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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Tahoe
    Posts
    2,681

    Anyone have Formula brakes?

    Just scored an Intense 5.5 FRO frame and trying to decide on my build kit. Read about Formula brakes on MTBR and they seem to get great reviews and be universally loved. Who here has 'em and what say you?



    "The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size."

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Bozeman
    Posts
    303
    I was at Whistler last weekend and ended up renting a Rocky Mtn Flatline. It had Formula Oro brakes on it (the first set of Formula brakes I've ever used) and I was thoroughly impressed. I rented the bike for two days. My personal bike(s) have Avid Juicy 5s, Code 5s and the third bike has a set of Hayes So1e.

    In the two days I rode the Flatline, I think the Formula brakes outperformed all 3 of the brakes listed above. Granted, there were no super-sustained braking sections, but I couldn't find any major faults with these brakes. Their modulation was better than both sets of Avids and the Hayes that I have today. There was also never a time when I was worried about being able to come to a stop or control my speed (even down some of the steep rock rolls on Goat's Gully). I was super impressed.

    I'm in the process of deciding on a new bike build (a Knolly Del-T) and Formula brakes have all of a sudden moved to the top of my parts list.....

    Since the bike was a rental, I can't comment on the required maintenance (ease of bleed, etc).....

    My 2/100 of a buck,
    --Ben

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    The Creek
    Posts
    155
    I have K24s and Megas on my 2 bikes. I was previously on Juicy 7s and Hayes and won't ever use anything other that Formula now. Huge fan now. Modulate so well and huge stopping power.

    Get 'em and don't look back.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Banff
    Posts
    22,210
    downside? finding parts might be a PITA as they are less common, bleed is the same tools, and about the same steps, as avids


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Blandcouver
    Posts
    1,008
    Ive got some K18s on my bike. Great brakes. Also upgraded the levers to some Straightlines and now they are just the tits. Better than anything Ive had before which includes Juicy's, Hayes and Magura's.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Bravo Delta.
    Posts
    6,135
    I have K24's on one of my bikes. Very good brakes. Modulation, Yup. Power, Yup. Fade, Not really.

    Avid bought the design for the Juicy 7's from the people who make Formula. Very similar brakes but the K24's have more modulation than the Juicy 7's IMHO.
    Quote Originally Posted by Socialist View Post
    They have socalized healthcare up in canada. The whole country is 100% full of pot smoking pro-athlete alcoholics.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    2,316
    I like my K24's. They seem to bring my 230lb ass to a stop quite well, modulate nicely and generally feel good. Oh and get sintered pads. The extra power they provide is quite.

    The one downside as mentioned above it finding parts. There was a streak in the last two months where you were hard pressed to locate a set of pads. Also finding rotor/mounts for initial setups can be hard. Universal and Competitive Cyclist do a pretty good job keeping things in stock.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Posts
    11,329
    Yes, running the Bianco's on my Mojo and love them. The Formula pads can be tough to find but KoolStop makes pads that fit and they are readily available.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Bravo Delta.
    Posts
    6,135
    Quote Originally Posted by truth View Post
    Yes, running the Bianco's on my Mojo and love them. The Formula pads can be tough to find but KoolStop makes pads that fit and they are readily available.
    Good to know.
    Quote Originally Posted by Socialist View Post
    They have socalized healthcare up in canada. The whole country is 100% full of pot smoking pro-athlete alcoholics.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Bay Area
    Posts
    204
    I posted a review of them here . Long review short, the Oro Puros I have rock; hands down the best I've ever owned.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Tahoe/truckee
    Posts
    53
    concur,
    2 years, great results. i'm a big formula fan. first disc that has been low maintenance and pretty quiet.

    cheers,
    holiday

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Access to Granlibakken
    Posts
    11,184
    i've owned or used pretty much all brands of brakes; for single-piston, relatively light weight, reliable, good combo of modulation and power, i prefer the formula oro series over pretty much everything else. i have k24s and the oro bianco and may be buying a 3rd set soon.

    i'm liking them so much that i'll probably put 'the ones' on the dh bike next season.
    Know of a pair of Fischer Ranger 107Ti 189s (new or used) for sale? PM me.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Access to Granlibakken
    Posts
    11,184
    powpig, note that cambriabike has the white oro k24s (which are pretty pimp looking) for $119 per brake, complete. you'll have to buy 2 'rears' (it's a flip flop front lever) and the 1250 brake line may be a bit short depending on your frame size.

    and you'll prolly want a bigger rotor up front.

    you'll still come out waaay ahead of the usual pricing, however.
    Know of a pair of Fischer Ranger 107Ti 189s (new or used) for sale? PM me.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    ovah deyah
    Posts
    1,922
    Formula Oro K24 are the best brakes I've ever used on a bicycle. No contest. Best modulation, best power, best feel.

    Their customer service is top-notch as well. If you have any problems you only have to call or email Chris Costello and you'll be sorted out promptly.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    417
    are they really lighter, or is it marketing crap?

    they all seem to include different things when quoting weights.

    avid

    formula

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    ovah deyah
    Posts
    1,922
    homi, in my experience brake weights don't seem to affect the ride of a bike anywhere near as much as brake performance.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    2,316
    Quote Originally Posted by frorider View Post
    $119 per brake, complete
    WOW! That's a shithot deal. Competitive has adapter/rotor kits in stock right now if Cambria doesn't have what you need.

    BTW I run 180 front 160 rear and I feel they have plenty of power to slow me down. Have only wished for more rotor when shuttling all day or Whistler.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Tahoe
    Posts
    2,681
    Thanks for all the comments. Doesn't seem like Formula has a single unhappy customer. Looks like I'll be pulling the trigger shortly for some 24Ks.




    .
    "The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size."

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    ovah deyah
    Posts
    1,922
    Quote Originally Posted by PeachesN'Cream View Post
    BTW I run 180 front 160 rear and I feel they have plenty of power to slow me down. Have only wished for more rotor when shuttling all day or Whistler.
    I agree.

    I weigh 165 ready-to-ride and I have 180F, 160R on my 575, which weighs about 31 lbs. I have 160F and R on my Inbred singlespeed, which weighs about 25-26 lbs. Both setups have all the power I need for everything I do. I'm more a brake-dragger -- small drags here and there, rather than big on/off pulse before a corner or tight spot. I wouldn't run bigger than 180 up front unless I was on a full DH race bike and even there I'm not sure a 180 rear would be needed.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    489
    I have Mega's with 200 rotors on my new ride, and holy shit are they good. I haven't even considered using two fingers since I got them. Modulation is great, and shit tons of power when you need it. I went back to my old ride with Hayes Nines, and they felt like shit, even with new pads.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    840
    Im thinking of replacing the craptastic Juicy 3's on my pitch with K18's. Seeing as the Juicy's came with a 203 up front and a 185 in the rr, I was going to go 200/180 with the Oro's but it sounds like that would be total overkill with these brakes. 180/180 or 180/160? Im 180lbs and the bike is around 32lbs

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Switzerland
    Posts
    7,578
    Quote Originally Posted by powpig View Post
    Thanks for all the comments. Doesn't seem like Formula has a single unhappy customer. Looks like I'll be pulling the trigger shortly for some 24Ks.
    .
    search/read more on mtbr and you will find plenty of formula bashing.

    i have formula the ones on my DH bike and love them so far. i'm using goodridge sintered pads which are tight as hell to install, but once they are broken in they are truly awesome. i've never felt such stopping power with such little effort. my first few rides i nearly launched myself off the bike due to my hayes brake muscle memory. ease off...ease off...ease off....

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Lake Tahoe
    Posts
    257
    Quote Originally Posted by skibumnh View Post
    Im thinking of replacing the craptastic Juicy 3's on my pitch with K18's. Seeing as the Juicy's came with a 203 up front and a 185 in the rr, I was going to go 200/180 with the Oro's but it sounds like that would be total overkill with these brakes. 180/180 or 180/160? Im 180lbs and the bike is around 32lbs
    I've got Oro's on my 6.6 and am running 180/180 without a problem, and I'm a fat ass. I would have gotten a 160 for the rear but they were out when I ordered, definately no need for the 200 on the front even riding it at the resort here.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    2,316
    Quote Originally Posted by skibumnh View Post
    I was going to go 200/180 with the Oro's but it sounds like that would be total overkill with these brakes. 180/180 or 180/160? Im 180lbs and the bike is around 32lbs
    180/160 will work great for the full gamut of riding, trail to resort.

    The little contact adjust you get bumping up to the K24 is kinda nice IMO. Lets you fine tune the modulation feel and match the general feel / contact point of the front and rear. Might be worth the extra $.

    Enjoy!

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    840
    Thanks, liking the idea of smaller, lighter, cheaper and less bash-prone rotors.

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