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Moonlighter
Ti XC Brake Booster
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Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | Looks nice, does the job, very cheap. | | Weaknesses: | I'd prefer it if it was a little thicker. | | Bottom Line: | You'll never find something made of titanium for a lower price. Very nice. It reduces frame flex well. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Dorfmeier
a
from Smyrna, GA USA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Appears this product no longer being manufactured. E-mails
not answered, and I wrote to one reviewer who has contact
with the owner. Said he is no longer making the booster.
Too bad. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Schenectady, NY
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | "The Pits" | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Gift | | Strengths: | Brakes feel tighter, less spongy (I have a Noleen fork, that had a bit of brake flex, this baby took care of it right away!). | | Weaknesses: | Can't get them anymore, he doesn't make them. | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar Carbon booster (friends bike). | | Bike Setup: | 1998 K2/Pro-Flex 3000, XT V-Brakes, installed on Noleen ELT with aluminum legs. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet product...lightweight, and stiff as hell. Grab one side in each hand and pull, you can't bend this bad boy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cris
a
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | from website, then via mail | | Strengths: | The Moonlighters can be ordered at the web site listed in one of the reviews below: "Go to http://moonlighter.hypermart.net and order!" I was at first reluctant to send money sight unseen, but all turned out fine. Moonlighter is an honest operation and the turnaround was very quick. Perhaps MTBR can add his website to the product listing? | | Bottom Line: | I'm just copying the web site from the review below; people seem to have a hard time figuring out how to order. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cris
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very functional, very light, very cool-looking boosters. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | I haven't used others, but shopped around and didn't see any as light or attractive. | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper A1 Comp + Avid Arch Rival 40 brakes + Moonlighter Ti's | | Bottom Line: | I would highly recommend these boosters over any others out there. I wasn't happy with the stock brakes on my Rockhopper and so switched to the Arch Rival 40's -big improvement. But the better brakes caused visible flex. I was surprised at the improved power the boosters added. Now I can rip the downhills - no fear. I commute (16 miles) and mountain bike cross country and have tested both road and off-road downhills. Dave has a great product - plus the best-looking boosters out there. Don't be afraid to buy on-line - you can't do better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
head
a Cross Country Rider
from fredvegas, va
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | slug trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | stiff, light, beautiful, custom engraving | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | magura hs-22's | | Bottom Line: | they kick a$$! very stiff. i had no idea how good my brakes could feel until i put these babys on. the difference in braking after installing these puppies was even more substantial than the difference i felt when i changed from cantis to maggies. i am completely satisfied with these. plus dave is a really cool guy and did a great job with the engraving. the personal touch alone makes these bad boys better than any other product on the market, it just helps matters that their performance is top! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan mcdonell
a Cross Country Rider
from rochester ny
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | tryon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This booster can be used as a stiffener to a fork, even if you use hayes brakes. I have a flylight 100 with hayes and I use a moonlighter for added stiffness. | | Bottom Line: | I had shimano carbon, it is junk compared to moonlighter! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hitman
a Racer
from Oxford, MA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Nam | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | It works great! Light, stiff, and good looking. Easy to install. Cost less than most. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mtn Blizzard, Zokes Bomber, Race Face, XT | | Bottom Line: | If you are going to buy a brake booster then buy this one. It has totally eliminated my frame flex and now my rear brake is actually useful. Doesn't come in pretty colors but I could care less. Ti is beautiful when naked.
Go to http://moonlighter.hypermart.net and order! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Bond
a Cross Country Rider
from Simsbury, CT
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | EVERYTHING! Stiff as hell, great price, Dave, stiff, Dave, great price, Looks cool, its TITANIUM! (who doesn't love TI?) Dave, stiff, stiff, ti. Did I mention its stiff? | | Weaknesses: | well, I guess that... IT HAS NONE! AT ALL! | | Similar Products Used: | Salsa Arc-de-TriUMPH (or whatever that is), No-named aluminum, hand-tested an alum one in a shop (bent like hell) | | Bike Setup: | '99 Gary Fisher Kaitai, Avid Arch Rival 50 brakes w/ SD3.0L Levers, Moonlighter Ti XC boosters!!! | | Bottom Line: | These things are fantastic. You canNOT flex these things, no matter how hard as you try!
These things stopped the flex from my Avid Arch Rival 50s (great brakes, by the way) which are notorious for flexing frames.
Dave was great too, in all aspects! I can't find a single thing wrong with these boosters... and for 25 bux a pop, for custom ti, he must be crazy! I know there was a 5 dollar price increase, but these things are easily worth 50! Get 'em before he figures that out, though, front and back! you'll be amazed the difference they make!
if you have ANY flex at all, or think your brakes are kinda weak, then buy some, and you'll never look back!
If I could, they'd get 6 flamin' chilis for both stats, but since I can only go up to 5, I guess i'll have to settle... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Edwards
a Cross Country Rider
from Norman, OK
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Lake Draper | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Quite stiff; allows one-finger lockups on my generally flexy frame; very reasonably priced. | | Weaknesses: | Arguably not as stiff as the much-more-expensive Shimano carbon booster. | | Similar Products Used: | Gorilla stamped aluminum booster | | Bike Setup: | Serotta ATi with XT/XTR, Marzocchi Bomber Z2 | | Bottom Line: | Tough to argue that this is the best product of its kind. Dave is a good guy to work with and this is an excellent value for the money. The Shimano booster may be a hair stiffer but is MUCH more costly, less durable, and does not look nearly as swanky with a Ti frame. I can't imagine being disappointed by this excellent, reasonably-priced booster. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daarten
a Racer
from DA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiffer than a 17 year old who popped 3 viagras in the playboy mansion. Cool looking. Ti. Dave. | | Weaknesses: | Errrrrrrrr | | Similar Products Used: | salsa, shítmano, | | Bike Setup: | GT bike. AR 50 brakes | | Bottom Line: | These are some fantastic boosters!! I used to have the salsa brake boosters on but once I tried my friends moonlighter on his bike with the same brakes as I had I went for a pair of moonlighters. They eliminate almost all flex from the frame. Buy these, you won't be sorry! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
King Kona
a Cross Country Rider
from WY
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jackrabbit | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | As before: great function, great looks, great price
new:Great relations | | Weaknesses: | None, after ordering another booster from Dave, I realized maybe it was me who had a problem. Dave's service is great and he gets you the product quickly...lets boost the overall rating to five blazing chili peppers...sorry for the misinformation before. | | Bottom Line: | None, after ordering another booster from Dave, I realized maybe it was me who had a problem. Dave's service is great and he gets you the product quickly...lets boost the overall rating to five blazing chili peppers...sorry for the misinformation before.
These boosters rock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
King Kona
a Cross Country Rider
from WY
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Good looks, weight | | Weaknesses: | cannot be used on magura brakes and offer enough rigidity...also cannot mount it on maggies with a quick release. | | Similar Products Used: | Curve | | Bike Setup: | Kona Steel Hard Tail | | Bottom Line: | Its a great product for V brakes. Just be sure you don't up and buy maguras a week later. As far as Dave, I didn't have as good experience as others, but he does do good work...I just ordered a magura specific booster from him so we'll see if that gets rid of the chainstay flex. The booster was used exclusively in the rear so I can't say it wouldn't be great in the front under more braking stress.
By the way the bike is used for XC racing, "freeriding", and trials so it does take its fair share of stresses.
The three chili rating comes because Dave refused to respond to my request to exchange boosters even though mine was never used before the request. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
heffalump
a Weekend Warrior
from Rutland, VT
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
You want me to pick?? | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Unique, QUALITY, fit, finish, and work better than any I've ever tried. | | Weaknesses: |
you're kidding, right? | | Similar Products Used: |
Salsa, AC, and nothing at all | | Bike Setup: |
Iron Horse cromo frame, and everything that goes on it, mostly custom | | Bottom Line: | Contacted Dave on the reccommendation of a friend, and he's one heck of a guy! TI boosters are hard to come by, and quality boosters are even harder....Dave's got it right! I put them on, went for a ride, and noticed the difference before I got out of my driveway. I'll definitely be in touch with him for more, for my wife's bike, for my coming Maggies, for my slalom bike....hell, if he makes them for cars, I'd get them! lolBottom line....incredible product, incredible performance, and a great person to work with.5 torched tacos! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vlad
a Racer
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light
Looks
Engraving
Not too many around | | Weaknesses: |
None that I can think of | | Similar Products Used: |
Crappy AC boosters | | Bike Setup: |
Curtlo Advanced Mountaineer Marz. Z2 atom bomb | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line? This booster does what its supposed to do:minimize or eliminate flex. Instalation is a snap, it looks sweet, and the custom engraving is a nice touch. Braking, especially in the rear is much improved. It also adds that raw works look to the bike. 5 burning turds. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KonaDude
a Downhiller
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Birth Control/Hot Cherry | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
*Very stiff
*Attractive
*Custom engraving program
*Dave
*Tire clearance
*Low, low price | | Weaknesses: |
*Makes my rides go too long. People always stop me and ask me where I got these things! :) | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Kona Stinky, with Avid Arch Rival 40 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Very good boosters. My frame was dying of flex from the Arch Rival brakes. For some reason they flex frames a lot more than other brakes. These boosters nearly eliminated that flex. My brakes have much better modulation and power, but it's still not enough for me. That's due to the brakes. MY next upgrade will be Magura's. I'll put some more Moonlighter boosters on those! 5 Flaming XC riders! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eug
a Cross-Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: September 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Stiff
Won't crack like some carbon boosters (see reviews).
Dave is a good guy. | | Weaknesses: |
90 g is more than claimed weight of some other brands, but I've never used the others. | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Chromo Trek 930
LX/XT/ESP 9.0 level parts (upgrades).
Z2 Atom Bomb
Thudbuster Quadrapivot | | Bottom Line: | I guess I have a preproduction model, since mine has no Moonlighter logo on it. I kind of like that... it goes along with my pre-Cane Creek Thudbuster.I am definitely impressed. I put one on the rear and it helped immensely because my chromoly seatstays barely flex at all now. (My rear brake is an XT V-brake, and previously was an Alivio.) No more mushy feeling and I have real modulation in the back now.Dave is a good guy and was pleasant to deal with. My next brake booster will be a Moonlighter as well.4.5 flaming peppers overall. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Z1
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
These boosters are top notch, a real quality product. | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Bottom Line: | If you want the best brake booster, get these. How many products do you see on this MTB site that rate a 5.0. The best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lindsay
a Cross-Country Rider
from Milford
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
old mine | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | I tried these boosters out on my friends bike with caliper brakes and they were impressive. I'm trying to get in touch wt dave to pick up a pair of these boosters. His e-mail address is being rejected, does anyone have a number I can call? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cannonball Trail, Ramapo,NJ | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Stiff & Light | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale Killer V Custom, XT V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | This Ti stiffy saved my frame. A nasty endo on the rocks at Tryon Park bent my seatstay until the brakepad hit the rim. After straightening the frame with some help from the boys at PAB, the rear triangle had so much flex that my V-brake was almost useless. A friend gave me one of Dave's Moonlighter Boosters. Now the frame is stiffer than ever with excellent braking power! Keep on moonlighting, Dave! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: August 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | I know this is not where you are supposed to post a question but oh well. I have looked around and can't find these anywhere. Does anyone know what the webpage is??? Or a store that I can find them at?? Anyway, if anyone knows, email me at jgs_75@hotmail.com | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gwat / ~graeme~
a Racer
from Thunder Bay
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Widowmaker | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Whoops....I forgot the website address in my review below. Check out the Moonlighter website at http://moonlighter.hypermart.net | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gwat / ~graeme~
a Racer
from Thunder Bay, Ontario, CANADA!
Date Reviewed: July 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Widowmaker | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Super stiff, looks cool. | | Weaknesses: |
Weakness - ya, right! | | Similar Products Used: |
Magura carbon boosters | | Bike Setup: |
Oryx Team bike with Magura Raceline brakes | | Bottom Line: | I got a set of Dave's boosters. They're designed for v-brakes but some v-brake boosters (like Dave's) are compatible with Maguras - as long as you don't use a quick release. I don't have a quick release for my rear brake, so I installed the Ti booster on there. My brake felt totally differernt - just like a disc brake. There was absolutely no flex. I love them!Oh yeah, check out the Moonlighter website.I can't wait till Dave starts making the Magura-specific boosters. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOE THIEL
a Cross-Country Rider
from ROCHESTER,N.Y.
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
STRONG
WELL MADE
LOOKS GREAT ON BIKE | | Weaknesses: |
NONE | | Bike Setup: |
BIKE:VOODOO,ERZULIE
FORK:MANITOU SPYDER
BRAKES:LX BRAKES | | Bottom Line: | SINCE I STARTED USING THIS BOOSTER MY BRAKING HAS IMPROVED 100%. ANYONE CONSIDERING TO BUY A BOOSTER SHOULD LOOK NO FURTHER. WITH OPTINAL INGRAVING AT NO EXTRA COST , IT MAKES THIS A STEAL. BY NOW BEFORE DAVE WISE'S UP AND RAISES THE PRICE. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vojky
a Cross-Country Rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Super Stiff. Period! | | Weaknesses: |
Now you have to be R E A L picky...slighly heavier than Major Stiffy BUT did I mention it's STIFF! | | Bike Setup: |
San Andreas Z1 front, 6 Stratos Helix Pro rear. | | Bottom Line: | After sending me his standard set I realized that I couldn't access the centering knob of my Arch Supremes. Not a problem for Dave. He custom made me another set 1 taller so that it cleared that little knob. Mine weigh 95g but are bigger than the normal ones. MAJOR improvement to the 5 Z1. Highly recommend the product and the man!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bret Hunter
a Downhiller
from Conifer, CO
Date Reviewed: July 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Berthod Pass in the winter | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
light weight, stiff, stiff, stiff, and look great. | | Weaknesses: |
not purple | | Similar Products Used: |
joes, teckro | | Bike Setup: |
Santa Cruz with Z1 | | Bottom Line: | These are the best boosters on the market for twice the money. Hurry to get them before the price goes up. Dave also makes really cool chain guides (plates) for downhill and trials parts. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John C
a Cross-Country Rider
from Worcester, MA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Everything? | | Weaknesses: |
None that I can think of. | | Similar Products Used: |
An aluminum booster | | Bike Setup: |
GT LTS-3000, XTR Rapid Rise, XT front, etc | | Bottom Line: | Kicks. Ass. Period. If you think your brakes need a little help, buy one. If you know your brakes don't need any stiffening, you're wrong. Trust me. I read about these and contacted Dave, he is a really great guy, was *extremely* helpful, great, great service. And, oh yeah, did I mention the boosters? I was going to buy one, then decided to buy two, figuring the rear one would look cool, and that's about it. I mounted them both, then went for a brief ride to try them out. I have LX V-brakes, an Indy XC fork, and a suspension rear, so I was expecting some improvement up front, and not really much of anything in the back. Well, the first time I touched the brakes I almost threw myself over the bars. The front brake was amazing, and the rear brake felt like it had even more improvement than the front!! I guarantee you they will make both your brakes feel crisper, much stronger, and much more responsive. I've since recommended these to all my cycling friends, as I don't think I will ever find a better booster, at anything less than 2 or 3 times the price. For $20, about the price of a crappy aluminum booster, you will get something that's tremendously strong, very lightweight, for a great price, and it even looks cool. The workmanship is impeccable, all holes are lightly countersunk for a clean, professional appearance, and all edges are slightly beveled, to be nice and smooth. There's not a sharp or ugly edge to be found, you'd swear these came out of some really nice factory. He didn't put me up to saying all this, I assure you. Buy one, or preferably 2, now. You will not regret it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy Snow
a Cross-Country Rider
from Huntsville AL
Date Reviewed: July 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
MonteSano MTN | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Looks great with Ti bike,light,great braking control with no flex of any kind. | | Weaknesses: |
None, its Ti | | Similar Products Used: |
Gorilla,Curve,Tektro, | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Tsali Softtail with Manitou FS ti 3 1/2 travel. Booster front & rear A+ | | Bottom Line: | For the money if need a brake booster on your bike this is the ticket, high quality, good price, good looks, buy while you can. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross-Country Rider
from Madison, Wisc.
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Chequamegon 40 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
wicked strong!
killer finnish | | Weaknesses: |
are you kidding! | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano carbon booster | | Bike Setup: |
99 GT Zaskar LE/ SID XC | | Bottom Line: | This thing is fantastic. The finnish and detail is excellent. VERY strong and VERY light.The last review was right on. Everyone asks where to get one. I can not believe that Dave sells these for only $20 bucks.It will instantly double the stopping power of your brakes!! Get one before Dave gets smart and raises his price.Oh yeah did I tell you it is TITANIUM. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Cross-Country Rider
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: June 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Hot Cherry | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very strong and light. Gets a lot of comments. Enough clearance for more than 2.4 inch tires. Optional engraving program. | | Weaknesses: |
Maybe that I have to stop so often on the trail to talk to people about them. | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
'98 Kona Lava Dome w/ Z.5's, XT brakes, Club Roost Bars, a lot of other upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | I love these. They actually did increase the modulation of my brakes. I guess the only problem is that I get pulled over too much on the trail to answer questions about them. Dave also makes DH ones with about and inch more tire clearance. Although mine fit 2.4 inch tires that didn't even fit my frame. Overall, a wonderful product and dirt cheap for custom Ti. | | Overall Rating: |
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