Shimano SLX vs Formula RX

did you like your slx brakes? why consider changing to begin with?

brakes have nothing to do with travel really..

Fanis said:

Building up a Cube ams 125 , and was wondering what is better,to install my old slx brake set with 203/160 rotors or to keep the rotors and buy a new formula rx set??which one you would prefer on a 5.5" travel bike? Which one do you think has better stopping power, more reliable?my weight is 210-220lbs

Click to expand...

My RX's are great brakes. I love the lever feel, plenty of power, and great modulation.

I do prefer them over the XT's that I've ridden (I hope the brakes were in need of a bleed; lever feel was uninspiring). They weren't mine... a friend was upgrading to Elixirs and let me run them for a little while. I didn't spend a whole lot of time trying to make them better.

I like the RX's over the Juicy 7's I've owned (and I got very good at setting those up), all manner of Hayes, Elixir CR's, and both current and prev generation of XT. My wife's Hopes are nicer IMO, but I'm very impressed so far with these. I'm running 180mm f/r on a 5" bike fwiw.

Bleeds are a snap (you can use the Avid bleed kit), and customer service is best in the business.

Eric

I'm running the RXs, had them for about a month now.
My experiance so far is the same as Eric, good modulation, plenty of power and pad clearace so now drag at all.

I can only really compare them to Juicy 5s as thats what I was running for a number years, the RXs beat them easily in every way. Great for an "entry level" brake.

I've owned Juicy 7s, Codes, Stroker Trails, and SLX. I've tried Elixir Rs.

So far I love the SLX the best. I just went from a 203 front to a 160 front and there's still plenty of power. Feels better to me than the Strokers or Elixirs and the Juicys aren't even in the same league. Much easier to align the calipers and easier to bleed than Avids. Avid always seems to trap a bubble that's difficult to get out.

The Codes have more power than you could ever use, but lacked modulation. More of an on-off switch.

I'm debating picking up a set of XTs for the weight savings and throwing the SLX on my DJ bike to replace the Strokers.

If I remember right. SLX = XT brakes with the exception of the 2 piece caliper. Correct me if I'm wrong.

If you browse Brake time, you'll see that Shimano and Formula both have pretty good reliability, no significant complaints or breakages. However Formula's CS is pretty polarized, some people hate it others love it.

On a brand vs brand comparison I've tried XTRs and K24s. Both are excellent in both modulation and stopping power. Unless feel like you need more stopping power, I would keep with the SLXs. If you feel you need more, then skip the RX and go for a more DH oriented brake set.

Farting in Public

" However Formula's CS is pretty polarized, some people hate it others love it. "
.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, but I haven't heard anything bad about Formula's customer service. Everyone that I have ever talked to or read says it is the best in the industry. Try not to fart in the same room as your girlfriend and your relationship will last longer.

Cheers,

Kane

Renovatio said:

If I remember right. SLX = XT brakes with the exception of the 2 piece caliper. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Click to expand...

You're right. The XT calipers are one piece with a claimed weight savings of 77g for the pair. The only difference on the levers is that the XT has a free stroke adjustment screw for fine tuning.

I can't comment on the Formulas due to the cost. The SLX and XT can be found new for $250 or less for a pair online and have been maintenance and trouble free for me. I bleed the SLX once when I bought them and shortened the hose and they still perform like new. My favorite thing about Shimano's CS is that I've never had to talk to them.