2013 XT Hydraulic brake vs Avid BB7's

[Dr. Ken]

I am torned between the new 2013 XT Hydraulic brakes and the BB7's. Any advice on the pros and cons of both brake systems? I personally prefer the BB7's due to it's on site repair capacity. But, put aside the price difference, which one would you prefer?

[Yagi]

I'm with you on the ease of repair, but I don't know if I'll ever leave hydraulic-land at this point.  No problems, yet, and I love them.  I use SLX, but will probably upgrade to XT's shortly.

Steve

[trebor]

I have both. Both work well. Have BB7's on 3 different bikes currently and they have never ever failed me.

Shimano are easy to install and get aligned (BB7's and all Avid's for that matter are a bigger pain). Mechanicals don't fade like a hydraulic, but after adding the finned pads not had any issues. The modulation on the Shimano are outstanding. Only have had the '13 XT for about 3 or 4 months so I have no comment on the long term aspects of the product.

If going hydro, I'd vote for Shimano.

[Yagi]

I'd say Shimano, as well.  I've only experience fade, albeit super-minimal, while fully-loaded on the CT.  A friend of mine was using some older Elixirs whilst unloaded and experienced some horrible fade.  Obviously, technology changes things.

To go back to my other post, I have nothing bad to say about BB7's as they are on 2 of my other bikes.

Good luck.

[Dr. Ken]

Thank you for your input, folks. Which brakes take more maintenance? Changing pads, bleeds, adjusting cables?

[harryonaspot]

I would say the BB7s. I have them on my touring rig and xt on my mtb. I never do anything to the xt except change the pads. The bb7 don't have as nice lever feel. They are fussy to adjust, not hard, just fussy . Pad changing is about the same. With the nod to xt. When I did the tour divide a few years ago, one of our party had a fluid leak on a set of Hayes brakes. Otherwise I haven't personally known anyone to have trouble with hydraulics on the trail. But I still use mechanicals.

[Adam Alphabet]

I rode BB7's for a number of years... bikepacking, mtb races, 100 milers, one set got a tonne of use, super durable, easy to set up, reliable enough, paired with Pauls levers they were great.

Last August I got a new bike, with new brakes, XT's.

Of any bike part I tried/upgraded last year the new brakes made the biggest difference. Better brakes, faster riding. It would take a lot for me to go back to the BB7's after using XT's.

[zuren]

I use BB7s on 2 of my trail bikes and had BB5s on a commuter until I sold it.  The ability to do easy, trail-side repairs on the mechanical brakes is what sells me.

[james-o]

I used to use M770 series XTs, brilliant brakes, better performers than the BB7. But a few long, technical descents with a 15lb load heated the XTs up dramatically and after that the pistons wouldn't re-set properly and they rubbed despite re-adjustment. I now use BB7s, I do tend to try not to over-heat them as they'll not dissipate heat as well as hydros but they're never a click or 2 away from perfect adjustment. I also get my bike out of the box at airports knowing there won't be any issues with damaged hoses or over-extended pistons (I know, pack well and all's ok but I've seen what carriers can do to a bike box!)

Performance of BB7s has never left me wanting - 180 rotors f+r for the Alps, 160/180 everywhere else, all ok. An 8/10 to the XT's 10/10. Bikepacking to me means being ok with compromising outright performance in favour of durability, reliability and serviceability.

[Dr. Ken]

Folks, these are very brilliant and insightful ideas. Thank you.