Next Question: Disc Brakes

[foofighter]

Ok i'm currently running a very old set of Shimano XT brakes circa 2002?



Ok so i'm noticing that my braking isnt as good as it should be i.e. i have to apply some force to get the steed to slow down. This leads to the next question of disc brake diameter; I read that larger diameter discs does not equate to better braking but more for keeping disc brake fade. I think this is what's occuring w/ my brakes is that once they heat up i'm not getting the bite that I should out of them.

So if i wanted to go to bigger diameter discs is it a simple mod that i would buy caliper spacers to push the calipers out more to accommodate bigger discs?

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by foofighter

Ok i'm currently running a very old set of Shimano XT brakes circa 2002?

Ok so i'm noticing that my braking isnt as good as it should be i.e. i have to apply some force to get the steed to slow down. This leads to the next question of disc brake diameter; I read that larger diameter discs does not equate to better braking but more for keeping disc brake fade. I think this is what's occuring w/ my brakes is that once they heat up i'm not getting the bite that I should out of them.

So if i wanted to go to bigger diameter discs is it a simple mod that i would buy caliper spacers to push the calipers out more to accommodate bigger discs?

Yup - if you get bigger rotors, you just need different caliper adapters which will move your caliper "out" a bit to compensate for the larger rotor.

[foofighter]

do you think that would help w/ my current braking problem errr lack of brakes that is

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by foofighter

do you think that would help w/ my current braking problem errr lack of brakes that is

It might, but if your brakes are really that old, you may want to think about upgrading to a newer system, since pad availability and spare parts may be getting harder to come by.

Did these brakes always have this problem? If not, then maybe they might just need a bleed?

[foofighter]

not that i recall...they were just bled by Raul at the path when they built my bike up. i really think that a lot of it is user over use of the brake levers that's causing the brake fade...but i'm working on that. the easier solution would be to upgrade but the finance minister does not have that budgeted right now. hehe

[tkblazer]

could be time for a complete fluid flush and bleed

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

could be time for a complete fluid flush and bleed

how do you suppose that would help though?

[xhuskr]

Originally Posted by foofighter

they were just bled by Raul at the path when they built my bike up.

go back and ask him his thoughts.....could be pads as well......if you already paid for some work, just go ask the question.....it might save you big $$$

just my $.03

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by foofighter

how do you suppose that would help though?

You could be experiencing what they call Fluid Fade. Once some water/air gets into your brake fluid, it'll be more prone to fade when it gets hot.

Edit: Oops - didn't see that you already had them bled...

[PacMan]

For what it's worth, I have a set of '04 Deore's and they work awesome. I have a set of '06 Deore's and they work awesome.

I have a set of '06 XT's and they are awful!! I have the same problem you do--no power at all. My old POS Hayes MX1 mechs feel more powerful than the XT's. I don't know what the problem is but they have always been that way. Bleed's don't help and neither do new pads.

I just bought a set of Hayes 9's so I can get rid of the XT's.

Speaking of which: Anyone want to buy my XT's??

[foofighter]

LOL thanks dude. Fack, i'm willing to spend the money spacers for bigger discs if i know they'll improve my brake fade issue

[OMR]

Originally Posted by PacMan

I have a set of '06 XT's and they are awful!! I have the same problem you do--no power at all. I just bought a set of Hayes 9's so I can get rid of the XT's. Speaking of which: Anyone want to buy my XT's??

Great reference Doug! I'd buy these in a heart beat, but I have to go wash my hair.... right!

OMR

PS: Good luck after that testimony (he he he)

[Pho'dUp]

Notes on adapters: With those older brakes, if you can't find the Shimano Adapter, a Hope adapter might work too. I think I saw recently the Path had some Shimano adapters for those older 4-pot XT brakes on the brake wall.

Also, I've heard lots of good things about Galfer pads and Galfer rotors. They've got the patent on the wavy rotor design that helps with heat buildup. You might try those too if you're buying a bigger rotor anyway.

As around, check MTBR, lots of guys still run those 4-pot XTs.

C

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by PacMan

For what it's worth, I have a set of '04 Deore's and they work awesome. I have a set of '06 Deore's and they work awesome.

I have a set of '06 XT's and they are awful!! I have the same problem you do--no power at all. My old POS Hayes MX1 mechs feel more powerful than the XT's. I don't know what the problem is but they have always been that way. Bleed's don't help and neither do new pads.

I just bought a set of Hayes 9's so I can get rid of the XT's.

Speaking of which: Anyone want to buy my XT's??

Duan,

My buddy PC had those brake and hated them. Even put 8" rotors and never liked them. Brakes are hit and miss (like Pac states).

For example I have a set of Hope Mono Mini's that I like. Had a set of their big bro the Mono M4's that I hated.

IME there is not a "great brake" Look at the reviews on MTBR and you see what I mean.

If you do not have alot if scratch you can find Hayes brakes on closeout for cheap. However there are some baaaaad Hayes stuff.

Avid Juicy 7's seem to be a good one but there are many that will say they also stink.

Good Luck!

[Chaos]

just get a new set and be done with it
Forumula K18
These are pretty inexpensive and will match your black Ells nicely.

[Lefty Kev]

If budget is an issue, you might want to consider just upgrading the front disc since the front brake provides something like 70-80% of the stopping power. I have a 6" rotor on the back and an 8" rotor on the front and I noticed more stopping power and less heat-generated squealing after making just the front disc upgrade.

You will just need the one spacer and disc and you're good to go.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by Chaos

just get a new set and be done with it
Forumula K18
These are pretty inexpensive and will match your black Ells nicely.

I have these on my SS..I would have to say that these are my Favorite Brakes... I have magura SL carbons on the Rip and Haynes nine on the Yeti... The Formula's kick @$$ modulate extremely well and have great stopping power.....

[SSinGA]

My friend runs (old XT 4 piston) those on his RFX (and about 5 bikes previous to the RFX) and they are great stopping brakes. He has metallic pads and 8" rotors as well a Dangerboy levers. All these together seemed to bring the brakes back from the dead.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by mtber3737

Great reference Doug! I'd buy these in a heart beat, but I have to go wash my hair.... right!

OMR

PS: Good luck after that testimony (he he he)

Ya, I'm just going to stick them on Ebay.

[allison]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Ya, I'm just going to stick them on Ebay.

You might consider not going on about how they suck in the product description hahaha