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Formula R1 brakes

7045 Views 47 Replies 22 Participants Last post by XgreygOOse, Aug 26, 2009

yangpei

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2009

Has anyone tried Formula R1 brakes? How's the feel? Modulation?

My Jones bike currently has BB7's with Avid Ultimate levers. I was thinking about upgrading to a set of nice, light hydraulics. I've used the Magura Marta SL's in the past, but was not so impressed with the modulation. I haven't tried the new Hope stuff as all my brakes are about 2 years old. I'm currently running Hope Mono Mini brakes on most of my xc and trail bikes (I'm running Mono M4's on my Rogue).

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dropadrop

· #2 · Jun 29, 2009

I'm interested in these too. I can get a pair for a lot less then competitive products (basic Magura Marta's, Hope X2's). Suprisingly little experiences till now.

sadgit

· #3 · Jun 29, 2009

I just got the hope tech x2 brakes, after looking closely at the R1 and Maguras. I wanted a powerful brake that modulates well and is good for the terrain I ride. My most frequent ride is often muddy, so that sealed the deal for me (hope brakes are designed in northern England, which is always muddy).

Got braided hose (which the R1 is apparently not, appearances notwithstanding) and floating rotors. Very happy with them.

somsom

· #4 · Jun 29, 2009

My friend has them on his Nomad, and honestly they don't feel that much different than my K24's. There is a bit more power, but modulation is pretty much identical imho

Taz8

· #5 · Jun 29, 2009

dropadrop said:
I'm interested in these too. I can get a pair for a lot less then competitive products (basic Magura Marta's, Hope X2's). Suprisingly little experiences till now.

Are you able to divulge where you are able to get the R1's? Would the price you are able to get extend to others as well???

sstefanov

· #6 · Jun 30, 2009

I have been running them since a month on my hardtail. So far only dry rides here, and they have been without any issues. Very light, more than plenty of stopping power for one finger breaking. I believe modulation is very good, but I think this is a very subjective feeling.

I am running them with the standard one piece 160mm rotors and I weight 73kg.

Hope this helps,
Stefan

c-record

· #7 · Jun 30, 2009

I have 'em

On a new Rocky Altitude 90. Pretty impressed so far. Great lever shape. Not enough time yet so say definitively but so far so good.

dropadrop

· #8 · Jul 5, 2009

Taz8 said:
Are you able to divulge where you are able to get the R1's? Would the price you are able to get extend to others as well???

From Merlincycles in the UK. They seem to be offering them for about 290€ a pair during weekends (offer was valid last weekend, and again this weekend).

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mount...sc-brakes/formula-r1-disc-brakes-f-r-set.html

yangpei

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 6, 2009

dropadrop said:
From Merlincycles in the UK. They seem to be offering them for about 290€ a pair during weekends (offer was valid last weekend, and again this weekend).

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mount...sc-brakes/formula-r1-disc-brakes-f-r-set.html

Thanks for the link! I just ordered a set - it came out to $429 for the set (front and rear brakes with rotors). Pretty good as they retail for $369 for each (or $738 for the set without rotors).

dropadrop

· #10 · Jul 6, 2009

Nice I could be of help. I ordered from Merlincycles several times and always got top service (not the fastest, but never had a mistake made). They are also among the best wheelbuilders in the UK.

don_o

· #11 · Jul 7, 2009

I just put a pair on my new flux. I only have a few rides in, but so far I'd say they are excellent. My previous bike had K18s which I also loved. The R1s modulate as well as the K18s but have more stopping power.

civil

· #12 · Jul 7, 2009

dropadrop said:
Nice I could be of help.

Another thanks for the heads up. Apparently my order has already shipped. I was a little skeptical to the price as it was significantly cheaper than anywhere else for F & R. plus rotors.

I usually deal with CRC/Wiggle/PBK/Starbike so we'll see how these guys stack up.

dropadrop

· #13 · Jul 7, 2009

Oh, I just remembered... Merlincycles usually ships the brakes with the UK configuration (brakes switched the opposite way's). Sorry to not mention that until now.

civil

· #14 · Jul 7, 2009

Doesn't the R1 have a flipflop master cylinder? It shouldn't be a problem to mount on either side of the bar.

Or are the caliper's F&R specific? If that was the case then I'd have to switch the lines.

No big deal either way, I'd be interested in trying out the reverse brake style anyway

dropadrop

· #15 · Jul 7, 2009

civil said:
Doesn't the R1 have a flipflop master cylinder? It shouldn't be a problem to mount on either side of the bar.

Or are the caliper's F&R specific? If that was the case then I'd have to switch the lines.

No big deal either way, I'd be interested in trying out the reverse brake style anyway

Calipers should be fine, some brakes just don't let you flip the master cylinder. You get used to either way with brakes as long as you have them the same on all your bikes.

worthy_4242

· #16 · Jul 9, 2009

thanks for the site. I ordered in the USA and I will be returning them and getting them through the MERLIN site. THANK YOU, that saves me $130 dollars from what I paid in Calif.

dropadrop

· #17 · Jul 9, 2009

Welcome, just notice that the price now is 50€ more then during last (and the previous) weekend. Don't know why they are lowering them for the weekends and raising on Monday again, also can't say if they will do it again this coming weekend (but you might want to wait and see).

cleo

· #18 · Jul 9, 2009

Merlin R1s are OEM!

Hi All.

A cautionary post...

I have had a pair on order from Cycle Sport UK for quite a while now. When I contacted them pointing out that Merlin had these in stock, Andrew, the proprietor, got in touch with the UK Formula distributer, Propel Bike (propelbike.com), and their reply is as follows (emphasis is mine):

"These brakes are not covered by uk warranty, what is more is that the hoses are very short and the reservoirs are subject to a warranty recall that if these brakes had been through a legitimate source would have been spotted and rectified

Formula Disc Brakes :- The product range is extremely exciting for 2010 and the model that will replace the oro, the new RX is likely to be a big hit. There will be 2 new versions of The One and some small changes to R1 also

We expect R1 to ship from Italy any day now.

I will fill you in with some more detail very soon.

Thanks and again please apologise to your customer for the delay

.Toby
PROPEL DISTRIBUTION LTD"

So just an FYI, be aware of pre-cut hoses and make sure your reservoirs are o.k. You don't want to loose your brakes at the wrong (any?) moment!

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civil

· #19 · Jul 10, 2009

cleo said:
Hi All.

A cautionary post...

Hmmm.....methinks I should have asked Merlin before I purchased them :lol:

We'll see how it goes i guess......

nick59349

· #20 · Jul 10, 2009

Does anyone know if the R1 rotors are compatible with the Oro calipers?

Bob

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