[DirtyDog]

My new bike has Hayes El Caminos. They kinda suck. The reach adjustment knob turns right off of the adjustment screw. I'll glue that back on but that's just one of several problems. Even with the reach adjustment screw all the way out, and the power knob all the way down, the brakes lock up when the lever is halfway squeezed. The hope Minis I used to own had a perfect range of modulation with lockup being achieved just before the lever reached the grip. The El Caminos have adjustments all over them but they seem to accomplish jack ****. The pad clearance at the rotor is so tight that I don't know how its possible to get them not to rub.

Unfortunately, Hope went to the Mini Mono which has had poor reviews. Can anyone suggest a good xc brake? Or am I jumping the gun and these Caminos will break in and not suck so much ass?

 

[chicodude]

The caminos do in fact suck.

Carbon Juicys are pretty sick. That'd be my choice, I do suppose.

 

[Westy]

I don't know the problems people have been having in the "reviews" but other than a bit of squealing I like my mono mini's. I don't own any but from testing friends bikes I really liked XT's and XTR's. good power and modulation.

 

[syadasti]

I have some XTs and Avid Juicy 5's. Both are strong decent brakes and work great but the XT have more modulation. I would go for the Avid J5 if you are on a budget and the XT/Saints w/6 bolt rotors otherwise. I've owned every single Hope mono (mini, 4, and 6) and wasn't that impressed overall - they were acceptable and consistent but not worth the money and didn't feel as strong as the Hayes, XT, or J5s, but I liked them better than Hayes (I've had Mag and HFXs). The new Maguras seem pretty decent, but I've never owned a pair personally and I assume spare parts might be harder to find on the go vs. Avid/SRAM or Shimano.

I personally think you don't need a million adjustments on your brakes like the avid/hayes marketing would like you to believe.

 

[rpk1988]

Juicy 7's or the 7 Carbons. Awesome brakes.

 

[Wumpus]

Avic Juicys or Magura Martas.

 

[MOTODH]

I have el caminos and they do not seems to be like you described, they feel like a very constant modulation, no lock really. The adjuster just changes the lever angles, maybe try bleeding the brake? they seems alright to me, not the most impressive but eh

 

[Brian HCM#1]

I like my Mini Mono's they seem to have plenty of stopping power.

 

[maxyedor]

Magura Martas or for a little more power Louis they are still p!ss light and have gobs of power.

 

[blue]

Excellent stopping power and modulation...they never fade or heat up!

 

[Muuqi]

Avid Juicy's feel awesome, but are a bit of a pain to bleed. Shimano on the other hand feels equally as good and stupid simple to bleed.

 

[rpk1988]

Wow thats funny, the guys in my shop say that the Juicys are the easiest to bleed and the Shimanos sometimes give them trouble.

 

[TCP21]

juicy 7s or hope 6ti

 

[bjanga]

Thought about avid mechs? Jenson has a set with 6" rotors for $150.