[mhmacw]

What is the comparison between the bbdb and the shimano 485 disc? in terms of both performance and quality?

My nephew has the bbdb currently and I have a set of 485 takeoff. Is he better off with the bbdb or the 485?

Thanks, Dan

 

[mimi1885]

Sorry bbdb?

 

[mhmacw]

BBDB is somewhere in the range between BB5's and BB7's. I've not ridden any of the 3 to any length so I have no idea how to compare cable to hydrolic in this case.

 

[Speedub.Nate]

Sorry bbdb?

BBDB = Ball Bearing Disc Brake, aka Avid's original name for the BB7.

 

[mimi1885]

Thanks I figure that would be the case. Aged old comparison Hydro VS mech. Basically the power is about the same, big difference is the lever pressure. Hydro requires less effort to achieve the braking power and it's usually feel smoother as well.

Ease of use, it depends on who you are asking. I don't have any problem bleeding Hydro brakes some are actually fun to bleed like Hope system or new Magura. Cable is simpler system but weight a bit more.

 

[mhmacw]

Ok great. Ill send them to him straight away. having never used cable brakes on disc I greatly appreciate your insight.

 

[mhmacw]

I have something else to add that I'm not sure was made clear earlier. My question isn't whether disc is better than cable. My question had to do with peck order of the grade of brakes mentioned.

Maybe a better way of asking this question would be this... If you were to equate Shimano 485 to the lx,slx,xt,xtr grade what would it be? Likewise with the BBDB. Would the BBDB be an xt grade or lx grade? stx grade? I don't care whether one style is better(hydro or cable) I just care which is the better grade. I don't want to send him a set of brakes that are Wal-Mart equivalent if he already has xt.


Thanks, Dan

 

[Speedub.Nate]

.......

 

[Speedub.Nate]

Well, from that perspective BB7s are top of the mechanical heap and you really can't go wrong with them. You'll have to do so digging on those hydros, though -- I'm not familiar with that model.

 

[mimi1885]

Best I can put it would be 485 is below LX, and if SLX would make cable brake BB7 would be equivalent to that line. As is BB7 is a better brake than 485 it has more adjustments probably about the same weight.

 

[411898]

Shimano 400 series is basically "Shimano branded". Don't let that fool you. I put BR-M486 brakes on my wife's bike and they are fantastic!

 

[mhmacw]

Thanks a ton guys! This is great info. I'll pass that on to my nephew and just send the shifters and rear der to him. I f nothing else I'I bet his lbs will keep him going in the right direction. Honestly folks I don't have the experience with this grade of parts as a comparison so your insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,Dan :thumbsup: