MTB disk brakes ?

[paulstung]

I'm about to change the brakes on my Vulcan, I currently have Clarkes Skeletal's on there, and to be honest they're crap, the front works fine but the rear, is buggered, no matter what I do, I can not get it to take any fluid, through the bleed nipple.

I've blown air down the line from both ends, so no blockage, the pistons move with air but not fluid. I've even stripped the calliper checking all seals and they're all good, so it is a complete mystery as to why they won't work.

As far as choices go, I'm pretty much set on the Shimano Xt M785, ( http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-m785-disc-brake/rp-prod67208 ) but was just wondering if there are any better options for around the £120-£140 area. The set I'm looking at come with the add on Splintered pads, for £59 each wheel, so from what I've been seeing are a pretty good price, as everywhere else sells them for about the same with standard pads.

I like the look of the Hayes too, but haven't herd as many good things as the Shimano, plus Shimano is, to me at least, a more trusted name for brakes or anything bike related.

 

[Tripp]

i have the elixir 3 an they're great

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/avid-elixir-9-carbon-disc-brake-2013/rp-prod67761

 

[tinytomlogan]

Shimano is epic - XT or Zee's if you can stretch are the bomb.

 

[paulstung]

The XT's are what I'm looking at well I was. I've just managed to set my rear brake up, it was picky on the bleed nipple location when filling them up, once I found it they bled like a charm. Now they are set up I'm thinking I might stick with them, but then again, is it worth the hastle if they get picky in other ways.

 

[son of spanner]

I used to work as dispatch rider in the city best ive used was hope 4 pot with 200 mm rotors mad power but the pads don't last if your doing lots of miles

 

[tinytomlogan]

Any brakes set up right can be awesome dude. You can try large rotors etc too its only a disc and mount change.

On my Ransom Im only running Hayes Strokers (cos theyre white and came off my old marin) but they are still pretty pokey. Ive changed the discs and done braided lines but its only for looks tbh

 

[son of spanner]

very nice looking yeah most are very good braided lines are a must most brakes cheap out on the line I've had one blow on me but I do ride fixed I tend to need them more were I live lots of hills lol

 

[paulstung]

That's what I was thinking Tom, at the end of the day, disk brakes are disk brakes they all work in almost the same way, 2 pistons and a master cylinder, well except for some Avids where they have 4 pistons.

As far as rotors I've already gone up from a 160 front to 180, and the difference was quite a shock, I didn't think that 20mm would make much more of a difference. Now the Clarkes are all OK, I might up the rear to a 203.

If I decide to stay with the Clarkes, I can afford to get the XC 32 Solo Air forks, I've had my eye on, I've found them for £139 with an included pop lock trigger. I should imagine they will be a better upgrade from my Suntour XC coiled, I've got now.

Sweet bike by the way, I wish mine was 2 tone rather than the decals having green and white, I can't decide on which colour to use for upgrades. Here's my modest ride, I couldn't afford to go any higher price wise, but can always upgrade. What colour would you pick out of the 2 green or white, I was thinking green at first but after looking there are too many different shades, so white might be the way to go.

 

[Tripp]

The xc32 air forks are great mate, not long put some on mine an they have made one hell of a difference

 

[paulstung]

I'm sure it was your post that got me thinking mate, were did you get yours from ?

 

[Tripp]

Haha yeah quite possibly was got mine off eBay mate, I don't have the trigger lock out tho just a manual one

 

[paulstung]

I've been doing some more brake research, and came across these bad boys, http://www.actionsports.de/en/compo...-brake-set-front-180-/-rear-160mm-black?c=428
They seem to good a bargain to miss out on. Forget those, for all the technology that has gone into them they are apparently garbage

 

[tinytomlogan]

Try a bigger rotor on the front first and look out for the carbon pads (they are red) My rotors are uberbike - http://www.uberbikecomponents.com/category/430/Disc-Brake-Rotors

Id deffo try a bigger (203) up front and new pads - rear brakes really dont do much - Just remember youll need a spacer or new mount if you go bigger

 

[Wraith]

Try a bigger rotor on the front first and look out for the carbon pads (they are red) My rotors are uberbike - http://www.uberbikecomponents.com/category/430/Disc-Brake-Rotors

Id deffo try a bigger (203) up front and new pads - rear brakes really dont do much - Just remember youll need a spacer or new mount if you go bigger

Shouldn't he also make sure his front hub is rated to take a 203mm rotor... :huh: Also the fork max rotor rate too.

 

[paulstung]

Some sexy stuff there, The wrong green though, bummer.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Shouldn't he also make sure his front hub is rated to take a 203mm rotor... :huh: Also the fork max rotor rate too.

Should be fine, the caliper is worse tbh. Thats where the big grab comes from and it doesnt look like he will stress anything more than fitting a set of XT's to it would.

 

[Wraith]

Should be fine, the caliper is worse tbh. Thats where the big grab comes from and it doesnt look like he will stress anything more than fitting a set of XT's to it would.

Good point I had the same SR forks on my Titan and the 203mm just twisted them hard on the descents :huh: But since having the Old Fox RCs sorted by JTech it's been sooo sweet.. 185mm front & 160mm Rear (I'm a light weight rider). Locking Halo hubs work a treat too.

 

[paulstung]

I've been looking into the max rotor size and 180 front and rear, but people have gone up to 203 for both with no problems at all, so I probably will chance it.


However I'm going to wait until next week as I'm RMA'ing a motherboard, and have decided now my brakes are at least working, I'm going to but the motherboard, then when the refund comes in sort the rotors and pads out then. Thanks for all the help though guys, and that rotor link was awesome Tom.