EsPeGe
Likes Bikes and Dirt
Item: Shimano XT M8020 4 piston brake caliper only kit.
Purchased From: MTB Direct
Purchase Price (approx): $139 each end
Usage: Stopping, fast.
Pros - Look the balls, ridiculous stopping power, less finger/arm pump due not having to death grip so hard, modulation feels really good.
Cons - This is why I'm posting the review, the caliper only kit DOES NOT come with a banjo bolt and despite the caliper being "backwards compatible with M8000 levers" you can't use the old banjo bolt from the XT M8000 calipers. This is F$%KING stupid and I'm stuffed if I know why Shimano don't stock the correct banjo bolt with the kit when they know it will be paired with the old levers (which is why you are buying the caliper only!!!!) and therefore you won't have it. So if you decide you want these you need to order the Saint/Zee Banjo bolt and o-rings Shimano part number Y-8H0 98010 which cost me $10 for the pair. End rant here.
The correct banjo bolt (M8020/Saint/Zee)
The old M8000 banjo bolt, big difference.
Comments: Firstly these are the first 4 piston brakes I've used, ever. So a lot of what I say, I assume could be applied to all 4 piston brakes, eg less force required to slow down and therefore less arm pump, better modulation and of course much better stopping power.
They were easy to fit and bleed and took no more time than the M8000's they replaced. I tested them at Thredbo and was blown away. They stop sooo much faster but I never felt like I would go over the front, they always felt nicely modulated. There isn't much more I can say. They work really damn well.
I've read that they both are and aren't just rebadged Saint/Zee calipers on different forums etc but from what I can see if they aren't the same they are bloody close. They use the same pads and the aforementioned AWOL banjo bolt.
Pictures/Videos:
Purchased From: MTB Direct
Purchase Price (approx): $139 each end
Usage: Stopping, fast.
Pros - Look the balls, ridiculous stopping power, less finger/arm pump due not having to death grip so hard, modulation feels really good.
Cons - This is why I'm posting the review, the caliper only kit DOES NOT come with a banjo bolt and despite the caliper being "backwards compatible with M8000 levers" you can't use the old banjo bolt from the XT M8000 calipers. This is F$%KING stupid and I'm stuffed if I know why Shimano don't stock the correct banjo bolt with the kit when they know it will be paired with the old levers (which is why you are buying the caliper only!!!!) and therefore you won't have it. So if you decide you want these you need to order the Saint/Zee Banjo bolt and o-rings Shimano part number Y-8H0 98010 which cost me $10 for the pair. End rant here.
The correct banjo bolt (M8020/Saint/Zee)
The old M8000 banjo bolt, big difference.
Comments: Firstly these are the first 4 piston brakes I've used, ever. So a lot of what I say, I assume could be applied to all 4 piston brakes, eg less force required to slow down and therefore less arm pump, better modulation and of course much better stopping power.
They were easy to fit and bleed and took no more time than the M8000's they replaced. I tested them at Thredbo and was blown away. They stop sooo much faster but I never felt like I would go over the front, they always felt nicely modulated. There isn't much more I can say. They work really damn well.
I've read that they both are and aren't just rebadged Saint/Zee calipers on different forums etc but from what I can see if they aren't the same they are bloody close. They use the same pads and the aforementioned AWOL banjo bolt.
Pictures/Videos:
