Braking performance of SRAM DB8 Stealth brakes

tonyride

tonyride

Don't piss off the red guy
Is it possible to improve the braking performance of a brand new set of stock SRAM DB8 brakes? I don't know if its because they're still being bedded in or what but I took my Mach 6 to Mountain Creek yesterday and the brakes felt inadequate. I don't know if I just got a bad set but I've used DB8 on one of my other bikes and they felt great there. Before swapping out the set I'm wondering if there are different brake pads I can try. I have 200mm/180mm rotors on the wheels and that should be more than adequate. I will say I did adjust the levers to be a bit closer to the bar for better reach so I don't know if that's the reason but I don't think it should be. What do you think?
 
Or did you actually bed them in? Or did you bed them in at creek?
 
tonyride said:
Is it possible to improve the braking performance of a brand new set of stock SRAM DB8 brakes? I don't know if its because they're still being bedded in or what but I took my Mach 6 to Mountain Creek yesterday and the brakes felt inadequate. I don't know if I just got a bad set but I've used DB8 on one of my other bikes and they felt great there. Before swapping out the set I'm wondering if there are different brake pads I can try. I have 200mm/180mm rotors on the wheels and that should be more than adequate. I will say I did adjust the levers to be a bit closer to the bar for better reach so I don't know if that's the reason but I don't think it should be. What do you think?
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My mid-travel bike came with them. I got such a good deal on it that I figured I'd change them out at some point. They do fine on the local trails (CR, LM, Nassau, etc.).

Last week, my enduro was in the shop for a fork and shock service, so I rode the bike with the DB8s at Blue Mountain. There were times I feared for my life (exaggerating, of course, but they were 1000% inadequate for a bike park).

Was at blue yesterday with the enduro and yeah didn't fear for my life, heart rate never got above mid 130s (was in the 160s at points w/ the DB8s).

Sooo, now the code RSCs from the enduro are going on the mid-travel, and getting Hayes for the enduro.

That said, if anyone wants some DB8s they'll be available soon haha.
 
I’ve always hated SRAM brakes, feel like mush with no power.

Shimano 4 piston all day every day…
 
rjr44 said:
My mid-travel bike came with them. I got such a good deal on it that I figured I'd change them out at some point. They do fine on the local trails (CR, LM, Nassau, etc.).

Last week, my enduro was in the shop for a fork and shock service, so I rode the bike with the DB8s at Blue Mountain. There were times I feared for my life (exaggerating, of course, but they were 1000% inadequate for a bike park).

Was at blue yesterday with the enduro and yeah didn't fear for my life, heart rate never got above mid 130s (was in the 160s at points w/ the DB8s).

Sooo, now the code RSCs from the enduro are going on the mid-travel, and getting Hayes for the enduro.

That said, if anyone wants some DB8s they'll be available soon haha.
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Hmmm... this is interesting.
 
Just a thought, my Kenevo came with code r brakes, I bought some code ultimate levers and just swapped the levers and gave them a bleed. They are great, maybe pick some marven levers and use the db lines and calipers…. They are both mineral oil brakes.
 
What pads did they come with? Metallic or organic? I have generally had zero luck with organic pads at a dh park
 
-Make sure they are properly bled.
-Metallic Pads. CLEAN THEM before putting them in. Wet shop towel until no more darkness on the towel.
-Clean rotors.
-Properly bed in the pads.
 
90% chance the stock pads are not metallic, metallic pads tend to squeal more so they usually don’t come stock.
 
So let's assume I didn't bed them in properly. Are the pads now toast or can I just clean them? If so what's the proper "reset" procedure?
 
OK, I cleaned off the pads and rotors with alcohol and moved the levers back to their original position. I did a quick before/after ride in around the neighborhood and I do feel a drastic difference. Lets see how it feels on the trails. BTW, the pads are organic. Will replace them with metallic once I've used up the organics down some more.
 
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