Shimano Saint M820 Disc Brake
Where To Buy | |||
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Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $219.99
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Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $259.99
|
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Shimano Saint M820 Disc Brakes
$259.99
|
|||
Free Delivery on purchases over £20.
|
5 member reviews
Right out of the box the M820 has a solid look and feel to it, the brake looks very tough and durable and doesn’t have any plastic feeling parts. Both front and rear pre bled hoses come in at very long length, allowing the brakes to fit any bike, I assume even extra-large frames should have no issues with the default hose. Compared to the M810 brakes, these new Saints have definitely shed some of their bulk, both caliper and level are a lot smaller and sleeker, thus helping to reduce some of the weight seen with the old M810s. Installation is a breeze and both removal and installation of the pads is also very user friendly and can be done so very quickly.
The brake includes an easy to use reach adjust nob, that is big enough and easy enough to access even while riding allowing you to customize the level reach while mid ride. The brake also has a free stroke bolt (requires a screwdriver), although I have played around with this I really have not noticed any difference in brake feel.
The Servo Wave level has a very ergonomic feel to it, it’s very compact and has a curve to it that helps reduce the chance of your fingers slipping off the lever. Overall the level feel is very solid and comfortable, and allows for one finger braking.
Riding performance: I’ve had the chance to use these brakes in various conditions and they have performed flawlessly. Regardless if you are riding in super dusty conditions or mud or even snow, these brakes provide tons of stopping power. Some people mention that the Saints lack modulation, that they are simply power ON and power OFF but I haven’t found this to be the case, the M820 offer lots of modulation allowing the rider to brake as much as needed. In terms of long hot descends, the M820 really shine and provide consistent performance and stopping power regardless how hot they get, I haven’t noticed any fade. Overall these brakes offer a lot of confidence on the trails and really allow the rider to push themselves as you know that you will have strong braking power when needed. As with the old M810, the M820 can also get a bit loud in wet conditions, but I think most other brakes do the same so not really a negative but they definitely do howl when they get wet.
Bleeding: This is where Shimano and specifically the M810 really excelled, in the past with the M810 there were times where I didn’t even have to remove the wheels or pads before bleeding the brakes. The complete bleed process could be done in less than 10 minutes. The M820 definitely also allow for a pain free, easy and simple bleed process. The bleed process is a bit different as it requires the addition of a funnel that gets attached to the level and then oil is bled into the caliper but overall the process is very easy and very quick.
Would I recommend the brakes: When I was upgrading my old M810 I knew I wanted to stick with Shimano so it was a toss-up between the Saints and the Zees, overall it looks like from a performance perspective they are both very similar, the Saints however comes in a tad lighter, offer on the fly level adjustments and have a bit less bulk to them on the calipers. Regardless of how much you throw at these Saints they offer consistence braking power in various conditions, modulation and quick and easy bleed process, overall I am very happy with them and would strongly recommend this product.
- Powerful
- Easy to work on, find parts
I run a few pairs of saints, some of them 10 years old and simply can't fault them. I've replaced some with M8120, but ultimately the Saint is still ahead thanks to more robust lever blade and possibly slightly more consistent feel, though I find almost no issues with either.
They simply work. I've tried magura, hope, sram, trp and hayes to some extent, and neither made me consider switching off the Saint.
The power is easily available but I find it easy to modulate. It may be a difficulty for someone switching from Sram or Magura, where you grab the brake by a handful while with Saints you can pull lightly and use force, rather than lever flex to modulate. It may not be for everyone - some people need the flex to adjust their power delivery, but I believe it's a matter of getting used to the feel.
Based on a short test on prototypes, the Maven might possibly de-throne the Saint as the top downhill brake from what I can see. But only time will tell, once they've been out for a bit.
0 comments
Post a reply to: Still one of the best
This break has saved my life so many times. However, due to the wondering bite point it has also put me in some scary situations.
Absolutely some the reliability, easy bleeding, power and cooling this break offers.
Hands down destroyed the competition until the new Code came along in 2017.
Come on shimano, nearly perfect.
0 comments
Post a reply to: Best breaks for stopping power let down by two cravats...
I've run Saints on both the DH and Trail bikes for the past 2 seasons. Takes getting a little use to as there isn't a ton of modulation but loads of power. I personally have had zero problems other than the very occasional bleed which is also super easy. Mineral oil is a bonus so I'm not wrecking my hands getting it on everything. Once you get the hang of riding with these, its hard to go back to a break with less power/more modulation, but it really is personal preference.
0 comments
Post a reply to: What Hasn't Already Been Said?
Good heat management at the disk
Great looking
Pump up
Poor adjustability
I spec b only shifter mounts
After a couple of seasons on zee's on another bike and a bad experience with guides I dicided to take the plunge and buy the saints. The zee's were flawless in terms of power and modulation, so the saints became the natural choice for a high end build. After installation I bleed as per all my Shimano brakes and rode.
I noticed on my first ride that the bite point would change constantly, especially if you quickly reapplied the brake. I believed this was obviously air in the system so rebled. Again the same would happen even when no air was trapped. After researching the issue it is very common with xtr and Saint levers so I had them warrantied. Second and third sets did the same too, I eventually just got used to the feeling and used for 18 months in total.
I persevered with them as the power is awesome. Did a few alpine races this year with no fade issues, but did scorch and destroy the icetech disks.
I was playing in the lbs the other day on a brand new gt fury with saints fitted and they did exactly the same! Double tap the lever and the bite point changed.
Installation - easy as with all Shimano kits, olive and hose guide supplied. I bought from European supplier so the hoses had to be swapped.
Bleeding - easy with funnel tool, air can get trapped behind the reach screw. Make sure you adjust in and out as you bleed.
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Post a reply to: Master cylinder faults
Specifications
ICE TECHNOLOGIES heat management
High power 4-ceramic piston caliper
I-SPEC B Clamp Band
Lighter short SERVO WAVE lever
Free Stroke & tool-less reach adjust
One-Way Bleed for Easy and Clean Servicing
Finned Brake Pads
Super Stiff 3-Layer Brake Hose for a More Consistent Feel
Where To Buy | |||
---|---|---|---|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $219.99
|
||
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $259.99
|
||
Shimano Saint M820 Disc Brakes
$259.99
|
|||
Free Delivery on purchases over £20.
|
1 comments
Post a reply to: Powerful DH stoppers