disc brake choices

[Jackrabbit Slim]

I managed to crack my Gary Fisher frame and they have been kind enough to replace it under warranty (6 yr old bike:banana:).

But the new frame won't take my old rim brakes...so what kind of disc brakes should I get for my new frame?

[col200]

Suggestions:
Mech: Avid BB7
Hydro: Avid Juicy 7 or Formula ORO

[jenbenmueller]

I have been happy with my BB7's I just switched to. I can't imagine needing much more stopping power during my normal riding. You can pick them up cheap on line and you can reuse your current brake levers.

They are a breeze to setup and adjust as well.

Cheers!

[kikinik]

Agreed, BB7's are a price effective, low maintenance option.

I dont mean to be a salesman, but I have a set of BB7's
180 front, 160 rear, with rotors, mounting hardware and extra rotors
for $80. They are in great shape, pads are set, and ready to stop.
Maybe have 100 miles on them.

Let me know if your interested.


Matt

[col200]

I'll also confirm that the BB7's are great. So easy to setup/adjust and have never failed me over the last 4 years or so. I doubt I'll ever go hydro if these keep up. and yeah, so cheap for a set. Oh, but make sure they're BB7's and not BB5's.

[jenbenmueller]

I'll also confirm that the BB7's are great. So easy to setup/adjust and have never failed me over the last 4 years or so. I doubt I'll ever go hydro if these keep up. and yeah, so cheap for a set. Oh, but make sure they're BB7's and not BB5's.

Yes, BB&'s give you both inboard and outboard pad adjustment on the trail. I think that the BB5's only have the outboard pad adjustment.

[quickerpicker]

Yes, BB&'s give you both inboard and outboard pad adjustment on the trail. I think that the BB5's only have the outboard pad adjustment.
Yup on the BB5's. Have a set, and shoulda gotten the 7's. :hit:

[gtbikes]

Yes, BB&'s give you both inboard and outboard pad adjustment on the trail. I think that the BB5's only have the outboard pad adjustment.

Are we sure about that? I have BB5's from a couple years ago, which would make this statement true. After having helped bootsiebee install and tune her BB7's which had an inboard and outboard adjustment I looked at the box they came in and it is clearly stated that they are the BB5's?!? I even asked her "didn't we order the BB7's for the very reason of having the in/out pad adjustment?"

I will look again this evening....

[jenbenmueller]

Are we sure about that? I have BB5's from a couple years ago, which would make this statement true. After having helped bootsiebee install and tune her BB7's which had an inboard and outboard adjustment I looked at the box they came in and it is clearly stated that they are the BB5's?!? I even asked her "didn't we order the BB7's for the very reason of having the in/out pad adjustment?"

I will look again this evening....


Strange... I am pretty sure that the 08' BB7's are marked as such on the packaging and on the calipers.

[Jackrabbit Slim]

So whatchya like for rims to go with these BB7s?

[tacdad]

I'm actually upgrading the stock brakes on my bike to BB7's. The Tektro IO's it came with are garbage!

[Jackrabbit Slim]

I'm actually upgrading the stock brakes on my bike to BB7's. The Tektro IO's it came with are garbage!

So I guess Xtracycle is wrong when they say:
Tektro IO mechanical disc brakes - one of the best we've ridden, better than some hydraulics!

:confused::confused::confused:

[Jackrabbit Slim]

I'll buy em. Sent you a PM.

Agreed, BB7's are a price effective, low maintenance option.

I dont mean to be a salesman, but I have a set of BB7's
180 front, 160 rear, with rotors, mounting hardware and extra rotors
for $80. They are in great shape, pads are set, and ready to stop.
Maybe have 100 miles on them.

Let me know if your interested.


Matt

[tacdad]

So I guess Xtracycle is wrong when they say:
Tektro IO mechanical disc brakes - one of the best we've ridden, better than some hydraulics!

:confused::confused::confused:


They must be thinking of a higher line. The IO is the entry level line. They work, but nowhere near as good as the Avids and require constant cleaning and adjustments.

Wanna ride my Haro? You can see for yourself.

[taylor p.]

go hydro

[Danimal]

Avid BB5 or 7's idiot proof and just as good as hydros without the mess. Easy peasy.

[Jackrabbit Slim]

They must be thinking of a higher line. The IO is the entry level line. They work, but nowhere near as good as the Avids and require constant cleaning and adjustments.

Wanna ride my Haro? You can see for yourself.

That would be awesome, but I'm in Anchorage for the summer:D.

I may take you up on that in Sept before I order my Xtracycle: I'm on the waitlist for the complete SUB using the Marin Novato: http://store.xtracycle.com/_e/Xtracycle_Complete_Bikes/product/SUB-MTB/Marin_Novato_2007_S_U_B_.htm

I got the quote from the Specs section of that page.

Do you think the brakes would be adequate for city riding and occasional offroad (to get to the camping/ beer guzze:beerme:ling spot)?

[tacdad]

I'm stuck in this state year round, so yeah, look me up in Sept.

Like I said, the brakes work. I like them better than most rim brakes. I suppose in the city and some light off road you wouldn't need to do much. Honestly, I think the problem is more the disc than the caliper. Bends easy. Maybe another brand would work better. Also, there are no options for replacement pads. Just the standard Tektro metallics.

[grendel]

I just bought a set of bb7's off of ebay and new wheel sets(used ) with the disk mounts and I am totally pysched. my stock rim brakes so such. What brake pads are you all using? as in name brands and where are you getting them?

[taylor p.]

Avid BB5 or 7's idiot proof and just as good as hydros without the mess. Easy peasy.

the modulation and feel between the two is incomparable

[mvangundy]

Suggestions:
Mech: Avid BB7
Hydro: Avid Juicy 7 or Formula ORO

yes avid BB7 way better thatn hydro !!!:jumpy:
+ they are pretty much bomb proof !

[Ish]

yes avid BB7 way better thatn hydro !!!


The only thing better is price. You get what you pay for. I'm with Taylor, Hydros beat mechs hands down in performance. No comparison.

[ibismojo2001]

The only thing better is price. You get what you pay for. I'm with Taylor, Hydros beat mechs hands down in performance. No comparison.

+2 :cool:

[gopherhockey]

The only thing better is price. You get what you pay for. I'm with Taylor, Hydros beat mechs hands down in performance. No comparison.

+3 Don't let the price of non-hydros trick you into thinking they are better.

That isn't to say they are bad. Just no comparison.

[quickerpicker]

I agree stopping power w/hydro is better, but I don't try to ride down any cliffs and stop midway anymore (I think I'm showing my age). The cable brakes don't work as well because their is cable stretch when you apply the brake hard, versus the hydraulics don't have any "give". I believe unless you are doing major aggressive riding, cable braking is fine, and spend the cash on the BB7.

[Ymmit]

The only thing better is price. You get what you pay for. I'm with Taylor, Hydros beat mechs hands down in performance. No comparison.

+4

I've got a set of the old XT 4 pots on one of my bikes that I haven't touched since 2004 when I swapped the original levers for the dual controls (best setup ever IMO). The only maintenance I've done on any of the 3 set of hydros I run is changing the pads.

[gopherhockey]

I never would have thought brakes could make riding more fun or help make me faster, but I believe the 07 model XTRs actually did just that. The modulation was odd to me at first as I was used to the older model that engaged pretty fast. The newer model allows me to get just the amount of braking I need depending on how much pressure I put on them.. all the way from almost nothing to full on locking up the brakes (in those cases I feel like being a skidder...)

I have a few different bikes with BB7s on them. They feel cheap to me in comparison. They work ok for something like a winter riding Pugsley.

[bash]

I've got the Juicy 7s with 185mm rotors. They stop NOW and are super-quiet.

[taylor p.]

yes avid BB7 way better thatn hydro !!!:jumpy:
+ they are pretty much bomb proof !
How much time have you spent on hydro brakes?

[At the Gates 2121]

. The newer model allows me to get just the amount of braking I need depending on how much pressure I put on them.. all the way from almost nothing to full on locking up the brakes (in those cases I feel like being a skidder...)



so your responsible for the break bumps at leb :banghead:

[At the Gates 2121]

+4

I've got a set of the old XT 4 pots on one of my bikes that I haven't touched since 2004 when I swapped the original levers for the dual controls (best setup ever IMO). The only maintenance I've done on any of the 3 set of hydros I run is changing the pads.

you must not have hayes