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Shimano ZEE BL-M640 Disc Brake

Sale $116.99 $158.99 26% off

Item # SHI002C

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Item # SHI002C

High-powered.

Shimano’s Zee lineup is built for hard chargers, and perhaps nowhere is this clearer than the BL-M640 Zee Disc Brake. Based on the World Cup winning Saint brake, the Zee brake takes the same four-piston caliper, and mixes in a simplified lever body to keep the cost significantly lower. However, there’s effectively no loss in power. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of bling, these are arguably mountain biking’s best value in high-powered braking systems.

The Zee brake shares the four-piston caliper with its shinier Saint sibling, meaning that you get the same enormous stopping power afforded by all four heat-dissipating ceramic cylinders. You’ll notice that the cylinders are two different sizes, which helps control the onset of the braking forces. While you might think that the four-piston design would make the power uncontrollable, on the contrary, we find that they’re actually easier to modulate than Shimano’s two-piston offerings, while offering noticeably more power when you really dig in. And that’s a large part of why you’ll find these mounted to high-velocity trail bikes more often than you might expect.

If the lever looks familiar, that may be because the body is nearly identical to Shimano’s SLX brake. It trades in the tool-free reach adjuster in favor of dimpled, non-slip lever blades, which help to keep you in control when the going gets rough. The levers feature Shimano’s Servo Wave actuation, which gives you more lever travel off the top, allowing the pads to sit farther away from the rotor and reducing rubbing. When you get deeper into the stroke, and the pads engage, Servo Wave acts like a cam, developing an incredible amount of power, despite the lever’s stubby profile. While the reach adjustment requires an Allen wrench, it’s still easily achievable, meaning that you give up nearly nothing to the Zee brake’s more expensive Saint counterparts.

The Shimano BL-M640 Zee Brake is available in either right, or left, and in the color Gray. Please note: the BL-M460 brakes are sold without disc rotors or brake adapters.

  • Hydraulic disc brakes with 4-piston calipers
  • Shorty levers with dimpled lever blade (reach adjustable with Allen)
  • Resin D01S brake pad
  • One-way bleed servicing
  • Rotors and adapters not included

Tech Specs

Lever Adjustability:
reach
Actuation:
hydraulic (Servo-Wave)
Caliper:
4-piston (dual diameter)
Mount Type:
post mount
Fluid:
Shimano mineral oil
Pre-Bled:
yes
Rotor:
not included
Claimed Weight:
[front, no mounting hardware] 306 g
Recommended Use:
downhill, all mountain
Manufacturer Warranty:
2 years

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Reviews & Community

REVIEWS

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Stop!

    Ideally the adjustments for throw length would be a knob you could turn by hand instead of needing an allen wrench, but it's not that often that you need to adjust them after you get things dialed in the way you want. They're relatively easy to bleed when the time comes. I like the shorter lever with grippy bumps on it

    Full power!!

    • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

    These brakes are outstanding!! Gobs of power, great modulation, Servo wave Link levers give the classic Shimano feel, and they look great. Small details like the gold accent glitter in the body makes them pop. Add some ice tech rotors with the included Ice tech pads, and you are good to go, or stop. The only downfall is they do not have the tool less reach adjust like Saint brakes do, but a quick turn of an alley wrench is all that is needed. Minimal issue to complain about.

    Best brakes for the money

    • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

    These breaks are awesome, they are fairly easy to install if you have the tools to do so. I love that Shimano uses mineral oil for all of their breaks, it is so much easier to work with and creates much less of a headache while cleaning up/ installing. Breaking in the breaks was quick and painless before the first ride and they worked flawlessly on my first DH ride. I installed these on my second bike and ill be buying another pair of these when the time comes.

    Feel the power at your finger tips

    • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

    Seriously, these brakes have the power. I like the feel of Shimano brakes when I run the levers in towards the bar. No need to death grip to stop with these, a light pull with one finger slows the wheels with the 4 piston caliper. Would highly recommend these to anyone who likes to ride fast or has a bit more weight to slow down.

    Unanswered Question

    Are these I-Spec B compatible? I have a XT I-Spec B shifter and don't wanna have to buy another one if I can help it.

    Do these come with brake pads?

    Howdy! The Zee brakes will include the finned Ice Tech brake pads with them, I apologize for the photo missing that. Give a shout at 801.204.4547 or cojohnson@backcountry.com if you have any other questions and i'd be happy to help! Cheers, Connor

    best brakes for the money

    • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

    I love all shimano brakes but have a real love for the zee brakes, especially because I am on a budget and cant afford to spend all my money on saint brakes. Zee brakes are amazing, 4 piston not a whole lot of frills but they get the job done and grab really well. 5 star brakes and a 6th star for price

    ZEE Best Brakes

    • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

    Zee's are simply awesome. I have owned M820 Saints and will always love those brakes. I mean who doesn't love gold colored things?

    The Zee's do lack the bling of the Saints. Let's be honest though, when you're going Mach 10 down a chute, to a drop , and then need to slow down and hit your apex before you fall off a 20 foot shelf, the last thing you care about is your bling.

    The tool less reach adjustment on the Saints is nice for on the fly touches. Its really not a deal breaker for the Zee's though. One alan key later, a couple of turns, and you have got you levers dialed perfectly.

    I highly recommend Zee brakes.

    To discuss more wonderful products feel free to reach out to me @ rlogan@backcountry.com

    Unanswered Question

    Are these front or rear brakes (or both)?

    Best brakes for the price!

    • Familiarity: I've used it several times

    I upgraded both right and left brakes on my Voltage FR and I must say that I don't have to worry anymore about reliability or heating pads/rotors.
    These brakes give me the absolute confidence to ride faster and more aggressive.

    The front brakes cable was a bit too long so had to shorten it and blead the brakes again.
    If you're an agressive rider and don't want to spend money on the Saint, look no further.

    Best brakes for the price!

    In love

    • Familiarity: I've used it several times

    I upgraded from Elixir R and I love them. I've used the Saints M820 on a Pivot Phoenix DH bike and these feel the same, only thing missing is just the lever adjustment. I'd say for maximum power, upgrade to metal pads and quality rotors. Otherwise, if you're coming from any other brake system, you will notice a huge difference.

    Includes Ice Tech brake pads

    • Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

    These Zee brakes include the finned Ice Tech brake pads

    amazing brakes

    • Familiarity: I've used it several times

    I did not buy these on C. Cyclist but still want to review them



    If you ride AM or DH please look no further and get these brakes. Amazing power, they don't over heat and have good modulation. I have not tested the Saint's, but a friend of mine who runs them tells me the difference is barely noticeable.



    I have used SLX, Avid Juicy 7, XT's and these are by far worth the extra 50 bucks.

    Best brake on the market

    • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

    For the money these are the best brakes on the market! I absolutely love these brakes best ones I have evr ran! I have ridden them over a year and just finally bled them, and only had to change my front pads. Bleeding was easy, pads last super long, I love the 4 piston set up and they last a long time. You will not be disappointed in the performance of these brakes! I have ridden avid XO trail, Juicy 7's and codes, even shimano Saint and XTR and these ones have been my favorite minus the 2006 saint brakes. I love these.