[rustus]

I am thinking about upgrading my bottom feeder shimano mech disc calipers. I want to stick with mechanicals because I have integrated shifter/levers. My choices are pretty obviously hayes and avid. I would appreciate any feedback re one vs the other. Also, if anyone has recently upgraded to hydros and has a pair of mech calipers to get rid of, I am having a hard time finding just calipers for sale. I don't need rotors or levers, just calipers and mounting hardware. Any info is appreciated. Thanks

 

[006_007]

I am thinking about upgrading my bottom feeder shimano mech disc calipers. I want to stick with mechanicals because I have integrated shifter/levers. My choices are pretty obviously hayes and avid. I would appreciate any feedback re one vs the other. Also, if anyone has recently upgraded to hydros and has a pair of mech calipers to get rid of, I am having a hard time finding just calipers for sale. I don't need rotors or levers, just calipers and mounting hardware. Any info is appreciated. Thanks

If you are planning to stay with mechanicals then Avid really is the only choice. They are pretty much the only mechanical brake out that people would consider over hydraulic.

 

[Cephalopod]

I second that. Hayes mechanicals are okay but Avids are really in a class of their own.

 

[jonwebah]

i own the hayes and i'm still going to say go with the avids. the hayes work great, but they don't compare to hydros. avids, on the other hand, do compare.

 

[HTail]

Avids

Definitely Avids for ease of installation, adustment and performance.

 

[mtbykr]

Avid

another vote for the avid's. i have been riding them for years and they are great and bombproof. i run them with the speed dial 7 levers and full metal jacket housing and have nothing but praise

Good Luck

 

[shiggy]

No question: Avid. Just stay away from the '05 "5" version. It has less adjustability.

 

[rustus]

Thanks.

Thanks for all the input. It's looking like I will be using avids as soon as I can, a. find a good enough deal, or, b. sell my freestyle bike for mtb upgrade funds.
One post above mentioned avid full metal jacket cables, I wonder how they compare to aztecs' power lines for performance and ease of installation and maintanence? Maybe I should start another thread.

 

[MK_]

One post above mentioned avid full metal jacket cables, I wonder how they compare to aztecs' power lines for performance and ease of installation and maintanence?

Never used the Aztec Power lines, but have had the FMJs on my bike for over a year, before upgrading to hydro. They really made a huge difference in the strength of the brake. The are also lighter than standard ferrules, so you save a copule of grams, although that isn't probably a concern, since you're gonna be using what's probably the heaviest disc brake on the market (other mechanical brakes might compete).

The installation is pretty straight forward, however, you will need a small pipe cutter to trim the stainless steel pieces to desired length. In addition, depending on your front fork, guiding the steel piece might cause you to think a little. Otherwise, well worty upgrade.

The only problem I ever encountered was a really rough wreck in a rock gardens section of one of the trails I ride. I am not sure how it happened but the stainless steel conduit around the front fork got bent ~60 or 70 degrees. The cables still moved inside, so I made it back home, but it was a major pain to disassemble the brake and remove the stainless steel piece and trim it a little. I also had to replace the section of the ferrule with a longer one. Possibly if I had a better cable routing method I could have avoided the problem.

_MK

 

[PoKev]

Go with the Avids. Had them for the past 2 years, no problems. Used XT combos first and now have X.9 shifters w/Avid SL levers and both ways the work great. Avid levers do provide a slightly better feel though. Get 'em and stop easily..........

 

[Warp]

Avids

For you to have and idea....

I had a bike with an F- Avid / R-Shimano. It stopped great but then I sold it and got a Giant Warp with full Avid mechs.

Despite the Warp being much heavier, faster an having the terribly sucking (for braking) WTB Motoraptors, it stopped much better than the last bike.

The rear avid made a world of difference. I always used one-finger braking at any moment with the full Avids, while the Avid/Shimano combo got me constantly looking for more power in some situations.

You'll find the Avid more grabby than the Shimano and less modulation but the power is just there waiting for you. You'll not have to dry-up your brakes in the wet like you had with the Shimanos. Your Avids will squeal like pigs at the sight of a knife but you'll stop on a dime.

Avids ARE a real upgrade.

 

[Menso]

Avid!!

I love my AVID mechs on my SASS. But then they're my first disks so how can I not love em, even with the never ending adjustments

 

[wickerman1]

Not totally bomb proof?

another vote for the avid's. i have been riding them for years and they are great and bombproof. i run them with the speed dial 7 levers and full metal jacket housing and have nothing but praise

Good Luck

A friend of mine was at Whistler and he had AVids on his bike. They were mine actually Isold them to him as I went Hydro( biggest mistake in my life). ANyway his rear Avid, one of the brake pads came off, and he didnt notice it and the caliper basically shattered into many pieces on the way down the hill. he heard the noise, stopped, and the guts of the caliper was not present, and the rotor had chewed throughthe caliper body which at that point cracked it and let a chunk on the trail . First time I've ever seen this or heard of it. But yes to me Avid mechs are still far better then any Hydros out there.

 

[db-raven]

I just put avids on. Went from high maintenance hydros to 7" front and 6" rear avid mech. brakes. I took it out for its first ride today and I am extremely pleased with my purchase. I decided to go with the avid ultimate levers to compliment the brakes. it was worth the $ and wait.