Brake replacement

[chockymonster]

I had the time to finally get the bike out from under all of the rubbish in the garage for the first time since we moved house. Unfortunately it looks like either lack of use or being naff has killed my Hayes So1e brakes. I was looking at repairing them but a quick search shows that I'll be better off upgrading them. My problem is I don't have a clue what to go for.

I don't want to throw fortunes at the bike but also don't want to buy something that's going to go the same way as the Hayes gear that's on there.

Do I need to replace the disks at the same time or can I use what I currently have?

[P-Jay]

You can re-se the discs and mounts (read Post and IS mounts), Shimano brakes are probably the best VFM stoppers and constantly being offered at a discount on CRC, Wiggle, Merlin etc.

[breamster]

Hi,

Spookily similar position. My Hayes brakes have just given up the ghost. Following some research deore brakes seem the way to go without blowing loads of cash.

See the 'tight fisted git' thread.

Have just ordered a set of m596 deore brakes for £80 plus another fiver for an adapter. Hopefully I'be ordered the right stuff!!

[Vladimir]

Shimano brakes are the ones to have at the moment; they are back on form.

I have Avid X0s which are excellent but SRAM seem to. Be cost cutting on some parts now; a new X0 rear mech for example uses worse parts than one from a year or two ago.