Hydraulic Discs and Lock-Out Sus

[Xiorell]

Right, which is more important to you people?

I like the idea of hydro brakes but not the idea of maintaining them. Are these now more aimed at "serious mtb'ers"?
I also like the idea of having the option to lock out the bounce, but I question the use of this on an off road bike.

If you had to have one, or the other, which?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Hydraulic brakes without a doubt.

 

[flying start]

yep id go for the hydralic brakes any day

 

[Xiorell]

do you guys not find alot of use from lock-out then?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If you ride on the road a lot then lockout is useful. Once off it then you won't use it. My RL broke within weeks of having my bike and I hardly noticed the difference.

do you guys not find alot of use from lock-out then?

 

[Xiorell]

If you ride on the road a lot then lockout is useful. Once off it then you won't use it. My RL broke within weeks of having my bike and I hardly noticed the difference.

well this is the thing, it WOULD go on the road... on the way to off-raod places If I want to go on road then I got my hybrid and a real road bike is in the works



Any hydraulic discs not a pain in the arse to keep tip-top?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I've not had to have them serviced as yet but I'd pop it into my LBS. Swapping pads is easy. If you are using roads to get to a mtb route I wouldn't worry about lockout. Adjusting the rebound is enough.

 

[marzjennings]

Hydro over lock-out any day. Plus I've had hydro's for years and they've never been a problem look after.

 

[Muddy Ground]

I put a Hope hydraulic disc on my Orange Clockwork in 1996 and it hasn't been touched since. 40,000 miles later it still works fine and happy. What maintenance?? Only one I've had trouble with has been the Magura.

www.muddyground.blogspot.com

 

[Xiorell]

I was under the impression you had to start bleeding the things and filling them with oil every time you needed maintainence (which I was also under the impression you did about as frequently as regular mechanicals)

 

[Tim Bennet.]

Hope Minis (and perhaps other Hope models) are as close to 'maintenance free' as any component on a bike can be.
That's on bikes ridden all year, twice a week, round here in the Lakes.


I have lock outs front and rear as I thought it would be useful on the road sections. But I don't think I've bothered turning them on after the first month.
Perhaps for long, long road climbs in the Dales.

 

[Muddy Ground]

I've four bikes with lock-outs fitted; never ever used any of them and never seen the need to. In 15 years of using hydraulic discs, and over 60,000 miles ridden, I've only ever had to have one brake serviced, and that was due to a leaking hose that had been 'nipped up' by another rider.

Go hydraulic, go!

MG

 

[Cubist]

I was under the impression you had to start bleeding the things and filling them with oil every time you needed maintainence (which I was also under the impression you did about as frequently as regular mechanicals)

The Hayes Strokers on my Cube, purchased Christmas 2008 and used pretty regularly has had several changes of pad but have not yet needed bleeding.

Lockout is useful. I lock mine to climb off road as well, as the fork has a blow-out valve for big accidental hits when locked.

If you intend to do any serious riding off road, then consider both. If you have to choose, brakes every time.

 

[pshore]

I was under the impression you had to start bleeding the things and filling them with oil every time you needed maintainence (which I was also under the impression you did about as frequently as regular mechanicals)

I am not up on the full range on disc brakes. Just in case you are looking at the cheaper end .... My first disc brakes were Hayes Sole. They were totally rubbish because they only pushed from one side. You'd set them up and they'd work fine then mid ride they would wear and be useless until you adjusted the fixed pad with an allen key.

I have last years XT now. Very very good.


On the front, I use Rockshox Reba. I ride locked out a lot for cross country. There is actually a small amount of travel for small bumps or rough ground which works very well. I wish I had the blow out feature though for when it unexpectedly gets knarly.


How are the more modern rear shocks ? Do you need lockout ? Do they bob when you pedal ? I am thinking about something like the Rockshox Ario or Monarch.

 

[MacB]

interesting, assuming one is going with a fully rigid XC 29er and one was considering cable disc brakes, BB7s just coz one knows how to play with them, would one be better served looking at hydraulics?

If so what sort of price do you need to go to for as fit and forget as possible? and what brands are best? for example I was looking at Avid Juicy but only becasue they would take the same pads as my existing BB7s