Shimano XTR Brakes Riders agree that these brakes are smooth, powerful and precise. There s no flex in the brake arms or pads and they re easy to install. Some consider them the best v-brakes you can get, claiming you can stop on a dime. The shock pads that come with the brakes are pretty good, a ten-fold increase over previous Shimano pads. They offer very nice stopping in all conditions and the pads wear incredibly well.
Riders appreciate their excellent modulation and love the absence of squealing.
Some riders report problems with the pads popping out, but generally prefer them over Shimano, claiming these Avid 25s are lighter, easier to set up and don't squeal. Reviewers can t say enough about the unbelievable stopping power of these brakes. They like the cool noodle design and note that the pad housings are designed to accommodate KoolStop thinline pads. SRAM ESP 9.0's are quiet, light and simple. However, the levers may feel cheap at first.