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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 10:49 am 
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Hi all,
I've got an Intense Tracer 275A Foundation which came with Shimano m506 brakes (Deore/Alivo mixes). Been thinking of upgrading for a while now and a trip to Mammoth in a couple weeks has got me motivated to get this done.
Looking at Shimano SLX, XT and Zees for $72, $99 and $125 ish at Bike Bling. Can afford the Zees but not sure I really need them and the SLXs are likely much better than what I've got.
Opinions?
Thanx

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 12:30 pm 
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I just upgraded by bike from Avid BB7 mechanicals to XT hydraulic brakes. Why oh why did I resist so long? I love my new brakes. I can't guide you between your various choices other than to say I love the XTs.

I finally upgraded due to tendonitis in my elbow reducing my grip strength. Much easier and much more confident braking now.

... then again... I ride like your grandmother...

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 1:15 pm 
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^^^ What he said :thumbsup:

My older bike had SLX and my new one has XT. I have read many times that there isn't much difference other than a wee little weight saving. For the extra couple of bucks I would go to XT. My XT brakes are now connected with my shifters now (Ispec) so there's one less bracket on the bars too. This weight saving has dramatically improved my starva times :roll: :oops: :lol:

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 1:44 pm 
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I-spec, huh? Learn something new every day. Need to see if my shifters are compatible with this (and which generation of i-spec). I do like the idea of the integrated mounting. Does the i-spec system allow the brake levers and shifters to be set at different/independent angles? And hell, a few grams of weight savings and maybe I'll PR some segments.

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 1:49 pm 
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I'll join in and are that you can't go wrong with XT's. I saw a survey on Pinkbike a while back about brakes and more people had XT brakes than all the others combined.

Competitive Cyclist has them on sale for $89.99 which I'm pretty sure Kerry at Bike Bling would match...or you could order them from CC thru the Active Junky link and get another $18 kicked back as well.

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 2:25 pm 
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XT's all the way. Zee brakes don't have any easy reach adjustment you have to use a allen which is why I prefer XT over Zee even if the performance will be a tad better. XT's have handled everything I've thrown at them. Saints would be the best choice but for the price tag XT's are hard to beat.

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 4:08 pm 
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XT

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 4:27 pm 
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XT on old Nomad
And new wonder bike.
Love 'em!

They work great and
easy to work on!

:cheers:

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 4:32 pm 
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I was not able to adjust the brake shifter combo to my liking. It honestly rubbed me the wrong way.

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:06 pm 
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Thanx all! Looks like I'll be picking up some XTs.

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 3:21 pm 
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OhNooo wrote:
I just upgraded by bike from Avid BB7 mechanicals to XT hydraulic brakes. Why oh why did I resist so long? I love my new brakes. I can't guide you between your various choices other than to say I love the XTs.

I finally upgraded due to tendonitis in my elbow reducing my grip strength. Much easier and much more confident braking now.

... then again... I ride like your grandmother...


I was riding my SS recently, after upgrading the BB7's to the hydraulics that came off my Marin when I upgraded to XT's, and I randomly wondered to myself whether you would ever forsake your beloved Avids - thanks for the answer.

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:12 am 
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another vote for XT, they are also easy to change pads

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:35 am 
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Canaan wrote:
I was riding my SS recently, after upgrading the BB7's to the hydraulics that came off my Marin when I upgraded to XT's, and I randomly wondered to myself whether you would ever forsake your beloved Avids - thanks for the answer.


The last of the knuckle-dragging neanderthals crawls slowly from his cave, blinking at the blinding sight of the modern technological world...

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PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 5:06 am 
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OhNooo wrote:
The last of the knuckle-dragging neanderthals crawls slowly from his cave, blinking at the blinding sight of the modern technological world...


[random walk, emerging from cave's back bathroom] "Hey, where'd everybody go?"

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