Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
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for XC or Aggro XC riding...Being a poser, I copied the April MBA issue's cover bike's brake setup---a 2004 KHS XC504, w/ the Manitou Black/ 8" front rotor. After special ordering the bracket (Manitou & their stupid azz 74mm posts) and a 8" rotor from Avid, I was excited to see what was in store. What I didn't realize was that this combination far exceeds braking needs for my p****y xc riding. Even on ST semi-steep chutes, I have to ease up on the brakes. Why KHS decided to go with this on their 4" rear travel bike is questionable and one will have to assume that there will be many folks out there endo'ing when they first get on the saddle if they are beginners. This setup really stops my old 6" travel KHS and I recommend it for those who have Stinkys and such who don't care much for 8" hydraulics. However I do not recommend it for XC bikes AT ALL!! My bike only weighs 31-32 lbs, and if you slap this combo on a 29lb and less--its too much brake.
Now I have to rethink the brake squeeze when I get on this bike... 
Posted by The Real FatCat  riding a POS rigid HT Raleigh USA M40 on 04/25/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
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Hey brah, your brake set up is dangerous. The extra cable hanging past the mount should be about a 1/2" max, as per Avid and their instructions. The excess can get caught in your rotor and cause a major boo-boo (technical term). The XC504 is billed as their "entry level freeride" bike, hence the 8" rotor and semi-beefy build. Avid brakes are either on or off (no modulation) and, unless you are a clyde and need heat dissipation, the 8" is overkill. If you are to cheap too go hydro's then try the 7" rotor instead (hydro's are a HUGE improvement, depending upon the system. My Hopes were the best purchase I ever made). The stock rotor on the Avid is severely under-braked.
Posted by GC on 04/25/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
I have the cable zip tied to the crown--you cant see it on the pic.
I know what youre talking about--no modulation... Ive had Shimano Deore disks which had great modulation for a mechanical but I swapped them w/ a friend because he wanted disks and has a Psylo w/ the IS brake tabs.
I have the 7" Avids on my Goose and they seem to perform like a 6", so I wanted to try the 8".
I have a used Hayes 8" set sitting in my junkboxand that was overkill for this bike. Hope Minis and Juicy is what I cant afford!
Posted by The real fatcat on 04/25/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
Hydros are overated. I have more miles on Avid 6" than Hayes but I have no problem going from one bike and back. Modulation is good but the instant hookup is better than the hydro , making for easy all conditions 1 finger. Use the EBC Red pads with the 6" rotors they wear faster but make the Avid its best.
Posted by Softy on 04/25/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
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Softy How would you describe the difference between EBC Red pads and stock Avid Pads? More power? More Feel? I have had Avids for a couple years now but with only the stock pads. I am curious.
Posted by Arrkelly on 04/25/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
I have had the Avid 7" mechanicals and used EBC red pads, the difference is quite noticeable. The EBC pads have a LOT more bite while still offering decent modulation. I would only run them in the rear, because they would be a little too much in the front. Down side is they wear pretty fast. I would get about 4 months max out of the pads, and that was on my Foes and I only weigh 160#. I recently switched to Hope Mono M4's, and they are leaps and bounds better than the Avid mechanicals were.
Posted by RDC a 28 year old riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster on 04/25/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
I got a heckler with 7" on front and back. Front brake is great. I am locking up the back tire more than I would like so I am switching to a 6" for the back. Don't need more power.
Posted by Arrkelly on 04/25/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
You might try the EBC green pads in the rear then, before you swap out to a 6" rotor. They have a bit less bite and more modulation than the stock Avid pads, and last a long time also. The EBC gold pads are pretty much the same as stock Avid pads.
Posted by RDC a 28 year old riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster on 04/25/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
More power , less fade , more 1finger action. But they are wore out yet again. But you know how,where I ride. I ain't playing G.I. Joes here. Avids are good , EBC reds make em better.
Posted by Softy on 04/26/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
LMAO...
Posted by CrzyRidr3 a 32 year old riding a SantaBansheeCruzScreamBlurr on 04/28/04
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- Re: Avid 8" Mechanical Too Much...
umm actually you missed something and this happened to me once... but it was gnarly! The cable (not the houseing) that is going past the pinch bolt on the caliper is too long and might get pushed into the rotor. That should be trimmed. After my front brake locked up, I trimmed it at about 1/4 inch. Sounds really short, but thats all you really need anyway... these suckers are so damn adjustable! And I agree the 8" rotors are too much for most XC rides, but if you have the Avid speed dail levers you could try turning down the leverage... always wondered why one would WANT to have less power at the lever... Damn those guys at Avid a smart!
Posted by Mtnbikerman a 29 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Giant MCM Team from Long Beach on 05/04/04
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