Submitted by
archer
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal, USA Date Reviewed: June 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
any single track
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
OEM for the bike
Strengths:
They work. Sturdy. Feel good to the fingertips. No slop like the cheaper Prolines that are standard OEM on most entry and mid level MTBs.
Weaknesses:
None, although more expensive levers may be more adjustable for lever reach and throw.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore, various Proline mostly test ridden.
Bike Setup:
03 Gary Fisher Big Sur w/ Shimano M545 pedals and Avid BB7 disc brakes Sun Rhino/XT wheelset.
Bottom Line:
These were OEM that came with the Big Sur. They have worked with no problems both on the Shimano V brakes that were on the bike and the BB7's I upgraded to not long ago. The clicking on release is not all bad as it lets people know you are there when you pop the levers rapidly.
The two adjustments mentioned above are two positions you can insert the cable with a rubber block to keep it in the slot you choose. I switched mine when installing the BB7s to keep the handle further from the bars. Otherwise they have the barrel adjusters like most other mechanical brakes.
I've gone down with the bike a few times and the levers are still tight and working fine even after clipping the top tube a little.
I'm giving 4 Chilis for value because you can get more adjustment if price isn't an object but overall they are outstanding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: July 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Hardwood Gnarly
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Affordable, comfortable, durable, powerful.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Promax, Hayes.
Bike Setup:
AD3 levers, BB7 discs.
Bottom Line:
I have used these levers for over three years, and i have no complaints. They are pretty smooth, look good, and have a nice comfortable shape. I have crashed, and put some scuffs on them, but they sill work great. The black finish is actually wearing off the lever blades, just from a lot of use. They have developed some up/down play as others have mentioned, but it does not affect the function of braking in any way as far as i am concerned.
I used these initially with HMX1 brakes, and now with BB7s. They pulled the cable, and held up to lots of riding. that is all i asked from them, and they delivered. I definitely like the BB7 setup much more. They have a lighter feel due to the adjustable spring tension.
In conclusion, i am satisfied with this product.
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Submitted by
Holy Cromoly
a Cross Country Rider
from Parts Unknown Date Reviewed: March 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Bottom Line:
No nonsense levers that get do the job. If these come on your new bike, ride them til they break or develope too much slop like mine did. Lasted me two years (came as OE on my old Jamis Dakar) and have been on 3 bike builds. Worked well with my Avid mechs. After 2 years now, they have too much slop and I finally retired them and will probably donate them to the local bike co-op. If you are building a new bike, do not get these. The extra money for the SD7 levers are well worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rene
a Weekend Warrior
from Veracruz, Mexico Date Reviewed: June 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Chiluca
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
stock on bike
Strengths:
Good Quality Sturdy
Weaknesses:
Spring return not as good. Leverage feel with Avid Mechanicals.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano STX-RC, Shimano Deore for Mechanical Discs
Bike Setup:
Stock Giant Warp DS1 Alubike with full Deore disc group except Avid Mechanical front, Manitou SX fork.
Bottom Line:
Good value. They do their job just fine but the feel of the lever is not as responsive and smooth as others.
I don't like the leverage of this levers. I prefer Deores for my Avid Mechanicals.
Riders Looking for a cheap, stury and solid feel lever might choose them. But they're not the best option for Avid mechanicals ironically. There are other levers in the same price range that can beat them (read Deore here).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Prommer
a Weekend Warrior
from Kelowna, B.C., Canada Date Reviewed: February 22, 2004
Favorite Trail:
in Gillard(burnt down now)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$31.00
Purchased At:
Black Mountain Cycle & Sport
Strengths:
Look awesome, 2 seyting adjustments, feel good, lots of room for 1 or 2 fingers, responsive!!
Weaknesses:
None as yet
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Hayes
Bike Setup:
Matrix 1 frame, 03 Z1 Wedge,Singletracks w/ deore disc hubs, Dmr seat, Kalloy seatpost, Altus Cranks for now, Radius disc brakes, .243 mtb stem and dj bar combo,odi locking grips.
Bottom Line:
Great Levers for the money, there is absolutely no way to hars bash them. As for other reviewers, there is 2 settings, when you pull the lever all the way down, at the spot you put the bacle into, there should be a c-slot, marked hi and lo, to which you can move for disc brakes or v brakes. or just your personal feel, look great and you cant go wrong with avid.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tony
a Weekend Warrior
from ny Date Reviewed: January 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
price, stregth, feel
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
shimano
Bike Setup:
khs, xtr/xt, sram shifter
Bottom Line:
great for the money. i moved up from old plastic shimano. big difference. great leverage for one or two finger shifting. adjustment screw provides adgustment of the distance from the handlebar (great feature). also can set up leverage on the cable for greater feel (less leverage) or more poser (more leverage). difference between this an upper models is that leverage positions can be changed on the fly and not only on set up. I don't think the difference warants additional $.
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Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Cross Country Rider
from West Windsor, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: August 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
R&D
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Jay's Cycle
Strengths:
Build
Weaknesses:
No Adj.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
Trek STP 200 Avid AD 3 Avid SD 20
Bottom Line:
Dear Reader
The Avid AD 3 is a true value. It is forged, looks good, and low priced. I have these levers with Shimano XTR shifters on my Trek STP 200. Sure, you can lose 30 grams for three times the price with Avid's top on the line offering, but the AD 3 is just a great bargin product. I like separate brake levers and shifters. Hence, my decision to go from Shimano LX to the Avid AD 3 and Shimano XTR duo.
Thank You Russ
PS: Forged is forged is forged. Why pay more?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Downhiller
from Nyc Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
cheep, all black.....
Weaknesses:
soft metal, no ability to adjust out up/down slop
Similar Products Used:
Xt, ad 7's, hayes disc levers
Bottom Line:
I bought them, accidently took a nose stall too far foward and went over, didnt land very hard, but the right lever bent. I bent it back with my hands(proof of the softness of the metal) and continued riding them. After a week or so of riding they started getting a whole lot of slop in the levers and have no ability to adjust it out. Then one day while riding the left lever's retaining hex bolt failed and was stripped. Replaced it with old levers, but that doesnt really matter right now, because ive been riding brakeless upfront on that bike. The right lever is still on the bike and going strong but ill probably replace it soon. Its probably my fault though, i should just pony up a bit more cash and get some levers that are designed to take a beating
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Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Savannah Ga Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Canal, Wine Creek, Turkey Creek, all in Augusta Ga
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Andy Jordans Augusta Ga
Strengths:
Takes a licking and keeps on working
Weaknesses:
Found none yet
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Giant Rainer SE with upgraded rims, tires, rear derailer
Bottom Line:
These levers work like new even after all this time. I never use the adjustments on the levers because I have disk brakes and always adjust from the brake.
These work great when they are dry, wet, or covered in mud or dirt. Mine do not make a sound when in use and in conjunction with the Avid disk brakes I use only 2 fingers to stop.
If they ever do brake I will just get another set of them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Spar
a Cross Country Rider
from Princeton, NJ, United States Date Reviewed: May 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Herontown
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Powerful feeling pull, good lookin' A good lever with a better price. Nice if you don't want to bust your wallet.
Weaknesses:
Clicking noise when you let go, but it's not that bothersome
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX & XT levers
Bike Setup:
Trek 830 w/ crap drivetrain, Titec Bezerker, Rock Shox Judy XTC, Mavic 223 Disc w/ Deore Hubs, Ritchey Scuzzy Logic Pro Headset, Answer Stem, Front Deore Mech. Disc, Ringle Riser, Sram 9.0 Rear V Brake.
Bottom Line:
Good Brake if you don't have a big pocketful of change.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Ipswich, Suffolk, UK Date Reviewed: March 27, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came with Bike
Strengths:
Nice feel when braking. Very positive reactions
Weaknesses:
Loud Clicking if brake levers are released after applying brakes
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore's and LX
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Moab 1 Disc
Bottom Line:
When used in conjunction with avid CPS mechanical discs these are so responsive you are liable to go over the bars. Avid could do with making some sort of silencing on the release of the brake to stop the "clicking" sound. Dont understand what one of the other reviewers was talking about "2 settings" on his brakes. The only adjustments I have found on the levers is the standard cable tensioners. If you are after a cheap set of levers which will be responsive, these are them!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from CT Date Reviewed: January 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Stock with trek 6700
Strengths:
2 settings for the cable
Weaknesses:
heavy
Bike Setup:
stock 6700
Bottom Line:
great lever for any rider, great value also. they definitly beat shimano's LX levers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Glen Murphy
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, VIC, AU Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
stock with idrive
Strengths:
Plastic doesn't freeze your fingers on cold mornings.
Weaknesses:
Squishy.
Similar Products Used:
Some other stock short-lever
Bike Setup:
i-drive 4, Avid Single Digit 3.
Bottom Line:
Kinda 'squishy' feel, doesn't seem to have much pull, doesn't have much in the way of adjustment options. No complaints, no compliments. Average.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jacob
a
from Rhode Island Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001
$
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
