Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Bigger rotors.

Have they lost their bite, or simply never had much to begin with?

Could try some different pads

Never much to begin with - it’s a new bike, I attempted to bed them in (repeatedly slowing from speed downhill) and they’ve had around 4 hours use now. They stop ok tbf

I'd go with snotter's suggestion of bigger rotors then

Which could end up being £££, but not as much as new brakes

Wouldn't you try different pads or cleaning the pads/rotors first?

If they've got resin pads try metal, that kind of thing. Even just new pads with a freshly cleaned rotor might make a difference.

It would be my first option, yes

@Dramatic_Hammer pick something to suit from here maybe. They have various different compounds - standard semi metallic/sintered/kevlar and RACE MATRIX

https://www.uberbikecomponents.com/category/331/SRAM-Avid-Disc-Brake-Pads

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Thanks, I’ll try new pads then look at rotors - I’m assuming that will involve a new brake adaptor too?

I've got a Sram level TL on the front of my cargo bike with a 203mm rotor and if the front tyre traction allowed, I swear I could lift the rear wheel seated.
Quite impressive for such a small brake, especially it being Sram

It might need a proper bleed too. Pretty common for hydro brakes to have a shitty bleed from the factory leaving it feeling spongy and lacking power.
A combination of shitty bleed and duff pads or undersized rotors might be the problem.

Squirt water into the caliper and do a couple of hard stops- is braking performance better, the same or worse?

Sounds like it’s time for a new bike tbh

If you're lacking bite rather than power then don't go sintered pads, they have moar power but less bite. Honestly I'd always go not SRAM brakes but mostly they work fineish so if you just want moar then bigger rotors (and adapters) is easiest and probs cheapest, if you want better then get Shimano and maybe bigger rotors, if you want more bling get hope and maybe bigger rotors, if you want to spend lots of money finding someone to bleed them get magura and maybe bigger rotors.

They’re base model LEVEL units with 180mm disc front and 160mm rear - power seems ok at rear at least (will lock up seated). Pads are ‘organic’.

@Dammit I’ll try the water thing tomorrow, what does it tell me in each case?

Should I start by buying these? https://www.merlincycles.com/magura-mt7-pro-hc-disc-brake-107606.html?utm_source=PHG&utm_medium=AffiliateMarketing&utm_campaign=phg-GB&ucpo=44968&gbraid=0AAAAADANKJmMAuzQAg9-u958AQtwNeYsy&source=PHG

The ultimate bike is built entirely out of magura brakes

Except for the brakes, where you want shimano for reliability obvs

I’ll try the water thing tomorrow, what does it tell me in each case?

It's a quick way of checking whether the pads are contaminated - if after wiping the water off the rotor you suddenly get "this is what it should feel like!" performance, which then drops off/back to what you've got/are unhappy with right now then it's a good indicator that your pads have grot in them and replacing them after thoroughly cleaning the rotor would be a good idea.

My only experience of SRAM is on the back of my jump bike with a 160mm rotor, and I'd call the performance adequate - it's a long way from impressive.

If you replace with Shimano then the pistons will crack, with Magura then you'll have to look after them yourself as no mechanic (that I've ever found) will do so correctly.

Or if you get TRP, people will think you're the sort of weirdo who likes gearboxes and rigid forks

Just go with the nuclear option and buy a set of Trickstuff Diretissima

If you are over 80kg I’d go with 200mm rotors. Negligible weight difference and moar is always better.

From memory I have at least one 200mm sram centreline rotor sitting spare that you can have for v cheap and have a comedy amount of rotor adapters.

I’ll double check what I have

I think I'm going to sell my DHX, if anyone wants one (210x55) give me a shout. Happy for you to try it first, as long as you're not a lunatic.

In addition to this, I would say that Shimano ice-tech rotors are really worth the money. the cooling sandwich thing really works. especially on the 203mm option. I have used for years and wouldnt be without now.

Definitely over 80kg! Thanks that would be great if you’ve got the bits.

I’m not averse to upgrading the brakes completely but it would be handy to keep the same hoses if possible.

I’m certainly north of 80kg and use 220mm rotors on my mtb…

I’ve got one 200mm rotor here and +20mm adapter. You should be able to put the 180 on the rear and the 200 on the front.

Pm me your address and I’ll sling in the mail for the cost of postage :)

DHX, low mileage and looked after well, £500 including a spring. Choose from a linear or progressive.

Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate, with Vorsprung Secus fitted, 150mm, serviced twice by Full Factory Suspension, £700.