Formula The One Brakes Review

Today’s review is actually a re-post of one found at bikefix.net As MTOBikes.com turns more focus on product reviews we have tried to identify others in the industry that we can look to for guidance.  Charlie at bikefix provides us with just that.  In italics below is a blurb about “who, what and why” and below that is the review.  Thank you to Charlie and the rest of bikefix for not only allowing us to re-post their review on our site, but for the excellent ongoing reviews that they provide!

why does bikefix exist? it was born out of the complaints of a couple of guys with what probably amounts to an unhealthy amount of riding different kinds of bikes all over the place. from the daily commute to epic backcountry hike-a-bikes, these guys just weren’t getting the kind of information they needed from reviews found in print or online. needing a distraction from the grownup parts of the internet, they decided to put their musings and criticisms into (virtual) print. while they have extensive industry connections, the vast majority of the equipment tested is bought with money out of their own pockets (and they’ll let you know if not). as a result, they’re particularly aware of value and durability- and understandably upset when things don’t work the way they should.

bikefix aims to provide unbiased, complete reviews that come out of direct experience not only with a particular product but also with its competition. we care where and why things are made the way they are. while we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, everything can’t be the best part/bike/jersey ever,- something we see far too much of elsewhere. every product has its high points and lows. by communicating these to you, we hope that you will be able to make an educated decision and find gear that us ultimately transparent- after all, it’s really all about the ride.

I have been riding Formula Oro series brakes for quite awhile and I think they’re some of the best brakes on the market. When the Ones came out this spring and were billed as a Freeride/Downhill brake but with only a slight weight penalty (37g/wheel) over the top of the line Oro Puro’s, I was extremely excited to try them.

The One shares many similar design characteristics with the Oro series: a 2-piece lever clamp assembly, flip-flop levers, adjustable bite and lever reach, internal reservoirs, and the use of DOT fluid. The big changes are a forged one-piece caliper that fits a single 24mm diameter piston (2mm larger than the Oro), and a master cylinder that is specifically designed for Downhill and all-mountain riding. They weigh a claimed 383 grams which is very light for a brake designed for bombing downhills.

The set-up is easy and the 2-piece lever clamps and they seem to fit well with most shifter types. Formula says that the caliper design allows for pad changes without removing the wheel and while it’s possible, it’s much easier to do it without the wheel in place- especially given that you often have to reset the pistons (push them back a bit) when new pads are installed, and this would be very difficult (if even possible) with the wheel/rotor in place.

All the tech in the world is great, but how did they feel on the trail? Fantastic. They modulate well and have loads of power available if you need it. They rarely fade and then only the slightest bit on the longest downhills (in the French Alps). The pads seem to last a fair amount of time and they are usually only noisy after getting wet. These are very competent brakes and for the weight they should be on anybody’s short list. That said, they really don’t improve on the Oros by a noticeable amount. Downhillers have been using the company’s Oros since they were introduced (especially the DH-oriented Oro Biancos) and doing fine. I know that The Ones are designed to handle heat build-up better and they should be more powerful than the Oros, but if they are, it’s hard to tell. It could just be that my middle finger is less finely calibrated than others’. The Ones are less money than the Oro Puros and about the same as the Oro Bianco’s so they’re still a very good deal, but I thought I should mention it. The One brake sells for about $290.00 per wheel, though rotors and adapters are sold separately for about $30/wheel (good if you’ve already got ‘em). For the cost conscious, Formula also makes the Mega which is a cheaper version of the The One (coming in at $170 plus rotors), but I haven’t tried it yet.

Charlie

www.formulabrakeusa.com

Proper Disc Brake Wear-In

Disc brakes are one of the best advancements in mountain biking, especially downhill bikes. Rims can get bent without affecting the braking surface, braking power is much better, and water and mud are much less of an issue. However, disc brakes require more attention to the break-in period than V-brakes.

Recently, I set up a new personal bike of mine with Avid Juicy Ultimate brakes — 160mm rotors on the front and 140mm rotors on the rear. Although those brake are made to be extremely light and they are not extremely aggressive, I felt that they would be more than adequate for my 29” rigid single speed. There were some mounting issues with the rear brake due to the frame design, so I was down to the wire getting the bike ready for the ride the next day. After the first downhill, I realized that I had made an error in my haste – I had never broken in the brake pads. By the end of the ride, the brakes were fine, and a perfect match for that bike after they had worn in. However, the process could have been sped up with a few minutes of prep work.

To break in the pads, you want to slow the bike down from gradually increasing speeds. However, it is important not to come to a full stop. Basically, the best way is to find a gradual incline where you can make several runs with increasing speeds. Start at roughly 5mph, and slow the bike down to 1-2mph. Again, it is important not to lock the brakes up by stopping. Gradually increase the speed with the next run by roughly 3mph – 8mph on the second run, 11mph, etc. It is as simple as that. The main purpose is to seat the pads to the rotors, and also burn off any initial residue from the rotor or pads. After a total of 4-5 runs, the brakes should ready for actual riding on the trails.

Magura Mountain Bike Brakes and Suspension

Believe it or not there was a time when Mountain biking was in its infancy that several of the luxuries we take for granted today were not available. Indeed the first mountain bikes were little more than ten speeds with heavier and more durable frames and wheels. In those early days taking a rough path was a whole new experience in back and knee pain. Well as with everything else over time, mountain biking has addressed many of the comfort and injury issues that plagued the sport in its earliest days. Now almost everyone has specialized forks, shocks, frames and tires all designed to make a ride more comfortable and reduce the amount of wear and tear on our joints.

While many companies offer great products, one of the best is Magura. Magura offers a wide range of products ranging from brake sets to rearshocks, and while these products kick butt, where Magura really kicks butt is in their offering of front forks. Somehow these guys manage to offer not only a couple of high quality forks, but they manage to offer forks for almost any riding style. If you are into going a little crazy freestyle, than you want to check out their 2008 Wotan suspension forks. If you are a just more of a functional rider than Odur style is something you want to look into. It really doesn’t matter what kind of riding style you have Magura bike parts certainly offer something for everyone. However their forks are really only the beginning.

Among the many offerings from Magura are some of the best brake sets you will find on the planet. With a combination of unique design and high quality materials, Magura has managed to create both disc and rim brakes. While true you can only do so much with a rim brake, going anywhere else but Magura for disc brakes is a waste of time. The disc brakes that Magura offer have two ideas in mind, that they work, and that they are easy to remove when you need to get to the tire. Overall they just plain rock.

So what is it that makes Magura so special? They have a passion that is almost unmatched in the field. The people at Magura want to make the best product not just for the sake of making a few bucks, but because they want the best ride they can get. This fierce dedication and passion to making bike parts has truly allowed Magura to rise above the rest of the crowd. If only all parts and bike manufacturers approached their craft in the same way.