I would like to know everything about hydraulic disc brakes for downhill bikes. i have a 2004 giant dh comp and haves hayes sole disc brakes. what better disc brakes can i get for a good price? i would also like to know how to maintenance the disc brakes. i would like to know how to bleed them and when i should, how to change the pads and when i should as well. please help me with this and i would also like a good descriptive answer. and im 15 if that may help.
thanx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hydraulic disc brakes?
Considering Hayes Sole brakes are low end, almost anything would be better. Although, they're not horrible.
There are many brands that make hydraulic brakes - Hayes, Magura, Shimano, Avid, Hope, Formula and the list goes on. The only determining factor behind which one to buy is what you can afford and what you can find on sale.
Personally, I've had Hayes HFX-9 and Mag hydraulic kits on most of my bikes for years. They are great brakes, modulate well and only require the pads to be replaced occasionally as far as regular maintenance.
They use automotive brake fluid so when bleeding, you need to be really careful to do it outside and not over a surface you care about. If it leak on anything plastic or painted, you will ruin it. If you get brake fluid on the pads, you will ruin them as well.
On the last couple of builds that I did, I used Shimano Saint calipers on one and Deore calipers on the other. The bleeding process for the Shimano brakes is a bit easier as they use mineral oil, which is not as hazardous to your surroundings. Most of the bleeding process is done from the levers so the risk of leaking on the pads is less. I found them easier to deal with.
My Saint kit is great. The stopping power and modulation is pretty phenomenal and I think the going rate for the parts are about what the Hayes HFX-9s are going for. Considering that the Saint are better, it's a good deal.
I have lots of friends who swear by Avid Juicy series kits and others who swear by Hope. Hope is a little more expensive but really nicely made.
Each of the types of brakes will come with instructions on how to install them, calibrate and bleed. They are all different.
One other benefit that many of the newer Shimano series brakes have is that you don't have to remove the wheels to change pads.
I suggest that you shop JensonUSA.com, Pricepoint.com or Chainreactioncycles.com if you want to save a few bucks. You may have to work with your folks for a credit card to buy them this way but it can save you some cash.
Good luck!Hydraulic disc brakes?
there are plenty of videos on the the net for that kinda mainanence stuff and it depends a bit on the break but theyre all similar. formula the one disc breaks are great but at i dont know what a reasonable price is for you, formula oro k24 and hayes stroker trail are cheaper.Hydraulic disc brakes?
The brake I like for a DH ride is the Saint set-up from Shimano. I also have a Hayes stroker ride brake and the Avid Juicy 7 brake (more for AM but they work). You can go to Hayesbrakes.com or here: http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Bleed-a Make certain that you have the correct fluid as any other that is NOT recommended will damage the piston rings in the lever and effectively destroy the brakes! Bleeding these is not something you will likely get by yourself the first few times and you will likely make them worse so be patient. Bleeding these brakes will take two of you the first couple times before you can do it yourself. Make sure you get the proper bleed kit with your exact brake too. One kit covers a few hayes products and you will be fine. I generally purchased mine from Pricepoint.com or your local shop (before I worked at PBS) Either way you have a good brake for now, no need to upgrade at this point. Every bike is properly speced' out of the factory with the best part they could get for the lowest price so that the final product is passed to the customer for the lowest price available. Yours is a low end brake for Hayes but good enough...Do not bleed them if you do not have to!!!!
