I'm building a custom Heckler after selling my Jekyll 500 which needed almost every component upgraded. I'm considering a couple of different disc brake setups. I've heard great things about the XT Hydraulics and the 185 mm Avid Ball Bearing Discs. The XT's are slightly higher in price but still within my budget. I'm trying to decide which system to go with. Any thoughts?
XT Hydraulics vs. Avid Ball Bearing
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12,710 Posts
Avids:cchin6 said:
Pros:
Cheap
perform well
easy to service and get parts for
no hydro fluid to mess with, run out of the night before a ride, no bleeding, trailside repairs are less likely to make you walk home.
Cons:
Heavy
have to fiddle with knobs a lot
modulation isn't real great
XTs (although I don't own a set)
Pros:
much lighter than Avids, prolly 2/3- 1/2 the weight
perform well
little maintenance to keep working well, no knobs to fiddle with
excellent modulation
pretty
Cons:
More expensive
hydro fluid to mess wtih (trailside repairs can be nearly impossible if something bad happens)
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My '04 XT grab as you pull from the get go, then after 3/4 inch throw you stop or fly, but if you are use to grabbing lever to stop, you might die.
Avid
XTs aren't available with a 185mm rotor. The 160mm rotor is a little small for my weight (210 lbs). It works OK on the flats but not on long downhills. The XT squeal once they have been overheated doesn't ever seem to go away. Alignment setup on the Avids is much much easier. The only benefit is that lever action on the XTs is much less and unaffected by bends in the hose (typical trait of any hydraulic brake).
I have both. Avids on my 29"er, XT 755's on my F/S. I can't really answer for the newest XTs, mine are the first generation. Knowing what I know now and if these were my only choices, I'd go Avid all the way.cchin6 said:
XTs aren't available with a 185mm rotor. The 160mm rotor is a little small for my weight (210 lbs). It works OK on the flats but not on long downhills. The XT squeal once they have been overheated doesn't ever seem to go away. Alignment setup on the Avids is much much easier. The only benefit is that lever action on the XTs is much less and unaffected by bends in the hose (typical trait of any hydraulic brake).
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77 Posts
I don't have any experience with avids, but the idea of having good caliper adjustment sounds nice...
I do ride with the m756 xt 4 piston disc brakes, and I can tell you that every time one of my buddies takes my bike for a spin, the first thing out of their mouth is "damn, your brakes are flippin powerful!!!" (they all ride hayes)
I do ride with the m756 xt 4 piston disc brakes, and I can tell you that every time one of my buddies takes my bike for a spin, the first thing out of their mouth is "damn, your brakes are flippin powerful!!!" (they all ride hayes)
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