Fuel EXe Weak brakes on 2023 Fuel Exe 9.8 XT

[BobMtnBkr]

Question about the XT brakes on my 2023 Trek EXe Fuel 9.8 XT. The XT brakes feel weak. I’ve tried cleaning the disks (automotive brake cleaner and isopropyl). Even sanded the pads. I can still barely get the Assegai and Aggressor to lock up.

Every time I hop on my 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper 650B Expert (with original OEM XT brakes), I about go over the handlebars the first couple times I hit the brakes. Those XTs activate hard and fast. Wheel lock up is easy.

I ride tight woods single track, so I’m hitting the brakes every 5-10 seconds. Maybe overheating? Am I using the wrong disk cleaner? Anyone recommend a more aggressive pad?

 

[deksawyer]

My brand new XT brakes were howling like a badly played saxophone after getting wet... 16 miles from brand new... Up until that point they were excellent and also silent.

It was mainly the rear - it howled for another 13 mile ride after that (with next to nil braking effect) so enough was enough. The front silenced itself.... So I switched to galfer green on the rear. All good so far.

I used them on my previous bike and they never made a sound and were sharp AF!

 

[steve_sordy]

Do the brakes get better of you pull the lever a few times? If so, you need to bleed them.
Did you bed them in from new?
And so on and so on. I have been down the brake problems rabbit hole before.
There are so many tips and hints to get silent, over-the-bars braking that I probably couldn't list them in a post that you would read.

 

[BobMtnBkr]

Sound is not the issue. They are silent. The issue is they are weak. Pumping them does not help. They were bedded in when new. I just cleaned the disk and sanded the pads last week and bedded them again. Somewhat better, but nowhere near the powerful on/off switch of the XT brakes on my Stumpjumper. If I grabbed the stumpjumper’s XT brakes as hard as I must squeeze the Fuel’s XT brakes, I’d be over the handlebars.

I’ll order some new pads and start over.

 

[JP-NZ]

That’s very strange, something is wrong for sure. I have the same brakes on my Rail XT and they will indeed put you over the handlebars easily. When working right they are brilliant brakes.

 

[deksawyer]

There are so many tips and hints to get silent, over-the-bars braking that I probably couldn't list them in a post that you would read.

Steve, that sounds ideal for a big, fat sticky thread that would help us all.

D.

 

[BobMtnBkr]

JP-NZ,

That’s crazy. The brakes on my ‘21 Rail XT were even worse than the '23 Fuel XT.

Between the battery clanking, poor brakes and ZEB arm pump, I sold it after 6 months.

 

[ragetty]

Mine are fine, almost too digital for liking, but stopping quickly is certainly not the problem.

If you have already done all of the obvious, then the pads were either contaminated at some point or dud material from the get go.

 

[KevinNY]

Keep in mind the factory pads are resin. I upgraded to metal pads and prefer the quicker initial bite and power with less fading.

SHIMANO DISC BRAKE PAD METAL WITH FIN N04C-MF 1 PAIR | SHIMANO BIKE-US

SHIMANO DISC BRAKE PAD METAL WITH FIN N04C-MF 1 PAIR. SHIMANO Original parts and the right maintenance makes this excitement possible for you, every day.

bike.shimano.com

 

[Nomad1]

one thing that is clear is something isn't right as XT brakes if working correct will lock up if you want them to. You said your on the brake ever 5-10 second then they aren't going to hold up.

 

[BobMtnBkr]

They are somewhat better now. I assume my local trails, which are very tight flat forest singletrack trails, couldn’t keep them clean enough. I found a ½ mile long slight downhill and hammered the brakes pretty hard all the way down. They feel better now.

 

[irie]

Sounds like the pads are contaminated.

 

[JP-NZ]

I’ve tried cleaning the disks (automotive brake cleaner and isopropyl). Even sanded the pads. I can still barely get the Assegai and Aggressor to lock up.

I might be the only one here but I've never cleaned my brake discs or sanded brake pads in the 25 years Ive been riding MTBs. I've never had an issue that would need that level of care.

I was always taught to not touch brake discs with your hand. That has served me well

 

[angelopapus]

I agree my 9.8 XT brakes aren’t fantastic either and I am coming from Code R on my old bike. Also the XT brakes rub when they get hot. Then stop after they cool down…super annoying. Thinking of going back to codes.