Lazyass

I have a '18 Jamis MTB with an SLX group. Those SLX brakes are the best brakes I've ever had in my life and I'm 55. The power is insane and they've been dead silent even when wet. They're perfect.

I have a '18 Diamondback Podium with a 5800 105 group and RS505 hydraulic brakes. Those are the worst brakes I've ever had in my life. They've never had good power. Yes they have been properly bled. I've tried different pads. I've slightly sanded the rotors in a desperate attempt to get them quiet. Sanding them actually helped quiet them some, but before I come to a complete stop they're embarrassingly loud. I never even ride that bike anymore because I just can't stand those brakes.

I was looking at the new 105 Di2 and been thinking about updating my bike and riding it again. I like SRAM groups as well. Do any of these modern groups have brakes as good as the SLX's? I'm not going to blow the money on a new group if the brakes are going to wake up the neighborhood. I'll probably sell the bike and stick with road rim brakes. Not this is not a rim vs disc thread. Thanks.

Branko D

Yes.

DirePenguin

The 105’s on my ‘22 Trek Domane SL5 have been flawless: not one single issue in more than a year (2600+ miles)

Iride01 

You'd think so after 30 plus years. I haven't done anything but check the pads for wear on mine for the last 3 years I've had them. When new, they didn't seem any better than the 105 5800 dual pivot brakes I had on my prior bike. But after the first 300 miles were over the very occasional weird noises went away and the stopping power became almost too good. Had to learn to use a light touch on the rear brake.

If you are having issues, then it's more likely that someone isn't doing something right. Even if it's just not recognizing a incorrect installation of something. IMO, IMHO.

veganbikes

Yes things are generally always improving as time goes on. Not every single time but generally those issues go towards improving things.

Maelochs

I have spoken with (or exchanged posts with) riders fro all across the region and all around the world .... every single one whose tried them says discs stop better. Not to say that every one of them prefers discs .... but no one argues that the stopping power of hydro discs is far greater. My own experience bears this out.

Based on that, I'd agree with @IRide01: something is wrong int he system. Everyone in the whole world except the OP could be wrong .... but the odds are about 7.5 billion to one.

(And for all the uptight pedants about to blow a gasket because the actual sample size is only people who use hydro discs on road bikes ... or whatever .... call me back After your heads explode. Post video if possible. Thanks.)

(Oh, and I saved you all the troublle ... or ... pre-picked the lowest-hanging fruit ... )

t2p

squeal often indicates a problem - caliper / rotor alignment … contamination… bad pad and / or rotor

check the area around the back of the caliper near the piston and back of the pads for fluid / oil - some oil could be getting behind the seal and eventually on to the rotor (and then eventually the pad)

have two Shimano XT disc brake equipped bikes and one road (gravel) bike with Tiagra disc … the Tiagra setup is not as strong as the XT setups but still very good - can lock up front or rear (especially) easily

nathand

For what it's worth I have a 2018 Jamis Renegade with that same shifter/brake combination (5800/RS505) and they're quiet and powerful. I've replaced the brake pads once so far, and just recently set it up with a second set of wheels so I can swap between road and gravel quickly. Good braking performance with both wheelsets. Only time they've been noisy was when I'd worn the pad down to the point where the spring hit the rotor.

rosefarts

I’ve have/had hydro disc brakes from Shimano, SRAM, TRP, Campagnolo, and Magura.

The only ones I’ve had and issue with were some 11sp Rival ones, They worked but I’m picky and there were several little things that bothered me.

My Campy and Magura (kinda the same brand) are my favorite by far.

The only noise I’ve experienced is when wet, and about 2 seconds of hard braking will dry them off. It’s a brief honk and then it’s fine.

I contaminated a pair of shimano pads with mineral oil, they were embarrassingly loud. They can only be replaced once that happens.

Jughed

I have a set of R7000 105's on my road bike -

Close to 7k flawless miles with no repairs or tweaks - and they just flat out stop the bike. No squeaks, squeals, noises - no rubbing.

I have a set of Sram Apex on my cyclocross bike - el cheapo's in the Sram world. They are almost as good as the 105's.

I'm not overly cautious about grease or lube's, I spray everything down with simple green, I touch the rotors with my fingers sometimes - never used brake cleaner...

They just flat work.

Lazyass

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to go for a new 105 setup.

Iride01 

Maybe you need to go for that 105 setup that is included with a new bike. Perhaps there are issues with the current bike that just a entire new brake system won't fix. Perhaps the hubs don't put the rotors in the right position. And other things could be amiss too that a brake change won't fix.

CAT7RDR

I can only speak for the Deore level hydraulics.
I bumped up the rotors to 203/180 F-R from a 180/160 Tektro setup.
Night and day difference. No problems and when I do get some chatter I simply clean the rotors with rubbing alcohol and use compressed air to blast the pads.

PeteHski

105 R7000 are really good. No complaints here. Silent, powerful, nice modulation.
SRAM Force AXS are also good and I quite like the lever reach and bite point adjustments.