Pro #1: Lever Bleeds! As long as the fluid is still clean, you just screw the funnel on and play with the lever until bubbles stop coming and you're done. I was getting some fade on my old SLX two pistons until I installed the finned pads and ice-tech rotors. That not only eliminated all fade, it seemed to help with modulation. My new bike has the new Deore four pistons and they don't play so nice with finned pads (you can use Saint/Zee pads, but I think you need to grind off a fin) so I plan to try the MTX red labels with ice-tech rotors. I had to order those from two different stores like you said. Even brake hoses and olives/barbs are a little hard to find.
I've heard now after alot testing the fins don't make any difference? I got the full works on my new bike there 2024 everything is XT and a reason I went for this bike but the 4pot XT I need to clean their not the best after 3 rides but definitely has to be the bedding top surface layer crud left on the pads making them squel and have a funny tick tick tick tick when pull the lever slightly when they are warmed up it happens! So going to clean them out today and see if any better! As for the Finned pads are they worth getting for it like I said so many now saying they make no difference? Obviously I think they do it's a heat sink it has to have something to divert the heat even if not much it's still something! And with the big 203mm ice tech disks on it!
I used finned pads and Ice-tech rotors on my old CC leaning Fuel EX and was happy with them. I do think they resisted fade better than non-finned and the low end Shimano rotors. When I got my Ripmo AF I slapped Ice-tech rotors on with MTX red pads since the Deore four pots didn't really like finned pads. I prefer MTX pads, they are quieter, don't glaze nearly as easily and bite and modulation are better. After a couple of years I decided the current gen Shimano brakes just aren't as good as the older ones and I saw others come to the same conclusion. The Ripmo encourages higher speeds and fade was again occurring if less often. More distressing was the wondering bite point. I didn't have it often, but once is too much. I switched to TRP DH-R Evo and TRP 2.3 thick rotors. More power, more modulation, lighter lever feel, and consistent. Still using MTX red. I haven't had any fade. Bleeding is the same, bedding in was longer, but the end result was consistent better performance. I still love Shimano shifting, for brakes I'm a TRP convert.
I've been riding SRAM (all levels) on my bikes and they have been great. My ebike came with Shimano and I was gonna switch but I can say that the Shimano brakes are good as well. Can't say I really like one over the other but did expect to not like them. I was wrong.
I expected to not like the SRAMs when I bought the 5010 but they were fine. I just felt there were times that I didn't think the SRAMs would actually stop me. Granted stopping on a dime can lead to bad things but the confidence wasn't there in specific situations.
I got the full set and 203mm ice tech discs on my new bike there they haven't been great to be honest but think it's down to the bedding in the crap on the pads so cleaning them all this afternoon get these pads cleaned up theres something like ticking in the front when they heat up its more annoying than an issue with breaking and Squeal like heck now after 3rd run so definitely got to be the bedding in process!
I finally actually bought some new parts this year. upgraded from 22 year old disc brakes. Guy at bike shop said they were the last pair the distributor had left 4 hours after they arrived. I got an EVS R4 collar to go with my new helmet. Wife has me wearing everything now. I feel like the kids in the back seat wrapped in bubble wrap but at least she's letting me ride.
Hey, at least you're riding! Any replacement brake or drivetrain part is going to be hard to get. I'm tempted to just buy any spare part I can find just in case.
@@BrianVaughn toilet paper 2.0 :) Springvale opened part of the new trails. Must be a different company they seem way better designed. the ones from last year have some ugly berms and half the features are eroding to nothing like some of the stuff at elk river.
@@JohnBooth That a bummer. Elk River put some rocks to fortify some of their stuff that was fading away. I think you need a dedicated crew to maintain a lot of that stuff.
Have you heard of the Flow 120 brake levers? I just ordered a pair to replace my stock M8120 XT levers. The reach adjustment on the OEM levers is not a very good design in my opinion.
Hi, so I race enduro and downhill, but I'm not sure what brakes to get, are the xt brakes good for dh and enduro or are they mora a trail oriented brake?
Shimano makes the Saints for DH usage. I think the XT brakes can be used for Enduro and I think a few EWS riders use them. I think if the bike is more DH riding I'd get the saints. If you end up with XT brakes, get the four piston versions.
Shimano brakes just work. Ive had many issues with SRAM brakes; Frozen pistons, rubbing, look at the rotor wrong and they un-true slightly, SRAM brakes = Low quality! Shimano’s have always been solid for me, drivetrains and brakes. I do think the SRAM drivetrains are good, they just need to get there brakes figured out.
What planet are you living on? I last bled my codes April 2019 in that time I’ve been through 7 shimano calliper and when they’re not leaking all over my £35 brake pads they need constant maintenance to have them working at an acceptable level and prevent the random bite point issue.
Maybe you or the shop did a shit job setting them up. Also might be the weather you're riding in. Odds are if the common denominator is you, it's you that are the problem.
@@BrianVaughn it’s my fault Shimano have had an issue with its piston seals for the last ten years or however long they’ve been using ceramic pistons for? What about the random bite point issue?
Yeh I cannot stand the Sram Brakes, any bike I have had with them they get pulled. I find bang for the buck XT’s are really good but one of my bikes I splurged for the Hope’s and they are so sweet, the rest of my bikes have XT. The bike that got the Hope’s had Magura MT4 brakes and they went on my wife’s Farley. They actually are pretty decent.
you reference using SRAM Guide R brakes previously and "they worked fine". So what are SRAM Guide R brakes? Am I supposed to go look them up and then go back to your video? Are they four piston or two piston? How do they differ from Shimano? Some addition background would have been appreciated.
Pro #1: Lever Bleeds! As long as the fluid is still clean, you just screw the funnel on and play with the lever until bubbles stop coming and you're done. I was getting some fade on my old SLX two pistons until I installed the finned pads and ice-tech rotors. That not only eliminated all fade, it seemed to help with modulation. My new bike has the new Deore four pistons and they don't play so nice with finned pads (you can use Saint/Zee pads, but I think you need to grind off a fin) so I plan to try the MTX red labels with ice-tech rotors. I had to order those from two different stores like you said. Even brake hoses and olives/barbs are a little hard to find.
Lever bleeds are so easy. That is another plus for sure. I know some people say the fins rattle but I think they are great.
I've heard now after alot testing the fins don't make any difference? I got the full works on my new bike there 2024 everything is XT and a reason I went for this bike but the 4pot XT I need to clean their not the best after 3 rides but definitely has to be the bedding top surface layer crud left on the pads making them squel and have a funny tick tick tick tick when pull the lever slightly when they are warmed up it happens! So going to clean them out today and see if any better! As for the Finned pads are they worth getting for it like I said so many now saying they make no difference? Obviously I think they do it's a heat sink it has to have something to divert the heat even if not much it's still something! And with the big 203mm ice tech disks on it!
I used finned pads and Ice-tech rotors on my old CC leaning Fuel EX and was happy with them. I do think they resisted fade better than non-finned and the low end Shimano rotors. When I got my Ripmo AF I slapped Ice-tech rotors on with MTX red pads since the Deore four pots didn't really like finned pads. I prefer MTX pads, they are quieter, don't glaze nearly as easily and bite and modulation are better. After a couple of years I decided the current gen Shimano brakes just aren't as good as the older ones and I saw others come to the same conclusion. The Ripmo encourages higher speeds and fade was again occurring if less often. More distressing was the wondering bite point. I didn't have it often, but once is too much. I switched to TRP DH-R Evo and TRP 2.3 thick rotors. More power, more modulation, lighter lever feel, and consistent. Still using MTX red. I haven't had any fade. Bleeding is the same, bedding in was longer, but the end result was consistent better performance. I still love Shimano shifting, for brakes I'm a TRP convert.
I've been riding SRAM (all levels) on my bikes and they have been great. My ebike came with Shimano and I was gonna switch but I can say that the Shimano brakes are good as well. Can't say I really like one over the other but did expect to not like them. I was wrong.
I expected to not like the SRAMs when I bought the 5010 but they were fine. I just felt there were times that I didn't think the SRAMs would actually stop me. Granted stopping on a dime can lead to bad things but the confidence wasn't there in specific situations.
I got the full set and 203mm ice tech discs on my new bike there they haven't been great to be honest but think it's down to the bedding in the crap on the pads so cleaning them all this afternoon get these pads cleaned up theres something like ticking in the front when they heat up its more annoying than an issue with breaking and Squeal like heck now after 3rd run so definitely got to be the bedding in process!
I never comment, but your videos are the best. I’d be so upset if u stopped posting. Hope I see u out there someday bro.
I appreciate that. The videos will keep on coming and I'm sure we'll cross paths on the trails. Thanks.
Great review. I'm planning to buy Shimano XT brakes, and this helped.
Glad I could help!
I finally actually bought some new parts this year. upgraded from 22 year old disc brakes. Guy at bike shop said they were the last pair the distributor had left 4 hours after they arrived. I got an EVS R4 collar to go with my new helmet. Wife has me wearing everything now. I feel like the kids in the back seat wrapped in bubble wrap but at least she's letting me ride.
Hey, at least you're riding! Any replacement brake or drivetrain part is going to be hard to get. I'm tempted to just buy any spare part I can find just in case.
@@BrianVaughn toilet paper 2.0 :) Springvale opened part of the new trails. Must be a different company they seem way better designed. the ones from last year have some ugly berms and half the features are eroding to nothing like some of the stuff at elk river.
@@JohnBooth That a bummer. Elk River put some rocks to fortify some of their stuff that was fading away. I think you need a dedicated crew to maintain a lot of that stuff.
These brakes are really good quality. Love them on my XC setup.
Great review... love my set... are you running organic or metallic pads? Idk if I missed that in the vid.
Thanks! They came with metallic pads.
Agree with you here 🤷🏼♂️
It's hard to consider sram when shimano is just SO good...
SRAM has the OEM market locked down. Need more affordable shimano builds. Thanks for turning in.
Have you heard of the Flow 120 brake levers? I just ordered a pair to replace my stock M8120 XT levers. The reach adjustment on the OEM levers is not a very good design in my opinion.
Look like a nice option. I have seen a video on these before. I can't remember the final verdict but if I break a kever I'll check them out.
Heading out to burtrum right now. Yeah!!
Have fun!
@@BrianVaughn did over 14 miles. Trails are nice. A couple new features. Dusty slippery in many places. FUN. Legs are wrecked 🚲
Morning Brian
Morning Harry!
Definitely prefer Shimano over Sram, can't beat the durability and feel!
I'm really impressed with the feel of these brakes.
Hi, so I race enduro and downhill, but I'm not sure what brakes to get, are the xt brakes good for dh and enduro or are they mora a trail oriented brake?
Shimano makes the Saints for DH usage. I think the XT brakes can be used for Enduro and I think a few EWS riders use them. I think if the bike is more DH riding I'd get the saints. If you end up with XT brakes, get the four piston versions.
@@BrianVaughn oh ok thanks 👍🏻
Shimano brakes just work. Ive had many issues with SRAM brakes; Frozen pistons, rubbing, look at the rotor wrong and they un-true slightly, SRAM brakes = Low quality! Shimano’s have always been solid for me, drivetrains and brakes. I do think the SRAM drivetrains are good, they just need to get there brakes figured out.
Shimano stuff just works. New logo! Looking good!
What planet are you living on? I last bled my codes April 2019 in that time I’ve been through 7 shimano calliper and when they’re not leaking all over my £35 brake pads they need constant maintenance to have them working at an acceptable level and prevent the random bite point issue.
Maybe you or the shop did a shit job setting them up. Also might be the weather you're riding in. Odds are if the common denominator is you, it's you that are the problem.
@@BrianVaughn it’s my fault Shimano have had an issue with its piston seals for the last ten years or however long they’ve been using ceramic pistons for? What about the random bite point issue?
Not really an issue with a good bleed. Not something I noticed on the XTs but I'm riding trails not bike parks.
Yeh I cannot stand the Sram Brakes, any bike I have had with them they get pulled. I find bang for the buck XT’s are really good but one of my bikes I splurged for the Hope’s and they are so sweet, the rest of my bikes have XT. The bike that got the Hope’s had Magura MT4 brakes and they went on my wife’s Farley. They actually are pretty decent.
I've heard good things about Hope. I can't say the same about Magura. They seem to have an issue with levers breaking.
@@BrianVaughn well being they are on the wife’s fat bike she will never be hard enough on them to break them.
You going to get out today?
Theodore Wirth this morning
you reference using SRAM Guide R brakes previously and "they worked fine". So what are SRAM Guide R brakes? Am I supposed to go look them up and then go back to your video? Are they four piston or two piston? How do they differ from Shimano? Some addition background would have been appreciated.
@@curveball9999 bro, you are commenting on a video that is so old. If you don't know what Guide brakes are, then maybe this video isn't for you.
@@BrianVaughn bro, based on your response, I am sure none of your videos are for me.