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bb7 or bb5?

2989 Views 27 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  Speedub.Nate, 
monocog16
wich one would be a better choice for a 29er? i have bb5's on my gf piranah and like them but my monocog is my race bike and its got v-brakes as of now. im just wondering if the bb5s wont keep up well with the bigger wheels:confused:
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C
bb7 is easier to set up. The rotors suck on both. braking shouldn't be any different between the 2.
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frdfandc
The 7's are easier to setup and have more fine tunability to adjust the braking modulation/feel/power to your liking.

Also the BB7's use the same brake pads as the Juicy series and are usually more available at the LBS than the BB5 pads.

The key with a 29'r though is rotor size. Run a 180/185mm rotor on the front and a 160 on the rear. This should be all that you need. Some have gotten away with a 160 rotor on the front, but it can be easily overwhelmed if used on long, fast downhill descents.
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monocog16
ok thanks i wouldnt have known to get a bigger roter for the front. the other thing i was wondering how much harder is it to set up hydrolic disks?
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ppfeifer
It depends if the hydraulic brakes are pre-bled or not. If you buy a set that are pre-bled and the hoses are the correct length then they are super easy. On the other hand, you may have to assemble the brakes piece by piece, add the fluid, and then bleed them. That takes a long time and is more complicated than BB5's or 7's. In my experience, hydraulic brakes require less routine maintenance than mechanicals but are more prone to squealing.
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D
cruiserman said:
The rotors suck on both.
Click to expand...
Whats the problem with the BB7s rotors?
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Frozenspokes
BB7's all the way for all of the reasons mentioned above. I have both and the BB7 brakes were a breese to set up compared to the BB5 brakes. They perform better, are more adjustable, and worth every penny of the extra money.
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N
frdfandc said:
The 7's are easier to setup and have more fine tunability to adjust the braking modulation/feel/power to your liking.

Also the BB7's use the same brake pads as the Juicy series and are usually more available at the LBS than the BB5 pads.

The key with a 29'r though is rotor size. Run a 180/185mm rotor on the front and a 160 on the rear. This should be all that you need. Some have gotten away with a 160 rotor on the front, but it can be easily overwhelmed if used on long, fast downhill descents.
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X2...........easy go with BB7......but I run 160 f/r and I'm about 200 lbs. geared up. If you're heavier 185/160 f/r would prolly be good. Roundagon rotors don't suck, but they are not the best or lightest. G2 are lighter, faster stopping and help keep the pads cleaned of dirt and mud.
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monocog16
i was looking and i cant find the bb7 front and back that are the same shape if i want to put the bigger one on the front, they sell the 160 mm in a kit that are the same shape but if u want two different sizes than there not the same shape. i dont ride alot of long dh stuff so idn if it would be ok to just go with the 160mm's front and back?
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frdfandc
Yes you can try out the 160's f/r. If you feel that your braking is subpar to what you think it needs to be, then you can always pick up a 185/180mm rotor and the proper bracket to make it work.
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N
frdfandc said:
Yes you can try out the 160's f/r. If you feel that your braking is subpar to what you think it needs to be, then you can always pick up a 185/180mm rotor and the proper bracket to make it work.
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Yes.....and how much you weigh ready to ride and typical terrain ridden would help to know which rotors. But I'd just do the 160s f/r as said....rotors are cheap on the bay etc.
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monocog16
ok thanks ill try that. to tell the truth i tend to faver the rear brake anyway it just seems like i can controll the bike better that way. thanks for the quick answers. i only weigh 155 on a good day (good meaning i weigh more lol)
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D
This is what I got on the Bandersnatch:


BB7's, 185 Front / 160 Rear


Roundagons for now, G2's or newer later.


Rotor size comparison. 185 left, 160 on the right.

Was mentioned here on another thread, larger rotors will not make you stop faster but it will dissipate heat faster. Some riders who 'ride' their rear brakes switch the larger rotor to the rear, maybe someday I'll try that.

A few clicks of the BB7's will get you into the right adjustment. Very simple and easy.

Brakes were coupled with Avid Speed Dial levers for even better brake modulation.
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jrm
Also use the Cleansweep II rotors

and NOT the paragon rotors which are CRAPolla.
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monocog16
so is this a good deal?. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/parts/bb7kit.htm
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BruceBrown
monocog16 said:
so is this a good deal?. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/parts/bb7kit.htm
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Yes, with the free shipping that's about as cheap as they get. There is always a cheap set on eBay for around $85-89, but they nail you with $15-20 shipping so the deal you found makes it a wash.:thumbsup:

BB

P.S. I use 160mm front/140mm rear BB7's on all my 29"ers. :D
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BokorSolo
I'm bangin' out with the BB5s on the Redline for the time being. I had BB7s but they went to my little brother's bike because he was brake less and was itching to ride. I can't wait for the cash to start again so I can get my hands on a pair of BB7s again.
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smilinsteve
Dial Tone said:
Was mentioned here on another thread, larger rotors will not make you stop faster but it will dissipate heat faster.
Click to expand...
Hmmm...
I would say the larger rotor WILL stop you faster (or require less lever force for the equivalent stopping power), AND will dissipate heat faster.
That does not mean you will need anything bigger than a 160, depending on you and your riding.
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C
DerBergschreck said:
Whats the problem with the BB7s rotors?
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They are usually warped out of the box, and they gobble. I've had much better luck with the cleansweep.
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honkonbobo
unless you dont need levers i think this might be a better deal.

mtb.unrealcycles.com/catalog/item549.htm?count=2

shipping to michigan is $15 for me so for only $10 more than the deal above you get the SD7 levers as well. i have no experience with this vendor but i think i am going to order a pair for the niner mcr frame i picked up.

cheers.
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