EBC Shimano Deore Mechanical 2001 Disc Brake Pads

Advantages: Top quality kit
Disadvantages: Nothing at all

...and no flex are a great bonus. The one thing I will talk about is the brakes. One of my reasons for a new bike was to get disc brakes. If your wanting to stop well in the rain and like cycling in the hills and mud then get discs. The bike comes with AVID Juicy hydraulic disc brakes. These are way better than the standard cable pull ones. Whilst they may not be top of the peg ones they offer excellent good all round breaking power for the normal user. It took me a few rides to break in the discs and pads (rather like getting new brakes on a car). But once this was one they stop like nothing on earth. The AVID brakes just look great on the bike, less cumbersome than the Shimano ones you get on other bikes. Anyways, combine the brakes with the specialized tyres and you have some great control. OTHER BITS FRAME New for 07 M4 manipulated alloy... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Last for ages and easy to fit
Disadvantages: None

...I've used the Avid BB7 mechanical for over three years now & have been satisfied using these sintered (Gold) pads. The setup was both the stock 160mm rotor & 185mm rotor. Even in pouring rain the 160mm plus these Avid pads stop the bike with great modulation. Now I have one installed for the front for my XC bike which stops like a dream. Occasionally dirt and oil may require you to clean them by either soaking the pads in alcohol & sanding a thin layer. In either case, the pads last a long time and the break-in period is fast! (Just pour water on the rotor, go down the hill and brake hard couple times) These brake pads can vary from dealer to dealer but mainly the retail for around £15, there are various online stores that they can pe purchased from including "Evanscycles.com" and "chainreactioncycles.com"... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Stops your bike. Easy to setup.
Disadvantages: Takes a while to bed in. Supplied pads rubbish.

...Oooh... brakes these days. Rim or Disc? Cable or Hydralic? The way things are going, you'd swear that disc brakes were the be all and end all of brakes these days, but you'd be wrong, as Shimano will be eager to prove. Shimano have been doing V-brakes for quite a while now, and the LX really demonstrates that. Whilst I was sorely tempted by a disc brake, I can't really see what all the fuss is about. Yes, if you're into hurtling down hills on your 55lb monster downhill bike then discs are for you, if you're a cross country rider trying to shave a bit off the weight then vees are still you best bet. The brake is the cheapest in the Shimano range to offer the parallelogram design, which keeps the brake pads parallel to the braking surface, resulting in longer pad life and better braking performance. Setting the brakes up... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful