Y'all!Long ramble, sorry. I need some advice and you'll need a bit of info in order to give relevant advice. I don't know enough about brakes...
Y'all!
Long ramble, sorry. I need some advice and you'll need a bit of info in order to give relevant advice. I don't know enough about brakes and I'm going to be forced into making some sort of purchase in the not-too-distant future. All I know is this:
My downcountry bike has SRAM Code R with 200mm/180mm rotors front/back.
Code R seems to have decent enough power for what I do most of the time. I feel like I accidentally skid my rear tire fairly often with the Codes but that could be body position and/or trying to use too much rear when I should be using a little more front...or maybe that's just what a Rekon in the rear tends to do. I'd love to have good modulation on the brakes but I think that I'm more of a "brake hard and late" kinda guy. I'm working on that, though!
I don't think I need much more power because I'm primarily only riding XC style trails and guerilla lines where I live. I have to generate most of my speed myself so I'm not spending my whole ride fighting against gravity on the brakes...though I'm doing more and more traveling with the bike so that's going to become a bit less rare of an occurrence. Still, 95% of my rides are XC-style trails that I try to ride fast while looking for jumps/gaps/drops. I'm also always looking for easy, cost effective, no-big-drawback ways to keep the bike weight down knowing that most of the weight I'm dropping is from my body and I have way more of that to drop than I'll ever be able to drop from my bike. Ideally, I'd drop bike weight and simultaneously have better-suited-to-me brakes.
I have SRAM Guide T brakes on my hardtail (also 200mm/180mm). It gets ridden less aggressively than the downcountry bike. Guide T doesn't even have enough power for the hardtail but the lever feel is really good.
Why am I considering changing brakes? I've now bent the right brake lever and/or lever blade 3 times on my Codes. I'm going to have to make a purchase at some point to avoid an on-the-ride failure; either a new lever or new brakes altogether. Is there an obvious "this will be an improvement" over the Code R or does it make more sense to just get a new Code R lever and blade assembly?
Any thoughts? Codes are almost fine but I also have no idea what I might or might not be missing. Replace the lever and blade? Upgrade lever and blade (can I just go to Code RSC or is there something else that requires upgrading to make it all work)? New brakes entirely?
It all comes down to how much you want to spend,I’d go for a set of Hope Evo TR4, you’ve got the power and modulation and...
It all comes down to how much you want to spend,
I’d go for a set of Hope Evo TR4, you’ve got the power and modulation and the whole assembly is very strong against crashes and impacts.
Swapping the levers to rsc would make the brake feel a touch nicer as the lever not to have play as it moves on bearings vs bushings but I’d say only worth it if really cheap, I’ve never been a fan of those brakes regardless, I always felt a big lack of power and modulation since you need to hang off them to make them slow you down.
Levers like Oak or freedom coast are way stronger than the stock ones so perhaps something to be considered especially if you find them used given the price on either
Regarding how much I want to spend: $0-$600
I'd prefer to not have hit this lever and bent the blade (and then bent it back) several times. In an ideal situation, the brake lever and blade wouldn't need to be replaced. The reality is the last time I bent it back it was easier than the first time I bent it back. It's nearing the end of its lifespan so I'm willing to spend what it takes to get something good that's not overkill for my needs.
I'll investigate the Hope Evo TR4s. Thanks for the recommendation!
What got me thinking about all of this (but I didn't want to pre-dose people with something that might be seen as a preference) is when looking for a replacement lever I also saw Motives and Mavens. Realizing I know nothing about them other than they're SRAM I took a look. Then I realized I know nothing at all about Shimano or Hope or Magura or any other brakes; especially in that "more power than XC but not as much as DH" category.
Something else worth adding in: I currently don't do my own brake bleeds. That's simply because I haven't needed to do 'em yet. The shop I go to did a couple bleeds for me and they were reasonably priced. I've put off a bleed recently because the shop was too busy so I'm going to get a bleed kit and handle it on my own. If I stay with Codes, I'll be buying a bleed kit to do those older-style SRAM brakes. If I get something else, I'll get...something else's bleed kit.
Code RSC feel night and day different to Code R, not just a touch different.
But still, if you're ready to spend the money, go for something nicer. I'm on RSCs since 2019 and was thinking about another set when they were 100 euros for the pair (they are 150 now) to replace the one I have now that seems to be pulling air somewhere - throwing another set there is a drop in replacement for the current ones, works with the rotors, I have a bunch of pads on stock, I have the same brakes on the wife's bike, etc. And it would give me the time to try to fix the current set without having a downed bike and so on.
The logical thing (for a 160 160 bike though) is to go with a set of Hope TR4s but it's hard to justify 500 eur when I don't need need them...
But if switching to Codes costs considerably more than 100 money units, go with something better. It is in fact an old and underpowered brake in this day and age.
Code RSC feel night and day different to Code R, not just a touch different. But still, if you're ready to spend the money, go for something...
Code RSC feel night and day different to Code R, not just a touch different.
But still, if you're ready to spend the money, go for something nicer. I'm on RSCs since 2019 and was thinking about another set when they were 100 euros for the pair (they are 150 now) to replace the one I have now that seems to be pulling air somewhere - throwing another set there is a drop in replacement for the current ones, works with the rotors, I have a bunch of pads on stock, I have the same brakes on the wife's bike, etc. And it would give me the time to try to fix the current set without having a downed bike and so on.
The logical thing (for a 160 160 bike though) is to go with a set of Hope TR4s but it's hard to justify 500 eur when I don't need need them...
But if switching to Codes costs considerably more than 100 money units, go with something better. It is in fact an old and underpowered brake in this day and age.
Code RSC feel night and day different to Code R, not just a touch different. But still, if you're ready to spend the money, go for something...
Code RSC feel night and day different to Code R, not just a touch different.
But still, if you're ready to spend the money, go for something nicer. I'm on RSCs since 2019 and was thinking about another set when they were 100 euros for the pair (they are 150 now) to replace the one I have now that seems to be pulling air somewhere - throwing another set there is a drop in replacement for the current ones, works with the rotors, I have a bunch of pads on stock, I have the same brakes on the wife's bike, etc. And it would give me the time to try to fix the current set without having a downed bike and so on.
The logical thing (for a 160 160 bike though) is to go with a set of Hope TR4s but it's hard to justify 500 eur when I don't need need them...
But if switching to Codes costs considerably more than 100 money units, go with something better. It is in fact an old and underpowered brake in this day and age.
Code RSC feel night and day different to Code R, not just a touch different. But still, if you're ready to spend the money, go for something...
Code RSC feel night and day different to Code R, not just a touch different.
But still, if you're ready to spend the money, go for something nicer. I'm on RSCs since 2019 and was thinking about another set when they were 100 euros for the pair (they are 150 now) to replace the one I have now that seems to be pulling air somewhere - throwing another set there is a drop in replacement for the current ones, works with the rotors, I have a bunch of pads on stock, I have the same brakes on the wife's bike, etc. And it would give me the time to try to fix the current set without having a downed bike and so on.
The logical thing (for a 160 160 bike though) is to go with a set of Hope TR4s but it's hard to justify 500 eur when I don't need need them...
But if switching to Codes costs considerably more than 100 money units, go with something better. It is in fact an old and underpowered brake in this day and age.
I paid to do the opposite just for how much of a pita mineral is to clean
Yeah I never got it either - it makes zero difference to which I choose, although more and more seem to be mineral now so its harder to get a way from. I figured its a misguided assumption that mineral oil is more environmentally friendly - but both are pretty terrible in reality. I am literally soaked in mineral oil every day and still don't like the stuff! DOT fluid is the worst if you are made from paint, but its only an issue if you don't clean things up properly. Otherwise mineral is way more of a pain to clean (and blasting a shimano brake lever with degreaser isn't a great idea either unless you want creaky levers!)
I’m on team DOT. It’s unbelievably easy to clean properly compared to always feeling like there’s mineral oil residue on everything even after an alcohol spray and wipe.
Spilled DOT? Hose it down with water and move on with your life.
Have my first set of mineral oil brakes ever.. and a second set for another bike. Immediately not stoked. DOT> for me. Worth it for the power and feel of the brakes... but hate dealing with mineral. So annoying to clean. DOT has been so stupidly easy to deal with for my whole life of riding bikes. Easy to clean up. At the end of the day, I won't make a decision on brakes dependent on the fluid used... but if its DOT, I will be even more stoked
So that makes it simple in this day and age, you buy Hopes. Are there any other options even left that use DOT? Radic Kahas have the option, but other than that, all the modern, powerful brakes are mineral oil.
So that makes it simple in this day and age, you buy Hopes. Are there any other options even left that use DOT? Radic Kahas have...
So that makes it simple in this day and age, you buy Hopes. Are there any other options even left that use DOT? Radic Kahas have the option, but other than that, all the modern, powerful brakes are mineral oil.
So that makes it simple in this day and age, you buy Hopes. Are there any other options even left that use DOT? Radic Kahas have...
So that makes it simple in this day and age, you buy Hopes. Are there any other options even left that use DOT? Radic Kahas have the option, but other than that, all the modern, powerful brakes are mineral oil.
Hayes Dominion have a big fan base. Only tried them in the parking lot but they seemed impressive.
Get base mavens. Enjoy
Regarding how much I want to spend: $0-$600
I'd prefer to not have hit this lever and bent the blade (and then bent it back) several times. In an ideal situation, the brake lever and blade wouldn't need to be replaced. The reality is the last time I bent it back it was easier than the first time I bent it back. It's nearing the end of its lifespan so I'm willing to spend what it takes to get something good that's not overkill for my needs.
I'll investigate the Hope Evo TR4s. Thanks for the recommendation!
What got me thinking about all of this (but I didn't want to pre-dose people with something that might be seen as a preference) is when looking for a replacement lever I also saw Motives and Mavens. Realizing I know nothing about them other than they're SRAM I took a look. Then I realized I know nothing at all about Shimano or Hope or Magura or any other brakes; especially in that "more power than XC but not as much as DH" category.
Something else worth adding in: I currently don't do my own brake bleeds. That's simply because I haven't needed to do 'em yet. The shop I go to did a couple bleeds for me and they were reasonably priced. I've put off a bleed recently because the shop was too busy so I'm going to get a bleed kit and handle it on my own. If I stay with Codes, I'll be buying a bleed kit to do those older-style SRAM brakes. If I get something else, I'll get...something else's bleed kit.
Code RSC feel night and day different to Code R, not just a touch different.
But still, if you're ready to spend the money, go for something nicer. I'm on RSCs since 2019 and was thinking about another set when they were 100 euros for the pair (they are 150 now) to replace the one I have now that seems to be pulling air somewhere - throwing another set there is a drop in replacement for the current ones, works with the rotors, I have a bunch of pads on stock, I have the same brakes on the wife's bike, etc. And it would give me the time to try to fix the current set without having a downed bike and so on.
The logical thing (for a 160 160 bike though) is to go with a set of Hope TR4s but it's hard to justify 500 eur when I don't need need them...
But if switching to Codes costs considerably more than 100 money units, go with something better. It is in fact an old and underpowered brake in this day and age.
I'll pay a lot of money to avoid DOT
I’ll never understand the hate,
I paid to do the opposite just for how much of a pita mineral is to clean
Yeah I never got it either - it makes zero difference to which I choose, although more and more seem to be mineral now so its harder to get a way from. I figured its a misguided assumption that mineral oil is more environmentally friendly - but both are pretty terrible in reality. I am literally soaked in mineral oil every day and still don't like the stuff! DOT fluid is the worst if you are made from paint, but its only an issue if you don't clean things up properly. Otherwise mineral is way more of a pain to clean (and blasting a shimano brake lever with degreaser isn't a great idea either unless you want creaky levers!)
I’m on team DOT. It’s unbelievably easy to clean properly compared to always feeling like there’s mineral oil residue on everything even after an alcohol spray and wipe.
Spilled DOT? Hose it down with water and move on with your life.
Don't ask me how/why
but
DOT fluid stings your eyes way more than mineral oil, and when you spill some on your friends truck unwittingly you are now down another friend.
Ha, yes, I suppose those are valid reasons for moving away from DOT.
But surely you must admit it tastes far superior to mineral oil.
Have my first set of mineral oil brakes ever.. and a second set for another bike. Immediately not stoked. DOT> for me. Worth it for the power and feel of the brakes... but hate dealing with mineral. So annoying to clean. DOT has been so stupidly easy to deal with for my whole life of riding bikes. Easy to clean up. At the end of the day, I won't make a decision on brakes dependent on the fluid used... but if its DOT, I will be even more stoked
So that makes it simple in this day and age, you buy Hopes. Are there any other options even left that use DOT? Radic Kahas have the option, but other than that, all the modern, powerful brakes are mineral oil.
But dot tastes better than mineral oil, so where does that leave us?
Dominions are Dot
Hayes Dominion have a big fan base. Only tried them in the parking lot but they seemed impressive.
Post a reply to: Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment