Brakes

[Stevfro99]

Anyone upgraded the standard brakes supplied on any of their e Bikes? If so what to? Are there specific ebike set ups??

 

[craig landau]

Shimano XT levers and XT 4 pot BR M8020

 

[Benson]

Swapped out the Guide RE brakes on my 2019 Levo Comp Carbon to Code RSC before even riding it. Wanted maximum stopping power ??

 

[R120]

What brakes do you have, and what are you looking for from a new set? If you already have decent brakes the main difference between top end stopper tends to be how they feel in use, and this can tend to be down to personal preference, some people like and on/off feeling, and others a more gradual activation.

 

[outerlimits]

I got Stam Level T brakes on my Levo. The Front caliper is a 4pot guide. I’ll upgrade the rear from Level 2 pot to Guide 4 pot. They will then be perfect brakes for me.
Guide leavers are shit and trouble, but the caliper are great.

 

[steve_sordy]

I have Guide RS front and rear on my Whyte T130 and I've never had a moments problem. Ditto with the Guide RS on the YT Capra that I had. Before I bought the bikes, I had been warned endlessly that Guides were just rebadged Avids, and I was in for a world of pain. But I had read the reviews in the bike mags and I could not find a bad word about them. "They are paid to say good things" I was told. I'm glad I ignored the Jeremiahs. The brakes have been excellent!

 

[Gary]

Swapped out the Guide RE brakes on my 2019 Levo Comp Carbon to Code RSC before even riding it. Wanted maximum stopping power ??

REs use the older code caliper so sort of are Codes.
Saint or Zee are more powerful if that's your main concern.

 

[Stevfro99]

What brakes do you have, and what are you looking for from a new set? If you already have decent brakes the main difference between top end stopper tends to be how they feel in use, and this can tend to be down to personal preference, some people like and on/off feeling, and others a more gradual activation.

Sram code r I think they are. Been looking at the hope V4 but not sure what's better if anything at all

 

[Cris]

I didn’t do anything major, just switched from 180 discs to 203s with the appropriate adapters, made a big difference for little money

 

[Russell]

I swapped from deore to zee front and back and put a 203 disc on the front. It's now plenty good enough for the xc I do. If I did DH it would probably need stronger brakes.

 

[Couchy]

Shimano M615 and find them very good, original pads only lasted 250 miles though, all off road and a lot of wet trails

 

[outerlimits]

Shimano M615 and find them very good, original pads only lasted 250 miles though, all off road and a lot of wet trails

These are underrated for Shimano, the servo wave leavers are as good as the SLX ect. Just don’t have all the adjustments.
To get leaver feel back after pad wear is just a matter of removing wheel and half squeeze the leaver and refit wheel.

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

I've only a decent experience with 3x brakes on emtbs. The code RSC were like hitting a wall. Impressive. I went middle of the road as my bike was a little lighter. Stop plenty, consistently. Guide Ultimates. The basic, cheaper brakes, level t. They did the job just fine and if on a budget I'd be more than happy stopping a new levo. On a heavier bike, I doubt they'd suffice. Or if you've prolonged downhill runs.

 

[outerlimits]

I've only a decent experience with 3x brakes on emtbs. The code RSC were like hitting a wall. Impressive. I went middle of the road as my bike was a little lighter. Stop plenty, consistently. Guide Ultimates. The basic, cheaper brakes, level t. They did the job just fine and if on a budget I'd be more than happy stopping a new levo. On a heavier bike, I doubt they'd suffice. Or if you've prolonged downhill runs.

The level T’s on my Levo are fine but the front they fit up a Gide 4 piston caliper from factory. Just need to fit a Guide caliper to the rear and they’ll be perfect.
Many people hate on the Guides so should be able to pick up a set cheap and rob a caliper.

 

[njn]

Code Rs and fine, changed the pads from organic to sintered after the stock ones wore out. RSCs have ball bearing pivots and pad contact point adjustment which are nice and noticeable improvements, but don't affect the overall power.

 

[Jezzer]

Swapped to Code RSC from Base level T and made a huge difference! Much more powerful and useable.

 

[paquo]

Code Rs and fine, changed the pads from organic to sintered after the stock ones wore out. RSCs have ball bearing pivots and pad contact point adjustment which are nice and noticeable improvements, but don't affect the overall power.

i think the rsc has 15% more power than the R. I binned the stock pads on the rsc and switched to sintered aftermarket which felt much better without that harsh metal on metal noise and feel. Sadly the replacements from discobrakes don't last too long, good thing they are insanely inexpensive. I really like the brakes and the adjustments that give you immediate response. But given my horrible experience with avid/sram i am just waiting for them to break.

 

[Benson]

i think the rsc has 15% more power than the R. I binned the stock pads on the rsc and switched to sintered aftermarket which felt much better without that harsh metal on metal noise and feel. Sadly the replacements from discobrakes don't last too long, good thing they are insanely inexpensive. I really like the brakes and the adjustments that give you immediate response. But given my horrible experience with avid/sram i am just waiting for them to break.

Did you go for the sintered version (copper back) of these? DiscoBrakes.Com :: Shop :: DiscoBrakes Shop :: SRAM Avid :: Code 2011, Code R :: OBE-DA05SG

 

[paquo]

Did you go for the sintered version (copper back) of these? DiscoBrakes.Com :: Shop :: DiscoBrakes Shop :: SRAM Avid :: Code 2011, Code R :: OBE-DA05SG

I looked, i have the kevlar version installed so the sintered might last better

 

[Benson]

I looked, i have the kevlar version installed so the sintered might last better

Cool thanks, as you say they’re pretty reasonably priced so might push the boat out and try both on the next change.

 

[Kernow]

I have Guide RS front and rear on my Whyte T130 and I've never had a moments problem. Ditto with the Guide RS on the YT Capra that I had. Before I bought the bikes, I had been warned endlessly that Guides were just rebadged Avids, and I was in for a world of pain. But I had read the reviews in the bike mags and I could not find a bad word about them. "They are paid to say good things" I was told. I'm glad I ignored the Jeremiahs. The brakes have been excellent!

I see the guides have been voted favourite and most reliable brake on a bike radar , certainly liking my code r after a year of use and a few sets of pads and the guides look to be much the same just a lighter version , they use the same pad .

 

[Kbanny]

I changed from the 2 pot Shimano brakes on my cube stereo to a full set of tech 3 e4 hope brakes and its made a massive difference 10x better.