cable vs hydraulic

american muscle · Derestricted Danger Joined: 11 Oct 2013 Karma :

hi chaps
i have decided to get back into cycling to try and shed some excess lard and get a bit fitter
had a couple of apollos from halfrauds and then bought a completely horrific shockwave xt900 which put me off cycling for ages
felt like it was made from off cuts of cheiftain tank

i have now bought a GT avalanche 4
i love it its so much better but i have one issue

brakes : cable operated discs
my last 2 bikes had these and they were appauling and this is the same
i do believe that on a mild down hill slope it wont stop at all
is this a pad problem or just shit brakes, is there a set up issue i need to look at or should i just bin them and go hydraulic

hope you can help
____________________
gaffa tape is like the force
it has a dark side and a light side and holds the universe together
bikes: VFR400 NC24, FZR600R, BIG AMERICAN STUFF, ZX-7R P3

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Yo can get good cable operated discs.

However, you can get some not bad fairly cheap hydraulic callipers, so I'd probably just look to replacing the front caliper system rather than mess with your current one.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Was it a new bike? Did you bed the pads in?

I've found push bikes really need the pads bedded in properly. Spend a while getting up to speed and slamming the brakes over and over again. see if they get better.

Cable discs brakes can work well but they need to be set up and use good quality cables and pads.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

american muscle · Derestricted Danger Joined: 11 Oct 2013 Karma :

it is a brand new bike so maybe i should try and get them bedded in first before i mess about with them
i wouldnt think that GT would kit a bike with complete shit brakes
____________________
gaffa tape is like the force
it has a dark side and a light side and holds the universe together
bikes: VFR400 NC24, FZR600R, BIG AMERICAN STUFF, ZX-7R P3

Irn-Bru · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Karma :

I love hydraulic brakes, the ones on my Carrera GT are shit hot and probably more effective than the ones on my motorbike.

My bike before this was a Saracen Mantra 3 with cable discs and it was alright but after about 5 years still on stock pads they were getting pretty rubbish. Either the pads were low or just old and tired. Either way, hydraulic feels about 1,000,000 times better to me.
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Erm, most cable disc brakes I've used have required regular adjustment as the pads wear?

american muscle · Derestricted Danger Joined: 11 Oct 2013 Karma :

any good tips on bedding in the pads or is it just whack them on hard a few times till they start to work
____________________
gaffa tape is like the force
it has a dark side and a light side and holds the universe together
bikes: VFR400 NC24, FZR600R, BIG AMERICAN STUFF, ZX-7R P3

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

mudcow007 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

i bought a truly snide hydraulic front brake (formula S3 or something) an it was shonking

first one leaked at the caliper, 2nd leaked at the lever an the 3rd is just crap

i have a magura hydraulic canti on the back though so that has mucho power

Avid do really good cable disks

Mondeo Man · Trackday Trickster Joined: 21 May 2011 Karma :

I think the difference is something to do with IQ.

The further your IQ drops below 100, the more convinced you become you need hydraulic brakes on a cycle.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

I've used decent cable operated brake caliper's on MTB's. They do require more adjustment as you would expect, but then they are easy to adjust with an Allen key anyway!

If you have no issue's with pad contamination, then I think you need to be looking a decent pads in a high friction compound for your calipers.

400bandit · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Dec 2005 Karma :

As with any kind of hydraulic brakes, pads can make a huge difference. I've got the low spec shimano hydraulics on my Voodoo Bantu and after upgrading the groupset brakes were next on the agenda as I'd never been impressed by them. I changed that pads before going whole hog and what a difference!

For reference, I think they were SuperStar pads?

Joe
____________________
Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)