Brakes - Shimano vs. Formula

ZHendo · 05-01-2011, 10:40 PM

Bros,

My Avid Elixirs have caused me innumerable headaches since I bought them, and finally had to be warrantied. I got a new set of them just a couple days ago from SRAM, but I've decided to sell them and turn toward a different company that I have more confidence in.

At this point, its Shimano or Formula. I've heard many, many good things about Shimano, especially the new XTR Trails. I like the simple bleeding technique (yay mineral oil), reliability, and supposedly brilliant stopping power given the brake's intended use. At the same time, I also like Formula's The One, which has received rave reviews as well but is a bit more tried and true than the XTR at this point. I've heard nothing but good things about the power, modulation, ability to be rebuilt (unlike Shimano) and overall quality. It is also a more conventional design without Servo-Wave, Ice-Tech, etc. The brakes will be going on an aggressively built Nomad Carbon that sees a lot of steeps and generally difficult trails here in the Seattle area. The bike will also be seeing a couple days at Whistler this summer.

Now for the complications of the whole situation. XTRs are great, but very, very expensive even if I buy them through QBP. Problem is, if I want to buy them through Shimano directly and save some serious cash, I have to wait until mid-June. If I want to save even more money and go for the new XTs, I have to wait until July. I can get Formula's for just a bit more than the XTRs would cost if I bought directly from Shimano, but I'm not wild about the DOT fluid, slight price hike, and lack of stock adjustments.

Parts availability from Formula will not be a problem for me, but I can't decide what to do. I always hear good things about Shimano, but if I wait to get the XTRs I will either be off my bike until June (not really an option for me), or I have to use the Avids that I just got as replacements, which will cause them to depreciate significantly for when I have to sell them. Do I just get the Formulas, or is it worth fighting for the Shimano's? I can't really find negative reviews of either brake anywhere, but I just wanted to see what you guys thought.

Tracer Tong · 05-01-2011, 11:55 PM

My formulas treated me very well while I had them. They got sold along with the bike they were on.

IFO · 05-02-2011, 01:10 AM

I've only run shiimano in recent years, and always been happy

u seriously can't go wrong with anything Shimano regardless of what brake system ur comparing

BurkeMtnRider · 05-02-2011, 01:32 AM

my good friends formulas ride like shit and are always fading. I shit you not, at the end of one lap he has basically no brakes.

treorwg · 05-02-2011, 02:12 AM

Shimanos have always been good to me. Check pricing at chain reaction cycles too. Some of their stuff is cheaper than dealer cost in Canada.

PembyRocks · 05-02-2011, 02:26 AM

My XT/SLX franken-brakes have been nothing but awesome ever since I learnt a couple of tricks to bleed them completely free of air. The SLX calipers have a couple of little nooks that seem to hold air sometimes so bleeding can be tricky.

They are better than my old Saints, which were great. No fade, great lever feel and modulation, and only a little noise using sintered pads. Like the other replies, you really can't go wrong with Shimano. Oh yeah and working with mineral oil beats brake fluid any day

Bryan · 05-02-2011, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurkeMtnRider

my good friends formulas ride like shit and are always fading. I shit you not, at the end of one lap he has basically no brakes.

Your friend needs to get off the brakes.....

ZHendo · 05-02-2011, 05:11 AM

So here's the deal. I can't wait until July for the new Shimano XT and SLX brakes to come out, so its either current XTs or SLXs or Formula The One's. I'm leaning toward XTs as I can get them for about $60 less per wheel relative to Formula's, but honestly if the performance on the Formula's is worth it then I'll bite the bullet and buy them.

BurkeMtnRider · 05-02-2011, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan

Your friend needs to get off the brakes.....

how would we skid?

PUNKY · 05-02-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurkeMtnRider

how would we skid?

Cutties???

biggles604 · 05-02-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZHendo

So here's the deal. I can't wait until July for the new Shimano XT and SLX brakes to come out, so its either current XTs or SLXs or Formula The One's. I'm leaning toward XTs as I can get them for about $60 less per wheel relative to Formula's, but honestly if the performance on the Formula's is worth it then I'll bite the bullet and buy them.

My experience is that Shimano is just way more consistent, and has the added bonus of using mineral oil, not DOT fluid.

boomforeal · 05-02-2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggles604

My experience is that Shimano is just way more consistent, and has the added bonus of using mineral oil, not DOT fluid.

this

05-01-2011, 10:40 PM	#1
ZHendo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,057 Rep Power: 173174	Brakes - Shimano vs. Formula Bros, My Avid Elixirs have caused me innumerable headaches since I bought them, and finally had to be warrantied. I got a new set of them just a couple days ago from SRAM, but I've decided to sell them and turn toward a different company that I have more confidence in. At this point, its Shimano or Formula. I've heard many, many good things about Shimano, especially the new XTR Trails. I like the simple bleeding technique (yay mineral oil), reliability, and supposedly brilliant stopping power given the brake's intended use. At the same time, I also like Formula's The One, which has received rave reviews as well but is a bit more tried and true than the XTR at this point. I've heard nothing but good things about the power, modulation, ability to be rebuilt (unlike Shimano) and overall quality. It is also a more conventional design without Servo-Wave, Ice-Tech, etc. The brakes will be going on an aggressively built Nomad Carbon that sees a lot of steeps and generally difficult trails here in the Seattle area. The bike will also be seeing a couple days at Whistler this summer. Now for the complications of the whole situation. XTRs are great, but very, very expensive even if I buy them through QBP. Problem is, if I want to buy them through Shimano directly and save some serious cash, I have to wait until mid-June. If I want to save even more money and go for the new XTs, I have to wait until July. I can get Formula's for just a bit more than the XTRs would cost if I bought directly from Shimano, but I'm not wild about the DOT fluid, slight price hike, and lack of stock adjustments. Parts availability from Formula will not be a problem for me, but I can't decide what to do. I always hear good things about Shimano, but if I wait to get the XTRs I will either be off my bike until June (not really an option for me), or I have to use the Avids that I just got as replacements, which will cause them to depreciate significantly for when I have to sell them. Do I just get the Formulas, or is it worth fighting for the Shimano's? I can't really find negative reviews of either brake anywhere, but I just wanted to see what you guys thought. __________________ FRS Healthy Energy, www.frs.com - Its whats for dinner...but seriously, drink it (only available the states ) "If I'm ever becoming someone I don't want to be, I can always trust my bike to make me right again" - anonymous

05-01-2011, 11:55 PM	#2
Tracer Tong Humdinger Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,638 Rep Power: 6652520	My formulas treated me very well while I had them. They got sold along with the bike they were on. __________________ www.vitalmtb.com

05-02-2011, 02:26 AM	#6
PembyRocks Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pemberton BC Posts: 778 Rep Power: 3315348	My XT/SLX franken-brakes have been nothing but awesome ever since I learnt a couple of tricks to bleed them completely free of air. The SLX calipers have a couple of little nooks that seem to hold air sometimes so bleeding can be tricky. They are better than my old Saints, which were great. No fade, great lever feel and modulation, and only a little noise using sintered pads. Like the other replies, you really can't go wrong with Shimano. Oh yeah and working with mineral oil beats brake fluid any day Last edited by PembyRocks; 05-02-2011 at 02:42 PM.

05-02-2011, 05:11 AM	#8
ZHendo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,057 Rep Power: 173174	So here's the deal. I can't wait until July for the new Shimano XT and SLX brakes to come out, so its either current XTs or SLXs or Formula The One's. I'm leaning toward XTs as I can get them for about $60 less per wheel relative to Formula's, but honestly if the performance on the Formula's is worth it then I'll bite the bullet and buy them. __________________ FRS Healthy Energy, www.frs.com - Its whats for dinner...but seriously, drink it (only available the states ) "If I'm ever becoming someone I don't want to be, I can always trust my bike to make me right again" - anonymous

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05-02-2011, 01:10 AM	#3
IFO Cove STD goodness...Yummy Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 13,657 Rep Power: 4472470	I've only run shiimano in recent years, and always been happy u seriously can't go wrong with anything Shimano regardless of what brake system ur comparing

05-02-2011, 01:32 AM	#4
BurkeMtnRider Ben Dover Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: on your left Posts: 476 Rep Power: 330307	my good friends formulas ride like shit and are always fading. I shit you not, at the end of one lap he has basically no brakes.

05-02-2011, 02:12 AM	#5
treorwg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 132 Rep Power: 380413	Shimanos have always been good to me. Check pricing at chain reaction cycles too. Some of their stuff is cheaper than dealer cost in Canada.

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