Upgrade HYD Brake set or just rotors...

[Wakatuki]

Was not sure if this should be posted in the shed or here, but as this is really a MTB specific issue thought best in here.
I ride a Charge Cooker hardtail 29er. I weigh in at 97-100kg depending on self-restraint!

The Avid elixir 1 with 160mm rotors front and rear came as standard along with a X5/X7 SRAM mix.
I am new to both SRAM and AVID, happy with both, especially love the reassuring click of the SRAM gears.
My skill level and experience of disc brakes was zilch until I bought this bike. I was constantly locking up the rear on the loose stuff and could not believe the power of them. I am using the bike more and more in preference to the roadie on the night hill rides as it carries the bigger lights and gearing is better suited to lazy days! It also helps stop me constantly switching night gear over between bikes.

Have had brake fade once, but the bike was new and I was new to the bike and thought nothing of it, perhaps bedding in or us just getting used to each other. Then on Friday night I went down the razorback from Montville to Palmwoods and went lever to bar on the rear with the front getting close too, not fun as we were still near the top. I do not cover the brakes either I am on or off, surprised how quickly it came about. Bike has covered about 200k’s, of that perhaps 70k’s is in fast decent. Averaging around 50-75kph on twisty tarmac roads with average distance down being 8k’s.

My thoughts are to go 180 front and rear using the AVID HS rotors + calliper adjustment kit. As it’s not really a DIRT bike more fire roads and up to grade 3 single track. I am also weather sympathetic and ride to conditions, so if the bike is wet and covered in mud, I expect a loss of stopping power.
My local knowledge squad say scrap the AVID go Shimano XT M785. LBS says Magura…
Weight of brakes is not important, price $200-$300 upgraditis does not concern/ frighten me as much as a crash
Over to you, my peers !

[Mugglechops]

I would go the XT Ice Techs.

I am 122kgs and run 160mm rotors and never had an issue with them.

Best brakes I have ever used.

[Wakatuki]

I would go the XT Ice Techs.

I am 122kgs and run 160mm rotors and never had an issue with them.

Best brakes I have ever used.

Just about to say I have been looking at these on Wiggle.
Shimano XT RT86 Ice-Tec 160mm 6-Bolt Rotor $42.14 or 180's $46.81 (you don't think I will need the 180's) http://goo.gl/MQLpY7
with fully bled Shimano XT M785 Disc Brake Lever and PM Caliper $113.71 per side. http://goo.gl/aQGaZJ spare pads http://goo.gl/hZl8qs $400 all up!

[Duck!]

I'd put another vote in for Shimano. Also look at the SLX (M675) brakes (although they never seem to get the publicity as XT); with the exception of one small bolt in the XT reservoir, which doesn't actually do anything outstanding (contact stroke adjustment), they are absolutely identical. You won't need bigger than 160mm rotors.

[su-pista]

Slx brakes are great value for money with more than enough power. A lot better than the previous generation of XT brakes.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[trailgumby]

Go the XTs. I have elixir 9s on my Scalpel 29r with 180/160 rotors and they are adequate but not confidence inspiring. XTs are much better. Just take it easy the first few rides until8l you adapt.

The best thing about my Avids is being able to play the horn and bell solo from Sons of Science "M************ Bike" when they're wet. The whole street can hear it

I would advise against 180 on the front with those brakes. You can use any 160mm rotor and they will be fjne. Ice tech rotors are heavier and you only need the cooling on long steep descents like such as you can get in Winmalee or Europe

[silentbutdeadly]

Honestly...I'd actually get your LBS to re-bled/replace the brake fluid first. Or learn to do it yourself.

I have the Elixir 1 brakes on the day2day hardtail and while they are not the greatest disc brakes they are more than adequate when sorted. Straight off the bat they didn't have great feel compared to the much blingier Elixir CR brakes on my duallie but I persisted until I too started pulling the lever to the grip. So I flushed and bled them with new Motul Dot 5.1 fluid from the motorbike shoppe...never had to touch them since. The exchange pulled a surprising amount of crud from both ends but the big win was the feel - much better. Hell of a lot cheaper than $400.

[Calvin27]

I have exactly the same bike - Charge Cooker Hi.

I've only noticed a little bit of brake fade on single trails which goes away when I start climbing again. As everyone says get it bled first as a cheap option. The LBS did mention to me they would do a free bleed at first service because something about the lower end avids being bled crap from factory.

The other cheap option is to change rotors. I run HS1 rotors on a road bike (roadies have more brake heat dissipation requriements under long descents) and haven;t had issues. I managed to find a cheap pair online and will chuck them on my cooker to see how they go. Of course there is also icetech etc. but they are very pricey options and these rotors were super cheap so worth a shot.

[Wakatuki]

Wahoo another Cooker Hi. That makes 3 I know of!

Well, I have only gone and done it, ordered the XT with Ice... the XT over the SLX was under $30.00 difference.
The rotors are exxy though. But do it while I can.... I did feel that a brake bleed could have been the option, but after another hill run last night at a gentler pace, with the wife, the buzz sound and other noises, and again the poor response has left me feeling a bit disenchanted with the performance. Will be VERY interested to hear about the HS1 as I looked at that option too Calvin; I will grab some for the wife's bike (another Cooker Hi) if your review is favourable, at least I have spares now

[alf]

The current Shimano XT brakes are significantly better than the Avids. I'm sure you will be more than happy with them.

I have both on separate bikes and it does take a few minutes to get used to the lower power of the Avids between rides.

The noise you mention however could also be caused by air in the Avid calipers, I find that I cannot get away with more than 6 months between bleeds on the Avids.

[Wakatuki]

Well they are on.
The levers feel like a step up to the penthouse, very tactile and positive. Reached the top of the hill last night and did the usual U'y at the top, not having used them for the last 30 minutes I forgot and locked the front on loose gravel. (stayed on, phew) Very positive feel on the way back down, I like the gradual bite they seem to offer, I got a much more satisfying sense of speed being scrubbed off and so much more in reserve.
Happy as

[Calvin27]

Update, HS1, didn't do much. I think the issue was having 38c slick tyres (winter commuting) - the fork just couldn't handle that much grip. Put the knobbies and took it to single track and bike was happily compliant again.

[Wakatuki]

Thanks for the update. Still very happy with my decision.
Actually used the bike this week! Boy do I enjoy messing around without Strava on, looking at stuff, riding up curbs and holding conversation. I even rode it 1k to the local school to do some oval running meandering on a foot path!