Okay, so i'm thinking about getting some new brakes. I'm currently running deores on my rigid SS and I'm finding they aren't doing it for me. Had a lot of troubles, they've needed bleeding a lot, going through pads, and I've actually broken the front one and had it replaced under warranty. I ride pretty roughly and often. It also isn't unheard of for me to give the things a damn good yank. Bearing that in mind, I'm thinking of going for something with a bit more power and hopefully reliability in the near future.

At the moment I'm thinking xt's or magura marta's. So, I guess my question is, does anyone have experience with both? Am I leaving any worthwhile brakesets out of the equation? Is there a significant difference between marta's and marta SL's, or is it just weight? Am I leaving out any important questions, are there things I haven't considered?

What are the recommendations the fine people of Vorb can make to me?

I've heard XT's are good. I won't suggest Elixirs, even though they are awesome.

If you're hard on gear and want something reliable, someone will chip in and say XT's are the bomb!

But I like Elixirs

Elixirs > xt

I suppose i should add cost into the equation too, being a poor student.

Any magura campaigners? They look quite good too.

Elixer CR, worth every penny

If cost is a factor, I like Quads. have had a set of Quad Sting brakes for four years with no mechanical issues whatsoever. I bled them once in that time.
Power is great, modulation maybe not up there with XT or elixirs but they're cheap as chips. Just moved over to radial master-cylinders on the latest model. They do have a NZ distributor apparently, Cycle NZ in Auckland?

I've been running Xt's on two bikes for 3+ years, bled them once, changed pads every year (or whenever they needed to be changed), hassle free and best stopping performance I've had.
If you're on a budget, take a look at the Elixir 3 - you can pick them up for cheap.

The XT brake is good

the deore braks can feel a bit underwhelming depending on what model of deore you have.

Make sure what ever brakes you buy that you run a sintered metal (or similar pad) not an organic pad

If you've on a budget and want a good simple, yet powerful and pretty muppet proof brake, check out the YD Open's, you should be able to get a set for under $350 (front and rear with rotors)

VERT wrote:Elixirs > xt

contention = bone of

stiffeeslicker wrote:If cost is a factor, I like Quads. have had a set of Quad Sting brakes for four years with no mechanical issues whatsoever. I bled them once in that time.
Power is great, modulation maybe not up there with XT or elixirs but they're cheap as chips. Just moved over to radial master-cylinders on the latest model. They do have a NZ distributor apparently, Cycle NZ in Auckland?

QHD-1_pro_ra_S.jpg

Don't get quads, Cycle NZ no longer exist and no one brings any spares into the country. I saw quite a few perform well, but just as many piss them selves, we ended up giving replacement shimanos to those people

Another vote for XT or Elixir

if your on a budget then I'd suggest the new SLX's....

New 4 pot saints... wont be underwhelmed by them

Another vote for XT. I think they have better modulation and more power than the Martas.

You may want to try some bigger brake rotors too...

Both elixirs and xt's are fantastic brakes.

Owen wrote:

stiffeeslicker wrote:If cost is a factor, I like Quads. have had a set of Quad Sting brakes for four years with no mechanical issues whatsoever. I bled them once in that time.
Power is great, modulation maybe not up there with XT or elixirs but they're cheap as chips. Just moved over to radial master-cylinders on the latest model. They do have a NZ distributor apparently, Cycle NZ in Auckland?

QHD-1_pro_ra_S.jpg

Don't get quads, Cycle NZ no longer exist and no one brings any spares into the country. I saw quite a few perform well, but just as many piss them selves, we ended up giving replacement shimanos to those people

Another vote for XT or Elixir

Fair enough, I wasn't aware it'd be a bitch to get parts. Can only speak from experience with mine which have been faultless (even a mate with the old juicy 7's was impressed with them at half the price of his juicy's).