[officeboy]

$60 each? If I can ask, where did you swing that kind of deal? Thats about half of the price of the other options. Both the Zee, and the Quadiem are right around ~$240 for the set right now. But a full set for $120, thats a steal.

https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/shimano-mt501-4-piston-brake-lever-brake-kit/136938227/p

 

[JimmyAsheville]

^^^ Yes. I don't like Shimano grabbiness, which is sometimes mistaken for power.

Personally, I don't get this need for more power. Either I've been lucky having a 50 year string of uncharacteristically and weirdly powerful brakes, or I my super power is hugely strong index fingers.

I recently installed some XTR trail brakes, despite some reviews referring to "grabiness". I don't detect that all all. Just good solid stopping power for a trail bike without having to squeeze the wood out of the levers. Huge improvement over the Level T brakes I had. No transition on technique needed. Love them.

 

[cmg]

I posted this a few months ago

I never understood until today what the fuss was all about regarding Shimano and the perceived on/off feeling. I have always loved the feel, and today I finally read something that made me get it.

From Team Robot. "Price to performance, the BR-M640 is phenomenal. The only knock people have is that it lacks modulation, and in mountain-bike-speak the word "modulation" is code for "I suck at brake control." Here's a free tip: get better."

hahahahaha :thumbsup:, too true

 

[Funoutside]

My bike came with Level TL & coming from BB5s these are close to a revelation to me. But, this thread has me wondering should I upgrade the front pads & move to a 200/203mm rotor front(185mm rear up form 180mm) or would I be better off saving for 4pot brakes in the front?

 

[mtnbkrmike]

I would ditch the Level TLs. Primarily because I have been on a “life’s too short, balls to the wall” personal campaign for a while now. If you don’t feel the same, sizing up your rotor is an inexpensive and very effective upgrade in terms of stopping power.

The late, great Legbacon. I still miss him.

 

[ocnLogan]

I forgot about this thread. I should have posted an update a while ago.

About 9 months ago I purchased a set of TRP Quadiems on a great sale from WWC (got the front/rear set for ~$205). Since then I've hit the bike park (part of how I justified the expense, so I wouldn't have to rent a bike, nor would I die from brake fade ), and done a couple of ~1300ft descents.

The brakes have been amazing, and they're the most powerful brakes I've personally ever ridden. Based entirely from memory, and gut feel, I'd say they're at least 50-100% more powerful than the Level T's I replaced. And found that after I demo'd a few other brakes at a bike fair (2 pot XT, Guide R/RSC), that I definitely prefer the Quadiems.

They are super consistent, and so far I've never gotten them to fade, squeak, pump up, or otherwise have any issues, no matter what I've ridden, including the day at the bike park where I did ~9500ft of descending in ~3hrs (there were no lines).

I am considering jumping up to a 220mm front rotor, and moving the 200mm rotor to the back of the bike, but mostly out of curiosity. That, and for potentially reducing arm pump on those long descents. I'm also still on the stock pads, and may upgrade when I replace them in the future.

I've still got the Level T's... but will either put them on the bike when I sell it, or maybe use them to help build up a more XC/light trail focused hardtail frame.

Anyway, I appreciate the help everyone gave.

 

[Funoutside]

Thank you for the review. Really tempting to upgrade to the Quadiems as I live in SoCal; but, I think for my budget I just may swap the 180mm fronts to 200mm rotors & call it a day as this is the best brakes I've used on a bike(my first bike with hydro & second with discs).

 

[richde]

Life is too short for brakes that require high lever effort.

 

[ocnLogan]

Thank you for the review. Really tempting to upgrade to the Quadiems as I live in SoCal; but, I think for my budget I just may swap the 180mm fronts to 200mm rotors & call it a day as this is the best brakes I've used on a bike(my first bike with hydro & second with discs).

The biggest upgrade really is the rotor size, especially for the price.

That said, I was happy with my old Tektro Aurigura pro disk brakes on my other bike, and the Level T's on my bike before. But now having ridden better brakes, I do think it would be hard for me to go back.

Some of it is just the feel of knowing you can "drop anchor" kind of any time you want/need, no matter the speed. Part of it is the reduced hand fatigue on longer descents, as it really is noticeable. This is especially true if your current brakes are fading, as you'll need to squeeze harder at the end of the run than the beginning (as the brakes are hot and fading), which is the worst because your hands are already tired from the whole ride down.

I'd go with a nice big set of rotors, and maybe change pads.

And then maybe start looking at the pinkbike classifieds for new takes offs.

Its really common for bikes to come with less powerful brakes than people want, so it is also common for people to swap to a more powerful brake right from the moment that they buy the bike. So you'll get brand new brakes that were removed from a new bike, and sold at a pretty good discount.

I just took a quick look at my local area, and I see people selling a full set of Guide R's and Guide T's for $95-125 ish. At that price, its not much more than new rotors and adapters, so it may be worth looking around and seeing what is available.

Good luck .

 

[Funoutside]

I already was looking at pinkbike. Found some low miles Guide R & Magura 4 pots for a tempting price.