Recommend me some disk brakes

[suburbanreuben]

EDIT: So is it best to run Magura brakes with Magura specific disks?

Yes. I think they're 2.0mm thick rather than 1.8mm of other discs I've tried. It doesn't make a lot of difference; the lever will pull about 1cm closer to the bars with other discs, but that is all you'll notice in normal use.
Use their pads too. They're pricey but more than make up for it in durability.
The pad fitment listings are strange too; The pads I use are apparently for Louise 2007>. The ones listed for Marta 2011/12 don't fit at all...

 

[JamesM]

Anything from Formula; modulation and power are second to none.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Here is the other thread asking a similar question Neil.

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=279386

I ended up going for Hopes, and they are working fine. I have Avid BB7s on most of my other disc bikes, and when teamed up with Yokozuna cables http://www.wiggle.co.uk/yokozuna-reaction-cable-system/ they are pretty damn good. Just fancied some bling for the last build.

The other question is whether you are buying new or period. I'm not sure that new Shimanos would look right on a 2001 bike. :? But I might be talking total tosh! If you are thinking of going that way the SLRs get good reviews for a few bob less than the XTs.

As for discs, I reckon you can use any rotors with any calipers. Just be sure to get the right adapters.

And finally, I have 160mm front and rear on my Karate Monkey and they have provided plenty stopping power for me, and I'm a big lad.

 

[NeilM]

Thanks for the link. I did trawl back to see if someone else had asked the same question, just not far enough.

My son uses Hope on his recently built 29'er, but like others I have been slightly put off by some variable reviews and also prices.

I'm not too fussed about age related, but style wise they must fit the build.

Hmmmm, plenty to consider and lots of searching to be done.

 

[Mindmap3]

I'm a big fan of Shimano brakes and have used them for a fair while now. I have the current XT's on one bike and Deores on another. For eighty quid the Deores are fantastic and it's hard to justify the extra money for XT's. I don't fiddle with the tool less reach and the free stroke adjuster doesn't do that much.

They're plenty powerful and I don't find the modulation that bad. I have however just discovered the major downside...lack of spares and not being serviceable. They're basically disposable. The piston in the levers master cylinder n the front brake has jammed / will not return. Unlike with a Hope / Avid / Hayes brake I can't strip it, rebuild it or buy spares so it's new brake time.

They're not popular, but the most reliable brakes that I've run have been Hayes. Super easy to work on, good spares availability and mine rarely needed bleeding etc.

 

[Osella]

Another split here too, between Shimano & Magura.. (also run Hope and Hygia..)
I also run Deore's with a 180/160 Magura rotor setup now, and 160/160 prior. Good modulation, haven't needed bleeding in 2+ yrs, great stopping and no fade - plus cheap as chips!!

For that reason, I'd highly recommend them as you know that if for some unfathomable reason you don't get on with them - you only shelled out £80, not £300!

If you're new to Discs but like tinkering, Hope aren't so bad - but expensive, and pad changes require a degree..
Magura pad changing requires an Allen key, 5 mins, & 1 ounce only, of common sense.
They also have pretty much all the adjustability and feel you could ever want, even on lower-end models. Getting the right pads can take some searching though.

Another worth looking at is Hygia. Basically cheap Taiwan Shimano copies, but incredibly light, solid and adjustable, take standard Shimano pads & are very easy to adjust, disconnect, reconnect hoses etc without needing to bleed each time - with a bit of care.

 

[mattr]

Whut?
Which hopes have you got that require a degree to swap pads?
It's pretty much the same as shimanos process, takes about 3 minutes if you can get away without resetting the pistons. 4 if you can't.

 

[Osella]

Mono Minis... PITA! Although I did used to have some C2s, which were as you say, pretty much same as Shimanos.

 

[mattr]

That's what I have. Had the minis before that. And run mono m4s on another bike.

 

[james1985]

I have Avid Juicy 5's on Hope floating rotors 183/160.

Got them in 2007 for my Scott, then swapped along with everything else onto the Kineses.

The bike gets used for just about everything, the brakes are very good but also have plenty of feel for an easy stoppy! They have never gone wrong or been bled. Just cant fault them, I will only replace them when I really have too!