Shimano BR-M785 XT Pre-Bled Disc Brakes

Best brakes ever

I have this brake on three bikes and I'm replacing every brake that fails on other bikes with this. It functions perfectly and is light and attractive.

Pros: Easier bleed then past models. Mineral oil is superior to brake fluid. Cheap brake pads available. Improved brake line connections are now like avid. Great reach adjustment, Super modulation, rock solid.

Cons: They appear identical to STX so I always feel like a putz getting XT cause its just egoistic and retarded to spend more just for looks.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 28, 2013
Reviewed by: Elijah D., Alaska

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Fantastic brakes

Got these to replace the Avid Elixir 5s on my XC bike. Huge difference in braking performance especially with the ice tech rotors and heat sinks on the brake . They're also much easier to adjust and bleed (no DOT fluid).

Pros: Excellent brakes

Cons: None.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 06, 2013
Reviewed by: Ade M., Washington

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xt brakes

This are amazing. Great stopping power and easy to trim hose length without having to bleed after.

Pros: Easy to trim hose

Cons: None

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 06, 2013
Reviewed by: bud m., katy, tx

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Great feeling lever, strong with excellent modulation, quiet in dry conditions. When wet they still work very good but the metal pads honk like a clown car, five of us night riding in the rain in the northwest sounds like the circus has come to town. I have yet to try the resin pads. That said these are the brakes to beat, I have found none better.

Pros: Power, feel, modulation

Cons: Noisy when wet

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 10, 2013
Reviewed by: Tom A., Washington

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Outstanding brake for the money. Lever feel isn't as solid as Avid Juicy 7 or Elixir, but modulation and power is better. Work with Avid discs just fine. Easy to set up and bleed.

Pros: Simple, easy to setup and bleed. Great performance.

Cons: None.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 05, 2012
Reviewed by: Matt K., Pennsylvania

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Powerful and light

These brakes are a great all-around brake. They are powerful enough for some DH, but light enough for any XC. They are easy to dial in and seem resistant to fade (though longer descents will fade most any brake, and by longer I mean 5000+ vertical feet on a steep trail with near-sustained braking). They are easy to align, and they also look cool. It's a little sad that they're so common because they do have a unique look to them, but they're everywhere because they're an EXCELLENT set of brakes at a great price for what you get.

Pros: Good value, good looks, light, serviceable

Cons: Lever is a little fragile when it comes to trees

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 09, 2012
Reviewed by: Erik K., Colorado

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These brakes kick so much butt

Why did shimano make this brake? Did they want to stop selling Saint? Wow! these brakes stop awesome. I use these on the DH rig with 203 in the front and 180 in the rear. Holy chickens batman they stop great! Save your $$$ and the weight buy these instead of the saint.

Pros: Super light weight, great modulation. You can stop with a pinkie finger. awesome levers

Cons: none

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 08, 2012
Reviewed by: ARIC S., Washington

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Fantastic brakes

These are my first Shimano discs. i have used Shimano V-brakes, but all my hydraulic disc experience has been with Avid.
These brakes are much more powerful than the Avid Juicys i was using on the same bike, but not quite as brutish as the Codes (which are very good). These are the go-to brakes as far as every type of riding shy of downhill/freeride is concerned. Initial bite is QUITE abrupt, but modulation thereafter is very nice.

Pros: Great stopping power
Good modulation
Good heat management features (especially if using SM-RT86 Ice-Tech rotors)
Mineral oil as opposed to corrosive DOT fluid
Shimano quality

Cons: The silver version is kinda unattractive

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 02, 2012
Reviewed by: matthew k., California

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I'll come out and say it, I think these guys are down-right ugly when I look at them. But when I'm riding, I could care less because I love these brakes.
Great power (running 180 ice tech rotors)
Love the lever feel with one or tow fingers, and really enjoy the fact that they run pretty much drag free-- after my last encounter with Formula R1s, which I could never get to run cleanly, this has been a nice experience. And, to top it all off, they're not that expensive!

Pros: Strong, comfortable, and run drag free!

Cons: ugly?

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 01, 2012
Reviewed by: Nick S., Washington

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Lived up to the hype

I spoke to a few local bike shop owners and the consensus on these brakes were that they are the ones. Since I've never had hydraulic brakes before I dove in headfirst. I also considered SLX brakes hearing that they stopped just as well with a bigger price break but at a larger weight penalty. In the end, I didn't want to think about what might have been and just went for the XT's.

Bottom line: I'm glad I got these brakes. The lever feel is great. True one finger braking just like others have mentioned here. Silent and sturdy. Also, the levers are pretty trick. Haven't bled them yet as my LBS installed but I'll cross that bridge later. For now, I'm really happy I went with these brakes.

Oh, not using Ice Tech rotors but the lightweight Ashima rotors I already owned. 180mm front, 160mm rear. Work great on my Salsa El Mariachi rigid 29er.

I was using Avid BB7's before and my hands would get sore on long descents. Now I don't wear gloves on my local trails and all is well.

Highly recommend.

Pros: XT's are the best compromise of weight and quality and price. Nice feel all around. Work great. Stop like you're supposed to.

Cons: Should include rotors and adapters. Only include levers, calipers and cables.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 15, 2012
Reviewed by: rod c., California

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Awesome brakes!!

Other brakes I've used:
XTR 975
XT 775
XT 765
Saint 810
Saint 800
XTR 965
Avid BB7

So far these are by far the best feeling brakes with incredible stopping power. Initially had some problems with the rear lever and caliper leaking, but UniversalCycles took care of me right away. Awesome Customer Service!

I have only had 2 rides with these brakes, but they really want to stop the bike fast. I've had to adjust my braking style to accommodate the quick engagement of the pads (at the end of my brake bleed, closed the port on the lever, then from the bleed nipple pushed just a little more oil into the caliper. this really firmed up the feel of the brakes).

Using ICETech rotors and ICETech pads, but can't comment on the heat dissipation b/c I haven't had any long DH style runs yet. However, if my initial AM rides are any indication, they will perform above expectations


Pros: - reach adjustment
- servo wave (actually does make a subtle difference in combo with the reach adjustment)
- easy to bleed
- nice looking
- one finger braking
- good modulation

Cons: - first rear set was leaking at the lever just above the "O" in Shimano and at the caliper along the seam where the 2piece caliper is compressed together with the banjo bolt

these issues were immediately resolved by UniversalCycles Customer service by sending a new rear set.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 25, 2012
Reviewed by: Eric R., Washington

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Great Brakes

Bought these to replace my Avids and couldn't be happier. Great stopping power and no squeal. Got a great deal from Universal!

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 16, 2012
Reviewed by: Jerry L., District of Columbia

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Tremendous stopping power

Cables are long and will need to be shortened, unless you ride a sasquatch size frame. Better than the other way around. The brakes came with all the parts needed to shorten the cable and shimano has a good write up out there with pictures explaining how (just google it).

Tip: Keep the reservoir angled up to allow any bubbles to float to the top when you cut AND squeeze the piston back in.

There's so much stopping power, I was able to step down a rotor size. Since these don't come with rotors, I used my Avid G3 160mm front and back, which work fine for my 26" AM HT.

Pros: Stopping power, plenty of cable, mineral oil instead of DOT, split clamp allows removal without taking off other parts.

No adaptor needed for 160mm up front!

Cons: Too much cable, but that's to be expected. Can't think of anything els. Oh, I know...it didn't come with rotors.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: January 30, 2012
Reviewed by: Jason H., California

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Very nice brakes. Looks good. Great lever feel. Plenty of hose length.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: January 24, 2012
Reviewed by: Patrick C., Washington

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Step up to 1 finger braking

Replaced old Hayes with these front and rear. Paired with the ice tech rotors (185 front, 160 rear) they blow the Hayes out of the water. I rode the Moab slick rock trail for the first ride on these and was blown away. I have had to learn to brake with only one finger and with significantly less pressure than I was used to. These brakes transformed my riding experience. The tactile feel of the levers is spot on and comfortable. The fit and finish is beautiful.

Pros: Powerful and Good looking.

Cons: Very long hoses had to be trimmed. Easy process for anyone who has done minimal wrenching.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 07, 2011
Reviewed by: John B., Oregon

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better than avids

Like a lot of people seem to be doing, I replaced my noisy Avid Codes with these. They are a lot stronger, and not too grippy when you first apply them. Most important is they don't attract turkeys when you squeeze the levers.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 17, 2011
Reviewed by: Jeff B., Virginia

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Great Brakes

I have had this set of brakes for a month now and I love them. I have previously owned avid elixirs, and older shimano XT's, but these are super great. They have a ton of power and very progressive. Great modulation.

Pros: Tons of power, great modulation, comfortable, easy maintenance

Cons: None so far

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: August 22, 2011
Reviewed by: Pedro m., California

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Fantastic Brakes

These brakes are awesome. I feel much more confident in my braking while riding in technical terrain. I switched from Elixir CR's and couldn't be happier about it. These brakes are quieter, don't fade as bad as my Elixir's did, and have better modulation in my opinion. The brake lines are really long, so chances are you will need to shorten them (an extra olive barb and compression fitting is included with the brakes). After I got mine all set up I played around with the free stroke adjustment and noticed that it didn't seem to do much, but that's not really an issue for me as I always run my brakes with as little free stroke as possible. Overall, I am extremely happy with these brakes. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to upgrade their brakes. For what you pay for these, it really is a steal.

Pros: Good modulation, QUIET even with metallic pads, excellent stopping power, bleeding is easy, price

Cons: Lines are really long, free stroke adjustment doesn't seem to do much, the needed funnel/stopper for bleeding is hard to find

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: July 24, 2011
Reviewed by: David P., Iowa

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