Cheap new hydraulic disc brakes?

broona · 16 May 2020 at 18:34

I recently put a thread on looking for a new bike for my son, but then remembered that my old Morewood Kwela was a small frame, so I'm going to give him that instead of buying a new one.

The rear brake has been stiff for a while, and when I've come to set it up for him, it was seized solid, and on freeing the caliper, I think I've broken it...

It's got Formula RX fitted now, and I never really liked them anyway, so I'd rather buy a new set than try to fix them.

Any recommendations up to around £100 please?

Saytan · 16 May 2020 at 21:21

Hard to go wrong with Shimano ones to fit your budget.

broona · 16 May 2020 at 21:54

Saytan said:
Hard to go wrong with Shimano ones to fit your budget.

I've been looking at the MT200/MT400 or possibly the M6000, love the feel of the XT's in my other bike, so it's probably the way forward, thank you.

mattyfez · 17 May 2020 at 15:30

Clarks M2 get good reviews and come in way under budget for a full set.. Gotta be worth a look... https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/disc-brakes-products/clarks-m2-disc-brake-review

broona · 17 May 2020 at 16:31

mattyfez said:
Clarks M2 get good reviews and come in way under budget for a full set.. Gotta be worth a look... https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/disc-brakes-products/clarks-m2-disc-brake-review

Thanks, I'd spotted the Clout1 for about £50 on Ebay, but didn't know how good Clarks were.

I'm just waiting to hear back on a set of Tektro HD-M290 on another forum, I'll look into them if they fall through.

mattyfez · 17 May 2020 at 18:34

Cheap Tektro are fitted as OEM to a lot of bikes, such as the Tektro Auriga, just so they can have proper hydraulic brakes and to be fair they are ok in my experience.

The price on the clarks brakes for a full kit inc discs seems to have gone up to about £80.. maybe it's an availability issue.

If you want a more mainstream brand, more mid range rather than entry level, then look at SRAM Level, or Shimano Deore

broona · 17 May 2020 at 19:15

mattyfez said:
Cheap Tektro are fitted as OEM to a lot of bikes, such as the Tektro Auriga, just so they can have proper hydraulic brakes and to be fair they are ok in my experience.

The price on the clarks brakes for a full kit inc discs seems to have gone up to about £80.. maybe it's an availability issue.

If you want a more mainstream brand, more mid range rather than entry level, then look at SRAM Level, or Shimano Deore

These are from a Vitus Nucleus, should be more than good enough for him, but if they fall through, the M6000 looks to be about the best value.

mattyfez · 17 May 2020 at 19:40

broona said:
These are from a Vitus Nucleus, should be more than good enough for him, but if they fall through, the M6000 looks to be about the best value.

M6000 will be the older style shimano deore, but the shimano model names are so mixed up these days it's hard to keep track.

broona · 17 May 2020 at 20:07

mattyfez said:
M6000 will be the older style shimano deore, but the shimano model names are so mixed up these days it's hard to keep track.

They'd work well for me, as the pads look to be the same as my 6yr old XT (can't remember the model number now).

UTmaniac · 17 May 2020 at 20:29

https://www.merlincycles.com/clarks-m3-hydraulic-front-rear-disc-brake-set-160mm-123112.html are in stock for £80

mattyfez · 17 May 2020 at 20:55

If it makes any odds for comparison, I have SRAM level TL on my bike; https://www.evanscycles.com/sram-level-tl-mountainbike-disc-brake-EV312263

I like them a lot, much more of a progressive leaver feel, but I did have to upgrade my front disk with an adapter to 180mm.
I don't like the on/off feel of some brakes.

broona · 17 May 2020 at 21:23

UTmaniac said:
https://www.merlincycles.com/clarks-m3-hydraulic-front-rear-disc-brake-set-160mm-123112.html are in stock for £80

Thanks for reminding me about Merlin, they've got the M6000 for £85 but not in stock, I'll ping them an email.

mattyfez said:
If it makes any odds for comparison, I have SRAM level TL on my bike; https://www.evanscycles.com/sram-level-tl-mountainbike-disc-brake-EV312263

I like them a lot, much more of a progressive leaver feel, but I did have to upgrade my front disk with an adapter to 180mm.
I don't like the on/off feel of some brakes.

The bike is set up 180mm front and 160mm rear already, so they could work well too.

The Formula were on/off, probably why I was never a fan.

MaXxBoulton · 22 May 2020 at 10:19

Magura mt4 or mt5

broona · 22 May 2020 at 10:36

MaXxBoulton said:
Magura mt4 or mt5

The only problem I have with Magura is the fact I'd have to shorten the hoses, as they look to come one length for front and rear, and I'd invariably end up making a mess!

Mate's just bought the MT Sport and he's really happy with them.

MaXxBoulton · 22 May 2020 at 10:42

broona said:
The only problem I have with Magura is the fact I'd have to shorten the hoses, as they look to come one length for front and rear, and I'd invariably end up making a mess!

Mate's just bought the MT Sport and he's really happy with them.

My old bike had the mt4's and there never gave me any problems, my work bike now as the mt200 and there fine. Depending on the riding your going to do there known to fade over heavy long braking but I haven't ever had this myself. I use a 203mm rota and the system as the power need to stop the bike.

Magura come as a kit so you can run left or right as rear brake. Your LBS would sort that out for next to nothing

broona · 22 May 2020 at 17:31

MaXxBoulton said:
My old bike had the mt4's and there never gave me any problems, my work bike now as the mt200 and there fine. Depending on the riding your going to do there known to fade over heavy long braking but I haven't ever had this myself. I use a 203mm rota and the system as the power need to stop the bike.

Magura come as a kit so you can run left or right as rear brake. Your LBS would sort that out for next to nothing

My son and I really want to fit the new brakes as a little project together, so I'm trying to avoid having to take it to someone to fit them

I've ordered a set of Tektro M520 Gemini SL from Merlin, they state short reach, and he's only 12, hopefully they're half decent too.

Many thanks for all the replies.

broona · 23 May 2020 at 15:16

broona said:
I've ordered a set of Tektro M520 Gemini SL from Merlin, they state short reach, and he's only 12, hopefully they're half decent too.

They've arrived, and they're Euro spec, bummer...