I need new disc brakes--and need suggestions

[PacMan]

I need a new set of disc brakes, but don't want to spend more than $300 (they are going on my Giant Reign build--which will end up being my back-up bike). I saw a place that had Avid Juicy 5's for $220 shipped, but read on MTBR that a lot of people have lots of problems with them.

Who here as any experience with Hayes El Camino disc brakes?? I have talked to only 1 person who used them and he said they were great. MTBAction seems to like them OK. However, go over to MTBR's Brake forum and most people hate them. I found them on Ebay for $290 shipped.


I've had good luck with my Shimano Deore's and my XT's, but buying everything new is well over $200. Everyone seems to like the Juicy 7's pretty good.

What would you guys recommend?? Help!!

[dhshuttlemonkey]

I have El Caminos on my Tracer. They're OK, but tend to fade a little when they get hot. These are better than the Hayes Comps I had prior.

[Jordansrealm]

I love my Juicy 5s

[dubjay]

Magura Louise FR's. You'll find them on ebay consistently less than $300/pr.

[tkblazer]

i like my hopes, but they're more then 300 a set, check out the magura's like dubjay mentioned... from what i've read everyone that owns a set loves them

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by dubjay

Magura Louise FR's. You'll find them on ebay consistently less than $300/pr.

So, the FR's are the ones with the 7" or 8" rotors?? I see them with 6" rotors for pretty cheap, but don't know the difference between the plain Loiuse and the Loiuse FR.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by dubjay

Magura Louise FR's. You'll find them on ebay consistently less than $300/pr.

Here is the problem I find with the Magura brakes. Many LBS's don't usually carry a large selection of parts for these brakes. Then actually getting parts directly from Magura is not a next day deal.....usually takes some time. Hardest thing is finding brake pads. Seems like everytime need them the shops don't have them.

Keep an eye out on ebay, used pairs of Hayes come up all the time for cheap.

mtnbikej

Originally Posted by dubjay

Magura Louise FR's. You'll find them on ebay consistently less than $300/pr.

Here is the problem I find with the Magura brakes. Many LBS's don't usually carry a large selection of parts for these brakes. Then actually getting parts directly from Magura is not a next day deal.....usually takes some time. Hardest thing is finding brake pads. Seems like everytime need them the shops don't have them.

Keep an eye out on ebay, used pairs of Hayes come up all the time for cheap.

I am finally going to ditch my Avid Mechanicals and go to Hayes HFX9 on the Bullit.

mtnbikej

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by PacMan

So, the FR's are the ones with the 7" or 8" rotors?? I see them with 6" rotors for pretty cheap, but don't know the difference between the plain Loiuse and the Loiuse FR.

From what I recall, the standard Louises come with 6"/6". The FR version comes with 7"/6". There are adapters/rotors available to go larger of course.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by PacMan

So, the FR's are the ones with the 7" or 8" rotors?? I see them with 6" rotors for pretty cheap, but don't know the difference between the plain Loiuse and the Loiuse FR.

Only difference between the Louise and Louise FR is the color (silver = Louise, Black = Louise FR), and default rotor sizes differ but adapters can give you multiple combos with either.

Hands down, best brakes I ever rode were Magura Louise FR. For an All Mountain bike and up, I woudl definitely get them. I can only imagine how sweet the new models are gonna be. Plus, the fact that new ones are coming out may make the current models that much cheaper. Magura has excellent customer service too.

Another plus (for me anyway) with the Magura Louise are the levers. For those running twist shifter there are none better....their ergonomics are awesome given their long levers. Only downside is that Louise's reach is rather long so if you have short fingers you may not like them.

For cross country duty I like Hope Mono Minis. They are fine with me. I have also had Magura Marta SLs which are sweet....but expensive plus, Hopes can come with different colored levers, reservoir caps, and caliper bore caps for a negligible upcharge at the time of order (ie, prespecify colors cause doing it afterwards makes no sense and you pay double for parts you want colored).

Cheers

[Evel Knievel]

A vote of confidence for the Magura Louise FR from me . Great brakes .

The only flaw is the mounting system . They need to be shimmed to proper placement. The Avids and Hayes are easy to micro adjust .

[PacMan]

Well, I've been shopping around a lot and I can't seem to find any Magura Louise FR's for less than $160 a wheel. I'm sure they work great, but that's a bit pricy. I can get Avid Juicy 7's for that--which I would think would be just as good

If I can mange to get the Juicy 5's for $220, I may go with those.

Any other suggestions?

[PHAT TIRE]

I just got Avid Juicy 7 at Pricepoint for $139 each...$280 total is a steal from what I could find out there.

Originally Posted by PacMan

I need a new set of disc brakes, but don't want to spend more than $300 (they are going on my Giant Reign build--which will end up being my back-up bike). I saw a place that had Avid Juicy 5's for $220 shipped, but read on MTBR that a lot of people have lots of problems with them.

Who here as any experience with Hayes El Camino disc brakes?? I have talked to only 1 person who used them and he said they were great. MTBAction seems to like them OK. However, go over to MTBR's Brake forum and most people hate them. I found them on Ebay for $290 shipped.


I've had good luck with my Shimano Deore's and my XT's, but buying everything new is well over $200. Everyone seems to like the Juicy 7's pretty good.

What would you guys recommend?? Help!!

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Well, I've been shopping around a lot and I can't seem to find any Magura Louise FR's for less than $160 a wheel. I'm sure they work great, but that's a bit pricy. I can get Avid Juicy 7's for that--which I would think would be just as good

If I can mange to get the Juicy 5's for $220, I may go with those.

Any other suggestions?

Louise FRs for $255 shipped to your door.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Magura-Louis...QQcmdZViewItem

Compared to the Juicy's, the lever feel on the Maguras is much smoother and modulation is much better. I run the Magura FRs on my Chumba. The Chumba demo fleet seems to be set on using the Juicys and the differences in braking feel is quite noticeable.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by dubjay

Louise FRs for $255 shipped to your door.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Magura-Louis...QQcmdZViewItem

Compared to the Juicy's, the lever feel on the Maguras is much smoother and modulation is much better. I run the Magura FRs on my Chumba. The Chumba demo fleet seems to be set on using the Juicys and the differences in braking feel is quite noticeable.

Ya, I saw those too. Hopefully he will still have them when I get paid on Friday.

Can I put a 7" rotor on a Fox Vanilla fork?

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Ya, I saw those too. Hopefully he will still have them when I get paid on Friday.

Can I put a 7" rotor on a Fox Vanilla fork?

A 7" rotor should be no problem at all.