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

...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... Read review

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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

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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

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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

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Advantages: They Stop The Bike
Disadvantages: Not Disk Breaks

...Shimano LX M600 M-system V brake blocks (not pads but they are the same thing) are the brakes my bike uses. They consist of two rubber blocks with a screw comming out of them, for easy fixing to your bike. Fixing them is easy anyone who can use a spanner can do it, and at around about 6-99 a pair then they are a lot more resonable than brakes for cars. (Yet another reaon to ditch the motor around town) One of the most important things brakes do is stop your bike and it is vitaly important that they do it quickly. When new and properly adjusted these babies are bloody good at doing that task, and if you have been used to a dodgy old worn pair then it is not a good idea to hit the front brakes too hard. Unless a mate has a camcorder handy then you could earn a quick 200 quid from Youve been Framed. The next most important thing... Read review

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Advantages: Well made. Well finished. Excellent durabilty. Quality piece of kit
Disadvantages: Come equipped with Rim Wranglers Brake Pads

...A bit of History V-brakes were originally developed by Shimano, and were an improvement on the older centre pull cantilever brakes. By lengthening the arms the amount of force applied to the rim could be increased, so improving braking performance. V-brakes are now being superseded by disc brakes. Disc brakes offer vastly superior wet weather braking performance, and are the brake of choice where extreme performance is required i.e. freeride and downhill. And the Avids? The single digit 7's feature Force Vector Alignment, and stainless hardware. Build quality and finish is excellent. I know because I have some Deore's and Tektro's to compare them against. Durability is good too - paint and fittings have lasted extremely well despite 2 years worth of being sprayed with mud and then hosed down by yours truly... Read review

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Advantages: Good price, Good looking frame, Smooth disc brakes
Disadvantages: Front Suspension Fork is very poor, esp for off road use

.../cycling to work when everyone else sees sense! Right down to the specs of the bike, here they are Frame: Trek Alpha SL aluminium Forks: RST Gila T7 80mm travel with adjustable preload Gears: Shimano FD-C050 front and Shimano Alivio rear derailleurs Shifters: Shimano EF50 Chainset: SR CW7-XCT-T102 with 42s/34s/24s tooth chainrings Brakes: Tektro 845AL Wheels: Bontrager Camino rims built on Joytech front and Shimano RM60-8 rear hubs Bontrager Connection Trail Handlebars: Bontrager Crowbar Sport Stem: Bontrager Sport 25d Saddle: Bontrager Select ATB Seatpost: Bontrager Sport mm The only real downfall of the 4300 is the front suspension forks, these are of poor quality, if used in only moderate off road, its destined to break, I checked out forums before I purchased the bike, there were people who... Read review

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Advantages: Solid, solid or yeh solid
Disadvantages: too solid?

...Got a Set, Got a Set - You know you’ll love these from the beginner ‘in cleats’ to the pro who wants more grip on a fun bike to the person who’s fed up of bent bars and more $. The pictures with the black skirt you can get them in metal (these are what I have). I bought these when I was new to SPDs and wasn’t sure I would be any good., I thought cool I’ll be able to do both, trainers and cleats (just in case I really couldn’t cope). I’ll put this in now - if you’re a beginner do SPD before anything you’ll love them, before shocks, disc’is before V-brakes (if your not that far into the sport.) You can’t really use these for trainers ! - lucky for me I loved SPD. The insert for the cleat sticks at such an angle for easy cleat “in” this means in trainers you’ve got a very uncomfortable piece of metal been pushed... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent performance in wet/muddy conditions, rim friendly, good wear rates
Disadvantages: Pricier than the competition

...This review is for the dual compound cartridge pads. They are black/salmon in colour. A bit of History The real secret of the Kool Stop's superior braking power is the salmon compound. Originally it was developed by Scott-Mathauser, and was recognised as the finest brake pads available, both for it's superior stopping power and durable compound. Kool Stop was under contract to Scott-Mathauser to manufacture their pads.Kool Stop obtained the rights to manufacture the salmon pads when Scott-Mathauser went out of business. The secret of the pads is that they contain iron oxide (i.e. rust), and work on the same principle as sintering does for disc brake pads. They dramatically improve wet weather braking performance as well as wear. Features of the Kool Stop Pads Along with the salmon compound, the pads also feature... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to fit and maintain plus great price
Disadvantages: Will need adjusting from time to time

...Overall: The Avid BB7 mechanical disc brake is a good option if you're looking for an aftermarket mechanical disc brake that's both affordable and adjustable. By most accounts (including mine), the Tri-Align Caliper Positioning System is the easiest way to mount a disc brake on a mountain bike, and it allows you to spend less time cursing tiny shims and stomping around your shop or garage. While I wouldn't argue that the long-term performance of the Avid mechanical brakes trumps that of most hydraulic brake systems on the market, they're far and above the best mechanical disc brakes that I've tried. If you have the choice between a set of Avid mechanicals and pretty much any other mechanical disc brake available today, go with the Avid and save yourself a bunch of headaches and many days of sore hands. If you're considering a set... Read review

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