Love this channel.. I was again contemplating changing calipers and came back for a refresh having watched this a little while back.. I just appreciate your detailed explanations so much there is no reason to search elsewhere..you cover it best right here !
Thanks for these videos man. They helped me with my recent purchase from bike components. The Deore look like a brilliant min-max solution for me. Bonus points for highlighting my home turf, Hardwood, where I coach and instruct.
Great vid. Thanks for the content. I’ve subscribed. Doing my upgrade to these very brakes this week. Been on order since August and I’m pumped to try them!
Cool video thanks. I ride XT M8000 2 piston brakes on my giant Anthem 29er i am 100kg in weight and do long steep technical descends with constant braking , i am so happy with these breaks they have never let me down, would not want any other brakes. Cheers from South Africa.
i'm having shimano mt-520 caliper with H03C metal Brake Pads using 160mm rotor for front brake on my litespeed road bike, and i'm very happy using them , very powerful , linear , saving my sweat pulling break lever but also not too expensive, worth every penny.
My thoughts about 4 pot brakes is that it's such a marginal difference in weight, that I'd much rather have that extra power for the few times that I actually do need it. They also look much cooler
I run the Magura Mt5 - 4's on front and rear, with 220mm mdr frnt rotor and a 180mm HC rear. The difference between a 180mm and the 220 up front was totally noticable, like the 220 way better , easier more consistant braking at uber speeds.
Awesome video, thanks for the content. I have the old m615 levers with 420 calipers and its an incredible combo. had some 615 brakes and bought the 420 calipers than sold 615 standard ones. no much difference from saint but cost a fraction. recommend
Install recently 6120 with kevlar pads plus freeza rotors and got much better stopping power. I am 220 lbs rider and they hold me very well. Thanks for another great review. Another quality piece from shimano for less money.
Man I love your channel. Just got a m6120 brake for the rear to replace a m401 2 piston, going to install them tonight! Should go nice with the Zee m640 I've got in the front haha. I swear it seems like they no longer produce Zee's anymore, so I thought the m6120 would be close enough. Your channel has an absolute wealth of knowledge on it. And I love the reviews.
I had m8000 2 piston and now m8120. Don’t notice much difference. Then I recently install m6000 on my commuter bike. It seems to perform the same. But then again, I don’t go off roading with the commuter bike nor do I heat them up like some long down hills off road. Sometimes I wonder on my next build to go with the deore your reviewing. Cheaper........ very informative video by the way. Thanx!
Love you love MTB. I always follow your channel and always pay close attention to your recommendation on any product. It is a long time since you reviewed any continental tyres. Specifically cross country tyres. Last time when you reviewed they were " X king 2.2/2.4" and Race King 2.2" since then you may have seen continental revised their tyres slightly with "cross king 2.3/ race king 2.3 and you haven't uploaded any videos and real life measurement on that if I am not mistaken. but i was hugely benefitted with your measurements before. Not only with continental tyres but with others too. Specially it was eye opening for me to see maxxis's 2.2" width tyres are actually more beefier as well as bigger then schwalbe or any other brands 2.2" width tyres. And also your viewers can see have they make any improvements to their quality control like tyres' trueness. I mostly use schwalbe and maxxis tyres. Though love the maxxis tyres a bit more simply because of their nice quality control. Where the quality control of Schwalbe tyres aren't up to the mark of maxxis. Have found trueness issues with multiple varient of their tyres. Cheap nobby nic tlr tyres are worst. Where maxxis's super cheap wire bead ikon's always came with nice trueness out of the box, Schwalbe's fancy foldable-double defense-E-bike ready E-40, smart sam has same trueness issues like nobby nic's! I have tried everything! Both sides bead line are perfectly visible as well as beads are seated perfectly, wheels were true as ruler, But it felt like they don't want defected products to left behind! Have to Sell them at any cost! Though those issues are like bearable level. Don't look sharp but liveable. But those who are nerdy they can't live with them. I have no way of making videos like you otherwise schwalbe would have faced hard time to sell rubbish tyres.
I just ordered a set of the 6120s so just looking up some vids for them and came across your channel! Now im very excited I got the 6120s. I didn't want to spend over $200 on brakes and found these for $199 🎉 Thanks for the review!
Great comments: From what I understand the 4 piston calipers wear pads more evenly where they might be less likely to stick. I am leaning toward the 6120 to replace my 2 piston Deore, which stop fine for me, but as mentioned the sticking and uneven pad wear. (Never trouble finding 2 piston a pad though.) Also: the high-end Sram Code looks like it has a nice adjustable caliper, but I have never used Sram. If anything on a basic MTB a 2 piston is fine but after a long time I am considering a 4 piston on this new frame build. Thanks again for the video and comments of knowledge. Those 420 & 520s look good too.
I have a new Giant Trance 29-3 it came standard with the Deore 4 piston brake in the front and the Deore 2 piston in the rear they both are excellent and a big upgrade from my last bike with the basic Tektro brakes.
I just switch my front rotor to 180 with an adapter and everything else unchanged. I really notice the stopping power, but not grabby. It basically stops as expected where as before it seemed to lose stopping power on long steeper descents, probably overheating.
I still run one of the first Shimano Disc brakes BR M755. It's from around 2003 I think. Would be interesting to see a comparison between old 4 piston, new 4 piston and new 2 piston brakes.
@@AnarchoKapital Still have the m755 somewhere kept as spare. I've been using them with 180mm rotors and sintered pads. Switched few years ago to m675 - they are much more powerful, metalic pads with 203mm rotors, can't really complain for lack of power or modulation.
The h03 metallic finned pads fits perfectly in the 6120 brake caliper.. I use them without any problems at all.. the stock resin/not finned pads are awful specially when you use them on ebikes, metallic finned are a game changer indeed.
Hey! I used mt-200 brakes for 8 months, after using mechanical disk breaks, and I was really excited! I really had to do stoppy because I was like 'hey, I don't think that they are so good as seems so I would push the lever as always'. Than, my caliper had just broke, at the place of bolts(and it made my disk unrepaireble). I bought MT-520 caliper, replaced and can say, that there are more modulation than is was with mt-200 caliper. Like on sram guide maybe. A half length lever breaks smooth, but when fully - hard, so I fell down 2 times for 3 months.
Great review and because of it I have ordered a pair. Can you tell me if you have tried or considered using the wolf adapter to mount your sram GX shifter to the Shimano 6120 levers
I've had your same impression: way better modulation! I think with bigger rotors (203) worth definitely the upgrade. IMO it doesn't brake any better than the 2 pistons
Great channel, immediately subscribed ;) just ordered set of xt-m8100 before watching this video to my xc bike, now I'm wondering if I should take 4 pistons version for front after watching it ;/ BTW what is this nice handlebar you are using on this bike?
Nice overview! Is the fin pad incompatibility a problem for anybody? I feel like the fin pads are only a waste of money? I can barely feel decreasing braking performance on M8000 with semimetallic (Galfer) pads (no fins) on my light trail bike. Even origo resin pads are fine. I have never felt any brake fade on my enduro with ZEE plus metallic pads with no fins even after a day of bikepark runs.
Hi mate Great vid as usual thanks for your informative content! A bike I bought recently was fitted with the 4pot mt420’s though they seemed to have good bite but the fade was real. And i hated the non servo wave levers. Levers are huge and had no modulation, however i had some Deore 2pots m6100’s i removed from another previous bike. So i put the servo wave levers from the Deores on the mt420’s calipers! bled them up and wow these are now equivalent in power and modulation to Slx7120 4pots that came on my RipmoAf.
The 420 levers are awful. Switched my levers to a set of slx and they are awesome. But then I was able to buy a set of zee calipers for cheap and I like that combo even better.
Both. They are the same 2-3 finger levers from the low-end non series brakes. Very hard to get a good one finger grip and the lever needs to move more before it bites. Also very flexy.
I just got an MT520 caliper for the front on sale. It looks identical to the M6120 you show here. Haven't installed it yet. Upgrading from MT500 with 180mm rotors front and back.
@@LoveMTB It is arrived but i need to buy bleed tool to fit rear one (handle in set is not connected) And front one they send me wrong one 6100 instead 6120, so i need to sort it at monday when they opening customer office. So... still at old Sram Level brakes :D
@@LoveMTB I fit rear one (M6100) and here is a my experience vs. Sram Level T + extremely quiet + easy to set (allign) new set to disc + no problem with "Sram-like" Avid 180mm rotor (i don't wanna replace few weeks old rotor) + good braking power - even with brand new pads. + i like M6100 lever shape and how is allign on handlebar - fits better to my '2 fingers' than Sram Level T + mineral oil is not corrosive when drop on paint - mineral oil is more expensive than DOT5 and need to be replaced more often - but this is more 'apples vs oranges' thing ;) - i don't like is how Shimano secure brake pads... with safety pin, really? = same modulation as Sram Level T - but it can be different after pads allign to disc. I can recommend highly for rear wheel.
Have cheap Guide T 4 pots that came specced on my bike as standard and my god are they good on 200/180 rotors. Insane amount of force and can keep doing 1 finger stoppies all through the pads life and in the soaking wet which is new to me and the old crappy OEM shimmy ones I was using before. Pads I've been using are nukeproofs version for guides in semi metallic and they are better performing for half the price. Very good value for money, but I reckon these probably beat them for value. I like that these use the SLX style ceramic piston.
Thank you all the info you give!! Appreciate it. I had a question arr shimino brake lever interchange. I have a BLMT501 DELORE(I THINK) BUT IT JUST BUSTED with brake oil leaking out. Need to buy a New one. any pointers towards a new rearr brake lever with out changing the whole set up
I've been looking for an answer to this question, and you probably know it. Could I put an m8120 xt brake lever on an existing cheap mt-420 4 piston rotor with a straight cable?
I have XT 8020 on the front and XT 8000 on the back. The biggest difference is the modulation. The 8000 goes to full lock up very quickly. I'm going to switch the rears to 8020 as well.
Weight distribution when braking also makes a huge difference on lockup on the rear or not. I was just riding today, and I have the lowly M500 brakes on my bike. I had to crank on both, and due to my weight distribution the rear tire skidded and the front just...stopped. Same brakes, different result.
Subscribed! Great channel and probably one of THE best for reviews. No Bull, straight to it. Like how you look at budget as well as high end. I am looking at brake upgrades at the moment from my stock Tektro (the ones that come with every budget mtb) Thinking of just standard Deore But 4 pot calipers??? As i ride in th UK which of course is like PNW!
Thanks for the reply! Love your content. Its great at understanding the range too. I recently upgraded my drivetrain based off advice from your other vids. Went with Shimano SLX SGS deraillier and shifter but a sunrace cmz903 11-51 tooth cassette. Massive improvement on the old 3x9. My budget bike is looking a lot better and dropper post is next and then brakes. Thanks, think i will go m6100 deores with larger rotors. 👍🏻👍🏻
@@LoveMTB hey man, me again! I managed to get a sweet deal on SLX M7100 brakes, supplied with metallic fin pads! Will be using your video next couple of days to fit them! Although. Do agree about the blue colour! But hey, same price as 6100 I couldn’t say No! 👍🏻
Hey I know its kind of a late comment but I was wondering if you could compare the 4 pot version of the MT420 brakes as well. Was wondering how would they stack up against Deore 2 and 4 pot brakes
Saludos amigos. Tengo unos frenos de 4 pistones Shimano zee y la diferencia entre 2 pistones se percibe en la menos fuerza que requiere para frenar, la suavidad con la que apretamos el disco pero a la vez la potencia de frenado.
Hey I’m Jeff, I have a question about the brakes because I’m going from mechanical to hydraulic brakes, one of my bike is going be a 2 piston brake setup and other one is a 4 piston but I’m learning how to do BMX style tricks on them
6:30 - Hi, does it mean the same levers can be used with either two- or four-piston calipers? I have a tandem and think the four-pot calipers would serve better than the two-piston ones I have, and (I hope) the pads would last longer too...
What do you think about 4 pot vs 2 pot and 180 vs 203 rotors? I've heard that putting a 2 pot on the rear with a 203 rotor is a bad idea (especially lighter rider) as it is very grabby/on-off. So if keeping the 2 pot rear should I stick to the 180mm disc as a 145lbs rider? Considering 2 pot to 4 pot deore upgrade on front. Thanks!
I have 2 piston brakes front and rear, 180 rotor front 160 rear, and i would like to get more power out of the brakes? Should I get the 4 piston calliper front, rear or both?
I my old M8000 2 piston have more power than my new M8100 four piston. The problem is the new levers. The best setup I have tried for Shimano is old M8000 levers with new M8100 4 piston calipers. Many of Shimano's factory riders are running this set up.
@@LoveMTB they're sold out everywhere and has to be special ordered. The good thing is I'm in the Bay Area so there's plenty of Ibis bike shops here. The Ripmo AF comes with a decent build for $3200 and best part for me is it's aluminum. I don't trust my self with carbon lol I been known to take some big crashes.
Liberty Cycle in Toronto is an Ibis dealer along with Little Ed’s up in Collingwood. Being able to actually get any of their (Ibis) bikes at the moment well that’s a different story.
I have both MT520s and M6120s and the latter felt like they had a lot of more modulation compared to MT520s which feel more like on and off, also the new levers of M6120s feel more solid and stiff when pulling the brake
Have you tried sram brakes? I want to replace my sram guide t cause i don't feel when pads hit the disc (in my fingers). Sram has like a constant pull, and at some point the disc is squeezed, and i get no feedback to my finger. On shimano (m615), first, there's true free stroke, almost no resistance to lever and when the pads hit the disc, i can feel it in my finger, from that exact spot. Do 4pot shimano have that "feature" too, or do they work like sram in that sense?
You can get clarks 180 rotos for 10 bucks on newegg and 40-45 mm stems for 10 bucks also on newegg. The stem is made by wake but its a really good stem and you can blk out the name. They come in 5 colors. Clash build has 210 dropper, lyrik 180. 6100 brakes. Slx boost cranks and dpx2 shock for 200 off pinkbike. Should all be done by end of next week. Entire build 3200.00 cant wait to ride it.
I am thinking between xt 2 piston vs SLX 4 piston breaks. I am building an ebike, I will not really go wild on it but somehow I am undecided. Also thinking between the slx and xt groupset for the emtb build. Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks guy of the. Love tv in the comparativs of thes #brakes of the marcs #DEORE of #chimano in 4 pistons in thes compatibility in power of ariet in bike. Saluds of chile 🇨🇱 🤘 😀🤘 good ide and video.
I just started using the Deore 6100 levers with the 6120 calipers with 203mm rotors front and rear. I felt I needed the extra power because I'm a bigger guy and the 2 piston brakes with 203mm rotors weren't enough at times. I like the 4 piston setup a lot and they are quite snappy which is good for me. I did modify the levers a bit to remove some of the free-stroke.
@@LoveMTB No, I removed the lever from the housing and pulled the push rod out that compresses the piston in the master cylinder. The pushrod can be lengthened by carefully pulling the black clevis piece off of the silver shaft part with some plyers and twisting....just be careful not to break the pin off of the end and don't grab the ball end and bur it up. Then add some small washers to lengthen the push rod and use a small press to carefully press back on the clevis and reassemble it. The thickness of washers controls the amount of FS it has.
I have deore 6120s 180mm for front 160mm back and it is looking good and breaking superbly but first, you need to upgrade tyres cuz it is able to lock the front brakes other than that great one finger brakes
Just wondering. If the H03C pads fit. WIll the H03a fit also? or just the H01A only. Resin pads are better in my riding conditions. Just wondering if the H03a ones wont fit since shimano advertise them as 40% more durable.
I love the 4 piston brakes, but getting pads is difficult. My shop recently installed the H03a pads in my SLX and XT brake calipers because they could not get the N03a pads. It has me concerned. The Store manager said the only difference is the H03a don't look as clean up top.
@@saintless We are in a difficult situation. I ended up getting 4 pistons pads from Europe. They are available, it just takes a little work to find them.
Awesome video. i have now dilemma what to choose M8000 or M6120 for my Scott Scale. I ride marathons and climbs up. now i have just M395 brakes.i have XL frame and i am 100kg guy. PLEASE ADVICE! p.s. the most informative channel about MTB
Hi, I think that you can help me with my project... I have 2 pistons brakes (m6100) but I want to change to 4 pistons brakes but I don't know If I can just change the calipers, pads and the terminal (banjo)? Or if I have to change the complete cable (mine is bh90 but straight)? My plan is change those components in SLX cause let me use ice tech resin pads and I thing it's possible but I don't know if that present some problem or it's okay? Also I'm thinking to change the rotors to SLX too when the deore rotors need to be changed Thanks for all the information in your videos
My family has the 520 4 piston on 3 of our bikes. They are powerful but one set is leaking around the ceramic seal so it keeps contaminating the pads. The bike shop says they they have a box of faulty 520’s calipers in the back. 180mm are ok 203mm are fantastic you’ll feel softness with the 180’s.
Hi. Great review again.. quick question. Is there a real difference on slx m7000 and m7120 levers. I upgraded frm the 2pot m7000 brakes to the 4pot m7120 brakes but kept the m7000 ispec2 levers. It works sure but wld it make a real performance difference if i use the m7120 calipers with the m7000 levers? Both hv servowave etc
@@LoveMTB cheers for the reply. I kept the old levers as both my shifter and dropper triggers are i spec 2. I hv since bought the ev adaptor bolts for both but didnt change them as noticed the addition contact point on the lever scuffs the handlebars quite a bit on my mates bikes especially after crash or fall whereby the handlebars moves on impact. I am happy with the performance of the 4 pot with the current setup. Just checking with you if i was missing any real benefit by running the m7000 levers. Cheers again mate
Notif squad! Btw I'm using the older M615 Deore brakes. The master cylinder has a bit of rust forming. I was wondering if the newer Deore brake cylinder and lever uses stainless steel like SLX or XT.
@@LoveMTB The part where the levers are installed. The levers themselves are fine but the part where they are connected to. Bubbles (sign of rust) has formed on the surface of the black part under the faceplate.
One friend of me got a fully from like 2009. Some m58 something on there. Sadly one is leaking at the lever a bit. but they look really clean and the modulation is nice. but parts are like non existed so m7120 here we go he he.
Guys, if you consider buying the Deore 4 Piston caliper, skip it and go for the SLX! Braking power ist the same, but the SLX 4 piston calipers come with ice TEC brake pads as standard! Upgrading the Deore with ICE TEC brake pads will cost you around 20€, which in fact makes the better looking SLX 4 piston caliper even cheaper than the Deore!
Interesting comparison. I've been using 2 piston but thinking to upgrade my front only to 4 piston. But seeing the caliper makes me wonder about reliability, is ceramic pots more reliable than the conventional resin pots found on the 2 piston version?
Hi, great video I have an all mountain bike with SRAM level T, I was thinking of upgrading with M6120 front on 203 disc and M6100 rear on 180mm disc. I think I would have a very good increase in braking power. I just have a space problem in the rear, is the m6100 caliper bigger than an m8000 caliper? I tried the m8000 and the upper corner is 2 mm from the tube of the high wagon. Thanks!
@@LoveMTB downhill on an emtb. Are the internals of the Saint better than the 520? I got a pair of Saints for 100$ and my MT520 levers are leaking oil.
You are genuinely the best MTB channel on youtube. I wish you so much success, I wish there was a way i could promote your channel
Lol I’m running a cheap set of $50 shimano 2 piston brakes on my dh bike with 203mm rotors
no he isn't
Such a well put together video Jesus, thanks for all the effort much appreciated Sir 🙌🏼
Love this channel.. I was again contemplating changing calipers and came back for a refresh having watched this a little while back.. I just appreciate your detailed explanations so much there is no reason to search elsewhere..you cover it best right here !
Thanks for these videos man. They helped me with my recent purchase from bike components. The Deore look like a brilliant min-max solution for me. Bonus points for highlighting my home turf, Hardwood, where I coach and instruct.
Great vid. Thanks for the content. I’ve subscribed. Doing my upgrade to these very brakes this week. Been on order since August and I’m pumped to try them!
Subbed! Thanks for all the great MTB content.
Cheers from California!
-Shane
Cool video thanks. I ride XT M8000 2 piston brakes on my giant Anthem 29er i am 100kg in weight and do long steep technical descends with constant braking , i am so happy with these breaks they have never let me down, would not want any other brakes. Cheers from South Africa.
Hell yeah me too. Having quality hydraulic brakes does so much for your riding.
i'm having shimano mt-520 caliper with H03C metal Brake Pads using 160mm rotor for front brake on my litespeed road bike, and i'm very happy using them , very powerful , linear , saving my sweat pulling break lever but also not too expensive, worth every penny.
My thoughts about 4 pot brakes is that it's such a marginal difference in weight, that I'd much rather have that extra power for the few times that I actually do need it. They also look much cooler
I run the Magura Mt5 - 4's on front and rear, with 220mm mdr frnt rotor and a 180mm HC rear.
The difference between a 180mm and the 220 up front was totally noticable, like the 220 way better , easier more consistant braking at uber speeds.
Can u pair the M6100 brake levers to M6120 brake calipers?
@@docalvin15 yes you can.
Always the best videos. Exactly what we want to see. Including weights. it drives me nuts when they don't weigh the parts!
Awesome video, thanks for the content. I have the old m615 levers with 420 calipers and its an incredible combo. had some 615 brakes and bought the 420 calipers than sold 615 standard ones. no much difference from saint but cost a fraction. recommend
best review i have seen, thank you very much, i was doubtiing about wich brakes were better for my ride style
Canalul acesta va creste ! Trebuie. Excelent ca de obicei. Am luat multe decizii de a cumpara sau nu bazandu-ma pe acest canal si nu pe gmbn.
va le leu
@@LoveMTB stai, tu esti de fapt roman?
Stiam eu ca auzeam ceva in accentul tau :)
Install recently 6120 with kevlar pads plus freeza rotors and got much better stopping power. I am 220 lbs rider and they hold me very well. Thanks for another great review. Another quality piece from shimano for less money.
Not much quality high price and no warranty
Man I love your channel. Just got a m6120 brake for the rear to replace a m401 2 piston, going to install them tonight! Should go nice with the Zee m640 I've got in the front haha. I swear it seems like they no longer produce Zee's anymore, so I thought the m6120 would be close enough. Your channel has an absolute wealth of knowledge on it. And I love the reviews.
I just found your channel I have a channel too subbed look forward to more videos so far so good
I had m8000 2 piston and now m8120. Don’t notice much difference. Then I recently install m6000 on my commuter bike. It seems to perform the same. But then again, I don’t go off roading with the commuter bike nor do I heat them up like some long down hills off road. Sometimes I wonder on my next build to go with the deore your reviewing. Cheaper........ very informative video by the way. Thanx!
Love you love MTB. I always follow your channel and always pay close attention to your recommendation on any product. It is a long time since you reviewed any continental tyres. Specifically cross country tyres. Last time when you reviewed they were " X king 2.2/2.4" and Race King 2.2" since then you may have seen continental revised their tyres slightly with "cross king 2.3/ race king 2.3 and you haven't uploaded any videos and real life measurement on that if I am not mistaken. but i was hugely benefitted with your measurements before. Not only with continental tyres but with others too. Specially it was eye opening for me to see maxxis's 2.2" width tyres are actually more beefier as well as bigger then schwalbe or any other brands 2.2" width tyres. And also your viewers can see have they make any improvements to their quality control like tyres' trueness. I mostly use schwalbe and maxxis tyres. Though love the maxxis tyres a bit more simply because of their nice quality control. Where the quality control of Schwalbe tyres aren't up to the mark of maxxis. Have found trueness issues with multiple varient of their tyres. Cheap nobby nic tlr tyres are worst. Where maxxis's super cheap wire bead ikon's always came with nice trueness out of the box, Schwalbe's fancy foldable-double defense-E-bike ready E-40, smart sam has same trueness issues like nobby nic's! I have tried everything! Both sides bead line are perfectly visible as well as beads are seated perfectly, wheels were true as ruler, But it felt like they don't want defected products to left behind! Have to Sell them at any cost! Though those issues are like bearable level. Don't look sharp but liveable. But those who are nerdy they can't live with them. I have no way of making videos like you otherwise schwalbe would have faced hard time to sell rubbish tyres.
I love my mt-420s although it does take a little getting used to the power of them. Thanks for the video.
@@LoveMTB according to Shimano it's only 10% difference against servowave lever. I have the 420s and they work great
another great video full of useful info
I just ordered a set of the 6120s so just looking up some vids for them and came across your channel! Now im very excited I got the 6120s. I didn't want to spend over $200 on brakes and found these for $199 🎉 Thanks for the review!
You're welcome, let us know how you like them! You got a very capable set of brakes.
I opted for the SLX m7120 and I am super happy about them
Great comments: From what I understand the 4 piston calipers wear pads more evenly where they might be less likely to stick. I am leaning toward the 6120 to replace my 2 piston Deore, which stop fine for me, but as mentioned the sticking and uneven pad wear. (Never trouble finding 2 piston a pad though.)
Also: the high-end Sram Code looks like it has a nice adjustable caliper, but I have never used Sram. If anything on a basic MTB a 2 piston is fine but after a long time I am considering a 4 piston on this new frame build.
Thanks again for the video and comments of knowledge. Those 420 & 520s look good too.
Great videos, very descriptive, Subscribed🤘🏻
@@LoveMTB you got a whole library of goods👍🏻
Thank you for the great review
I have a new Giant Trance 29-3 it came standard with the Deore 4 piston brake in the front and the Deore 2 piston in the rear they both are excellent and a big upgrade from my last bike with the basic Tektro brakes.
Both levers feel the same ?
It would be a cool test of larger roter vs more pistons and it’s effect on power and modulation
I just switch my front rotor to 180 with an adapter and everything else unchanged. I really notice the stopping power, but not grabby. It basically stops as expected where as before it seemed to lose stopping power on long steeper descents, probably overheating.
I still run one of the first Shimano Disc brakes BR M755. It's from around 2003 I think. Would be interesting to see a comparison between old 4 piston, new 4 piston and new 2 piston brakes.
@@AnarchoKapital Still have the m755 somewhere kept as spare. I've been using them with 180mm rotors and sintered pads. Switched few years ago to m675 - they are much more powerful, metalic pads with 203mm rotors, can't really complain for lack of power or modulation.
@@li3r Currently use them on my City and Travelbike, so not much power needed.
That's perfect man. I want to see that one too.
I love it, nice review
The h03 metallic finned pads fits perfectly in the 6120 brake caliper.. I use them without any problems at all.. the stock resin/not finned pads are awful specially when you use them on ebikes, metallic finned are a game changer indeed.
had the 520s for 2 years now. sound exactly the same. they are amazing for the price though
Gracias por traducir los videos, son de gran utilidad
Hey! I used mt-200 brakes for 8 months, after using mechanical disk breaks, and I was really excited! I really had to do stoppy because I was like 'hey, I don't think that they are so good as seems so I would push the lever as always'. Than, my caliper had just broke, at the place of bolts(and it made my disk unrepaireble). I bought MT-520 caliper, replaced and can say, that there are more modulation than is was with mt-200 caliper. Like on sram guide maybe. A half length lever breaks smooth, but when fully - hard, so I fell down 2 times for 3 months.
Got the same setup.
4 pot front, 2 pot rear.
Magura MT Trail.
Great review and because of it I have ordered a pair. Can you tell me if you have tried or considered using the wolf adapter to mount your sram GX shifter to the Shimano 6120 levers
I've had your same impression: way better modulation! I think with bigger rotors (203) worth definitely the upgrade. IMO it doesn't brake any better than the 2 pistons
limited by the tire's grip
Great channel, immediately subscribed ;) just ordered set of xt-m8100 before watching this video to my xc bike, now I'm wondering if I should take 4 pistons version for front after watching it ;/ BTW what is this nice handlebar you are using on this bike?
Nice overview! Is the fin pad incompatibility a problem for anybody? I feel like the fin pads are only a waste of money? I can barely feel decreasing braking performance on M8000 with semimetallic (Galfer) pads (no fins) on my light trail bike. Even origo resin pads are fine. I have never felt any brake fade on my enduro with ZEE plus metallic pads with no fins even after a day of bikepark runs.
Hi mate Great vid as usual thanks for your informative content!
A bike I bought recently was fitted with the 4pot mt420’s though they seemed to have good bite but the fade was real. And i hated the non servo wave levers. Levers are huge and had no modulation, however i had some Deore 2pots m6100’s i removed from another previous bike. So i put the servo wave levers from the Deores on the mt420’s calipers! bled them up and wow these are now equivalent in power and modulation to Slx7120 4pots that came on my RipmoAf.
LoveMTB I’m guessing here cause they’ve black they’re resin.
The 420 levers are awful. Switched my levers to a set of slx and they are awesome. But then I was able to buy a set of zee calipers for cheap and I like that combo even better.
Both. They are the same 2-3 finger levers from the low-end non series brakes. Very hard to get a good one finger grip and the lever needs to move more before it bites. Also very flexy.
I just got an MT520 caliper for the front on sale. It looks identical to the M6120 you show here. Haven't installed it yet. Upgrading from MT500 with 180mm rotors front and back.
Thanks for review, I just bougth M6100 (for rear) and M6120 (front) as a upgrade of current brakes. Cannot wait to test it on trail :D
Definitely let us know how you like the combo!
@@LoveMTB It is arrived but i need to buy bleed tool to fit rear one (handle in set is not connected)
And front one they send me wrong one 6100 instead 6120, so i need to sort it at monday when they opening customer office.
So... still at old Sram Level brakes :D
@@LoveMTB
I fit rear one (M6100) and here is a my experience vs. Sram Level T
+ extremely quiet
+ easy to set (allign) new set to disc
+ no problem with "Sram-like" Avid 180mm rotor (i don't wanna replace few weeks old rotor)
+ good braking power - even with brand new pads.
+ i like M6100 lever shape and how is allign on handlebar - fits better to my '2 fingers' than Sram Level T
+ mineral oil is not corrosive when drop on paint
- mineral oil is more expensive than DOT5 and need to be replaced more often - but this is more 'apples vs oranges' thing ;)
- i don't like is how Shimano secure brake pads... with safety pin, really?
= same modulation as Sram Level T - but it can be different after pads allign to disc.
I can recommend highly for rear wheel.
Have cheap Guide T 4 pots that came specced on my bike as standard and my god are they good on 200/180 rotors. Insane amount of force and can keep doing 1 finger stoppies all through the pads life and in the soaking wet which is new to me and the old crappy OEM shimmy ones I was using before.
Pads I've been using are nukeproofs version for guides in semi metallic and they are better performing for half the price. Very good value for money, but I reckon these probably beat them for value. I like that these use the SLX style ceramic piston.
Another great video , and if you could please review the MT 520 that would be great. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your advice, highly appreciated. All the best. And keep producing good videos. 🙂👍
Very good video
Thank you
thanks for video.
Thank you all the info you give!! Appreciate it. I had a question arr shimino brake lever interchange. I have a BLMT501 DELORE(I THINK) BUT IT JUST BUSTED with brake oil leaking out. Need to buy a New one. any pointers towards a new rearr brake lever with out changing the whole set up
never noticed the pinched lowers of the stepcast forks... cool
I've been looking for an answer to this question, and you probably know it. Could I put an m8120 xt brake lever on an existing cheap mt-420 4 piston rotor with a straight cable?
Thanks a lot for the explicacion
I had a specialized fuse and the first thing i did was get deore mt8120 4pot for the front. Front 4pot and rear 2 pot is perfect.
I have XT 8020 on the front and XT 8000 on the back. The biggest difference is the modulation. The 8000 goes to full lock up very quickly. I'm going to switch the rears to 8020 as well.
Weight distribution when braking also makes a huge difference on lockup on the rear or not. I was just riding today, and I have the lowly M500 brakes on my bike. I had to crank on both, and due to my weight distribution the rear tire skidded and the front just...stopped. Same brakes, different result.
LoveMTB agree. I like them; they do what they are supposed to do, they stop quickly and effectively. And I weigh 210, and carrying a 10 pound pack.
Subscribed! Great channel and probably one of THE best for reviews. No Bull, straight to it. Like how you look at budget as well as high end.
I am looking at brake upgrades at the moment from my stock Tektro (the ones that come with every budget mtb)
Thinking of just standard Deore
But 4 pot calipers??? As i ride in th UK which of course is like PNW!
Thanks for the reply! Love your content. Its great at understanding the range too. I recently upgraded my drivetrain based off advice from your other vids. Went with Shimano SLX SGS deraillier and shifter but a sunrace cmz903 11-51 tooth cassette.
Massive improvement on the old 3x9.
My budget bike is looking a lot better and dropper post is next and then brakes.
Thanks, think i will go m6100 deores with larger rotors. 👍🏻👍🏻
My 2018 Merida 140 came with a Sunrace 11-50 cassette. 900kms in and it's going great.
@@LoveMTB hey man, me again! I managed to get a sweet deal on SLX M7100 brakes, supplied with metallic fin pads! Will be using your video next couple of days to fit them! Although. Do agree about the blue colour! But hey, same price as 6100 I couldn’t say
No! 👍🏻
Hey I know its kind of a late comment but I was wondering if you could compare the 4 pot version of the MT420 brakes as well. Was wondering how would they stack up against Deore 2 and 4 pot brakes
Saludos amigos.
Tengo unos frenos de 4 pistones Shimano zee y la diferencia entre 2 pistones se percibe en la menos fuerza que requiere para frenar, la suavidad con la que apretamos el disco pero a la vez la potencia de frenado.
Hey I’m Jeff, I have a question about the brakes because I’m going from mechanical to hydraulic brakes, one of my bike is going be a 2 piston brake setup and other one is a 4 piston but I’m learning how to do BMX style tricks on them
6:30 - Hi, does it mean the same levers can be used with either two- or four-piston calipers? I have a tandem and think the four-pot calipers would serve better than the two-piston ones I have, and (I hope) the pads would last longer too...
are the deore levers the same as the 5 series levers too or is that only the case with the caliper?
I bumped up to, Shimano SLX 4 pot, and do not regret it.
What do you think about 4 pot vs 2 pot and 180 vs 203 rotors? I've heard that putting a 2 pot on the rear with a 203 rotor is a bad idea (especially lighter rider) as it is very grabby/on-off. So if keeping the 2 pot rear should I stick to the 180mm disc as a 145lbs rider? Considering 2 pot to 4 pot deore upgrade on front. Thanks!
Hello from Russia!
I use mt6100 with mt520 caliper. I compared live calipers 6120 and 520 and found no difference in them
Hi! Still undecided here, which is better 4 pot? M6120? Or M7120? Is the extra $$$ worth it for the m7120? Thank you.
Hi, i have a cheap bike a hard tail and I want to upgrade for a Shinano brake system but not sure what is the Best set up for me, what should i use?
I have 2 piston brakes front and rear, 180 rotor front 160 rear, and i would like to get more power out of the brakes? Should I get the 4 piston calliper front, rear or both?
hi newbie question, can I use my old XT brakes and exchange the 2 piston calipers to 4 piston calipers? is it compatible?
I my old M8000 2 piston have more power than my new M8100 four piston. The problem is the new levers. The best setup I have tried for Shimano is old M8000 levers with new M8100 4 piston calipers. Many of Shimano's factory riders are running this set up.
Me encanta tu cleta!!... muy bien ahi con el delporte!!
Literally looking to buy an Ibis Ripmo AF that comes with the deore m6100 4 piston brakes and here's your review, thanks.
@@LoveMTB they're sold out everywhere and has to be special ordered. The good thing is I'm in the Bay Area so there's plenty of Ibis bike shops here. The Ripmo AF comes with a decent build for $3200 and best part for me is it's aluminum. I don't trust my self with carbon lol I been known to take some big crashes.
Liberty Cycle in Toronto is an Ibis dealer along with Little Ed’s up in Collingwood. Being able to actually get any of their (Ibis) bikes at the moment well that’s a different story.
I have both MT520s and M6120s and the latter felt like they had a lot of more modulation compared to MT520s which feel more like on and off, also the new levers of M6120s feel more solid and stiff when pulling the brake
Have you tried sram brakes? I want to replace my sram guide t cause i don't feel when pads hit the disc (in my fingers). Sram has like a constant pull, and at some point the disc is squeezed, and i get no feedback to my finger. On shimano (m615), first, there's true free stroke, almost no resistance to lever and when the pads hit the disc, i can feel it in my finger, from that exact spot.
Do 4pot shimano have that "feature" too, or do they work like sram in that sense?
may i ask you ?
can you pick me , instead pick deore m6120 or sram G2 R or RS, though the price already the same ?
¿Which is better the shimano Deore M6120 or the Sram Level TL? for trail or enduro, help
You can get clarks 180 rotos for 10 bucks on newegg and 40-45 mm stems for 10 bucks also on newegg. The stem is made by wake but its a really good stem and you can blk out the name. They come in 5 colors.
Clash build has 210 dropper, lyrik 180. 6100 brakes. Slx boost cranks and dpx2 shock for 200 off pinkbike. Should all be done by end of next week. Entire build 3200.00 cant wait to ride it.
Gracias men por tada la impormacion..,saludes de colombia👍😁😁😁😁
I am thinking between xt 2 piston vs SLX 4 piston breaks. I am building an ebike, I will not really go wild on it but somehow I am undecided. Also thinking between the slx and xt groupset for the emtb build. Any input will be appreciated.
Is the shimano deore m6120 brake kit are the hoses gonna be attached to from the caliper to the lever or is it disconeced so i can cut the wire
im not understand, only rear brake have 4 piston or front have same 4 piston on 6120 model versions?
Thanks guy of the. Love tv in the comparativs of thes #brakes of the marcs #DEORE of #chimano in 4 pistons in thes compatibility in power of ariet in bike. Saluds of chile 🇨🇱 🤘 😀🤘 good ide and video.
Great overview. Thank you.
Can I use XT M8100 levers with Deore M6120 Calipers?
As far as I know I just need the right hose, is this correct?
I just started using the Deore 6100 levers with the 6120 calipers with 203mm rotors front and rear. I felt I needed the extra power because I'm a bigger guy and the 2 piston brakes with 203mm rotors weren't enough at times. I like the 4 piston setup a lot and they are quite snappy which is good for me. I did modify the levers a bit to remove some of the free-stroke.
@@LoveMTB No, I removed the lever from the housing and pulled the push rod out that compresses the piston in the master cylinder. The pushrod can be lengthened by carefully pulling the black clevis piece off of the silver shaft part with some plyers and twisting....just be careful not to break the pin off of the end and don't grab the ball end and bur it up. Then add some small washers to lengthen the push rod and use a small press to carefully press back on the clevis and reassemble it. The thickness of washers controls the amount of FS it has.
Same reason i went 4 pistons
I have deore 6120s 180mm for front 160mm back and it is looking good and breaking superbly but first, you need to upgrade tyres cuz it is able to lock the front brakes other than that great one finger brakes
Thank you . Right now two pot m6000 . Maybe 4 pot for my next bike in 2022
Really enjoying my m6000's after jumping up to 203mm 2 piece ice tech rotors.
Can please tell me compatible pads for m6120 cuz its so hard to find D02 and D03...tnx
Just wondering. If the H03C pads fit. WIll the H03a fit also? or just the H01A only. Resin pads are better in my riding conditions. Just wondering if the H03a ones wont fit since shimano advertise them as 40% more durable.
can you use those 4 pistons calipers Deore with the xt lever? i´ve M8100 2 pistons , so if i only swap the calipers it becames cheaper if it works
Will the mt420 work with 140 mm?
You did not mentioned it, so I ask.
Thanks
I have m8000 Levers and m7120 calipers and it runs great ;) comparing the m6000 to m8000 lever feels loads of diffrence in the braking modulation.
@@LoveMTB it's like i feel more confident using the xt lever, and they got more useable features.
I love the 4 piston brakes, but getting pads is difficult. My shop recently installed the H03a pads in my SLX and XT brake calipers because they could not get the N03a pads. It has me concerned. The Store manager said the only difference is the H03a don't look as clean up top.
As someone currently putting a new touring rig together, it's really helpful to know that 2 piston pads are easier to get. Thanks for commenting!
@@saintless We are in a difficult situation. I ended up getting 4 pistons pads from Europe. They are available, it just takes a little work to find them.
Awesome video. i have now dilemma what to choose M8000 or M6120 for my Scott Scale. I ride marathons and climbs up. now i have just M395 brakes.i have XL frame and i am 100kg guy. PLEASE ADVICE! p.s. the most informative channel about MTB
@@LoveMTB so you do not advise 6120 Deore ? i am changing drivetrain from Deore 3*10 to 1*11
Did u reverse ur brakes. Isn't right side rear and left front. Just asking
Hi, I think that you can help me with my project...
I have 2 pistons brakes (m6100) but I want to change to 4 pistons brakes but I don't know If I can just change the calipers, pads and the terminal (banjo)? Or if I have to change the complete cable (mine is bh90 but straight)?
My plan is change those components in SLX cause let me use ice tech resin pads and I thing it's possible but I don't know if that present some problem or it's okay? Also I'm thinking to change the rotors to SLX too when the deore rotors need to be changed
Thanks for all the information in your videos
My family has the 520 4 piston on 3 of our bikes. They are powerful but one set is leaking around the ceramic seal so it keeps contaminating the pads. The bike shop says they they have a box of faulty 520’s calipers in the back. 180mm are ok 203mm are fantastic you’ll feel softness with the 180’s.
LoveMTB Still waiting for Ridleys out of Calgary they are to send up a whole new front brake system. 2 months waited so long. Delays I guess.
Hi. Great review again.. quick question. Is there a real difference on slx m7000 and m7120 levers. I upgraded frm the 2pot m7000 brakes to the 4pot m7120 brakes but kept the m7000 ispec2 levers. It works sure but wld it make a real performance difference if i use the m7120 calipers with the m7000 levers? Both hv servowave etc
@@LoveMTB cheers for the reply. I kept the old levers as both my shifter and dropper triggers are i spec 2. I hv since bought the ev adaptor bolts for both but didnt change them as noticed the addition contact point on the lever scuffs the handlebars quite a bit on my mates bikes especially after crash or fall whereby the handlebars moves on impact. I am happy with the performance of the 4 pot with the current setup. Just checking with you if i was missing any real benefit by running the m7000 levers. Cheers again mate
Notif squad! Btw I'm using the older M615 Deore brakes. The master cylinder has a bit of rust forming.
I was wondering if the newer Deore brake cylinder and lever uses stainless steel like SLX or XT.
@@LoveMTB The part where the levers are installed. The levers themselves are fine but the part where they are connected to. Bubbles (sign of rust) has formed on the surface of the black part under the faceplate.
@@LoveMTB I'll take note of that then :)! I guess I'll save a bit more for the newer SLX brakes cheers!
One friend of me got a fully from like 2009. Some m58 something on there. Sadly one is leaking at the lever a bit. but they look really clean and the modulation is nice. but parts are like non existed so m7120 here we go he he.
So the mt520 is basically an unbadged deore brake?
Guys, if you consider buying the Deore 4 Piston caliper, skip it and go for the SLX!
Braking power ist the same, but the SLX 4 piston calipers come with ice TEC brake pads as standard! Upgrading the Deore with ICE TEC brake pads will cost you around 20€, which in fact makes the better looking SLX 4 piston caliper even cheaper than the Deore!
Interesting comparison. I've been using 2 piston but thinking to upgrade my front only to 4 piston. But seeing the caliper makes me wonder about reliability, is ceramic pots more reliable than the conventional resin pots found on the 2 piston version?
Kind of the same to be honest.
So how does the m6120 compares to m8100’s bite?
Wouldn’t it have been a proper comparison to test the XT 4 pot brake and not the cheap deore one?
Hi, great video I have an all mountain bike with SRAM level T, I was thinking of upgrading with M6120 front on 203 disc and M6100 rear on 180mm disc. I think I would have a very good increase in braking power. I just have a space problem in the rear, is the m6100 caliper bigger than an m8000 caliper? I tried the m8000 and the upper corner is 2 mm from the tube of the high wagon. Thanks!
@@LoveMTB
I seemed to have read in other comments that the m6100 calipers were larger than the slx and xt ...
Hi how would you compare the 4 pot MT520 to the Saint? Is the Saint way better?
@@LoveMTB downhill on an emtb. Are the internals of the Saint better than the 520? I got a pair of Saints for 100$ and my MT520 levers are leaking oil.