Submitted by
Daryl
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, California
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2005
Strengths: Adjustable modulation via Speed Dial knob actually works. Actual weight of my SD-2.0L levers are LIGHTER than both advertized weight for (2005) SD 7 and (2005) SD SL levers.
Weaknesses: Pivot slop is not adjustable (see Paul Components Love Levers with adjustable pivot bolt). Chrome finish reflects sunlight, which is not kind on my eyes. (Annoyance, not weakness).
Bottom Line:
Fine lever at a great price. It's old product, relatively light weight, and works as advertized.
I've ridden these levers for hundreds of trail miles with great results. In the process I've learned a few things about how to setup linear pull levers and brakes to achieve the greatest mechanical advantage and preferred "feel" in lever pull. Speed Dial feature gives me convenient modulation adjustment during initial setup. Made a quick adjustment on the first ride, and have not needed to change the setting after two years of use. Thank you Avid. Thank you very much.
If you're building a bike on a budget and want a lever with easy modulation adjustment, buy the SD-2.0L (discontinued. find 'em on ebay). I used my SD-2.0L with Avid ball bearing disc brakes on another bike with great results too!
If you cannot tolerate the pivot slop that inevitably develops with use, then look for something else.
Similar Products Used: Linear pull specific design folks. Not cantilever.
I've owned and used: XTR. Avid AD-1.0L. Tektro V-levers. Tested: Most Shimano levers since 1998. Paul Love Levers. DiaCompe. Cane Creek Direct Curve. Hayes HML. Avid FR-5. SRAM 7.0 and 9.0.
Bike Setup: Marin Novato Triple Butted 7005 Aluminum Edge Tubed Frame, Mavic Crossrides, Bontrager Comfort K Hardcase Tires, Rock Shocks Jett 2, Kore Elite XC Comp Handlebars, Kore lite 3 Stem, Avid Arch Rival V-Brakes, Avid Speed Dial SD 2.0L Brake Levers, TruVativ 5D Crank, WTB Momentum Comp ST Headset, WTB Rocket V Saddle, Sette 7 APX seat post, Shimano XT Derailleurs, Cateye Wireless 7 computer, Profile briefs bar Ends, BLT mini-Doppler Light.
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Submitted by
Brendan
a Weekend Warrior
from BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004
Strengths: - great shape and feel - easy to adjust - great modulation - lasted me 5 years and still going strong
Weaknesses: - chrome finish is starting to wear off - pricy at point of purchase
Bottom Line:
Great lever that's withstood the test of time. I took them off my old bike and put them on the new one since they felt so good. They're perfect with the Avid discs; adjustments are so easy, and I can get the brakes to feel exactly how I want, from super sensitive on/off braking, to extreme modulation. When these break on me, I might spring for a set of Avid Ultimates. These were pretty expensive levers back when I got them, but since they've lasted me for so long, I'm still giving it 4 for value.
Strengths: adjustable lever blade, good feel, made by Avid
Weaknesses: none that I can tell
Bottom Line:
This is a great product that I bought discontinued nearly 2 years ago. The levers offer a nice, smooth feel and have an adjuster to dial 'em in. Great product, great company. I would definitely recommend Avid brake products.
Bike Setup: Cannondale Super V, Thompson seatpost, Avid lever and brakes, LX/XT drivetrain, Ithys Amore saddle, SH-515 pedals
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Submitted by
Sandy
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, Ga, US
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003
Strengths: Feel, Strength, price, look
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
Great levers for a good price, much better feel, solid, Maybe a little heavy for xc standards but is not noticable. Dial makes for easy ajustment on the fly and greater control while breaking.
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from City of Lights
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2003
Strengths: What not to like!! Adjustable, smooth, control, etc., Price/value is as good as it gets for rim brakes.
Weaknesses: A little play in the lever pivots but doesn't seem to affect use or have gotten worse with use.
Bottom Line:
Yeah, great levers, great price, great for X country. Gotta love 'em. XTR setup on my other FS are a little better but pricey overkill for the XC riding I do. Since I manage to crash at regular intervals, and the rocks take their toll on brake levers/housings, I'm sticking with these and bought a spare set at $17. Ride on...
Bike Setup: Specialized Comp Hopper, Trek Y - lots upgrades, Avid Mag brakes, flak jacket cables, WTB Razor dual compound pads on Mavic 517 non-ceramic rims
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2002
Strengths: Ergonomics and adjustability
Bottom Line:
The bikes came with the best of everything, circa 1996, weighing 25 pounds with dual suspension. The levers were installed along with Cane Creek brakes when I replaced the MachineTech cantilevers that came on the bike. Wow, what a diffence in modulation and power! They've worked flawlessly for over three years on two identical bikes. My wife's is smaller and so are her hands, so the reach and modulation is adjusted for her grip and riding style. Worth it.
Bike Setup: 96' Jamis Dakar Team, judy SL with Englund upgrade, Cane Creek AD12, MachineTech hubs, Marwi titanium Ti-Dye spokes, Salsa Double Barrel Cranks, SRAM shifters and rear derailleur, Speedplay Frog pedals, Cane Creek brakes
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001
Strengths: Light, Strong, Adjustability, Rebuildable, They Work Great
Weaknesses: None so far. It might be nice if the levers weren't so smooth because they get a little slippery when sweat gets on them but come on- I'm fishing here.
Bottom Line:
I've had these for over three years and absolutely love them. I just took them part and cleaned them up for the first time and there was no discernable wear. Plus if there is any slop after years of use you can shim them with the Shimano V-Brake (XT) rebuild washers and then they are good as new again. These things do what they are meant to do and do it well- no flash, no gimmicks and they are still around after a couple years unlike the Shimano "here today gone tomorrow" product line. Remember 8 Speed Shimano?
- I'd refuse to use any other levers. There is no doubt, Avid is on top of making the brake levers. I love the dial feature. The lever arm is in right length and shape. The feel is excellent. Ther is no replacement
Strengths: Very good lever overall Speed Dial works well wouldnt go back to anything without it Looks sweet Very easy to set up
Weaknesses: I was downhilling at Blur Mountain and went over the bars twice. Not to bad but the levers each bent [not broke] ya the black part is really weak only weakness >>>>>>>>>>>^^^^
Bottom Line:
Great looking and performing levers Avid should strengthen them a bit though. They improved the performance of my crappy disks but get this I am gonna set them up with mag 25s and flack jacket cables and housing then ill review again
it loses some flaming mechanical disks because of weaknesses
Bike Setup: use them with crappy ccrappy formula mech disks
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, Arizona
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2001
Strengths: Inexpensive Well-made, good feel with Sachs/SRAM
Weaknesses: Could use a longer lever
Bottom Line:
I have the older SD-2.0L Avid levers, bought on clearance after my favorite old style Avid Ultimates sold out. These have a shorter lever than the old Ultimates, which I greatly miss, but these levers work very well for me, no real pivot slop or other problems. I haven't tried other brands except for Shimano, but I like these much better than Shimano and of course work much better with Sachs/SRAM shifters.
Similar Products Used: 1997 Shimano LX 1997 Shimano XT
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Submitted by
Chris Prithcard
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ont, Can
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2001
Strengths: the speed dial is sweet. and they make my hunk of crap front disk work a bite better
Weaknesses: leavers rub against the housing a little but no big deal
Bottom Line:
great leavers and are adjusted very easly. they grab nice and strong and they should put me on my head if i am not carfull. i got them as a gift, but every one else says that they are not to bad price wise. i like them.
