Quick question about brakes
Started by Amanda Hughes5 · · 👁 3 views · 31 replies
Participants
#3 ·
Where exactly is she riding that she needs brakes like that? 🤔>
If she’s hitting serious off-road trails, she probably needs a whole new bike—but if not, a decent set of well-tuned V-brakes (maybe with some fresh pads) should do the trick. If they really are trash, instead of dropping a ton of cash—which she'll probably just waste on city streets or a few miles of woods—just grab a solid V-brake setup like this Alivia and call it a day.
Then again, I might be wrong if she actually rides hard. 🤷
If she’s hitting serious off-road trails, she probably needs a whole new bike—but if not, a decent set of well-tuned V-brakes (maybe with some fresh pads) should do the trick. If they really are trash, instead of dropping a ton of cash—which she'll probably just waste on city streets or a few miles of woods—just grab a solid V-brake setup like this Alivia and call it a day.
Then again, I might be wrong if she actually rides hard. 🤷
#4 ·
The bike is a hardtail equipped with disc brakes. Someone actually stole her original brakes, so now she’s stuck with some Hayes Sole setup—which is absolute garbage. Based on everything I've read in MTB reviews, those brakes are downright dangerous. She strictly rides off-road, meaning she drives the bike to the gravel trails and then cleans it up afterward. It’s not exactly hardcore technical riding, but there are definitely climbs and descents on goat paths to deal with.
#5 ·
Steven Wright10 said:You're going to overspend big time...
2 x $90 plus rotors and adapters equals roughly $667
EDIT: Actually, I just read that on Bike Mania—which is also a shop based in Canada—you can grab a full set with Shimano XTR 180mm rotors for about $1,500 $500.
Where on earth can you find those prices?
#6 ·
I think there's a full Shimano XTR setup available over at Bike Mania for $367, so you might want to take a quick look at 😉 just in case
#7 ·
briskmarlin59 said:What could you possibly get at that price point?
Maybe try checking out a local shop and asking them which component combo works best... because on Bike Mania, I guess there are probably 50 different ways you could configure those brakes.
#8 ·
Hey everyone!
I'm running into an issue
I just got a new bike, a Kon Splice which comes with 19 miles mechanical disc brakes.
I live near some hills—nothing massive, but enough to matter.
Someone told me the discs need a bit of a break-in period before they really start biting, which makes sense...
But honestly, it feels like even after five or six descents, they aren't getting any better.
I can see grooves forming on them, which definitely shouldn't be happening, though I checked to make sure they were aligned properly and everything looks fine.
It’s almost like the pads are too hard...
When I start heading downhill, it's fine at first, but after about 150 meters, it starts making this grinding noise.
Does anyone know if there are better aftermarket pads I can pick up, or should I just stick with these and deal with the noise...
I'm running into an issue
I just got a new bike, a Kon Splice which comes with 19 miles mechanical disc brakes.
I live near some hills—nothing massive, but enough to matter.
Someone told me the discs need a bit of a break-in period before they really start biting, which makes sense...
But honestly, it feels like even after five or six descents, they aren't getting any better.
I can see grooves forming on them, which definitely shouldn't be happening, though I checked to make sure they were aligned properly and everything looks fine.
It’s almost like the pads are too hard...
When I start heading downhill, it's fine at first, but after about 150 meters, it starts making this grinding noise.
Does anyone know if there are better aftermarket pads I can pick up, or should I just stick with these and deal with the noise...
#9 ·
Bradley Alvarez2 said:Hey everyone! How's it going?
I've run into a bit of a situation. Anyone else dealing with something similar?
So, I finally did it—I got a new bike!The Kona Splice. Honestly, what more can you say about it? It’s such a solid choice if you’re looking to get around town or hit some light trails without breaking the bank. Are you looking for something reliable that just works? This might be exactly what you need. On it. 19 miles So, what's the deal with mechanical disc brakes?
I live up on a hill—not exactly a mountain, but definitely not flat ground either.
So, I was told that disc brakes actually need a little bit of "bedding in" before they really start biting properly. Does that sound right to you guys? Is there a specific way I should be breaking them in to get the best performance out of them?
Honestly, I get that feeling too. It feels like they haven't really broken in yet, doesn't it? Like, you need to get through at least five or six solid descents before everything actually settles in. Nothing's working.
I noticed some people are trying to touch up those graphics, but honestly, that’s just not how you do it. You really shouldn't be messing with them like that. I took a look to see if the paint jobs were actually done right, and yeah, everything looks solid.
It feels like the brake pads are just way too hard. Is it just me?
Everything feels totally fine when I first start heading downhill, but after about 150 meters, it's like something starts scraping. Is it just me?
So, tell me—can I actually find some decent replacement brake pads around here, or should I just stick with these old ones and hope they don't fail me while I'm out riding?
Unfortunately, it’s just not going to happen.
The Kona Splice might be a pretty decent 29er, but when it comes to the brakes? It’s absolute bottom-of-the-barrel.
Look, we can keep complaining about those crappy Novella or IO components, but at least you know what you’re getting into with them. They're predictable. But this Promax stuff? That’s a whole different level of bad. It honestly feels like one step away from those generic, no-name Chinese parts you see being slapped onto cheap commuter bikes. Why even bother?
Look, you probably have your own reasons for going with a 29er and sticking with those specific brakes, so I won't question that. But I really hope you aren't planning on hitting steep mountain trails or heavy forest descents with that setup. If that's the case, any decent set of V-brakes would honestly be a hundred times more reliable and effective than what you're running now. If you want to actually feel a meaningful upgrade, you'll need to swap out the entire braking system, not just the pads. Besides, I'm not even sure if you can find those specific pads easily around here, let alone finding replacements for the discs themselves.
____________________________
I’m guessing she’s pretty light, so honestly? Throwing Shimano XTR, SLX, or any high-end brakes at her seems like total overkill. Why overcomplicate things if she doesn't need the extra weight?
analogcyclist12 brought up those new Deore groupsets, but honestly, I’d throw some Alivio into the mix too—even if you're hunting down last year's models. You can find plenty of them on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace right now. They're super budget-friendly and reliable. As for the brakes? They're decent enough, though maybe not the best choice if you're a heavy hitter pushing over 200 pounds. 🙂And hey, if you happen to stumble upon those white ones, she’s going to absolutely love them. 🙂
Alternatively, you could hunt around for some Tektro Aurige or Tektro Draco brakes. They definitely pack a bit more stopping power, though personally, I’ve always found them to have slightly weaker modulation. Plus, the brake levers feel a little funky—it’s not exactly easy to pull them with just one or two fingers like you’re supposed to be able to do.
#10 ·
Steven Wright10 As follows:
You’re going to burn yourself out.
Two ninety-dollar sets plus the rotors and adapters... that brings us right to the total. $667
I just saw a note that you can pick up the full set, complete with those XT 180mm rotors, over at Bike Mania for around $1,400. $500.
That works out to $166 plus another $50 for the rotors, so we're looking at $216 total... plus whatever else is coming.$17 What’s the deal with the tax on those adapters? I'm trying to figure out what the sales tax is going to add to the total. $467I have no idea where on earth you managed to dig up those two cents...🤣 😁
#11 ·
You seem to be quite the expert, I suppose...
Which rotors are you claiming cost only 50 bucks?
And where on earth did you get $83 per brake? That looks like a price from Bike Mania, but at the local Trek store, they’re going for $90. 🙂
Where exactly are you finding an adapter for that much$17?
And I stated that without even factoring in taxes, if that matters!!
Which rotors are you claiming cost only 50 bucks?
And where on earth did you get $83 per brake? That looks like a price from Bike Mania, but at the local Trek store, they’re going for $90. 🙂
Where exactly are you finding an adapter for that much$17?
And I stated that without even factoring in taxes, if that matters!!
#12 ·
Steven Wright10 said:You seem to think you’re quite the expert..
Which rotors were you even looking at for 50 bucks?
Where did you get that 83 dollar price per brake from? That’s what they cost at Bike Mania, though at Marathon they’re closer to 90 dollars.🙂
And where exactly is an adapter going to cost $17?
I stated all of this clearly without any tax nonsense included!!
I bought my brakes at Marathon and paid 83 dollars for the front and 83 for the rear....The rotors are the Shimano SLX model at 25 dollars a piece....and new adapters run about 10 dollars each, though you can easily find them for $17 since that's exactly what I paid....
I don't know how that wasn't obvious to you... I'm not just pulling numbers out of thin air....and fine, maybe they're 6 dollars more expensive at Marathon now....but I paid what I wrote, so it doesn't matter...🙂
And what's this talk about "tax nonsense"... it's not like I'm going to file for a tax refund and wait for it when I next visit Alex....obviously, I'm calculating based on the total out-of-pocket cost....
#13 ·
Let's just say we both dropped the ball here. I suppose I was more at fault than you were, though maybe not by much. 😁
#14 ·
Charles Bailey45;40194725 said:Unfortunately, no.
The Kon Splice might be a decent 29er, but the brakes are absolute garbage...
Even if you were dealing with crappy Novellas or IOs, at least you know what you're getting. But those Promax mechanics? They're even worse; basically one step away from the no-name Chinese stuff you find on cheap kids' bikes.
I assume you have your reasons for picking a 29er and sticking with those brakes—I really hope you aren't planning on hitting any mountain trails, because honestly, a decent V-brake would be a hundred times more reliable for that kind of riding. You won't see any real improvement until you swap the whole system out, not just the pads (and I'm not even sure if you can even find replacements for these locally or online)
____________________________
so it's a lost cause then...
what should I do to make it right?
sell it...
or keep sinking money into it?
#15 ·
The bike is solid, and I don't see any reason why you'd want to get rid of it (not that you even suggested selling it). If the brakes are driving you crazy, if I were in your shoes, I'd hunt down some MX4s or maybe some BB5 mechanical discs on Craigslist. They perform well enough without breaking the bank. Or, you could just grab some decent budget hydraulics—say, if you're currently rocking Avid Elixir 3s, a fresh pair for $167 would give you much better stopping power that should cover whatever you're doing. As for everything else, just swap parts out whenever something inevitably snaps.
I actually saw a set of both front and rear Hayes MX4s for sale recently; they were practically brand new, pads at 100%, complete with adapters and levers for $100. You can find deals like that, you just have to be patient.
I actually saw a set of both front and rear Hayes MX4s for sale recently; they were practically brand new, pads at 100%, complete with adapters and levers for $100. You can find deals like that, you just have to be patient.
#16 ·
boldcanyon14 said:The bike itself is solid, and I don't see any reason to sell it—not that anyone suggested you should. If the brakes are the issue, I’d suggest looking for some MX4s or BB5 mechanical discs on Craigslist. They perform well without breaking the bank. Alternatively, grab a decent budget hydraulic set; if you're running Avid Elixir 3s now, you could find a fresh pair for $167. That would solve your braking issues, leaving you to swap out other parts only when they actually fail.
I saw both front and rear Hayes MX2s for sale recently—brand new, pads at 100%, including adapters and levers for $100. You can find deals like that if you have enough patience.
I agree with my colleague here. Don't mess around with mechanical setups; just get yourself some hydraulics like an Elixir and call it a day. If money is tight, Tektro Draco or Auriga models are fantastic for entry-level hydraulics. I run Tektro Auriga on my Kon and I'm more than happy with them. They have plenty of bite, though as Charles Bailey45 pointed out, the modulation isn't quite there. 😉
#17 ·
That new Deore is more than enough for you. At Bike Mania, they're only $50 per brake, and if she’s a heavy rider, just slap a larger rotor on the front.
Here is how you handle the tax refund from Bike Mania:
- Order via mail through their Brezica branch
- Pay using PayPal
- Pick it up in Brezica and report it upon departure
- Mail the paperwork back to Bike Mania
- Bike Mania transfers the money to your PayPal—just make sure your account is set up to accept payments
Or, honestly, just drive over to Ljubljana if you happen to be passing through or know someone there.
The brakes come out to $100 - $20 = $80.
Bike Mania charges a $5 fee for processing PayPal payments.
Shipping those papers to Ljubljana will cost about $2.
Total comes to roughly $90, plus all the annoying hassle of driving to Brezica and playing phone tag with the guys at Bike Mania.
Here is how you handle the tax refund from Bike Mania:
- Order via mail through their Brezica branch
- Pay using PayPal
- Pick it up in Brezica and report it upon departure
- Mail the paperwork back to Bike Mania
- Bike Mania transfers the money to your PayPal—just make sure your account is set up to accept payments
Or, honestly, just drive over to Ljubljana if you happen to be passing through or know someone there.
The brakes come out to $100 - $20 = $80.
Bike Mania charges a $5 fee for processing PayPal payments.
Shipping those papers to Ljubljana will cost about $2.
Total comes to roughly $90, plus all the annoying hassle of driving to Brezica and playing phone tag with the guys at Bike Mania.
#18 ·
I get the feeling your brakes are either garbage or just poorly tuned. I run Shimano Deore M596 mechanicals. I’ve hammered them through thick woods, mud, rocky creek beds, and cooked them on brutal paved descents, all while riding over 22996 miles. All I do is swap out the pads, and I'm good to go. It's constant braking, and I'm 190 lbs naked—not even counting my watch—plus I'm always hauling a backpack. Basically, these brakes are stopping over 220 lbs.
#19 ·
I told him the exact same thing—he should just look into some MX4s or BB5s. I’m running the MX4s right now and they bite hard. I'm sitting at about 190 lbs currently, and I've been north of 200 before... he'll be more than fine, and honestly, his riding experience will be totally transformed once he actually tries them. I know because I spent a brief period 😁 running those Promax discs. Not to mention how much less of a headache they are compared to hydraulic setups.
#20 ·
Wait, I just mean what would be the equivalent to the BB5 when looking at the Hayes MX2, rather than the 4 🙂
🔗 Similar threads
- Quick question in Dentistry & Oral Hygiene · Apr 24, 2023
- Quick question in Banned Users Corner · Aug 29, 2021
- A few quick questions in Feedback & Suggestions · Jul 24, 2021
- New here - Quick question! in Forum Help! · Nov 11, 2020
- The "Quick Fix" Trap in Baseball in Fans · Jul 30, 2026