|   What I saw in a magazine | John Stockton
Dec 13, 2001 2:41 PM | | Usually I dont give much credit or regard to product reviews in magazines because the testers are dorks but.. This one caught my eye.
I dont recall if it was 'Bicycling' or who but they had a disc brake buyers guide. They ranked each brake in a number of categories, like modulation, stopping power, usable power so on.
I wasnt suprised to see that Hayes had done quite well- best overall or something- the enduro outperformed it but didnt get top honors for some reason, availability of parts or something.
The avid mechanicals also did very well. It was rated to have to have a score of 9/10 for modulation, the same score given to Hayes hydraulic for modulation, while the Louise only scored a 4/10!? The Louise also scored poorly in the category of usable power, apparently the Louise locked up to easily- not something for trials riders to fuss about but does lend to a lack of modulation.
So whats up?
I thought the Louise was the premier disc brake of trials. I have never ridden them, I have only limited experience with Hayes hydros and mech's and the Avid mech's. The Avids didnt seem that... spectacular with stock pads.
Anybody make it this far?
Im been bored of my own post for a while now. |
| Well thats why you should read | Optikal
Dec 13, 2001 4:50 PM | | 9/10 for Hayes modulation? HA! Let me guess...did the Hope Enduro 4s score lower? I've owned both, and the Hayes are light switches compared to the Enduro 4's excelent modulation.
My experience with the Louise is pretty limited, but I found that it was the complete opposite. I found that it didn't have a tremendous amount of power, but that it modulated really well. Go figure.
I've had a lot of experience with the Magura Julies, and I found they felt and acted much like the Louise.
I'd really like to try the new Hope Minis...after my Enduros I'm hooked on the Hope feel. And they're a whopping 8 grams ligher than the Louise! Yippie!
If properally set up, the Avid and Hayes mechanical brakes can feel VERY good, but the key is in the setup. |
| Well thats why you should read | Jonn
Dec 13, 2001 6:25 PM | | I'll take Hayes. The trade off for availibility of parts is reason enough for me. |
| Well thats why you should read | Mr. Stockton
Dec 13, 2001 7:14 PM | | The Enduro 4's were rated best hydraulic.
The Avids best mechanical, and Hayes best overall.
The Louise's really stunk the place up on their test. |
| Well thats why you should read | Regder
Dec 14, 2001 2:12 AM | | you had the right idea never to trust a magazine. My guess is that they strapped the louise onto a fourtie pound dh bike rather than use it for it's original intention, xc and a little trials on the side. Disks also have the problem of needing to be bedded in and functioning properly, they are kinda finnicky in that sense. Someone I know has Hayes with the 8" rotors yet doesn't get much in the way of power out of them, tried bleeding them, new pads, they still suck but Hayes in general have awesome power that will throw you over the handlebars in a second.
Some of the worst products known to man have gotten great reviews and magazines and vise versa, never trust a magazine or anyone giving advice (especially me), only go on real world experience.
As for the Louise, it is a fantastic brake. Good power, good modulation, and rock solid reliability, there is a reason it is the trials standard for disks (unlike the HS33 for rim brakes...) |
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