Braided Hoses Options

[Timo]

Hi
I have decided to treat myself to a set of braided hoses for the HFX9s on my Giant VT (and on my inbread 456 if the first conversion goes ok).
Until recently there was only the Goodridge hoses to choose from but now there appears to be others from Hope and Fibrax.
The Fibrax kit appears to be slightly cheaper with the Hope and Goodridge kits being slightly more expensive (i actually think they all seem expensive for what it is).
Has anyone any experience of the Fibrax hoses - are they any better / worse than the more expensive Hope / Goodridge kits.
Thanks
Tim

[Mad Pierre]

I've only used the Goodridge kits.

They look pimp and are good to use if you need new hoses but I wouldn't fit one just for perfomance. I couldn't tell the difference!

[U31]

I've only used the Goodridge kits.

They look pimp and are good to use if you need new hoses but I wouldn't fit one just for perfomance. I couldn't tell the difference!

Thank god some one else says that, ive been maintaining the same for years, since they first appeared on cars and motorbikes...

Any performance gains i would reckon on being self deceit to justify the cost.

Dr Ford wrote a whole chapter on the subject justifying expense in his book "lies lies lies - The psychology of deceit" Well worth a read!

[Jarl]

But surely thinking you've got better brakes would give you a performance boost similar to actually having better brakes which would feel better by the same amount as you've fooled yourself into thinking?

[Timo]

Now it could just be that when you replace the hoses you carry out an oil change and brake bleed and perhaps that is all that is need to get / regain the performance of the brakes?
Might still get some though.

[Doug]

Arnt the 9's grabby enough for you with normal hoses?

[Timo]

Arnt the 9's grabby enough for you with normal hoses?

True - but being lardy i need all the stopping i can get
I have also just got my annual bonus and i do like to treat myself to something bling for my bike (before the wife gets her hands on it - bonus not bike that is.) - it's the only time during the year that i can - the rest of the time it's mend and make do

[:: Xiphon ::]

Braided hoses on bicycles are primarily to stop the chances of hoses being ripped during a crash - they offer virtually no 'performance' upgrades over standard hoses.

[U31]

I think they would more likely tear out of the fittings, regardless of being braided, if your crash was bad enough to rip a hose?

[:: Xiphon ::]

I think they would more likely tear out of the fittings, regardless of being braided, if your crash was bad enough to rip a hose?

Perhaps, but the guy I was speaking to, who owns the LBS and rides the famous 'Hertshore' said he only saw benefits of the braiding when crashing! Standard hoses kept getting crimped/bent.

[Zangolin]

Had standard hoses on my Mono's + fitted braided hoses. Definitely had a much more positive feel i.e not as spongy feeling.

I should say that brakes were all set up + bled correctly with the old black hoses so not a case of air in the system etc. The braided are also more flexible + of course look more bling!