Post by marcs on Oct 8, 2007 0:03:43 GMT 8
Ok, got my XT brakes installed and delivered just today (thanks to Arelys Bike Shop for the pick-up and delivery of my bike!)
Took it for a spin in UP to break it in, and here are my initial thoughts
Price - Good value here. The Juicy 7's are now at 15k/pair I think, while the 08 XTs are at around 9k (if I remember right, this was the price of Deore Hydros 1-2 years ago).
Aesthetics - nice clean look here. the embossed XT looks nice, though that's probably the first to be scraped off in a crash
Has a funky "industrial" look to it though with all the screws
Adjustments - I think this is one of the best features of the 08 XTs. Reach adjustment is easily done without tools, while freestroke requires a screwdriver (although still within easy reach). Therefore, the 08 XTs essentially have the same adjustment feature as the Juicy 7s, only with the XTs it's the reach that's tool free, while on the Juicy's it's the freestroke (or contact point adjustment). Only with the Juicy's, it's very hard to reach the reach adjustment as it is on the side.
Braking power - too soon to comment on this, although on paper the concept does sound good. Supposedly the 08 XTs give ample pad clearance yet super braking power. Used to be a choice between the two, but the XTs are supposed to change the leverage ratio or something such that in the initial stroke of the lever the pad makes quick contact with the rotor, and then the the lever-pad movement is lessened for more power upon contact. Some info on the Net says this supposedly gives you braking power equivalent to a one size bigger rotor.
So, again, supposedly, the rotors should run more quietly give more pad clearance, and at the same time still give 20% more power. We'll see.
However, I do feel the initial stroke (before making pad contact) of the XTs to be a bit too soft. I prefer some mushy feel.
Will give more comments once I hit the trails.
Took it for a spin in UP to break it in, and here are my initial thoughts
Price - Good value here. The Juicy 7's are now at 15k/pair I think, while the 08 XTs are at around 9k (if I remember right, this was the price of Deore Hydros 1-2 years ago).
Aesthetics - nice clean look here. the embossed XT looks nice, though that's probably the first to be scraped off in a crash
Has a funky "industrial" look to it though with all the screwsAdjustments - I think this is one of the best features of the 08 XTs. Reach adjustment is easily done without tools, while freestroke requires a screwdriver (although still within easy reach). Therefore, the 08 XTs essentially have the same adjustment feature as the Juicy 7s, only with the XTs it's the reach that's tool free, while on the Juicy's it's the freestroke (or contact point adjustment). Only with the Juicy's, it's very hard to reach the reach adjustment as it is on the side.
Braking power - too soon to comment on this, although on paper the concept does sound good. Supposedly the 08 XTs give ample pad clearance yet super braking power. Used to be a choice between the two, but the XTs are supposed to change the leverage ratio or something such that in the initial stroke of the lever the pad makes quick contact with the rotor, and then the the lever-pad movement is lessened for more power upon contact. Some info on the Net says this supposedly gives you braking power equivalent to a one size bigger rotor.
So, again, supposedly, the rotors should run more quietly give more pad clearance, and at the same time still give 20% more power. We'll see.
However, I do feel the initial stroke (before making pad contact) of the XTs to be a bit too soft. I prefer some mushy feel.
Will give more comments once I hit the trails.
