[Sandwich]

Has anybody ever tried mixing up shimano brake components? Did it reduce any pad contact inconsistencies?

I hear a lot of people complaining about newer saint and zee brakes being inconsistent, and I'm wondering if a non-servo wave lever would reduce that effect. You might lose some power, but you might gain a lot of modulation too.

You can get non-servo wave levers for pretty cheap, on their own or as part of a set, then tack on a set of calipers for like $90 each with pads. Do the swap, then see what happens.

 

[HAB]

FYI those super cheap non-servo wave levers are like 14 miles long. The ergonomics are pretty goofy.

Also relevant, I've had some bite point inconsistency on a set of XTR Race (i.e. non-servo wave) brakes, whereas my XTR trails (servo wave) have been perfect.

 

[Sandwich]

FYI those super cheap non-servo wave levers are like 14 miles long. The ergonomics are pretty goofy.

Also relevant, I've had some bite point inconsistency on a set of XTR Race (i.e. non-servo wave) brakes, whereas my XTR trails (servo wave) have been perfect.

yeah, they look fucked up, but they also look like the oldest saint levers, so I thought i'd ask.

Your point about the XTR races is pretty helpful. It sounds like it's hit or miss, or maybe notice/not notice. My older set of XT 785s were pretty much flawless, and my m810s were not problematic, so maybe it's just take a chance and see what happens. I have another set of 785s on the new trail bike, and they feel good so far.

Plus buying a set of Zees from merlin cycle is cheaper than buying two saint calipers from anywhere else.

 

[Da Peach]

They're all hit or miss.

I had an xtr trail poop the bed due to inconsistency, which was replaced with a 9000 series xtr trail, which had the exact same problem.

Because bike industry, just assume you'll need to use your warranty. So buy 2 of everything so you have a backup.

Ingenious marketing!

 

[kidwoo]

You can mix any shimano lever/caliper.

That won't solve the problem of leaks around the piston and air pockets, which is the real reason for 'inconsistency'

 

[Sandwich]

Because bike industry,\

yeah why don't we have a new brake mounting standard yet?

 

[HAB]

It's also worth noting that the XTR Race brakes have only had a problem with the rear. I need to try bleeding it again and seeing if that does anything. I'm pretty sure I tried to get away with just cutting the hose and shoving it back on without a proper bleed.

My Saint 810s get funky when the pads are pretty worn down, but with new pads they're fine.

 

[HAB]

Also, I've got big hands and run my brakes pretty far out, so I'm probably less sensitive to bite point issues than some people.

 

[IH8Rice]

does anyone make aftermarket levers for the M820's? i cant stand the levers on them and everyone who rides them says ill get used to them. no. no i wont.
i thought the Formula The One levers felt great.

 

[Udi]

If you're thinking about trying m800 levers on m810 or m820 calipers, my suggestion would be to do it for sure, they are compatible. I have a new set of m800 levers waiting to try this exact combination when the current brake apocalypse peaks (just waiting for the guides to fail). I never had inconsistency problems with those old levers, they were higher quality than the current shimano stuff.

They're all hit or miss.
I had an xtr trail poop the bed due to inconsistency, which was replaced with a 9000 series xtr trail, which had the exact same problem.

Agreed, I had lever throw dramas with m820/m640, and leaking caliper seals on m785/m675. Pinkbike's recent review on the 8000 xt suggests problems too. I also know of people with no dramas at all, but the ratio is not good.

I don't miss the lack of power, but it'd be nice to have the reliability from these again...

 

[HAB]

If you're thinking about trying m800 levers on m810 or m820 calipers, my suggestion would be to do it for sure, they are compatible. I have a new set of m800 levers waiting to try this exact combination when the current brake apocalypse peaks (just waiting for the guides to fail). I never had inconsistency problems with those old levers, they were higher quality than the current shimano stuff.

I've ridden a set of those on an old Spooky demo bike. Definitely lost some power compared to a full 810 setup, but they worked.

 

[troy]

It will work for sure. I'm riding magura calipers/shimano levers combo and it works flawlessly too.

 

[RayB]

You mean, like this?

 

[kidwoo]

No, you're doing it wrong^^^

 

[Nick]

You mean, like this?

No, you're doing it wrong^^^

Actually, that's me and my old 755s.
That setup worked VERY well and still serves a friend on her Glory DH to this day. That lever was an improvement over the stock setup. I still have the stock 755 m.c. with aftermarket 2-finger dangerboy levers if anyone is interested in experimenting.

 

[HAB]

Yeah using the worst generation of Shimano lever with a caliper that you can't really find metal pads for anymore sounds like a winner.

 

[Nick]

Like it or not they worked great, and you can still buy metal EBC pads for those calipers today.
Keep in mind that picture could be 8-9 years old at this point.

What (functionally) was the worst about those levers?

 

[HAB]

I don't like the ergonomics, and I had a couple puke oil from the main seal on the master cylinder.

 

[kidwoo]

Actually, that's me and my old 755s.
That setup worked VERY well and still serves a friend on her Glory DH to this day.

You're so full of it.

The rotor is on the wheel dude. It does no good whatsoever mounted up there.

Last time I listen to anything you say. psshhh

 

[Da Peach]

You're so full of it.

The rotor is on the wheel dude. It does no good whatsoever mounted up there.

Last time I listen to anything you say. psshhh

I think it's to actuate the dropper. Duh....

 

[Jm_]

It will work for sure. I'm riding magura calipers/shimano levers combo and it works flawlessly too.

You idiot, you just broke mountain biking.

 

[Jm_]

Like it or not they worked great, and you can still buy metal EBC pads for those calipers today.
Keep in mind that picture could be 8-9 years old at this point.

What (functionally) was the worst about those levers?

Which is interesting because I think in another thread someone was complaining they couldn't buy pads for their hope mono M4s, which use the exact same pad dimensions as the 755s. I used to by XT pads for my hopes all the time, worked like a charm. I was going to say something, but I hoped the money spent on new brakes would help fund R&D into replacing brake fluid with things like water and urine.

 

[RayB]

Actually, that's me and my old 755s.
That setup worked VERY well and still serves a friend on her Glory DH to this day. That lever was an improvement over the stock setup. I still have the stock 755 m.c. with aftermarket 2-finger dangerboy levers if anyone is interested in experimenting.

Haha no way!

I asked myself the same question as OP many years ago and ended up finding a picture of your brakes on some forum -- which led me to experiment with 810-series Saint masters, XT 755 4-piston calipers, and stainless Goodridge lines. They worked great, but SRAM gave me a set of free Codes so I never really got to abuse them.

 

[kidwoo]

You idiot, you just broke mountain biking.

27.5+ and boost is troy?!

Fucker!

 

[troy]

You idiot, you just broke mountain biking.