Bike brake advice needed

[tek-monkey]

My brakes are shot, they need new pads and cables at the very least, but I just saw these:

http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-m395-hydraulic-disc-brakes-front-rear-set-67706.html

I am wondering if these would be a straight swap, or will there be much cursing and hitting things with hammers invovled? I have a 2010 Specialised Hardrock.

 

[tek-monkey]

Ordered anyway, they look like they'll possibly fit!

 

[Withnail]

If the brakes you currently have are Avids, you might need a shimano mount adaptor
http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-disc-brake-brackets-46083.html

 

[stoofer34]

go hydraulic probably a straight swop

I might have some spare mount adaptors

S

 

[tek-monkey]

They fitted fine, and **** me what a difference they make. I know a lot was down to my fast deteriorating brakes, but these things stop faster than physics allows my body to! I can see a front flip on the cards in the not too distant future, my bike feels new again now I have more confidence in my stopping power. Just gotta do the drivetrain now.

 

[stoofer34]

Give them a bit to bed in
S

 

[tek-monkey]

I hope they do, they're a bit sketchy at the min!

 

[Withnail]

I hope they do, they're a bit sketchy at the min!

As Stoof says, it is important to bed them in.

Do not do it off road - ideally you need a dry(!), clean road. Cycle up to speed and put the brakes part on to heat up the pads, let them cool, heat them up, let them cool etc etc - check advice from a cycle website on how often to do this for.

You are looking to put a glaze on the pads that will make them last much longer and be more consistent.