them, being reliant on the bike shop. I've only done one big ride, they squeked after some river crossings, but when they dried out stopped squeking. As long as they work and don't rub I love them, I'll repost when I have a couple hundred miles on them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from The Netherlands Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
Bike2Build.com
Strengths:
Great disc brake set. Awsome power, excellent modulation. Quit with resin brake pads. Leight weight when compared to other disc brake sets. Great looks.
Weaknesses:
Expensive.
Similar Products Used:
Magura Julie
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper, RS Duke Race, Mavic X317 with XT disc hubs, XTR disc brakes.
Bottom Line:
Great discbrake set. I use the XT levers and XT 160 mm discs with XTR 2003 caliper. Can be bought as a complete set at bike2build.com. Set works great. Set up and bleeding is straigthforward. Construction allows for easy cleaning (especially when compared to my previous Magura Julie discbrakes). Bottom: great disc brakes. Excellent stopping power and superb modulation. Leight weight. Probably the best brake set out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kam
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A., CA Date Reviewed: March 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
East Fence Line-Chino Hills, CA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
jensonusa.com and supergo.com
Strengths:
light (about hope mini weight with xt hydro levers & rotors) beautiful finish-black chrome excellent performance great modulation great power, even with thhe resin pads great feel at the levers hella easy set up mineral oil will not damage the paint on you frame
Weaknesses:
kinda pricey the black chrome finish scratched easily no seperate xtr hydro levers available (...yet) drag-free set up
Similar Products Used:
avid mechs-(great power and easy set up, but no modulation and are heavy). magura martas-light,good power but have a spongy feel at the rear leer no matter what i did to try to fix 'em).
Bike Setup:
custom peyto zona steel ss, with a pace rc31 carbon rigid fork,hugi 240 disc/velocity vxc wheels,king headset,dean ti post,xtr cranks/jericho suffering combo,easton monkeylite carbon riser,thomson stem.
Bottom Line:
i have my xtr calipers matted to the 756 xt hydro levers with the bh61 trimmable lines and 160mm xt rotors. either the 755 or 756 xt hydro levers will work with the xtr calipers, and the 160mm xt rotors will also work with no problems.
these are excellent disc brakes...light, great feel, power and modulation, but they are pricey (it's hard to find the xt levers seperately and the 2003 xtr shifter/levers are also very pricey). the install was pretty much straight foward with no problems. i'm amazed at how good the levers feel, very stiff...no spongy feel.
i have about 200 miles on my set now. i was initially using the resin pads and they offered good power and were very quiet. now, i'm currently using one resin ans one metallic pad in each caliper...and have even great power (on par with avid mechs, and i'm sure hayes) but the front brake is make abit more noise. i just may need to realign the caliper.
if you're looking for a very refined, lighweight disc brake, the 2003 xtr's will fit the bill. but...it should be an interesting battle between the new avid juicy seven and the 2003 xtr discs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, Washington Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Ape Canyon,Siouxon,Tarbell
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Strong, good modulation, they look great, lightweight.
Weaknesses:
First two rides in the wet - no squeal. Third ride in the wet - now screetching loudly.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT disc, Hayes disc & all other rim.
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Truth, 03 XTR stuff, tubeless, Romic, Marathon, etc.
Bottom Line:
I really like the performance - they are as powerful as my XT discs. They look beautiful & are easy to install & set up (for me anyway).
I read about drag problems on a previous post. I have not experienced drag on either end - but I think that could be a shim problem that any bike shop could fix.
I read through other posts and saw that no one else complained about squealing brakes in wet conditions. Mine didn't squeal on the first two wet rides - yesterday they screeched badly after creek crossings/muddy sections. I know they come with 2 types of pads. I will clean them before the next ride and if they still squeal - I'll change to the other pad.
Despite my isolated screetching problem - I love these brakes. They are just as good as my XT's - but lighter. For the weight savings - they win. I am going to give value a 4 - because they are expensive. For now - until I figure out the sqeal problem (has anyone else had it?) I am giving a 4 on overall - but will change it later if it's corrected.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland Date Reviewed: February 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Strength, modulation, lack of fade compared to best V-brakes
Weaknesses:
Front wheel brake drag Prefer separate shifter/lever unit rather than integrated
Similar Products Used:
Only V-brakes
Bike Setup:
2003 Enduro Pro
Bottom Line:
Everything about these brakes meets or exceeds my expectations. Nice to be able to actually wait until the last second to start braking - so strong, yet easy to modulate. The only downside is that I have experienced major front wheel friction after long downhills - there isn't much clearance between the rotor and the pads on the front brake, and the pads seem to not return to their full "resting" position after being used, causing the friction. I was expecting a little bit of drag, but this is not acceptable! Hopefully it is just an issue with the setup and the shop will be able to fix it in no time. Only gave 4 stars 'cause of the friction, but otherwise an awesome brake.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Claudio Arrochela
a Cross Country Rider
from Brasilia-DF, BRAZIL Date Reviewed: February 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anyone in Pirinopolis city
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$340.00
Purchased At:
My local shop, Cycling Brasilia-DF
Strengths:
Awesome power and modulation, cuts 200 grans fron my previous disc (a shimano XT).
Weaknesses:
Dont believe in the compatibility issues fron shimano, Im using the new XTR calipers with my old crossmax whells with hayes 6" rotors and the arrangement works very well. The polished finish scratchs easily...
Similar Products Used:
Hayes and shimano XT disc,
Bike Setup:
2001 scott g-zero strike full suspension XC (carbon frame and scandiun rear), full 2003 xtr, crossmax ust, sid sl in front and sid xc lockout on rear(total weight 10,8 kilograms)...
Bottom Line:
Awesome power, superb modulation, a complete surprise compared with the previous xt disc I have, to be honest they work better than xt, and they have only 2 pistons against the 4 that xt has, but they are ahead!!!! and I shave 200 grams fron my bike... try it!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Theo Ecker
a Cross Country Rider
from Moab, Utah Date Reviewed: February 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any trail at night
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Rim Cyclery, Moab
Strengths:
Quiet, excellent modulation, lever feel is precise. Look like jewelry, or a high end SEIKO watch.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
XTR v-brakes
Bike Setup:
'03 Specialized Epic Marathon, mostly XTR, Fox Shox both ends.
Bottom Line:
These brakes modulate like a dream, and with the integrated shifting, you can easily shift while braking on the sketchiest surfaces. Gone are the days of having to chip the ice off of the rims with a rock before descending. (I do miss those freezing drizzle night rides in the GW forest) I run front brake right, moto style, and it took Rim just a few minutes to make the switch. If you are the type of rider that ventures out in conditions other than sunny/warm, You won't be disappointed.
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Submitted by
Nando
a Cross Country Rider
from Barcelona, Spain Date Reviewed: January 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere, Anytime!!!!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
No squeaks, chatter, or fade in wet conditions. Awesome modulation and power from hydraulic system.
Weaknesses:
Slightly weightier than V-brakes. You might need a new wheelset if you can't rebuild your current rims with a disc hub. Lack of compatibility with more popular hubs on the market. Ugly V-brakes mounts on your forks if you're switching from them.
Similar Products Used:
Avid mechanical. Before that XTR V-Brakes. Tested XT, Magura, Hopes.
Bike Setup:
03 Rocky Mountain Element TSC, Chris King No Thread, All 03 XTR, XTR Hydraulic disc, Spinergy Rims/Spokes, Thompson stem, Hutchinson Scorpions, Easton carbon seatpost, Manitou Skareb Elite w/lockout, Answer ProTaper XC carbon handlebars, Selle Italia Custom SLR saddle.
Bottom Line:
These brakes work sublimely. This is the choice for XC for sure. For me the weight isn't an issue. They work with my Spinergy hubs but I can see others having to go to great lengths to get their preferred setups. Disc brakes are the future of the sport so if you haven't tried them it's time to just give them a demo.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anonymous Gerbil
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Date Reviewed: January 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$380.00
Purchased At:
www.bike2build.com
Strengths:
Lightweight, excellent modulation, powerful for its size
Weaknesses:
Next to impossible to get a combo where you are not stuck in the proprietary XTR design for rotors, levers and hubs. I had to order a set from Netherlands, since no one in the U.S. (currently) carries the combination I want - King hubs, XT brake levers and rotors and XTR calipers
Similar Products Used:
None, my first disc brakes ever. But definately more powerful than V-brakes, eventhough they are not fully broken in yet
Bike Setup:
Custom Seven Teres, Fox RLT, King hubs and headset, SRAM X0, Race Face LP crank and rings, Mavis X3.1 tubeless
Bottom Line:
These are my first disc brakes ever. Since they are just now coming to market, it was next to impossible to get the combo I wanted. Basically, I wanted the XTR calipers mated to the international standard spec hubs and rotors. But getting a pair of XT brake levers was very hard. Fortunately, Bike2Build sells the exact combo I was looking for (great service from these guys if anyone is interested in getting anything from them, btw).
The installation and setup was very easy and straightforward - took about 1 hour total, including bleeding the brakes. Initially, the brakes had slightly more power than compared to conventional V-brakes, but not much more. Now that the pads are wearing in and system is broken in, the brakes are developing a much bigger bite. But the modulation is excellent - these are definately NOT off/on type of brakes. You can lightly feather them to slow down, or you can apply full power for front-wheelies and potentially go over the handlebars. All this with a hydraulic system so your fingers are never tired or hurting. The environmentally friendly mineral oil is a nice bonus - a considering if you like working on you bike or shell out big bucks for a custom paintjob on your frame.
I think the XTR brakes will be THE choice for XC riders looking to switch to discs but do not want extra weight. They are light, powerful, and look like jewelry (though the new XTR finish scratches very easily). Not recommended for extreme riding or downhilling though, IMO.
I give five chilis for performance, but four for value - getting the setup you want (as opposed to what Shimano forces on you) is very hard right now. And who knows how benevolent Shimano feels about dealers/sellers mixing and matching parts for sale. I would have given a three for value, but the price is very comparable to the competition - as long as you are able to get the combo to fit your bike without being force to buy stuff you don't need or don't want to use.
Overall, great brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave T
a
from Salinas, Ca. Date Reviewed: January 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Bobcat Bicycles
Strengths:
Light & Powerfull, Modulate as good as my XT discs and beter than my Hayes from past bikes.
Weaknesses:
At this time they are not available separately from the shifters. So if you're not into the new-style shifting, you're outta luck for a while.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT discs and Hayes brakes.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight,Fox Float 100RLC & Float RL, 03' XTR Disc Gruppo, Easton bar, Thomson post, WTB tires & seat.
Bottom Line:
These brakes are just what I like - Quiet, Light & they Work. I've got a lot of time on them in many different conditions - wet, sand, dirt & mud - the performance is impressive to say the least. If you are an agressive cross country rider like myself - give them a shot.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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