[Tag1]

My wife's bike came with Soles which worked fine for a few months and now are really acting up despite all of my (and the LBS) best efforts. So I'm thinking I'll surprise her and replace them with something much better. I was thinking of getting her HFX-9's, but there seems to be plenty of negative experiences with those. So I can get her HFX Mag XC's or Juicy 5's for somewhere around the same price (my price range).

Can I install both myself? She already has Hayes rotors on the bike, so I won't have to worry about that - but both systems come pre-bled and ready to ride, yes?

Which would you guys go with and why?

Thanks!

 

[dogonfr]

Hellooo i would go with the HFX-Mag it has great modulation & power. I have been using the Mag's for 8 years with great success. I ordered a set of 9's to save a few $$ they were so bad i had to order the Mag masters so i could whipe the frown from my face. If your just doing trail riding the 9's are fine but many have found agressive riding & DH they dont work well.

 

[XSL_WiLL]

Juicies are awesome brakes. If you get the polygon rotors, it may be a bit of a pain to set up initially, but it's worth it. I've had the 9s and Mags as well. The 9s sucked. Worst hydros I've ever had. The Mags were pretty decent until my master cylinder went out. I've been real impressed with my Juicy 7s though. My favorite brakes out of atleast half a dozen so far.

 

[Tag1]

Juicies are awesome brakes. If you get the polygon rotors, it may be a bit of a pain to set up initially, but it's worth it. I've had the 9s and Mags as well. The 9s sucked. Worst hydros I've ever had. The Mags were pretty decent until my master cylinder went out. I've been real impressed with my Juicy 7s though. My favorite brakes out of atleast half a dozen so far.

Thanks for the feedback so far fellas...I don't think I'll have to worry about the poly rotor problem since wifey already has the hayes rotors on her bike. Probably will just leave them on since that seemed to solve the problem for others.

Hmmm...decisions, decisions. I think right now I'm really leaning toward the avids for a few reasons - everyone who has avids seems to love them, they are apparently easier to install and adjust (right?), and it will be interesting to compare them to the HFX-9's on my bike.

Also, just want to make sure - the 5's have some way of adjusting the closeness of the lever right? My wife has pretty small hands, so that would definitely help...

 

[dogonfr]

rft:rft:rft::arf:

 

[XSL_WiLL]

Yes, both J5s and Mags have a reach adjustment.

 

[Tag1]

Well I went with the Juicy 5's. Found a good deal on ebay. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they compare to my HFX9's, having never tried Avids before. The 9's do have that on/off feel but it's never bothered me and they work great. It will be interesting to see what all this fuss over "modulation" is about...

The wife's bike will now have much better brakes then mine. Hm. Maybe I'll upgrade her bike with some used HFX9's in good shape instead...

(Actually, I love spending $ on the wifey's ride. I'm definitely lucky that she loves to ride as much as me - don't ever have to deal with abandonment issues or get any crap when I want to go ride...) :thumbsup: