brakes: Saints vs XT M8120 vs Zee (all 4 piston)

[rzr]

enough is enough I have to get rid off Srams from my bikes
(I have SLX M7100/XT m8000 on my analog bike, and i'm happy with shimanos for last 10 years)

But, the questions is... which Shimanos... ?
Does anyone have comparison between new 4 piston XTs and Saints (power) ?
and where are Zees ?

 

[Alexbn921]

All current gen Shimano use the same pistons in the calipers. The saints have a stiffer caliper that weighs more. It handles more heat and flexes less.

Leverage ratio of SLX, XT, XTR are all the same.

Saint uses a slightly more aggressive leverage ratio that provides more clamping with the same lever force. This is a very small difference.

The best of the best is XTR levers with saint calipers. You can use titanium brake retaining pins and Trickstuff pads to save 20g per caliper. You will be close to full XTR weight with almost saint power.

 

[irie]

enough is enough I have to get rid off Srams from my bikes
(I have SLX M7100/XT m8000 on my analog bike, and i'm happy with shimanos for last 10 years)

But, the questions is... which Shimanos... ?
Does anyone have comparison between new 4 piston XTs and Saints (power) ?
and where are Zees ?

As far as I could see (and I stand to be corrected) Shimano M9120, M8120, M7120, M6120, and MT520 calipers all have the same size (ceramic) pistons so pretty much the same performance. Saw a deal on M6120 calipers and bought them, and with my M6100 levers have superb brakes with lots of 'feel' especially with Swissstop Catalyst Pro 220mm rotors front and rear.

Edit: as an ex-motorcyclist use quite a lot of front brake together with rear brake (depending on conditions of course).

 

[Robstyle]

What @Alexbn921 said pretty much.

My advice if you're going shimano is just slap some XT's in there and call it a day. Easy to find, easy to get parts for, easiest to bleed.

 

[jimbob]

As far as I could see (and I stand to be corrected) Shimano M9120, M8120, M7120, M6120, and MT520 calipers all have the same size (ceramic) pistons so pretty much the same performance. Saw a deal on M6120 calipers and bought them, and with my M6100 levers have superb brakes with lots of 'feel' especially with Swissstop Catalyst Pro 220mm rotors front and rear.

Edit: as an ex-motorcyclist use quite a lot of front brake together with rear brake (depending on conditions of course).

If they're all the same braking force, what's the difference between the calipers? Just weight?

 

[Robstyle]

There's significantly more material on a saint and the banjo is longer to help with heat.
Here's a terrible picture vvv

 

[irie]

If they're all the same braking force, what's the difference between the calipers? Just weight?

Weight difference just a few grams, can't see much performance difference (if any) with same BH90 hose. Which is why I put my money into quality larger 220mm rotors which provide a significant measurable improvement in both braking performance and heat dissipation.

 

[Dax]

If they're all the same braking force, what's the difference between the calipers? Just weight?

Saints are an older calliper design, very effective (when these work) but can be a bit on/off/grabby.

Even for a fairly chunky rider, saints are probably overkill for the uk.

 

[Jurassic]

I've had two bikes with XTs and one with Saints and would say the difference in performance and feel is negligible if they're working properly. They're both very good. My caveat would be that the most recent XTs (on my Reign E+1) have never been consistent despite multiple pad changes and countless bleeds and I've ended up swapping the calipers for Magura MT5s and creating the hybrid Shigura set up that you may have heard about (phenomenal performance so far). If you get a good pair of XTs though I'm sure you'll be happy and to be fair my issues were only with one of the two brakes on my Reign (the rear performed as expected but my OCD forced me to change it to Magura to match the front).

 

[Dax]

I've had two bikes with XTs and one with Saints and would say the difference in performance and feel is negligible if they're working properly. They're both very good. My caveat would be that the most recent XTs (on my Reign E+1) have never been consistent despite multiple pad changes and countless bleeds and I've ended up swapping the calipers for Magura MT5s and creating the hybrid Shigura set up that you may have heard about (phenomenal performance so far). If you get a good pair of XTs though I'm sure you'll be happy and to be fair my issues were only with one of the two brakes on my Reign (the rear performed as expected but my OCD forced me to change it to Magura to match the front).

Was that with the current XTs or the previous generation? The previous ones had a reputation for wandering bite point, but apparently it’s a lot more consistent now

 

[Jurassic]

Was that with the current XTs or the previous generation? The previous ones had a reputation for wandering bite point, but apparently it’s a lot more consistent now

Ironically the only ones that I've had problems with are the latest ones. The XTs on my 2020 Orbea Rallon have been faultless. The front brake on my Giant (2022 XT) suffered all the issues (wandering bite point and micro leaking caliper contaminating pads)! Until I got the Giant I'd been a total Shimano brake fanboi. The Saint brakes on my fat bike have also been flawless. All I've done is swap pads when required, I've not even had to bleed them since installation.

 

[lona79]

Hi guys!
What do you think about Shimano SLX?

 

[Jurassic]

Hi guys!
What do you think about Shimano SLX?

I've no personal experience with SLX but I've only heard good things about them. I think they're supposed to be just as good as XT but a bit cheaper to buy. They might be a fraction heavier and less blingy and do without the bite point adjustment (that makes hardly a difference anyway) but I think the performance is pretty much identical.
I'm sure somebody will be along who has actually used them to give a first hand account.

 

[rzr]

Hi guys!
What do you think about Shimano SLX?

I have SLX M7000/7100 on my other bike, very good, basically the same as XT

 

[MH80]

Hi guys!
What do you think about Shimano SLX?

Same as XT. Only 34g difference, it doesnt have the dimples on the lever blades that the XT has. M6120 has basically the same power as M8120/7120 but no freestroke adjust on the lever.

Im replacing the sram brakes on my Tubor Levo for M6120.

 

[Alexbn921]

Mountain Bike Brake Force Visualisation

Compare the leverage ratio of mountain bike brakes

brakes.ddzyne.nl