gilly Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 Hi people!My Avid SD 7 has now slipped once too many times for me to be comfortable with it, so i'm looking for a new rear Vee brake, or a way to make my brake better...My initial thoughts is a better brake, and i'm told Avid ultimates are the way foward (but expensive), and have also noticed that XTR's are half the price of them. I'm currently erring on the side of the XTR at the moment, but would like to know if anyone has used both and if there will be much difference?I'm currently using some standard back koolstop pads which seem pretty grippy, but any other suggestions are welcome.Or should i just get a brake booster? All opinions are welcome!(I have a smooth-ish rim on the back which was ground a long time ago but is now more or less smooth, if this is of any use to people)...................and no i don't want to grind it again!Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 New pads will make a HUGE difference... something like Plaz CRVs (if you plan to re-grind) or the clear Rock Pads (if you keep your rim as it is) will do nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totaltrials Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 I used to always run XTRs and they are amazing, lots of power, but I tried an avid ultimate which I'm running now, and it's a little stiffer, I just found the xtrs parallel pivot system added an extra bit of squish to the lever feel, only a very small difference, but I tend to get arm pump so I really needed it as stiff as possible, both have a similar power, I couldn't notice the difference in power, so if your on a budget, the XTRs are fine.Phil.Also for pads, the heatsink red and coust material are good, also as Adam said the plaz crv is good too, so far I think coust material hmm or maybe plaz crv is the best, they are just a different kind of feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 From what ive heard xtr on the rear is a no no as eventually you get alot of play in the paralell system after a while. The ultimate arms seem to be the best around at the moment and no one has a bad word to say about them yet so i would go for them. And also i would change your pads to any of the heatsink range as they will be miles better than the koolstops. If your going to run a smooth rim though the rockpad greens in cnc backings are amazing it is what im using now. I wouldnt get the plaz pads as the cnc backing arnt standard magura size so it means once the pads have worn out you have to buy a new set you cant just stick some more material in as it is a funny size so you couldnt replace the plaz material with koxx pads like you could with heatsink or rockpad backings.But before you splash out on new arms get a new set of pads first it will make a whole lot of difference and also if you running heatsink adaptors on 4bolt mounts i would use a booster aswell just a cheap outland one will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Bleech Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 Ultimates are the best vee brakes out there but SD7 are prefectly good to use, so unless they are knackered I would get some new pads. The ones mentioned in this thread are all good and will perform better than your koolstop blacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robb_o Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 I've been running XTR v-brakes for years and they are quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Wood Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 Spend the £20 it takes for new pads first and see how you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilly Posted August 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 also if you running heatsink adaptors on 4bolt mounts i would use a booster aswell just a cheap outland one will do.Actually i ride a Giant frame so i have normal v mounts on the frame anyway!Thanks everyone, i'll most likely get some new pads and the XTR's then, as my SD-7 is a little knakered anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilly Posted August 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 I'm liking to the look and sound of these clear rock pads, has anyone used them? I like a little bit of modulation in my brakes..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigman Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 please don't get XTR brakes!If you are going to upgrade to anything go for ultimates, they realy are sooo much better, the parrallel linkages realy make the XTR very noisy and they are easier to wear out compared to the ultimate.But firstly get some pads and use them on the SD7's as they are very good brakes too!Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilly Posted August 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 please don't get XTR brakes!If you are going to upgrade to anything go for ultimates, they realy are sooo much better, the parrallel linkages realy make the XTR very noisy and they are easier to wear out compared to the ultimate.But firstly get some pads and use them on the SD7's as they are very good brakes too!AdamHmmmm......that puts me off them somewhat, even though the one i have on the front of my bike is probably the best brake i've ever used....With such differing reviews i think i shall go for some pads and maybe a booster? Why is this so difficult! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liam-pantera Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 dont worry about it mate , i know its a hard disicion as i couldnt dicide what to go for so i went for either and got a shimano dehore cheep and works great but try new pads you realy will be pleased with the rusults . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 Hmmmm......that puts me off them somewhat, even though the one i have on the front of my bike is probably the best brake i've ever used....With such differing reviews i think i shall go for some pads and maybe a booster? Why is this so difficult! Like i said xtr on the back is a no no, they are great on the front but on the back they will just create play in them and then you will just be paying for a new set of arms so either stick with the sd7's as they are great arms and i use them and love them or splash out on the ultimates. As for the clear rockpads, im not sure. But i would say get some pads like heatsink in the cnc backings that way you can just replace the material with what ever you want as all magura pads material will fit, it will be cheaper in the long run instead of having to pay for new pads all the time. I would say go for the heatsink reds as they have loads of hold but not a awful lot of bite giving good modulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sukoto Posted August 24, 2007 Report Share Posted August 24, 2007 (edited) A quick note of caution on CNC'd Vee backings, they have far more width than a slimline V pad such as koolstops. May be a good idea to check the width of your brake bosses before you buy, as you may have difficulty with pad clearance if you run a wide rim. Edited August 24, 2007 by Sukoto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eskimo Posted August 25, 2007 Report Share Posted August 25, 2007 I'm liking to the look and sound of these clear rock pads, has anyone used them? I like a little bit of modulation in my brakes.....I like the HS reds and Plaz CRVs at the moment. They both perform real well in their own ways. Both cnc'd backing make them stiffer as guessed. The Reds perform better on a grind i'll say but with no pad ware. The Plaz is reccommended for a light grind but on a smooth rim they still kick ass. I haven't had the CRVs long however. As for Rock Greens, they are more expensive and from going by my Rock Blues they probably won't be anything special. Some Coust's in vee cnc backings would be a definate consideration! Even for a smooth rim but i think Plaz would win overall for dry on or off a grind. And Coust for wet weather generally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilly Posted August 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2007 (edited) I like the HS reds and Plaz CRVs at the moment. They both perform real well in their own ways. Both cnc'd backing make them stiffer as guessed. The Reds perform better on a grind i'll say but with no pad ware. The Plaz is reccommended for a light grind but on a smooth rim they still kick ass. I haven't had the CRVs long however. As for Rock Greens, they are more expensive and from going by my Rock Blues they probably won't be anything special. Some Coust's in vee cnc backings would be a definate consideration! Even for a smooth rim but i think Plaz would win overall for dry on or off a grind. And Coust for wet weather generally.Thanks for your help, but as i run a wide rim on an old-skool frame at present i won't have enough clearance for CNC pad backings (thank you to sukoto for pointing this out!)....So i'd quite like to hear about the clear rock pads if anyone knows much about them?Thanks Edited August 25, 2007 by gilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onza Kieron Posted August 25, 2007 Report Share Posted August 25, 2007 I'm selling my Ultimate setup if its any good to you? Pm me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophe' Posted August 25, 2007 Report Share Posted August 25, 2007 New pads will make a HUGE difference... something like Plaz CRVs (if you plan to re-grind) or the clear Rock Pads (if you keep your rim as it is) will do nicely.all is opinion! but er no! heatsink cnc backed !heatsinks are realy the way to go for southern puffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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