XTR M900 brake questions

[RockiMtn]

Can someone tell me why the longer armed canti's with the larger cut out are the fronts? well at least that's what i'm guessing is the setup according to the markings on the brake arms. I would have thought the longer ones would be on the rear to give more leverage for stopping power.

Also can anyone tell me what pad/holders are these? they came with the XTR M900 brakes but are clearly not the original, but still look nice.

 

[Octsoc]

Actually, you need more stopping power in the front when decending. Kind of like some people use a larger disc in the front on modern bikes.

 

[RockiMtn]

but wouldn't that make it prone to locking up the front and flipping head over the heals over the bike going downhill??? :?

 

[Octsoc]

That's why brakes with better modulation work better (at least for me) so they don't lock up your wheel as soon as you squeeze on the lever. I set mine up somewhat mushy and the wheels only lock up at the very end stroke...incidentally that's where you hand can squeeze the hardest if you really need that extra stopping power for bailing out.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Largest at the front, for increased power. You should be able to setup the brakes so you can ease the power and feather the brakes. Very easy if you're using the M900 levers with them.
It's much easier to lock the rear wheel than the front as the front plows the weight into the ground increasing traction making increased breaking necessary, this causes the rear to lift, reducing traction, so less power is actually needed.

The rear are actually a compromise though and made smaller for heal clearance. A later version made them identical sizes.

I set these breaks up with plenty plenty of gap between the pads and the studs, almost on the end.

They look like STX style canti holders, and probably have some name and used on other shimano lower end brakes.

 

[RockiMtn]

anyone know where i can source a set of XTR shoe/blocks?

i'll use the brake shoes/blocks i have for now, or perhaps i'll slap on the XT M737 i have.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

Largest at the front, for increased power. You should be able to setup the brakes so you can ease the power and feather the brakes. Very easy if you're using the M900 levers with them.
It's much easier to lock the rear wheel than the front as the front plows the weight into the ground increasing traction making increased breaking necessary, this causes the rear to lift, reducing traction, so less power is actually needed.

The rear are actually a compromise though and made smaller for heal clearance. A later version made them identical sizes.

I set these breaks up with plenty plenty of gap between the pads and the studs, almost on the end.

They look like STX style canti holders, and probably have some name and used on other shimano lower end brakes.

i second this

 

[FluffyChicken]

They only used cartridge pads on the M900c (the one where they are both the same 1995) before that they where solid blocks.

No idea if you'll be lucky enough to get some but they are M70-R pads and you can buy them.

Same as your 737 I think, just nicer colour with XTR written on them.

 

[RockiMtn]

yeah, i've seen just the M70R pads for sale, and they are the same for the XTR as for the XT 737. so i'll just use the the XT 737 cartidge pads for now till i figure out what I want to do. Don't want to break the bank on pads as they are a wear and tear disposable thing and they are a small item visually on the bike.

 

[FluffyChicken]

I've got some fibrax cartridge style I'm putting with my M900's, they look good and have replaceable pads. Similar in style to the v-brake look (in fact can be used with them if they are stud type).
http://www.fibrax.com/product_details.p ... =11&pro=71

no idea if they are any good yet, as not finished that bile off.

I do have a few pairs of eagle claws, but the colour will clash