Shimano 2012 XT brakes vs. Formula RX????

bowler1 · Jul 24, 2012

I have a set of Formula Rx brakes and just bought a set of new XTs. I was going to put them on my wife's bike (who is a newb) but now am considering putting them on mine instead.

Which do you feel is the better brake? Given that my wife is a new rider I don't think she would notice a big difference and I would rather put the higher performing brakes on my bike.

My preference is for effective 1 finger braking with good modulation.

thanks

Matt

JayMac · Jul 24, 2012

I wondered the same thing a few months ago. LBS convinced me to go XT and have been happy.

Stevob · Jul 24, 2012

XT out performs the RX in every way. I just think about braking and I stop. Seriously way more power and reliability.

Mr Pink57 · Jul 24, 2012

XT's are touchy at the start so give them some time, once broken in they're golden.

jaks · Jul 24, 2012

RXs are more progressive. XTs have more ultimate power. If she's not doing steeps, I would give her the RXs since they'll be safer for a beginner.

bowler1 · Jul 24, 2012

Good point there. So would you still consider the XT to be the better performing brake for an experienced rider?

Your comment about the RXs being way more progressive implies that the XTs may be a bit grabby. I would value good modulation over pure stopping power personally.

Matt

zerokoo149 · Jul 24, 2012

I've never considered my XT's to be grabby, I thought they were perfect right out of the box with no real break in. Great modulation and one finger braking though.

I've used 6 or 7 different hydro's, and I like the XT's the best.

pascale27 · Jul 24, 2012

XTs: 1 finger braking, check
Great modulation, check
Awesome braking, check
No warbling or any problems I have with 2 sets of Avids, check

Put the XTs on your bike.

jaks · Jul 24, 2012

My thought is, that you can adjust for modulation with skill, but you can't adjust for lack of power.

I have RXs on my 29er with 180mm disc up front, and I find that it's not quite enough power in extreme situations where I'm pitched down and have 95% of braking on my front wheel. The brake will give up before my tire will.

The SLX's (basically the same as XTs) I've tried can lock up the wheel in any situation (if you want to) with one finger.

Or you can just go up a disc size and have power and modulation with the RXs. Maybe a pad change would do the same thing.

However, I prefer the Shimanos not just for the additional power, but ease of setup and maintenance.

Mattyd · Jul 26, 2012

Have both and like both, but I'd give the preference to XT. More power and less force needed (1 finger). Additionally, I like the smaller feel of the lever.

Mattyd · Jul 26, 2012

By the way, formula rotors and adapters work vert well with the XT's.

andydude · Jul 26, 2012

I prefer Avid.

Andrewfuzzy · Jul 26, 2012

Used formulas and just didnt get on with them....my mate used them and he couldnt get on with them either AND he adjusted the levers right in and still couldnt reach them comfortably (hes got baby hands).

Avids have been fine apart from some warble on my Elixirs and some 2011 XTs were great too.

So use the XTs

bdundee · Jul 26, 2012

Mattyd said:
Have both and like both, but I'd give the preference to XT. More power and less force needed (1 finger). Additionally, I like the smaller feel of the lever.

Same exact thing here and using Formula rotors with the xt as well.

bowler1 · Jul 26, 2012

So no issues using XT with Formula Rotors. How about using Formulas with other rotors? I know that the Formula Rotors are really thin. Not sure if there would be rubbing issues if you used Formula brakes with more conventional rotors.

My wife's bike has Shimano Centerlock type rotor mounts (hate them). so she has Magura Rotors on them now. I am not a fan of the centerlock conversion kits so I am not sure I want to try to mount the Formula rotors to her bike. Best would be if I could put the Formulas on her bike and then use her existing Magura rotors.

thanks
Matt

bdundee · Jul 26, 2012

bowler1 said:
So no issues using XT with Formula Rotors. How about using Formulas with other rotors? I know that the Formula Rotors are really thin. Not sure if there would be rubbing issues if you used Formula brakes with more conventional rotors.

My wife's bike has Shimano Centerlock type rotor mounts (hate them). so she has Magura Rotors on them now. I am not a fan of the centerlock conversion kits so I am not sure I want to try to mount the Formula rotors to her bike. Best would be if I could put the Formulas on her bike and then use her existing Magura rotors.

thanks
Matt

I run Avid G3 rotors with my RX's and they work great!

Mr Pink57 · Jul 26, 2012

The Ice-Tech rotors are pretty solid and would recommend them over much of anything else I have tried, most of my knowledge however comes from Avid and Alligator rotors.

pascale27 · Jul 26, 2012

Avid G2 rotors that warbled with my Juicys now flawless with XT brakes

wallstreet · Jul 27, 2012

I saw a sale on XT and even on XTRs full systems so could be worth going up to it and lighten up the ole lady.. i mean young lady...

Miker J · Jul 28, 2012

Like King hubs, Oury grips, and brass nips.... a no-brainer decision, go XT.

Not to sound cliche, but modulation is in the fingers.

Shimano 2012 XT brakes vs. Formula RX????

bowler1

JayMac

Stevob

Mr Pink57

jaks

bowler1

zerokoo149

pascale27

jaks

Mattyd

Mattyd

andydude

Andrewfuzzy

bdundee

bowler1

bdundee

Mr Pink57

pascale27

wallstreet

Miker J

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