Brake Help?

[anythingxc]

I was trying to get an pair of xtr lever/shifter combo for hydrolic brakes. I was wondering if i had to replace my Hays calipers/rotors.:confused::confused::confused:

[Standard]

Yup. The XTR's use a mineral oil as brake fluid, while the Hayes use DOT fluid. The seals aren't cross compatible.

Aside from that, mis-matched master/slave piston combos can yield some unexpected results. It's not a good idea to mix and match when it comes to hydraulic disc brakes.

[Fiveohhh]

You shouldn't need new calipers though. I have have calipers and one avid and one shimano rotor, as long as you stay with the same diameter setup.

[taylor p.]

some times mix and match can yield amazing results

[Standard]

some times mix and match can yield amazing results

Sometimes, but very rarely when it comes to Hydraulic disc setups.

Mix and match is great for the drivetrain of a bike. Every manufacturer has their strong points, and weak points. But there are fairly defined standards they have to when it comes to things like gear spacing, chain design, etc. There are no such things when it comes to the cylinder bore sizing in Disc setups. Every lever is designed to work with a specific caliper(s). Inter-company mixing is usually fine.. XTR levers will work with LX, Hone, XT, Saint, and XTR calipers (IIRC, I haven't checked the '08 stuff yet.).

[jpantz]

Hayes brakes require DOT 3, 4 or 5.1 fluid depending on the model. Shimano brakes use Mineral Oil. You cannot mix and match systems designed to use different fluid types even if you clean them out. Hydraulic brake systems are designed with specific fluid types in mind based on how they react to heat from the caliper. There are also issues of volume of fluid needed to actuate the caliper properly and engineered hose expansion under pressure. If you want XTR levers, be smart & safe and buy the calipers designed to run with them.

[anythingxc]

ok thanks

[analoguekid]

Can Calipers and Rotors be mixed and matched? my bike has some BB5's and they SUCK...I like the shimano stuff on my Trek (Gasp!) and was thinking of just getting some calipers to put on...

can I use the Avid rotors with an XTR caliper?

[tedsti]

Can Calipers and Rotors be mixed and matched? my bike has some BB5's and they SUCK...I like the shimano stuff on my Trek (Gasp!) and was thinking of just getting some calipers to put on...
can I use the Avid rotors with an XTR caliper?

Some rotors are interchangeable, you are usually safe with 160mm. There are some 185mm and 180mm systems out there which are not interchangeable.

If you are going from BB5s to XTR, you would need calipers and levers since you would be going from mechanical to hydro. I think there are better brakes out there for the money than XTR.

[qheuie]

Can Calipers and Rotors be mixed and matched? my bike has some BB5's and they SUCK...I like the shimano stuff on my Trek (Gasp!) and was thinking of just getting some calipers to put on...

can I use the Avid rotors with an XTR caliper?

sometimes:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=286460

[analoguekid]

[ I think there are better brakes out there for the money than XTR]

and what would you recommend?

[tedsti]

and what would you recommend?

Formula brakes are really nice. I have the K24s which are about half the price of XTR and not as finicky.

[jjrsds]

Xtr's or most of the shimano hydros work great and are easy to set up. The only issue I've seen with them is using them when it gets a little cold out (usually less than 15-20 degrees F or less). The mineral oil tends to thicken up a little. Other than that a great brake system.

[gordanfreeman]

for the most part, rotors are generally, but not always, interchangable (for instance i know some hope rotors are wider than most others). levers and calipers in hydro systems, on the other hand, are not so interchangeable. save yourself the headache and get a matching system.