I’m not sure about brake upgrades...

[Shifty]

I see people wanting to upgrade their brakes. Mine will lock up at any speed anywhere, if I am boneheaded enough to snatch at them. (I did in an emergency and went OTB, bending my mech).
So im not sure what the appeal of brake upgrades are? Have I missed something? The best upgrade I can make to improve is better rubber and better technique. As the brakes work?

 

[Zimmerframe]

It's the usual thing of everyones circumstances are different in how they ride and what they want or what they're used to.

Sometimes it's just about feel and modulation. Sometimes it's about more efficient heat dissipation. Sometimes it's the raging desire to have something new and shiny ...

I think most brakes when grabbed hard on an MTB have the possibility of throwing you over the bars, but that doesn't necessarily mean they have the same stopping power if you're trying to shred speed from 70kph. If you think the same about a car, you can stomp the brakes and lock up, but if you're going quickly and need to slow down fast, sometimes you want more braking power.

For me, I think the power of my Kenevo brakes are generally fine .. but I HATE that they scream like hell when it's even slightly damp (no matter what I do to clean them up and start from scratch) I also notice a massive drop in braking power when they scream which has caused me several scary moments to the point that I consider them dangerous. So they're on my shopping list to change - even though in theory - they should be fine !!

 

[Pdoz]

It's a historical thing.

For anyone who grew up on bmx with coaster hubs... and slipped off the pedals.....those who have voluntarily dragged skin across the road in a desperate attempt to stop those tyres from further reducing our chances of ever having sex ....you'll understand

For those who grew up riding big bore blue smokes with drum brakes .....you'll understand.

Wet rims and worn out rim beakes....with rusty cables....you'll understand.

How can anyone NOT want the latest and greatest brakes?

 

[Zimmerframe]

I'm torn at the moment between twin 330's with 4 pots or the new 650mm rim disk.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

I see people wanting to upgrade their brakes. Mine will lock up at any speed anywhere, if I am boneheaded enough to snatch at them. (I did in an emergency and went OTB, bending my mech).
So im not sure what the appeal of brake upgrades are? Have I missed something? The best upgrade I can make to improve is better rubber and better technique. As the brakes work?

How many fingers do you use when braking? If you aren’t already, try using one finger-pull to have more modulation.

One of my friends wanted to try out my MTB yonks ago when disc brakes first came out. I warned her that the brakes are super strong and to just dab them gently. When she got to the end of my driveway she white-knuckled the levers each with four fingers. Instant OTB.

 

[Dax]

Heat tolerance. Nothing like running out of brakes halfway down a decent

 

[KenX]

Shifty,
If they work for you, don't change!!! Save your dosh for tyres, chains etc.......

 

[MitchF]

For those who grew up riding big bore blue smokes with drum brakes .....you'll understand.


Amen ????

 

[routrax]

Heat dissipation and general performance when hot.
On long descents you can completely cook them and end up with nothing. I've done it twice now and it's not much fun!
I've just ordered some Zee's as an upgrade to Deores.

 

[apac]

Anyone ever splashed out on hope two piece vented rotors? They are about £100 each. You need the hope tech 3 V4 calipers for them to fit, not sure if they can be used with other calipers. Designed like car brake discs with an air gap between each side of the disc. Do they live up to the price?

 

[apac]

I've heard(on a hot rodder diy ebike forum) that TRP Zurich calipers coupled with the TRP 2.3mm thick rotors are excellent for stopping from very high speeds. Ive been told this by someone who has tried a number of high quality brakes including Hope.