I'm considering buying new brakes for my DH bike so I can move the current ones onto another bike. I've been running Hayes HFX-9's (8" F, 6" R) for a while. They're OK, but things I don't like are vague lever feel, lots of drag because they don't keep their adjustment, and lack of power and modulation. They are decent, but they could definately be better. The brakes I'm considering and their downfalls and virutes from what I've gathered are:
-Another set of HFX-9's. Easy to work on/easy to get parts, but not the greatest performance. I've got this option in the back of my head right now.
-Avid Juicey 5's. Good power and modulation, hard to bleed, I don't like the lever feel. There's a weird click feel in the middle of the stroke, so I don't really want these. Definately at the bottom of my list right now.
-Shimano Saint. Great modulation and lever feel, not the greatest power. I'm not concerned too much with that because modulation is more important to me. I really like these brakes, and they're at the top of my list right now.
-And last but not least, Hopes. I'm skeptical because I've never even seen a set and they're feel has been described as "woody," but they definately have a following. The different options are confusing. I want to run 8" F and 6" R, but I don't know if the 6 Ti or the 4 is better. I'm a little concerned about replacement parts. One thing I really like is the machining and overall quality. They look killer too. These are in second right now.
Can anyone give me advice beyond "buy this?" I would prefer people that have ridden multiple systems. What are the advantages and drawbacks of each system? The things that are important to me are weight and modulation, but reliability is nice. I am mechanically inclined so bleeding isn't much of an issue. Thanks for any advice and info. Discuss...
-Another set of HFX-9's. Easy to work on/easy to get parts, but not the greatest performance. I've got this option in the back of my head right now.
-Avid Juicey 5's. Good power and modulation, hard to bleed, I don't like the lever feel. There's a weird click feel in the middle of the stroke, so I don't really want these. Definately at the bottom of my list right now.
-Shimano Saint. Great modulation and lever feel, not the greatest power. I'm not concerned too much with that because modulation is more important to me. I really like these brakes, and they're at the top of my list right now.
-And last but not least, Hopes. I'm skeptical because I've never even seen a set and they're feel has been described as "woody," but they definately have a following. The different options are confusing. I want to run 8" F and 6" R, but I don't know if the 6 Ti or the 4 is better. I'm a little concerned about replacement parts. One thing I really like is the machining and overall quality. They look killer too. These are in second right now.
Can anyone give me advice beyond "buy this?" I would prefer people that have ridden multiple systems. What are the advantages and drawbacks of each system? The things that are important to me are weight and modulation, but reliability is nice. I am mechanically inclined so bleeding isn't much of an issue. Thanks for any advice and info. Discuss...