Shimano XT Disc Brake System

Advantages: Excellent lever feel, stopping power, durability
Disadvantages: when they squeel, they REALLY squeel

...Orange), Avid Juicys and the Shimano XT. I chose Shimano for various reasons and the following review will hopefully outline why I took this course of action over the much hyped Hope and Avids. Having tested various systems on demo bikes around the country, it seemed to me that there was little to choose between the braking characteristics of my shortlisted products. However, the Shimano just edged it on the progressive feel of the braking action. ...
...was the aftermarket availability of Shimano parts. Only Hope comes close it seems. Go into any bike shop anywhere in Europe, or the world for that matter, and you will see Shimano products on display. It's reassuring to know that if things do go wrong, you're never far away from the part you need. So, one year (almost) in and how's the system performing? In short...I made the right choice. I wouldn't swap them for any other product if I was paid ... Read review

Advantages: cheaper than contemporaries
Disadvantages: difficult hoses

...shimano, in using a new 4 pot system have moved into the league usually dominated by Hope. the 4 pot system gives greater power than two pot systems and doesnt overheat easily. the shimano is better than the hopes because it uses two cylinders to drive the pads rather than the one cylinder that the hope uses to drive all 4 pads. the shimanos are also a lot cheaper than other systems with comparible performance, although they need expensive hubs, making them more expensive than the hope open 2s. the braided hoses are bombproof but need to be precut and the levers give superb modulation and good feel.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Ride quality; Build Quality; Customer Service of Company
Disadvantages: Can't ride it enough

.... A reasonably light material, with the benefits of a bit of flex. This provides a comfortable ride, negating 'trail buzz', and appeals to the purists who don\'t like the harsh stiffness of an aluminium frame, or the 'cheat' of a full-suspension bike. The design is compact, with a sloping top tube meaning you'll need a long seatpost. As this is a frame only you can spec up the bike exactly the way you want to (there are also some deals available through Cotic for things like forks and stems). I built mine up with a SRAM 9-Speed system (x.7 throughout, except the front mech which is Shimano XT); Hope Mono Mini disc brakes; wide Easton riser bars; and some great wheels built on DMR Revolver hubs with bombproof Mavic rims. The geometry of the frame as a whole is designed to put the rider slightly forward, putting more weight through the front wheel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful