Bikepacking/touring/Air Travel with hydraulic disc brakes

[Moyo]

Just wondering for the sake of an exercise:
Can anybody argue the merit of a hydraulic disc brake in backcountry situations over a simple mechanical like the BB7?

Since I started mountain biking, I've basically only used mechanicals.
I'm unfamiliar with the likelihood of issues with hydraulics, the impact of whatever issues they may have on an extended ride, and if there is any way to field-service them like a cable-actuated brake short of carrying all kinds of fluid, bleed kit, etc.
If I'm being honest with myself, my bike spends much more time on urban trails than in the backcountry, and I've been curious about hydraulics for some time.

[eec]

Take this for what it's worth...my only experience with hydraulic disc brakes has been on my Cannondale Trail SL4 29, which came stock with Cannondale Helix 6 hydraulic disc brakes. They suck. Twice the front brake has failed and I had no means to fix it. It could be that I got a lemon, or that the Helix brakes are inferior. However, having that experience as my first and only experience with hydraulics, I would not trust them in the backcountry. I'm currently looking at getting Avid BB-7s knowing that I could fix them myself if anything happened.

I'm positive there are others that have had wonderful experiences with hydraulics and would trust them on an extended ride.

[Iowagriz]

8+ years on hydros. 3-5000 miles each year. Not a single problem. Get decent brakes and don't worry. I currently run Shimano XT.  Had some Avid Elixirs that would brake fade during travel to higher elevation, that was a known problem with that model.

Same with all of my travel and race partners, no problems, with one exception of a bent rotor after a crash. Easily fixed.

I don't see the fascination with BB7s. A contaminated cable and poor performance as a result seems more likely.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[woody]

FWIW, I used bb7's on my first disc brake bike in 2002. I rode a lot in the backcountry and always carried an extra cable, but never used it. 2010 I built up my new bike and used bb7's with the same thought. I was looking into replacing drivetrain and brakes a couple of years ago. I sent my bike (Moots) manufacturer an email asking what disc brakes they used? I figured it's going to be some high end brakes, but he said they all use Shimano XT. Set them up and don't look back and that's what I've done, great brakes.

Now here's two stories on hydraulics - first, a guy I was riding with in the high country we were going over a pass around 13,000' and his front hydraulic brake went out. The lower we got the better it started working. When we were at about 9500' it was back fully functional, must of had a little air bubble in the line I guess?? Don't recall brand, but pretty sure there were Avid.
Second one, on a tour in Peru and a guy flew with his bike and the bike must had been upside down for the flight. His front brake didn't work for a couple of days and then came back. He didn't have a bleed kit.

Hydraulics are easier on my old hands I will say.

[evdog]

Since the late 90s I've used Hayes, Formula, Avid, now Shimano XT or Zee brakes.  I've had my share of problems with all of them but also gone long periods of time with flawless operation. I have issues much more frequently with cable actuated parts (deraillers, dropper post) mostly due to stretched cables and/or gunked up housing than I do with hydraulic brakes.  Personally I would expect to have similar issues with BB7s, though I seldom hear of issues from people who use them. 

I am very confident using Shimano brakes on any ride because of their reliability.  The only issue I have had in 3-4 years of using them is they occasionally get air in the line, and you can then pull the lever to the bar.  However, pumping the lever a number of times usually restores pressure for the rest of the ride.  I've used them for several months like this and been able to ride without issues.  These brakes are quick and easy to bleed and the bleed kit is light and compact enough to bring on bikepacking trips or long rides.  I carry a spare set of pads as well, at all times.

I would be more concerned about using hydraulic discs while bikepacking if I were still using Avids or Formulas.  I found the Avids (Elixirs and Codes) to be unreliable.  I could bleed them one day and have no pressure the next, or randomly lose pressure after weeks of perfect performance.  With the formulas I frequently had a problem with the spreader clip catching on the disc rotor, and the brakes always seemed to be misaligned.  Carrying spares was a necessity, and I always had my bleed kit and a spare brakeset on roadtrips.  A number of times with each brand I had to ride out with only one brake.  And one case with Avids, without either brake. 

Supposedly Avid (SRAM) has stepped up its game and is producing better brakes now, but when XT can be had for as little as $90 per wheel I have no reason to use anything else. 

[Racingguy04]

I love hydros, I've used shimano and avid. My shimano calipers had a seal go bad and leaked fluid (mineral oil) all over my friction surfaces, and they were one piece non serviceable calipers. I've had avid elixir 7's for 2 years and I have nothing but good things to say about them. I've also used mechanical discs and they work but I feel like I'm much more precise with my hydraulic brakes.

I like hydraulics for bike packing because I think they're a little less sensitive about being pinched or kinked by a bag up front, I always struggled with that with mechanical brakes.

It's different strokes for different folks but shimano xt are cheap and reliable, easily serviced, and help me enjoy technical down hill riding more.

[Moyo]

Wow, thanks for all the thorough responses. Had no idea about shimano XTs. My next question was probably going to be about recommendations but you guys were all over it.
I've honestly never touched my bb7s besides two brake pad changes and when transferring between frames. They have been a nonissue. I just remembered that I did use a set of elixirs for a few months.  They gave me lots of headaches but when they were functioning, they felt so nice compared to mechanicals. Can't imagine what a better hydraulic feels like.

[Moyo]

I am always happy to question the things in bike packing/camping culture that are handed down to me from really vocal Luddites. I think simplicity is cool but I'm finally starting to realize how much more fun riding can be with things like active suspension or carbon instead of living in fear and riding rigid, apocalypse-ready bikes.

[Yagi]

My past with brakes coincide almost perfectly with others.  Great luck and reliability with Shimano XT's, and an *interesting* past with Avid Elixirs.  The Avids gave me predictable fade.  I don't have any intention of turning away from my trusty XT's any time soon.  Awesome brakes.