Hi all (or more specifically, all mtn bikers ),

I had a little mishap at my race this weekend involving poorly aligned brakes and the sidewall of my tires... long story short, day two resulted in a flat and a shredded tire wall 5 miles in to my 9 mile race!

one guy on my team (whom i trust pretty well... he helped me buy my road bike and has worked at a bike store... plus has ridden for years) recommended Avid brand brakes, point 3 or point 5 (because, in his opinion, the stock shimano ones i have are crap, hard to adjust, yadda yadda yadda) and Michelin tires (i forget which variety, exactly...)

another guy on my team swears by Panaracer Fire something-or-other tires (again-- it's late, i'm beat, and i've forgotten the exact name )

i was wondering if you ladies have any experience with any of these brands, or have any alternate suggestions. also, could you recommend a good website to order them from (nashbar? performance?) ... i need them in time for next weekned! <---- double eek!!

gratzie!!
~Katherine