Hi I’m building up a bike from scratch (starting with an edge Blade BSX frame that I won in a competition and a pair of second hand 03 shiver sc forks) both the frame and forks are disc comp only so it’s a case of taking my first steps in the wonderful world of disc brakes.

With the budget I have I think it’s a toss up between a set of Avid bb Mechanical Disc with speed dial 5 levers and xtr cables at £109.98 or a Diatech Anchor hydraulic Disc set on offer at the mo for £125.99.

At the moment I’m thinking the avids may be best as there cheaper and seem to get grate reviews also I have no experience with hydraulics and will be fitting them my self. On the other hand £125.99 for a full set of hydroics with every thing but the fluid is an amazing price and what mtb review:

("Full hydraulic system for the price of many cable set ups (with extra value brake and hub sets also available) and equally important they work really, really well...We can't really fault them for the money"
Conclusion: Solid no nonsense hydraulic performance for remarkably few notes
Rating: Performance 7/10 Value 10/10
Awarded: WHAT MTB VALUE AWARD) the only review I can find though.

Any help at all would be gratefully received
Thanks
Jon.

get the avid bbdb just got some for my marin rift zone awesome performance just take your time setting up pads have to be adjusted manually make sure they are as close to the rotor as possible

The diatech anchors are fine, fairly easy to service, and should be much more powerfull that cable brakes. You can also get them a bit cheaper if you look. Try simplythebike.co.uk, i think they were about £118, including p&p! Seems a shame to but anything other than real brakes on such a nice frame.

Thanks guys, after reading some other posts and posting the same question on the kiddie’s forum (MBUK) I’m leaning more towards the Anchor hydraulics but one thing that bothers me is how toxic/environmentally damaging is the brake fluid in hydraulics and dose any one know what fluid Anchors take and how much it is likely to cost?

been runnin the avid mech disc (203mm) up front for 6 months now on my 98 riftzone. v impressed. easily adjusted, none of the faffing that my mates have with hydraulic discs. tremendous stopping power. and no squeal.

highly recommended.

I'll vote for the Avids, I've been using one for a few months and am very happy with the set up, ease of pad replacement, and stopping/control it gives. I can't comment on the Diatechs, but really you are comparing 2 different products, a top end cable vs a budget hydraulic set up, and although WMB did seem to like the Diatech, everything in that test was marked down because they were reveiwing budget set ups!

If you go to MTBR.com you can read a lot of reviews about the Avids, some good, some bad, but set up is easy. Think of getting some gore tex cables as well, the sealed systems work really well with cable discs.

have a look at these shimano deore hydraulic pair halfway down for £110

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/SHIMANO_DISC_BRAKES.html


seems like a good deal to me

I agree with alun, go for shimano over your 2 choices!

I'm now running hope mono mini's but did run deore with no problems - I only changed them because it was my birthday coming up and you've got to have something nice for ya birthday haven't ya?

seriously though the deore brakes are spot on but if you can wait and save up £200 then the mono mini is superb and will look the part on the bike your building.

thanks will check those sites out, have also just seen Magura Julie's for £59.99 each on sale on the CRC website...my head is starting to hurt!

the avids with the avid sd5 lever or higher are great, you can put the lever exactly where you want it, rather than the cheaper hydraulic options where your hand either ffits the lever or it doesn't

remember, teflon inner cables are essential as well as avid sd5 levers or above to get the most out of avid cable disc brakes

i say save and get hayes hfx 9's. the pads last forever [ive had my bike 2 years] and have great lever feel. My dad got some diatech's on his dawes and i dont really like em. not a great lever feel and uneven pad contacts, but this is one in around 1000 at least sets sold!

why dont you get some second hand of the internet and save loads?

hani shobaki re: funny you sould say that, after scraching my head for days over this one i had a look for some second hand discs, have seen some hope c2's for £120 and minys again for around the same. will have to do a bit of research so i know what i'm looking at and don't get spme duff ones but over all i think with my buget its the best bet.

failing that i think it would be better to get the best cables (avid bb's) then the cheepist hydro's

any one have any good avise on buying second hand discs (eg hope c2's).
cheers,
Jon.

Check out ebay for Maguras. I got a pair of Formula B4s for £110 delivered last year, brand new but had been on a showroom window for a while. Most chuffed I was.

If your going second hand, go for Hope's as they're easy to service and get spares for.

I've got a Hope O2 and an Avid cable on my bike and the Avid works at least as well as the Hope. It's not really that fussy about cables either to be honest. You do need to use an SD5 or better Avid lever, though, to get the best set up from it.

Set up is slightly fiddly, but once it's all sorted, you very rarely have to touch them.

I've used the Avid Mech for a while, and also ridden a bike with Diatech Anchors on several occasions.

The Avids are lighter, easier to set up and stop just as well. Pads are easier to get hold of, and the levers don't look as naff. But they are not fit and forget items by any means.

The Anchors are however bulletproof and very reliable. They really don't need much attention, except new pads every now and then. But they are aptly named as they weigh a ton!