brake advice

[woody7795]

i'm torn i have hayes hfx9 hydros on my bullit and i hate them. i want to change the setup and i can't decide if i should get the avid juicy 5's or if i should try the avid bb7's. i haven't used the mechanical discs yet so i'm nervous. does anyone have any experience with either of these.also do i need to get new caliper adapters to use on avids or will my hayes work?

[tonik666]

I would definitely use hydro brakes. Avid's BB7 should be very good, but my experience is that the steel wires are too wear for braking and they extend very quickly. Fluid based brakes are definitely better.

[Mongoose]

Go with the Hydros. I have Juicy 5's on my bullit and like them.

[Jisch]

Hydros are better. I was a long time advocate of cables, and they are still much better and more consistent than Vees, but hydros are smoother and more powerful overall.

I have juicy's on my bike now and had HfX on my last bike, I like them both.

[boudy]

The Avid Code 5 hydro's are great, tremendous stopping power. I also have the Avid Carbon's and they're excellent also.

[06epic]

I have BB7's and they are very good and reliable. If you are on a tight budget you won't find anything better at that price especially in a mechanical disc. It you use very ridgid cable housings and good cables you won't have much problem with cable stretch.

I do agree that hydros do feel smoother but I have never been in a situation where i needed any more brake power thatn the BB7's delivered

[dirtrider2]

There is simply no substitute for hydros. Their prices have fallen so much that the arguments for mechanicals just don't hold up anymore. Don't forget about Shimano brakes. Very reliable!

Dave

[agabriel]

I've never had a problem with BB7s. I use good cables and they have always provided strong stopping power for me.

[nirtiger]

I have both on two different bikes I agree hydros are more powerful and feel better but if you are on a tight budget BB7 is the way to go.use good cables and you are good to go

[fellsbiker]

I had mechanical disk brakes on my park bike for a while. Granted my rear brake was going through a gyro, but still... they're better than rim brakes but if you're going to get new brakes at all, get hydraulic. I have juicy's on my Maverick and they are great. Hayes new Stroker brakes are decent too. Also don't be afraid to upgrade those rotors. I went from 7" front / 6" rear to 8" front and rear... made a HUGE difference. Especially at Highland but better breaking helps everywhere.

[agabriel]

I guess I don't understand why everyone is against mechanicals or rather so pro hydros... I can lock BB7s just as well as a Hydro. I picked up a better lever for my current bike and I can modulate them about 85% as well. I also probably spent less on the braking system than many people put into one brake.

[woody7795]

well, thanks for all the advice. i went ahead and got the juicy 5's with the 203mm front and rear. thanks for all the input on the subject.

[tozovr]

I guess I don't understand why everyone is against mechanicals or rather so pro hydros... I can lock BB7s just as well as a Hydro. I picked up a better lever for my current bike and I can modulate them about 85% as well. I also probably spent less on the braking system than many people put into one brake.


I ran BB7s with the full Metal Jacket for a long time and you can really set them up well, but it comes down to feel for me. I usually get my stuff for free so cost isn't a factor...I can pick and choose what feels and works best for me.