Hydraulic disc brakes.

[kipperthedog]

Having decided to fit mechanical disc brakes to my latest project, I am wondering whether to do an about turn and go hydraulic after all.

The question is...if I do what is the best bet on a minimal budget? I have read and heard that Avid DB1 whilst a budget option are not the best in terms of consistency. Shimano Acera are cheap, but I am wondering whether they will feel cheap and/or wear quickly (thinking more lever pivots, not pads). Or go second hand and for something less obvious like Hayes or Magura, I don't mind a bit of cosmetic making over or even minor rebuilding.

What experiences have you had with new budget models and/or set ups bought second hand?

 

[jimo746]

Re:

I'd say Shimano Deore, best value for money imo.
The Acera brakes are also good though, should last you for years.
I'd go for new, much simpler and hassle free to install, peace of mind.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Whatever the best deal is on CRC usually works well. I am with the Hope Moto on my daily ride and love the feel. Love XT I have used for a while too, and using Hayes Stroker Ryde which is cheap and very cheerful thanks to low weight and great performance. I don't think you can go wrong with the offerings of the last ten years.

 

[02gf74]

Re:

Go for it. As others have said deore are all the brake you need, there is no significant benefit with the higher range stuff.

The levers with separate reservoir are easiest to bleed but that design seems to have been dropped.

 

[gradeAfailure]

http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-deo ... 62194.html
£70 for the set (minus adaptors and rotors, see Superstar Components for those). All the brake you'll need unless you're doing long alpine descents. Mineral oil so it won't strip your paint if you spill. Easy to bleed.

Avoid anything Hayes like the plague btw, horrible brakes with no modulation or feel whatsoever.

 

[kipperthedog]

Re:

I am thinking Shimano because of the mineral oil rather than DOT fluid. M396s are good value new. However my one remaining reservatuion is that I tend to use the bike sporadically because I ride on the road too, the bike is hung vertically by the front wheel, does anyone know if this may cause issues? Will pistons stick, will the hanging make it prone to needing bleeding?

 

[shogun]

No they'll be fine, hang it as long as you like.

 

[mattr]

Hang it however you like, but don't pull the levers when its hung. You *may* push any bubbles in the reservoir into the line, which will give you spongy brakes.

This depends on reservoir design and orientation.
I've had it on most of my hydraulics at one point or another.

 

[highlandsflyer]

http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-deore-m615-disc-brakes-front-rear-set-62194.html
£70 for the set (minus adaptors and rotors, see Superstar Components for those). All the brake you'll need unless you're doing long alpine descents. Mineral oil so it won't strip your paint if you spill. Easy to bleed.

Avoid anything Hayes like the plague btw, horrible brakes with no modulation or feel whatsoever.

I don't echo this, but have seen it mentioned many times.

Could it be because they are not so tweakable, and I happen to be at the right weight and riding the right way on that rig for them to be very effective? Stop, stop, stop, release. Never dragging.

They have plenty of feedback and feel for my use.

 

[dyna-ti]

What is your budget by the way ?

Keeping in mind this bit of the bike you just don't skimp on, its your life at stake :?


XT m785 @ £59 each side. Would be my recommendation having used the M800 which is identical and really powerful.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... -prod67208
Or
SLX m675 @ £45 each side
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... -prod83173