Hydraulic brakes to replace Elixir 1's... recommendations?

Discussion in 'The Workshop' started by ScottQ, Mar 23, 2014.

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  1. blindman_22

    blindman_22 HAB Crew President

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    Another +1 for slx/xt with ice techs

    Sent from my SCH-I605 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
     
    blindman_22, Mar 23, 2014
    #21
  2. BikeThePlanet

    BikeThePlanet Active Member

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    I wouldn't even put Avids on Dino's Iron Horse.
     
    BikeThePlanet, Mar 23, 2014
    #22
  3. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    Avids work just fine if they are bleed well. There is the problem lots off people don't end up bleeding them very we'll and the performance suffers.
     
    mfoga, Mar 24, 2014
    #23
  4. doublewide

    doublewide Ride Life....Ride GIANT

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    XT's on my trail bike and my DH bike. #rideshimano lol
     
    doublewide, Mar 24, 2014
    #24
  5. irv_usc

    irv_usc Active Member

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    slx/xt 2012+. the only difference between the two is one free stroke adjustment screw that is omitted from the SLX. very minor.


    wait..what the hell is wrong with STR, everyone's in agreement on something?
     
    irv_usc, Mar 24, 2014
    #25
  6. BikeThePlanet

    BikeThePlanet Active Member

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    Goes to show you how crappy Elixxirs are. lol
     
    BikeThePlanet, Mar 24, 2014
    #26
  7. XDEEDUBBX

    XDEEDUBBX Member

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    XT XT! I love mines! Zero problems with them what so ever and super easy to install!
     
    XDEEDUBBX, Mar 24, 2014
    #27
  8. Revalimage

    Revalimage Active Member

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    Like Ed and Dino said - Ice Tech rotors make a HUGE difference. Once I learned how to bleed Avids (modulation and effectiveness suck regardless) and then how to bleed shimanos, done deal...ALL bikes in the garage are now Shimano with Ice tech. (one exception, hubby's formula ones - which I don't like as much).

    Look around - you can will find some good deals.
     
    Revalimage, Mar 24, 2014
    #28
  9. launchpad

    launchpad Member

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    Need a class action lawsuit. Those things don't even stop the bike. My 1980's Schwinn High Timber had better brakes.
     
    launchpad, Mar 24, 2014
    #29
  10. AKAKTM

    AKAKTM New Member

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    All of the 2014 Shimano brake sets are excellent. Even the basic Deore shares most of the great characteristics that make the Shimano brakes the best on the market. I recently purchased them for $65 each (discs not included) from Chain Reaction.
     
    AKAKTM, Mar 24, 2014
    #30
  11. ScottQ

    ScottQ Member

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    Well this was an easier decision that I expected.
     
    ScottQ, Mar 24, 2014
    #31
  12. ScottQ

    ScottQ Member

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    My brakes were mediocre from the moment they came on the bike, and went downhill (ha!) from there. I bled them perfectly according to the instructions from Avid. Pulling on the front brake, you can hear the blown seal sucking air into the chamber. After less than a year of use? No thanks.
     
    ScottQ, Mar 24, 2014
    #32
  13. launchpad

    launchpad Member

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    Oh and I second or third or whatever the XT and Ice rotors suggestion.
     
    launchpad, Mar 24, 2014
    #33
  14. tracysurf

    tracysurf New Member

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    I had terrible problems with my Avids. In addition to the other issue mentioned, every time I replaced the pads, I had to bleed them because it was too tight. Nightmare when you had to switch out on a long DH ride. Bike shop said they experience that often. I have XT's now and love them.
     
    tracysurf, Mar 24, 2014
    #34
  15. BikeThePlanet

    BikeThePlanet Active Member

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    Just go look at an LBS's take off wall and compare the ratio of Avid to Shimano . . .
     
    BikeThePlanet, Mar 24, 2014
    #35
  16. Varaxis

    Varaxis Trail Ninja

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    Check out the Zee brakes too, considering what bike you have.
     
    Varaxis, Mar 24, 2014
    #36
  17. socal_eric

    socal_eric New Member

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    Throw another vote towards the newer Shimano brakes. The only Avid brakes I'd touch are the mechanical BB7 which I've still got on my older bike and have been quite happy with for their reliability (although they don't have as nice of a feel at the lever as the Shimano hydraulics).

    I've got the '13 SLX on my newer bike with 180/160 rotors and they have great feel, easy to swap pads, and look a lot easier to bleed when needed than some of the other brakes on the market but I did manage to severely fade them once on a long, super-steep downhill dirt/gravel road riding at night and having to keep speed down. That was on the stock organic pads and likely to be expected with a 290+ pound bike/rider/gear weight and I've since upgraded to semi-metallic pads.
     
    socal_eric, Mar 24, 2014
    #37
  18. WC-Rider

    WC-Rider New Member

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    XT brakes with ice tech rotors.....
     
    WC-Rider, Mar 24, 2014
    #38
  19. badgas

    badgas I like dirt

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    ^^ This

    I Have SLX on my El Mariachi and XT on my Blur
     
    badgas, Mar 24, 2014
    #39
  20. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    You may have has a bad seal ok things happen. But even then following the instructions really does do it. There are tricky to bleed.
    Sound like you bleed them with the old pads in and the spacer or the rotor between pads vs removing pad and using the bleed block. You end up adding more fluid then it can hold when you put new pads back in. Just a FYI you can have the same issue with Shimano.
     
    mfoga, Mar 24, 2014
    #40
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