I've been mountain biking for many years now and over time I've tried a wide array of braking systems on my various bikes. I was always a huge fan of Avid's braking products and had test ridden a number of bikes with their Juicy discs on before deciding on the right bike for me and taking the plunge into speccing my own custom build. The bike was to be a Yeti 575 and the brake choice came down to the Hope Mono minis (as fitted to my 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. You know exactly what the brake is doing and how much bite you have left at any given nano-second. It feels right. It feels safe. Let's face it, when you're bombing down the Wall at Afan, you need to have huge confidence in your braking ability!
The other deciding factor for me 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 to. I've subjected the brakes to some of the most fearsome challenges in the UK - Afan, Coed-y-Brenin, 7Stanes, Lake District and Fort William - and they keep coming back for more. Pad wear has been amazingly light (I am not a light rider!) and the system has performed flawlessly from new. Brake squeel is intermittent and avoidable by routine maintenance and servicing is a doddle. Bleeding the system is something I used to dread on the Hopes...but not on these. Take time to learn how to do it and it's as easy as falling off a bike (sorry, couldn't resist!).
Stopping power never seems to fade even on the longest descents. Only once have I had to brake harder at the bottom of a descent due to fade and this was trying out the Fort William downhill track...so hardly surprising! Even now, the feel and positive feedback you get from the brakes in all conditions defies logic and impresses me on every ride.
If I was to criticise the XT brakes it would be on a mere technicality. In our ever more vane world, they are not the prettiest brakes out there. For that you need to look at the Avid Juicys...or is that just me?!
However, let's be honest, you don't put disc brakes on your bike to look pretty. You put them there to enhance your enjoyment of riding and to save your bacon when you suddenly realise you're running out of trail and you're already out of talent! It's at these particularly scary moments that I for one am grateful that Mr Shimano made the XT system so damn well.
Try them out - they're cheaper (and lighter) than many brands and you'll never regret your choice. I certainly don't.
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