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Formula brakes (vs Avid)
I appeciate that everyone is going to have their favourite brakes but I am interested in people's opinions of Formula R1 brakes especially in comparison to Avid X0 or XX. It is for an XC bike that comes stock with Formula R1s but I don't really have any knowledge of them and am wondering what they are like and whether I shoud think about swapping them out. I have used Elixirs on other bikes and although they have their problems I guess I have become used to these brakes.
I know that there are other brands out there that are great, the latest XTRs appear to be excellent (are they that much better than the Formulas?) but price wise it is going to probably come down to keeping the R1s or swapping for possibly Avids. I would appreciate any information on these brakes for use within Sydney and also for enduro events on a 29er.
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I have a pair of Avid Elixir on my Full Suss, R1 on my Single Speed and have used Codes and Juicy Ultimate. For me, the R1 are a great brake, great stopping power with one finger just using 160mm rotors front and rear. Love the look and very low maintenance. Slight squeal when wet but what brake doesn't and the rights pads can sort that.
but I think they would be the brake I put on the next build.
They seem to be fairly popular among the weight weenie crowd on MTBR and get fairly good reviews there. The negatives seem to be difficulty in setting them up because of narrow rotor clearance but otherwise they do look very nice
I have Formula The One on my new bike. I had avid Juicy Carbons on my old bike. The Formulas have more power and better feel/modulation. I can't comment on maintenance as I haven't had to do any yet. I'm loving the formulas so far though.
it would be hard for me to recommend XX brakes. they work, and they do the job etc, but im sure there are betters out there.
Shimano SLX have loads more bite, but whether thats a good thing or not is up to the rider. too much bite into a corner can lock up when you dont want it to.
problem with my XX is that it appears to have let air into the system since they were last bled. frankly, i think my juicy ultimates were a bit better.
I agree with Tate, my XX brakes dont feel as good as my XTR's on the older bike. As for the formula's - i hear mainly good things about them.
Thanks for the feedback, very useful. Sounds like the Forumulas are definitely worth sticking with over Avids. I hear they can be a little expensive but considering they come stock with a bike I am thinking about that's a mute point.
New bike came with XX brakes need constant bleeding, replaced with Formula R1's. Previously I've used Formula Oro Puro brakes on my bikes.
i've had Formula R1 for about 10 months, and they are great brakes. a few things to note tho: they are difficult to align, but take your time and the result is worth it. they are also not very tolerant of being fiddled with after the pads are broken in, so once they are bed, don't adjust the caliper. a mate and i travelled NZ, both with Formula brakes, and what we did find out is that no-one in NZ stocks Formula pads, so luckily we took a handful of spares! so keep that in mind, you will need to spare yourself, don't rely on shops to have formula parts.
one other thing, if the lever is overstressed by teh rider, the excess fluid pressure is relieved via a small hole in the back of the lever body, and this hole is normally hard up against the handle bar (only visible when you remove the lever from the bars). this is ok, except if you have carbon bars the fluid does eat the top layer of plastic over time (this has happened to mine). You can tell when it has happened as you can hear a squelchy sound when pressing the lever.
i have the new XT brakes, and they are unbelievably powerful and have an awesome feel. They take a couple of rides to get used to, coz they feel like they are gonna chuck you off the bike at first. its extremely light one finger braking. not only that, but to be honest they look damn sexy!
extremely good for what you pay for (they are pretty much the same technology as the XTR, just slightly heavier).
Remember about pad replacement cost. Maybe also have a look at lever or caliper replacement cost too, in case you break one. Check this out on CRC. If Formula (Italian) brake pads are prohibitively expensive (genuine parts here) then you may be best served with Avids. Also remember that no-namer pads can be purchased too though.
Good call on the parts issue, I did have a look on CRC/Wiggle and replacement pads are on a par with Elixir pads. It seems that parts can be harder to come across than for Avids but the cost is pretty similar. I am used my Elixirs but I am not overly impressed with them in terms of performance (they aren't bad per se, it is just that after feeling what XTRs on a friend's bike are like I realise that there are better). Avids seems like good value and parts are easy to come by but it sounds like I should stick with the Formulas if they are on offer.
So it sounds like you have found a bike, do tell
Another vote for XTs.
I have the 2010 Dual Controls, and even with metallic pads in I have to warn people to ONLY use one finger on the brakes lest they faceplant themselves over the bars.
From all accounts the new XTs with the alloy core discs and heat-sink brake pads are even better.
I was always under the impression, that the alloy rotors, were a cheap way to save money on the disc brake set up and that they really didn't last too long.
Am I mistaken in this belief?
You're right if talking about pure alloy rotors. The new Shimano ones have a layer of alloy between two layers of stainless so they have the same wear and friction characteristics but the alloy layer aids heat transfer and keeps them cool. They will certainly be more expensive than normal stainless disks
with alloy core sandwhiched between stainless steel brake rotors,position sensitive shocks & unidirectional carbon fibre-just a gadget nerds dream eh'?
Isn't it, just? LOL!
I mean, who here actually rides their bikes?
Have had r1s for a few months. Really lover them. Much better than avoids and a little better than shamans. V expensive though.