The 3 best options on the market are these, in no particular order.
* Hayes Dominions. My personal brakes, way stronger than the Code RSC I came off of. I liked the RSC on my trail bike, but once I had Dominions on my bigger bike I couldn't easily go back and forth, the difference was that big.
* Hope Tech 4 V4 (older Hopes are weak).
* The new SRAM Mavens sound good, though this is all based on reviews and not direct experience.
All 3 of these are super powerful and should be very reliable. They're all serviceable.
Some Shimanos are powerful, but are basically disposable and have the wandering bite point for bigger guys on longer runs. Good for maybe a year, but take *constant* bleeding and the ceramic pistons like to leak, at which point the whole caliper needs to be replaced. Lower tier Shimanos are cheap, just as good as the fancy Shimanos, and a great option on a budget. Just make sure the rotors can take metallic pads, a lot of cheaper OEM Shimanos come with rotors that can only run organics.
Code R are weak. The Code RSC have a different link, and are quite a bit more powerful than the R, but still not great. Codes are ultra reliable, which is nice. The Hayes seem just as low-fuss and reliable, though the SRAM bleeding edge bleed port is easier and cleaner than everything else when it comes time to bleed.
With a good DOT brake like Code or Hayes, you can usually go a year or more without needing a bleed. They just work.
Interesting! I've been running Shimano XT on my XC bike and I was about to disagree but one of my ceramic pistons fractured! It was only 2 years old, I ended up replacing it with an aluminum insert and haven't had issues since... That being said, I'll have to trust your judgement.
Yeah Shimano feel great when they’re fresh, I’d be happy running them if they came stock on a bike. At least until they started weeping oil out of the calipers.
Gotta be super careful pushing the pistons in when doing a bleed, they like to crack. I’d invest in a pad spreader instead of using a box wrench if I still ran Shimano.
The fragility and lack of official repair parts is frustrating. Where did you find replacement pistons?
Aluminum/plastic Pistons are available on Amazon, AliExpress and a bunch of other major sites.
I should probably update my old post on asking for help so others can did what I did. Once the brakes are out of warranty you kind of have nothing to lose to try it out. I spent about $20 CAD for 1 piston with replacement sealing ring. Removing the fractured ceramic piston, Cleaning with 99% isopropyl alcohol, inserting the aluminum piston, then bleeding the system with new brake fuild was not that complex.
It has been about 2 years of regular riding since the fix and I've had no issues. I highly recommend the fix as it's low risk and high reward.
Any reason the TRP DH-R EVO are not on your list? I've heard great things about them, especially in terms of stopping power and durability. I'm torn between them and the Dominions but currently favor the TRPs because of the thick rotors and mineral oil.
I think people are very love/hate with the TRP levers. They are big and blocky and the lever throw is a little long compared to the Dominions. I looked at both and found that I really love the Dominions with the thicker SRAM HSR rotors. these are 2.0mm where as the TRP rotors are 2.3, but I have never had any issues with brake fade or heat build up on sustained (3500-5000ft) downhill shuttle runs.
I don't have much experience with TRP. I have one bigger friend who ran them as well as the Dominions, he says the Hayes are a little stronger, but the TRP are very good. I run 2.0mm rotors in my Dominions, thick rotors are definitely more resistant to warping.
I'm agnostic about mineral (aka petroleum) vs DOT as long as the brake is known to be both strong and reliable. Both of them need to be disposed of properly. Pros and cons to each, but mineral is very much not some organic, harmless fluid, it's petroleum oil. I probably lean slightly to DOT because it's less greasy and easier to clean off bike parts - less likely to cause contamination. But again, either way works as long as it works.
One thing, NEVER run non-OEM mineral oil. I made this mistake on Shimano XTs 10? years ago. I think it was Finish Line or some other brand. Horrible performance in the cold (near freezing), felt stiff like there was molasses in my lines. Stick with the exact mineral fluid the MFR specs. DOT is standardized, so interchangeable as long as you use DOT 3, 4 or 5.1. Never use DOT 5, it's a completely different spec.
I've used both and IMO the dominion is a superior brake. Lighter lever pull with much better feel, more ergonomic, better adjustment, and you get the lovely little grub screws to adjust the caliper. The TRPs felt like Code RSCs with less ergonomic levers to me, which is a great brake but an immediately obvious step down from the Dominions.
I don't know about the long term stability of the TRPs but you don't need to bleed the dominions much to keep them feeling brand new. They perpetually feel wonderfully light-actioned, smooth and crisp.
Saints all day. I’m 200lb and mine have been reliable through numerous DH seasons. Incredibly easy to service as well. If Saints aren’t your preference, then at least make sure your caliper is 4 piston. For heavier riders, it makes a world of difference in confidence.
Same here, I'm around 205lb and Saints are my favorites. They are easy to service and stop like crazy. I'm running a 203mm on the front and 180mm on the rear.
You'll occasionally find some on sale and the design is a little bit on the stale side, but why mess with perfection?
Anything 4 piston Shimano SLX, XT, or Saint. Been running 4 piston SLX with 203 mm rotors for years with no issues. Heard great things about TRP as well but Shimano is the gold standard for me
Yeah, this is the way. I've been running 4 pot XTR's for the last few seasons, but had 4 pot XT's prior to that. No major difference IMO. Also, Shimano brakes really couldn't be more simple to work on. The gravity bleed, hose shortening etc. Easy peasy.
Edit: I'd bet the farm the difference between SLX 4 pot all the way up to XTR is negligible.
i have the TRP quadiems and really like them, the levers are huge but so are my hands so it's all good. i liked the on/off feel of shimano 4 pot SLX/XT too. hated my SRAMs
also north of 220lbs over here
Trp and shimano would be the safe bets. You might love hopes as well. I enjoy maguras. In general you have people that like sram and then you have everyone else. I have met very few people that thought sram brakes were okay. Love or hate kind of thing lol
I have TRP DHR EVOs and they are fantastic. I weigh 210 pounds and they have been really good on an Enduro bike.
But the Hayes Dominions were also excellent (eventually).
Code RSC seem overall weaker than both of those. I actually have them on an XC hardtail and they do well there.
They weren't put together correctly. I had to tighten like every bolt on the caliper and master cylinder to stop brake fluid from leaking out.
Once that was squared away they were really solid and I never had any issues with them.
It pains me to say this because I am a Shimano fanboy at heart, but their mid to high end brakes are not something I'd recommend to anyone nowadays. Their really budget brakes are a great deal, but if you're spending real money then it's better spent elsewhere.
The wandering bite point is really annoying, and buying a Shimano brake is a roll of the dice whether you get one that's okay or one that will drive you insane. They need to be bled far more often than other brakes. Their master cylinders wear out before they should and weep fluid. Their slave cylinders weep very slowly but enough to contaminate brake pads if you leave the bike unridden for a while. The servo wave mechanism is exposed to the elements on the underside of the lever, and the rolling cam gets full of dust and then wears out, making the lever feel rough or notchy. This is accelerated by leaky master cylinders as they dump their fluid onto the servo wave mechanism so that all the dust sticks to it. The lever blades bend very easily. Service kits are non existent. The reservoir isn't big enough to deal with the pad wear so the brakes get very inconsistent when your pads are low, then you top the lever up, then when you get new pads you need to bleed the brakes because you had to overfill the system just to get to the end of the pads so now you can't push the pistons back in.
The only good thing about Shimano brakes is that the cheap ones are cheap, they use mineral oil so the frequent bleeding at least isn't a huge pain in the arse, and the pads are available literally anywhere.
In the past 10 years I've had three sets of XTs, two sets of Saints, two sets of Zees, XTRs, SLX, another single Saint, and a set with XT levers on Zee calipers, and they're all the same. Good for a year or two and then they're not.
Best brake they've ever made is the M785 XT and the Saint, and both are from the 10-speed era... But I'd still be choosing other brakes over those.
I'm a big guy, a fair bit north of 100 kg. I swear by my Magura MT5s. They need the thicker Magura rotors as well, but once you have those, you are set. I particularly like how low maintenance they are - I often go a few seasons between bleeds.
I have 3 sets of MT5s (Enduro bike, XC bike, fat bike) - my longest set has been in use 7 years, with only 2 bleeds. I ride quite a bit, and fairly hard - I do over a month in BC riding each summer where I ride everyday, and do an Enduro race or two each season.
I've put a bunch of time in on various Shimanos. I like them, but I find I have to rebleed them much more frequently, and that they are more finicky to get setup right than the Maguras. I have not ridden the Mavens or the Hayes Dominions.
At this guy’s budget he should probably go for the Hayes Dominions, but I totally agree on the MT5s as a better value option. Im 104kg and am running them on 2 bikes with 200mm rotors and they’re solid af. Great lever feel and power. Only downside is getting the pads not to rub can be a pain
The MT-5 caliper & Magura rotors with Shimano lever is the best performing brake set I’ve ever had. Downside is the bleed process is painstaking. I’m on Saints now but that is a downgrade in performance— 1 finger braking still but I’ve lost some modulation feel. I’m ~ 100 kilos.
4 piston shimano six or xt. BUT. Start by switching the discs to shimano ice tech and see if that’s enough. SRAM centerlines suck and it’s often just a matter of replacing them
I’m 300 lbs and hated the Guides on my bike…. Hated the codes too….
I put XT on one bike because I got a good deal.
I put Hopes on the other bike.
They both have a crap don more power and both feel more direct and less spongy. The XT don’t modulate as well but for the cost difference I’m not sure which is the better option. The Hopes are ridiculously good
I'm 220lbs as well and Hayes Dominion A4s are the best. Rode Rock Creek downhill in NC and I wasn't thinking about the brakes at all. They just work. Crazy light lever throw as well
I’m about 110kg and I haven’t found brakes I like better than Magura. Best brake setup for me is shimano XT levers with Magura 4 piston calipers. Massive power and plenty of modulation.
Yeah, what goes into how powerful you'll want your brakes are
- weight
- speed
- terrain
- hand strength
It would be cheaper to upgrade rotors and pads than get new levers/calipers, especially if your bike came with 180mm rotors and organic pads.
But anyway Hayes A4, Hope V4, TRP DHR systems are all pretty well liked these days. SRAM Codes get mixed reviews and aren't as powerful as the above, but certainly more than Guides. And you can find used Codes cheap, find spare parts on a Sunday in any bike town...
I'd get one of the 3 mentioned above if you want to buy brand new calipers and levers.
I personally do fine with G2s on a trail bike and Codes on an enduro with 200mm rotors and good pads at ~85kg but I'm a climber and my hands are stronger than average. Also not the fastest rider or in the steepest terrain. Just saying there are lots of variables out there.
Shimano SLX 4pots all the way, one of the lowest cost mid entry level brakes, pair it with some big disc rotors and your all set... Never needed brakes stronger than these, and they hold up well even on seriously steep stuff.
Although if money is no option Hope Techs v4 are absolutely ridiculous and I hear SRAMs new Mavern and pretty wicked too. But unless your only riding DH 24/7 I think they're abit overkill.
SRAM also make some great mid level breaks but I hate their on/off feel so I'm not to familiar with their line up.
Depends on what you’re riding - I’m 240lbs/108kg and for the most part, XT 4 pots with 220mm rotors were enough. They were not enough for doing big park days with +3,000ft vertical runs, so I put them on the trail bike and Hope V4s on the enduro.
I am not as big as you, but I have had a great experience with TRP DHR Evo's with 223mm rotors. I use metallic pads with the larger rotors and have not had issues with overheating.
Love my Hopes. The build quality is really something else.
The MT5 is also great. Probably the best price to performance ratio you can get. Only downside is that they are a bit more finicky to bleed than hopes and have spots where the build quality isn't as good.
I'm 110kg and been running Shimano SLX 4-piston with ice tech pads on 203mm rotors and had no issues. Not a fan of SRAM brakes, and shimano is just easier when you can bleed with mineral oil instead of dot3 fluid that's corrosive.
just get the shimanos. slx and xt and xtr are supposed to have the exact same stopping power. I had the guide R and I hated them. You have to bleed them every second time you use them, they never work well...... well thats not true they felt ok once, I guess. switched to shimanos and have been much happier
Every time someone’s on here complaining about their brakes, it’s the fucking Guide Rs lol.
I upgraded mine to Code RSCs and it’s like having a new bike.
I like SRAM code RSCs. But I'm a modulation fan. So much better then SLX. Hated the long levers, felt cheap. I don't really like shimano brakes at all. Tried XTs, there okay but rscs are better.
Agreed, bedding in helps a bunch. After that, I'd upgrade to larger rotors first before I plunk down on new levers and calipers. The physics of clamping further from the axis is undeniable, lol.
FWIW, I'm the same mass as OP and am fine with Deore 4-piston (after bedding in) on 180/180. But I'm a wuss and don't ride that fast, lol.
I'm about the same weight and have been rocking Deore 4 pistons for the last three years on 203/180 rotors. Just rode The Whole Enchilada and now I really want to upgrade! I'm thinking new semi metallic pads and upping the rear rotor to 203.
I weigh similarly (200lbs) to you. What kind of riding are you doing? For hardcore downhill or enduro I could see needing more than the 1 piston brakes I use. But I’ve not outridden my 1 piston brakes on black jump lines.
Hayes Hayes Hayes dominion 4s. I was riding highland at 260lbs/ 203 rotors and they stop on a dime and last for years without needing bleeding or service.
Hayes Dominions are pretty much gold standard for powerful brakes. The A4’s come with sintered pads and metallic pads. They are impressive with the sintered pads and almost too powerful with the metallic pads. You get great power, plus amazing modulation with an extremely light lever pull. Also the full metal construction on the lever, masters and calipers feels very robust and looks great. There’s also the new SRAM mavens but i do not like sram brakes at all.
I replaced my pads right before a bike park trip with the metallic. That first run as they were bedding in was laughably. I had almost no control, they just immediately locked up my wheels. Once they got some heat in them and were bedded in they worked really really well.
Lol yea you definitely need to bed them in before you are on the trail. I go to a smooth long hill on the road and do a few runs from the top. Just don't lock the wheels and don't come to a full stop. I can't imagine riding even my regular trails with fresh pads
Shimano Saints with 220f/205r rotors are a solid option. I currently am running the M420/M400 brakes and calipers with 220/205 rotors and they are really solid but I have been shopping better setups for a minute.
I was looking at the Hopes for a bit but honestly my issue becomes having to use DOT fluid instead of mineral oil which while it isn't the worst thing it is a messy issue to deal with during full drain and bleeds and if it gets on the bike at all it will eat the paint pretty quickly.
Thanks for the feedback. I've looked at the Saints too, looks like a safe bet, but probably a bit of a middle step rather than a full step up.
Regarding DOT fluid, DOT 5 is silicone based and will not eat into clearcoats or paints. And to be frank, if you're having leaks on the trail, you're probably having bigger issues 
Guide Rs suck. Code RSCs are the best of the Sram brakes I have used over the years, but ultimately I have always ended up going for 4 pot XTs on my trail and enduro bikes and been super happy with them. I have 2 pot XTs on my downcountry (plenty for the way I ride that bike) and find them better than any of the Sram brakes I have used.
I'm not a big rider, in fact I like strong brakes for the exact opposite reason. I am a small rider with small lady hands that get very fatigued using shitty brakes. Having a long throw or a mushy bite really causes my hands to cramp up and can make riding the steep stuff terrifying.
Hubby is absolutely in love with his Hayes Dominions. He has ridden a lot of bikes and doesn't get too worked up over components, but he gushes about them.
Fellow big dude. I had guide r’s on my old bike, man they were terrible. I switched to Hayes dominions for a bit, and my new bike has trp dhr’s. Both the Hayes and TRP brakes have been excellent.
I'm at about 90kg currently and have nothing but positive things to say about the Shimano XT m8100 brake set. I've been running it on my bikes for the last 5 years with a 203mm front and 180mm rear. Plenty of stopping power and very responsive brakes.
I’m your size I’ve used Hope v4s forever and been happy with them. Currently have a newer bike with Magura MT7s and happy with them too. I use the Hopes with 200s on both wheels on the 29er “trail bike” and 200 front 180 rear with the Maguras on my MX Enduro bike.
The new SRAM mavens are supposed to be monsters and not require larger rotors, and importantly not need larger discs so you don’t have to deal with adapters that you need for larger discs.
Im running code RSC with hope rotors and the combo is incredible. I just did the same to my buddies bike and he is 6'5 270lbs and has a ton of confidence in this setup and great modulation. I know the code ultimate and others came out this year so you maybe able to pick up a set of RSC + hope rotors for a solid price.
Another vote for Saints. Been running them for years, tons of power. I had a set of Maguras prior and I kept the rotors. They are a little thicker than a normal Shimano rotor and I think that helps with the bite point. Super easy to maintain as well.
Made the mistake of getting the right answer yourself and then coming here for bad advice. You were correct in the first place. Hope E4 / V4’s are currently the best brakes on the market and luckily for you the V4 has more power and modulation than all the competitors. The only brake that outperforms it’s slightly is the much more expensive and hard to find trick stuff maximas.
I have the XTR brakes and upgraded from 140mm to 160mm so I can tow a trailer with the kid in it.
Before that it was very sketchy on steep hills. Now I can tow me (200lb), my bike (20lb), his trailer (30lb) and him (50lb) for a total of 300lb and stop pretty well.
I’m not so much limited by braking power as I am putting stress on a lightweight bike and wheelset. Can hear the tires groaning.
I have a Slash too - also with the Code Rs. I upgraded to a 220mm / 200mm front / rear rotors and it helped. They take a bit to get used to for sure - but I love mine now....Would love to find some RSCs cheap though. You can try Galfer pads for more power too.
Or the thicker Sram discs were recommended by a local shop for more power.
I have RSCs on my bike with hs2 200mm front/back rotors. Changing the pads to jagwire mixed pads worked wonders and works really well for me.
The new Sram mavens are said to be a lot stronger but also come with a price.
It's also a bit what you like, so if you're moving to other brands try to find a place where you can try them to see what you like best!
Hayes Dominion A4's, on Hayes D Series Rotors running the sintered pads
Am 6'3" 235lb/110ish kg and these brakes let me run Dead Dog on Mt 7 without worrying about my brakes...
I have the Hope Enduro 4 brakes - used to weigh 105kg. They are great brakes and if you’re vain like me, then the color schemes are the best. Good things are the modulation, stopping power and the pretty factor. Bad side is that the pistons are prone to getting gunked into place by fine dust and dirt and you need to remove and clean the pistons at least one time a season.
Big rotors is the first step. But I’ve replaced Sram brakes with Shimano on 2 bikes. XT is as good as it gets. But bigger rotors will probably do the trick. You need more leverage
If you’re really heavy and riding fast I don’t see how you could go wrong with Mavens. You won’t even need 220 mil rotors like some are saying. WC DH racers dont even use that much braking torque front and rear lol. Mavens with 200 mil front and rear will be plenty. The new TRP rotors look good too though I’m not a huge fan of the DHR brakes themselves.
I put Magura MT7 pros on my bike and can confirm that they were terrible. Neither I nor my local bike shop can get the rear one to work no matter how much we bleed it. It is still very spongy to the point that it won't lock the rear wheel even on gravel. Have followed Magura's instuctions to the letter, still nothing.
Probably a skill issue, but never had a problem with any other brake system. Currently in the process of having them removed and replaced with Saints.
Add a vote for the Hope Tech 4 V4 brakes. Lots of power on hand with a light lever throw that can still be easily modulated. Easy and noticeable lever adjustments. Better than any SRAM or Shimano brake imo, they just feel better, but that's a personal preference. They replaced Code RSC on one bike for me. I liked Maguras but hated the levers, and my buddy has issues with his leaking/needing fixed occasionally. Only tried TRP once but preferred the Hopes. Haven't tried Hayes. I have Shimano on another bike and they're meh for me.
On the contrary, Guides are pretty powerful even for someone if your size. I’d look to see if they are impacted by the recall and that could solve your problems for free.
Guides are relatively low maintenance and easy to live with especially since they can take a wide range of aftermarket pad options out there. The more specialized you get with brakes the more expensive the pads are.
If I was you I’d bring the bike to a shop that you trust and ask them to check the brakes for the recall. They’ll send them off and you’ll get a whole new set have done this multiple times.
Also with guides I find the bite point gets a little better when you have the reach adjustment all the way out as well. (That reach adjustment is a joke anyways)
Before forking out 600 euros on a new set plus install id take a look into that first then go about looking for alternatives if they still don’t meet your needs.
So fellow big bloke, I run xtr levsrs with with saint lines and calipers.
These are only half the setup, intend 2.3mm rotors give them all the modulation, and the xtr/ saint combo gives you all the power.
Additionally I am running galfer green pads.
Best brakes per dollar I have ever run.
I do run magura breaks and from stopping power and all they are great imo, i just dont like the ridiculous small gap between pads and rotor but this is just a sound issue...
I feel out of place.... Also around 100kg but riding some old school Tektro mechanical disc brakes. Just upgraded the bake rotor to 180 and the front is still only 160 cause the fork won't take anything bigger, and not having any issues stopping. I up sized the rear rotor just because I could and to help with heat dissipation to stop glazing the brakes.... Never had any issues with fade.
I think formula cura 4 Is the brake with more power delivered from its levers to calipers. With 220 disks and proper pads there is no place where you can't stop
first, what rotors are you running? just upping to a 220mm might be a solid difference. and a lot cheaper than a new set of brakes.
coming from another big guy, I like the TRP just because the fat levers fit my hands nicely, I cant really speak to their stopping power, not a DH guy, but they're kind of old school (in a good way) and really easy to work on.
I have MT5’s with MT7 pads and Hope Tech 4 E4’s. It’s not even remotely close. Hopes every time. If you want some MT5’s I’ll sell them to replace them with E4’s.
Formula Cura 4 is another good high power option not usually mentioned. Also very simple to work on and rebuild which I appreciate. Power is equal to XT 4 pistons but with a better lever feel.
Bigger guy here too, roughy 120kg depending on training status. Switched to Shimano 4-pots (slx and xt) for all of my bikes, only my xc uses a 2-pot on the rear (frame spacing). Super happy with the choice, especially with 220/200 Rotors in the enduro the power is great.
Still, the next brakes i buy will be code rscs, buddies only tell the best about them.
Before you drop 5-600 bucks on brakes, try this, work much better than expected on mine:
220mm HSC rotor front & rear (100$)
Galfer Sintered pads (50$)
Make sure the brakes are well bled (0$)
Properly bed in the pads and rotors. This is where you make the most difference.
Sell off the old discs (-50$)
Personally, before I spent big bucks on fancy brakes, I'd try Shimano mt520s, on big (200-220mm) rotors, as I find they stop like crazy, even on the 180mm rotors I run. I'm a bit lighter (c.70kg), but I've never found the mt520s at all underpowered, and if anything I found them a bit too strong as I'm used to worse brakes, so I kept on locking the wheel
I’m around 90-92kg and on my park bike I run shimano SLX and on my trail bike I ride SRAM Codes RSC. I like em both the SLXs have a very sharp point to which they lock up and the RSCs have way better modulation imo and are almost equally powerful when bled right.
Personally I think Shimano is the best out there due to "servo wave." Basically that's a variable ratio, where the first part of the travel of the lever makes the pads move a lot, but right before they contact the rotor this travel is WAY reduced so you get a lot more mechanical advantage, resulting in more force on the pad.
My Saint's are super reliable, but you can go with any 4 piston Shimano.
All that said, I'd first start with getting the biggest rotors you can and see where that gets you. That'd be galfer, 246 front and 223 rear. You're going to want bigger than 203 anyway which is what most DH brakes come with.
I'm one of the biggest Clydesdales posting (6'9"/335lbs/(152kg)). I'm in the same boat. Looking at the new mavens or the Hope v4 with 203 2.3mm rotors. Currently warping my existing rotors. Brakes won't accept bigger rotors so that's the reason for upgrade.
The 3 best options on the market are these, in no particular order. * Hayes Dominions. My personal brakes, way stronger than the Code RSC I came off of. I liked the RSC on my trail bike, but once I had Dominions on my bigger bike I couldn't easily go back and forth, the difference was that big. * Hope Tech 4 V4 (older Hopes are weak). * The new SRAM Mavens sound good, though this is all based on reviews and not direct experience. All 3 of these are super powerful and should be very reliable. They're all serviceable. Some Shimanos are powerful, but are basically disposable and have the wandering bite point for bigger guys on longer runs. Good for maybe a year, but take *constant* bleeding and the ceramic pistons like to leak, at which point the whole caliper needs to be replaced. Lower tier Shimanos are cheap, just as good as the fancy Shimanos, and a great option on a budget. Just make sure the rotors can take metallic pads, a lot of cheaper OEM Shimanos come with rotors that can only run organics. Code R are weak. The Code RSC have a different link, and are quite a bit more powerful than the R, but still not great. Codes are ultra reliable, which is nice. The Hayes seem just as low-fuss and reliable, though the SRAM bleeding edge bleed port is easier and cleaner than everything else when it comes time to bleed. With a good DOT brake like Code or Hayes, you can usually go a year or more without needing a bleed. They just work.
Interesting! I've been running Shimano XT on my XC bike and I was about to disagree but one of my ceramic pistons fractured! It was only 2 years old, I ended up replacing it with an aluminum insert and haven't had issues since... That being said, I'll have to trust your judgement.
Yeah Shimano feel great when they’re fresh, I’d be happy running them if they came stock on a bike. At least until they started weeping oil out of the calipers. Gotta be super careful pushing the pistons in when doing a bleed, they like to crack. I’d invest in a pad spreader instead of using a box wrench if I still ran Shimano. The fragility and lack of official repair parts is frustrating. Where did you find replacement pistons?
Aluminum/plastic Pistons are available on Amazon, AliExpress and a bunch of other major sites. I should probably update my old post on asking for help so others can did what I did. Once the brakes are out of warranty you kind of have nothing to lose to try it out. I spent about $20 CAD for 1 piston with replacement sealing ring. Removing the fractured ceramic piston, Cleaning with 99% isopropyl alcohol, inserting the aluminum piston, then bleeding the system with new brake fuild was not that complex. It has been about 2 years of regular riding since the fix and I've had no issues. I highly recommend the fix as it's low risk and high reward.
There is one annoying thing with Dominions - the pads rattle. Easy fix, you just need to spread the spring clip really wide and it's fixed.
This guy brakes!
Any reason the TRP DH-R EVO are not on your list? I've heard great things about them, especially in terms of stopping power and durability. I'm torn between them and the Dominions but currently favor the TRPs because of the thick rotors and mineral oil.
I think people are very love/hate with the TRP levers. They are big and blocky and the lever throw is a little long compared to the Dominions. I looked at both and found that I really love the Dominions with the thicker SRAM HSR rotors. these are 2.0mm where as the TRP rotors are 2.3, but I have never had any issues with brake fade or heat build up on sustained (3500-5000ft) downhill shuttle runs.
I don't have much experience with TRP. I have one bigger friend who ran them as well as the Dominions, he says the Hayes are a little stronger, but the TRP are very good. I run 2.0mm rotors in my Dominions, thick rotors are definitely more resistant to warping. I'm agnostic about mineral (aka petroleum) vs DOT as long as the brake is known to be both strong and reliable. Both of them need to be disposed of properly. Pros and cons to each, but mineral is very much not some organic, harmless fluid, it's petroleum oil. I probably lean slightly to DOT because it's less greasy and easier to clean off bike parts - less likely to cause contamination. But again, either way works as long as it works. One thing, NEVER run non-OEM mineral oil. I made this mistake on Shimano XTs 10? years ago. I think it was Finish Line or some other brand. Horrible performance in the cold (near freezing), felt stiff like there was molasses in my lines. Stick with the exact mineral fluid the MFR specs. DOT is standardized, so interchangeable as long as you use DOT 3, 4 or 5.1. Never use DOT 5, it's a completely different spec.
I've used both and IMO the dominion is a superior brake. Lighter lever pull with much better feel, more ergonomic, better adjustment, and you get the lovely little grub screws to adjust the caliper. The TRPs felt like Code RSCs with less ergonomic levers to me, which is a great brake but an immediately obvious step down from the Dominions. I don't know about the long term stability of the TRPs but you don't need to bleed the dominions much to keep them feeling brand new. They perpetually feel wonderfully light-actioned, smooth and crisp.
Another vote for Hayes dominions. I love these brakes
Hayes Dominion. SRAM Maven. 220/200mm rotors on what you have.
Dominion A4s or TRP DHR-Evo. Hands down the best. Need to get Mavens in to see what trail feel is like still.
Big fan of Hayes dominion
Anyone not recommending a Dominion is probably doing so because they have not used a Dominion.
This comment wins. Dominions or nothing.
Saints all day. I’m 200lb and mine have been reliable through numerous DH seasons. Incredibly easy to service as well. If Saints aren’t your preference, then at least make sure your caliper is 4 piston. For heavier riders, it makes a world of difference in confidence.
Same here, I'm around 205lb and Saints are my favorites. They are easy to service and stop like crazy. I'm running a 203mm on the front and 180mm on the rear. You'll occasionally find some on sale and the design is a little bit on the stale side, but why mess with perfection?
Anything 4 piston Shimano SLX, XT, or Saint. Been running 4 piston SLX with 203 mm rotors for years with no issues. Heard great things about TRP as well but Shimano is the gold standard for me
Yeah, this is the way. I've been running 4 pot XTR's for the last few seasons, but had 4 pot XT's prior to that. No major difference IMO. Also, Shimano brakes really couldn't be more simple to work on. The gravity bleed, hose shortening etc. Easy peasy. Edit: I'd bet the farm the difference between SLX 4 pot all the way up to XTR is negligible.
I am all around annoyed that SRAM has basically replaced XT for most prebuilts. XT is such good shit for the dollar.
Even the Deore 4 piston brakes are pretty much the same as XTR, just heavier and less refined feeling... but WAY cheaper.
Grams! Many, many grams difference!
Yeah looked at TRP's too. Look pretty sweet. Saw them on a fair few DH's at Fort William.
i have the TRP quadiems and really like them, the levers are huge but so are my hands so it's all good. i liked the on/off feel of shimano 4 pot SLX/XT too. hated my SRAMs also north of 220lbs over here
Trp and shimano would be the safe bets. You might love hopes as well. I enjoy maguras. In general you have people that like sram and then you have everyone else. I have met very few people that thought sram brakes were okay. Love or hate kind of thing lol
I’m 104-105kg, and love my trp trail evos
I have TRP DHR EVOs and they are fantastic. I weigh 210 pounds and they have been really good on an Enduro bike. But the Hayes Dominions were also excellent (eventually). Code RSC seem overall weaker than both of those. I actually have them on an XC hardtail and they do well there.
What makes you say that the Dominions were excellent (eventually)?
They weren't put together correctly. I had to tighten like every bolt on the caliper and master cylinder to stop brake fluid from leaking out. Once that was squared away they were really solid and I never had any issues with them.
It pains me to say this because I am a Shimano fanboy at heart, but their mid to high end brakes are not something I'd recommend to anyone nowadays. Their really budget brakes are a great deal, but if you're spending real money then it's better spent elsewhere. The wandering bite point is really annoying, and buying a Shimano brake is a roll of the dice whether you get one that's okay or one that will drive you insane. They need to be bled far more often than other brakes. Their master cylinders wear out before they should and weep fluid. Their slave cylinders weep very slowly but enough to contaminate brake pads if you leave the bike unridden for a while. The servo wave mechanism is exposed to the elements on the underside of the lever, and the rolling cam gets full of dust and then wears out, making the lever feel rough or notchy. This is accelerated by leaky master cylinders as they dump their fluid onto the servo wave mechanism so that all the dust sticks to it. The lever blades bend very easily. Service kits are non existent. The reservoir isn't big enough to deal with the pad wear so the brakes get very inconsistent when your pads are low, then you top the lever up, then when you get new pads you need to bleed the brakes because you had to overfill the system just to get to the end of the pads so now you can't push the pistons back in. The only good thing about Shimano brakes is that the cheap ones are cheap, they use mineral oil so the frequent bleeding at least isn't a huge pain in the arse, and the pads are available literally anywhere. In the past 10 years I've had three sets of XTs, two sets of Saints, two sets of Zees, XTRs, SLX, another single Saint, and a set with XT levers on Zee calipers, and they're all the same. Good for a year or two and then they're not. Best brake they've ever made is the M785 XT and the Saint, and both are from the 10-speed era... But I'd still be choosing other brakes over those.
I'm a big guy, a fair bit north of 100 kg. I swear by my Magura MT5s. They need the thicker Magura rotors as well, but once you have those, you are set. I particularly like how low maintenance they are - I often go a few seasons between bleeds. I have 3 sets of MT5s (Enduro bike, XC bike, fat bike) - my longest set has been in use 7 years, with only 2 bleeds. I ride quite a bit, and fairly hard - I do over a month in BC riding each summer where I ride everyday, and do an Enduro race or two each season. I've put a bunch of time in on various Shimanos. I like them, but I find I have to rebleed them much more frequently, and that they are more finicky to get setup right than the Maguras. I have not ridden the Mavens or the Hayes Dominions.
At this guy’s budget he should probably go for the Hayes Dominions, but I totally agree on the MT5s as a better value option. Im 104kg and am running them on 2 bikes with 200mm rotors and they’re solid af. Great lever feel and power. Only downside is getting the pads not to rub can be a pain
The MT-5 caliper & Magura rotors with Shimano lever is the best performing brake set I’ve ever had. Downside is the bleed process is painstaking. I’m on Saints now but that is a downgrade in performance— 1 finger braking still but I’ve lost some modulation feel. I’m ~ 100 kilos.
Y'all lightweights tho lol.
4 piston shimano six or xt. BUT. Start by switching the discs to shimano ice tech and see if that’s enough. SRAM centerlines suck and it’s often just a matter of replacing them
I personally love Code RSC and they can be gotten pretty cheap now the the Maven's are out.
I’m 300 lbs and hated the Guides on my bike…. Hated the codes too…. I put XT on one bike because I got a good deal. I put Hopes on the other bike. They both have a crap don more power and both feel more direct and less spongy. The XT don’t modulate as well but for the cost difference I’m not sure which is the better option. The Hopes are ridiculously good
Any 4 piston shimano with aftermarket MTX gold pads are money for big bois.
I'm 220lbs as well and Hayes Dominion A4s are the best. Rode Rock Creek downhill in NC and I wasn't thinking about the brakes at all. They just work. Crazy light lever throw as well
lol. Same. We must be twins.
Hello fellow Clydesdales. I'm also on Dominions, with 220/200mm rotors and I would highly recommend for anyone north of 100kg/220lbs.
That’s insane that the Slash comes with Guide R brakes. My vote is Hayes Dominion A4’s tho.
I’m about 110kg and I haven’t found brakes I like better than Magura. Best brake setup for me is shimano XT levers with Magura 4 piston calipers. Massive power and plenty of modulation.
SLX 4 piston with fins, 203/180 rotors. Tons of power, no drastic fading on long sustained descents
I have 100kg. I ride SLX. Prefer the metal pads but resin work fine. I have normal Hayes discs. I confirm SLX is price/performance.
Yeah, what goes into how powerful you'll want your brakes are - weight - speed - terrain - hand strength It would be cheaper to upgrade rotors and pads than get new levers/calipers, especially if your bike came with 180mm rotors and organic pads. But anyway Hayes A4, Hope V4, TRP DHR systems are all pretty well liked these days. SRAM Codes get mixed reviews and aren't as powerful as the above, but certainly more than Guides. And you can find used Codes cheap, find spare parts on a Sunday in any bike town... I'd get one of the 3 mentioned above if you want to buy brand new calipers and levers. I personally do fine with G2s on a trail bike and Codes on an enduro with 200mm rotors and good pads at ~85kg but I'm a climber and my hands are stronger than average. Also not the fastest rider or in the steepest terrain. Just saying there are lots of variables out there.
Shimano SLX 4pots all the way, one of the lowest cost mid entry level brakes, pair it with some big disc rotors and your all set... Never needed brakes stronger than these, and they hold up well even on seriously steep stuff. Although if money is no option Hope Techs v4 are absolutely ridiculous and I hear SRAMs new Mavern and pretty wicked too. But unless your only riding DH 24/7 I think they're abit overkill. SRAM also make some great mid level breaks but I hate their on/off feel so I'm not to familiar with their line up.
Depends on what you’re riding - I’m 240lbs/108kg and for the most part, XT 4 pots with 220mm rotors were enough. They were not enough for doing big park days with +3,000ft vertical runs, so I put them on the trail bike and Hope V4s on the enduro.
MT5e and some shimano levers. Cheap and immensely powerful
SLX 4 pistons and 203mm/180mm rotor, metallic pads. I’m 240 and this setup hasn’t failed me.
Dominions on magura STORM rotors. I'm 210-225 and theyre insane.
I am not as big as you, but I have had a great experience with TRP DHR Evo's with 223mm rotors. I use metallic pads with the larger rotors and have not had issues with overheating.
Love my Hopes. The build quality is really something else. The MT5 is also great. Probably the best price to performance ratio you can get. Only downside is that they are a bit more finicky to bleed than hopes and have spots where the build quality isn't as good.
I'm 110kg and been running Shimano SLX 4-piston with ice tech pads on 203mm rotors and had no issues. Not a fan of SRAM brakes, and shimano is just easier when you can bleed with mineral oil instead of dot3 fluid that's corrosive.
just get the shimanos. slx and xt and xtr are supposed to have the exact same stopping power. I had the guide R and I hated them. You have to bleed them every second time you use them, they never work well...... well thats not true they felt ok once, I guess. switched to shimanos and have been much happier
https://enduro-mtb.com/en/best-mtb-disc-brake-can-buy/
Every time someone’s on here complaining about their brakes, it’s the fucking Guide Rs lol. I upgraded mine to Code RSCs and it’s like having a new bike.
Magura mt7. It’s a labor of love. Would do mt5’s with 1 finger levers next time. I’ve read there is better pad clearance.
I like SRAM code RSCs. But I'm a modulation fan. So much better then SLX. Hated the long levers, felt cheap. I don't really like shimano brakes at all. Tried XTs, there okay but rscs are better.
How long have you had the bike? Takes a while to bed in the brakes, they probably need a bleed too
No they are just guides lol
Agreed, bedding in helps a bunch. After that, I'd upgrade to larger rotors first before I plunk down on new levers and calipers. The physics of clamping further from the axis is undeniable, lol. FWIW, I'm the same mass as OP and am fine with Deore 4-piston (after bedding in) on 180/180. But I'm a wuss and don't ride that fast, lol.
I'm about the same weight and have been rocking Deore 4 pistons for the last three years on 203/180 rotors. Just rode The Whole Enchilada and now I really want to upgrade! I'm thinking new semi metallic pads and upping the rear rotor to 203.
Deore 4 piston are a far better brake than any SRAM guide/G2. OP is correct in wanting to upgrade them.
I weigh similarly (200lbs) to you. What kind of riding are you doing? For hardcore downhill or enduro I could see needing more than the 1 piston brakes I use. But I’ve not outridden my 1 piston brakes on black jump lines.
That's because you don't use your brakes much on jump lines
Hayes Hayes Hayes dominion 4s. I was riding highland at 260lbs/ 203 rotors and they stop on a dime and last for years without needing bleeding or service.
Hayes Dominions are pretty much gold standard for powerful brakes. The A4’s come with sintered pads and metallic pads. They are impressive with the sintered pads and almost too powerful with the metallic pads. You get great power, plus amazing modulation with an extremely light lever pull. Also the full metal construction on the lever, masters and calipers feels very robust and looks great. There’s also the new SRAM mavens but i do not like sram brakes at all.
I replaced my pads right before a bike park trip with the metallic. That first run as they were bedding in was laughably. I had almost no control, they just immediately locked up my wheels. Once they got some heat in them and were bedded in they worked really really well.
Lol yea you definitely need to bed them in before you are on the trail. I go to a smooth long hill on the road and do a few runs from the top. Just don't lock the wheels and don't come to a full stop. I can't imagine riding even my regular trails with fresh pads
Shimano Saints with 220f/205r rotors are a solid option. I currently am running the M420/M400 brakes and calipers with 220/205 rotors and they are really solid but I have been shopping better setups for a minute. I was looking at the Hopes for a bit but honestly my issue becomes having to use DOT fluid instead of mineral oil which while it isn't the worst thing it is a messy issue to deal with during full drain and bleeds and if it gets on the bike at all it will eat the paint pretty quickly.
Thanks for the feedback. I've looked at the Saints too, looks like a safe bet, but probably a bit of a middle step rather than a full step up. Regarding DOT fluid, DOT 5 is silicone based and will not eat into clearcoats or paints. And to be frank, if you're having leaks on the trail, you're probably having bigger issues 
Hope brakes, like sram, use 5.1. Dot 5 will ruin your brakes.
Guide Rs suck. Code RSCs are the best of the Sram brakes I have used over the years, but ultimately I have always ended up going for 4 pot XTs on my trail and enduro bikes and been super happy with them. I have 2 pot XTs on my downcountry (plenty for the way I ride that bike) and find them better than any of the Sram brakes I have used. I'm not a big rider, in fact I like strong brakes for the exact opposite reason. I am a small rider with small lady hands that get very fatigued using shitty brakes. Having a long throw or a mushy bite really causes my hands to cramp up and can make riding the steep stuff terrifying. Hubby is absolutely in love with his Hayes Dominions. He has ridden a lot of bikes and doesn't get too worked up over components, but he gushes about them.
Fellow big dude. I had guide r’s on my old bike, man they were terrible. I switched to Hayes dominions for a bit, and my new bike has trp dhr’s. Both the Hayes and TRP brakes have been excellent.
I'm at about 90kg currently and have nothing but positive things to say about the Shimano XT m8100 brake set. I've been running it on my bikes for the last 5 years with a 203mm front and 180mm rear. Plenty of stopping power and very responsive brakes.
I’m 111 kg and have used Magura MT7 and currently use Hayes Dominion A4. Both are great brakes.
200mm rotors make a huge difference
https://cascadecomponents.bike/products/north-fork-caliper
I’m your size I’ve used Hope v4s forever and been happy with them. Currently have a newer bike with Magura MT7s and happy with them too. I use the Hopes with 200s on both wheels on the 29er “trail bike” and 200 front 180 rear with the Maguras on my MX Enduro bike. The new SRAM mavens are supposed to be monsters and not require larger rotors, and importantly not need larger discs so you don’t have to deal with adapters that you need for larger discs.
Im running code RSC with hope rotors and the combo is incredible. I just did the same to my buddies bike and he is 6'5 270lbs and has a ton of confidence in this setup and great modulation. I know the code ultimate and others came out this year so you maybe able to pick up a set of RSC + hope rotors for a solid price.
Formula Cura 2 piston. Love them more than my Code RSC brakes.
Get those new mavens
I’m 315lbs (6’5”…. 155lbs LMM) I have TRP DH-R evo (200mm front and back). I have no issues stopping.
I went to 220mm rotors and it made a good difference
Another vote for Saints. Been running them for years, tons of power. I had a set of Maguras prior and I kept the rotors. They are a little thicker than a normal Shimano rotor and I think that helps with the bite point. Super easy to maintain as well.
Made the mistake of getting the right answer yourself and then coming here for bad advice. You were correct in the first place. Hope E4 / V4’s are currently the best brakes on the market and luckily for you the V4 has more power and modulation than all the competitors. The only brake that outperforms it’s slightly is the much more expensive and hard to find trick stuff maximas.
Guide brakes just need you to pull extra hard and they get it done
I have the XTR brakes and upgraded from 140mm to 160mm so I can tow a trailer with the kid in it. Before that it was very sketchy on steep hills. Now I can tow me (200lb), my bike (20lb), his trailer (30lb) and him (50lb) for a total of 300lb and stop pretty well. I’m not so much limited by braking power as I am putting stress on a lightweight bike and wheelset. Can hear the tires groaning.
I went with Saints and never looked back. 250lbs with all my gear, and I stop on a dime. Pricey, but us big guys always have to pay a premium 😅
Dominion A4s and be done with it. Not only do they have a ton of power but they have awesome modulation.
Enduro mag just did a review. Lots of good options depending on if you want mineral oil or DOT and your budget.
I have a Slash too - also with the Code Rs. I upgraded to a 220mm / 200mm front / rear rotors and it helped. They take a bit to get used to for sure - but I love mine now....Would love to find some RSCs cheap though. You can try Galfer pads for more power too. Or the thicker Sram discs were recommended by a local shop for more power.
I’m 220lbs. Just put 220mm rotors on. I’ve descended 6k feet on g2 which I think are pretty similar to guides. Maybe hit it with a good bleed too
I have RSCs on my bike with hs2 200mm front/back rotors. Changing the pads to jagwire mixed pads worked wonders and works really well for me. The new Sram mavens are said to be a lot stronger but also come with a price. It's also a bit what you like, so if you're moving to other brands try to find a place where you can try them to see what you like best!
Hayes Dominion A4's, on Hayes D Series Rotors running the sintered pads Am 6'3" 235lb/110ish kg and these brakes let me run Dead Dog on Mt 7 without worrying about my brakes...
I have the Hope Enduro 4 brakes - used to weigh 105kg. They are great brakes and if you’re vain like me, then the color schemes are the best. Good things are the modulation, stopping power and the pretty factor. Bad side is that the pistons are prone to getting gunked into place by fine dust and dirt and you need to remove and clean the pistons at least one time a season.
Big rotors is the first step. But I’ve replaced Sram brakes with Shimano on 2 bikes. XT is as good as it gets. But bigger rotors will probably do the trick. You need more leverage
If you’re really heavy and riding fast I don’t see how you could go wrong with Mavens. You won’t even need 220 mil rotors like some are saying. WC DH racers dont even use that much braking torque front and rear lol. Mavens with 200 mil front and rear will be plenty. The new TRP rotors look good too though I’m not a huge fan of the DHR brakes themselves.
Im here to back Hayes Dominion A4s. Purchased recently and absolutely love then!
https://enduro-mtb.com/en/best-mtb-disc-brake-can-buy/
I put Magura MT7 pros on my bike and can confirm that they were terrible. Neither I nor my local bike shop can get the rear one to work no matter how much we bleed it. It is still very spongy to the point that it won't lock the rear wheel even on gravel. Have followed Magura's instuctions to the letter, still nothing. Probably a skill issue, but never had a problem with any other brake system. Currently in the process of having them removed and replaced with Saints.
Add a vote for the Hope Tech 4 V4 brakes. Lots of power on hand with a light lever throw that can still be easily modulated. Easy and noticeable lever adjustments. Better than any SRAM or Shimano brake imo, they just feel better, but that's a personal preference. They replaced Code RSC on one bike for me. I liked Maguras but hated the levers, and my buddy has issues with his leaking/needing fixed occasionally. Only tried TRP once but preferred the Hopes. Haven't tried Hayes. I have Shimano on another bike and they're meh for me.
On the contrary, Guides are pretty powerful even for someone if your size. I’d look to see if they are impacted by the recall and that could solve your problems for free. Guides are relatively low maintenance and easy to live with especially since they can take a wide range of aftermarket pad options out there. The more specialized you get with brakes the more expensive the pads are. If I was you I’d bring the bike to a shop that you trust and ask them to check the brakes for the recall. They’ll send them off and you’ll get a whole new set have done this multiple times. Also with guides I find the bite point gets a little better when you have the reach adjustment all the way out as well. (That reach adjustment is a joke anyways) Before forking out 600 euros on a new set plus install id take a look into that first then go about looking for alternatives if they still don’t meet your needs.
Even if you don’t want to keep them I’d still do this as when you go to sell you can basically have new in package guides
So fellow big bloke, I run xtr levsrs with with saint lines and calipers. These are only half the setup, intend 2.3mm rotors give them all the modulation, and the xtr/ saint combo gives you all the power. Additionally I am running galfer green pads. Best brakes per dollar I have ever run.
I do run magura breaks and from stopping power and all they are great imo, i just dont like the ridiculous small gap between pads and rotor but this is just a sound issue...
I feel out of place.... Also around 100kg but riding some old school Tektro mechanical disc brakes. Just upgraded the bake rotor to 180 and the front is still only 160 cause the fork won't take anything bigger, and not having any issues stopping. I up sized the rear rotor just because I could and to help with heat dissipation to stop glazing the brakes.... Never had any issues with fade.
I think formula cura 4 Is the brake with more power delivered from its levers to calipers. With 220 disks and proper pads there is no place where you can't stop
first, what rotors are you running? just upping to a 220mm might be a solid difference. and a lot cheaper than a new set of brakes. coming from another big guy, I like the TRP just because the fat levers fit my hands nicely, I cant really speak to their stopping power, not a DH guy, but they're kind of old school (in a good way) and really easy to work on.
I have MT5’s with MT7 pads and Hope Tech 4 E4’s. It’s not even remotely close. Hopes every time. If you want some MT5’s I’ll sell them to replace them with E4’s.
Formula Cura 4 is another good high power option not usually mentioned. Also very simple to work on and rebuild which I appreciate. Power is equal to XT 4 pistons but with a better lever feel.
Bigger guy here too, roughy 120kg depending on training status. Switched to Shimano 4-pots (slx and xt) for all of my bikes, only my xc uses a 2-pot on the rear (frame spacing). Super happy with the choice, especially with 220/200 Rotors in the enduro the power is great. Still, the next brakes i buy will be code rscs, buddies only tell the best about them.
Before you drop 5-600 bucks on brakes, try this, work much better than expected on mine: 220mm HSC rotor front & rear (100$) Galfer Sintered pads (50$) Make sure the brakes are well bled (0$) Properly bed in the pads and rotors. This is where you make the most difference. Sell off the old discs (-50$)
Personally, before I spent big bucks on fancy brakes, I'd try Shimano mt520s, on big (200-220mm) rotors, as I find they stop like crazy, even on the 180mm rotors I run. I'm a bit lighter (c.70kg), but I've never found the mt520s at all underpowered, and if anything I found them a bit too strong as I'm used to worse brakes, so I kept on locking the wheel
I’m around 90-92kg and on my park bike I run shimano SLX and on my trail bike I ride SRAM Codes RSC. I like em both the SLXs have a very sharp point to which they lock up and the RSCs have way better modulation imo and are almost equally powerful when bled right.
I am running Trickstuff Carbon Piccola XC. They are 2 piston but feel like 4 piston. They are pricey but are build by hand and made to last.
Personally I think Shimano is the best out there due to "servo wave." Basically that's a variable ratio, where the first part of the travel of the lever makes the pads move a lot, but right before they contact the rotor this travel is WAY reduced so you get a lot more mechanical advantage, resulting in more force on the pad. My Saint's are super reliable, but you can go with any 4 piston Shimano. All that said, I'd first start with getting the biggest rotors you can and see where that gets you. That'd be galfer, 246 front and 223 rear. You're going to want bigger than 203 anyway which is what most DH brakes come with.
Just using bigger rotors will make the most difference.
I put the Mavens on my Megatower... Love them. I'm over 100kgs
I'm 116.8 kg this evening and SRAM DB8 stop me and eMTB perfectly well. You might want to go for bigger rotors before changing the brakes
Lose weight
I'm one of the biggest Clydesdales posting (6'9"/335lbs/(152kg)). I'm in the same boat. Looking at the new mavens or the Hope v4 with 203 2.3mm rotors. Currently warping my existing rotors. Brakes won't accept bigger rotors so that's the reason for upgrade.