ThanosOB21

Hello,

This is my first time posting in this forum. So I bought a used Specialized Epic Expert FSR 2008. It comes with AVID Juicy Seven brakes, but the thing is that it is missing the front brake caliper along with the hose. Since I don't know how easy it would be to find a used (?) brake caliper, is it possible to combine the Juicy Seven brake lever with a different brake caliper form the same brand? Say a BB5 or BB7
I really need some help.
Thanks in advance

jimc101

No, you are asking about combining hydraulic levers with mechanical calipers, they are a totally different system, with no compatibility

Dump the Avids (they were bad brakes back in 2008, and haven't improved with age), and get some current Shimano brakes, Alivio or Deore are at a good value for money price point.

Before doing anything with the brakes, would make sure that the rear shock (Specialized BRAIN) works, as getting spares now for a proprietary part that is over 10 years old may be very difficult

ThanosOB21

You are absolutely right, I didn't notice that they were mechanical ones. So let's say a hydraulic brake caliper from SRAM.
Is it possible?
Are Shimano Deore brakes as good as AVID Juicy Seven?

The BRAIN thankfully works just fine. I had it checked.

well biked

+1

ThanosOB21

Are you also saying that Shimano Deore are better than Juicy Seven and it's not worth trying to restore them?

jimc101

Avid brakes were bad, very bad, when I was doing a lot of MTB, everyone who had Avids either had issues with them, or had got rid of them for Shimano.

Add to that your looking at 10+ year old brake, and trying to get spares (unless you're lucky with NOS) will be difficult.

If you want any sort of performance, go with just about manufacture other than Avid, I suggested Shimano, as they perform well, are relatively cheap and easily available just about everywhere

ThanosOB21

Thank you for the advice. So maybe I'll replace them with the Shimano then

cpach

The MT-200 brakes that are very cheap work very well, if you want a significant step up it starts at Deore, which gets you most of the performance at a sane price.

ThanosOB21

I should check them out then. Thank you

Wilfred Laurier

Find some Shimano brakes on sale somewhere. They come perfectly bled and set up and you need only bolt them on and you will have the best brakes you've ever tried. I replaced my Hayes hydraulic brakes with a set of Shimano SLX I got for ~$50 per wheel and was ashamed I didn't do it sooner. The hose is a bit too long, but they work so well that I don't want to bother taking the bike out of service to correct that.

ThanosOB21

I think that I'll choose between the Deore or SLX line