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Avid Speed Dial Ultimate Brake Lever

4.63/5 (40 Reviews)

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MSRP : $241.00


Product Description

Whether you're still rocking those ultra-fly V-brakes from back in the day, or you love the reliability of mechanical discs, the Avid Speed Dial Ultimate Brake Lever will give you the power, control, and modulation you expect out of good brakes.


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Reviews 1 - 15 (40 Reviews Total) | Next 15

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Sigfod a Cross Country Rider from Arlington, VA

Date Reviewed: April 20, 2009

Strengths:    Simply buttery engagement, almost indestructible, room for three fingers, light as air.

Weaknesses:    none

Bottom Line:   
By far the best brake levers I have ever used, can't recommend highly enough.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Canaan Valley, WV

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Price Paid:    $69.00

Purchased At:   Bikes USA

Similar Products Used:   97' XT-V Levers, 98' Avid SD 2.0, Avid Juicy Carbon,

Bike Setup:   '94 Trek 830 '07 LX Touring Crankset (48,32,24), '97 XT front and rear derailleur, '97 X-Ray 800 Shifters, '96 Breezer Backdraft Rims, '98 XT hubs, '97 XT cassette, 1" Ritchey Top Slick Tyres, Salsa Flip -Off Titanium, '97 PC-91 chain, '07 Profile Carbon, Post, Easton CT-2 Bar, '96 Control Tech Stem, '97 XT-V Brake w/ XTR linkages and pads, Salsa Brake Boosters,
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by commander PIFFLE a Cross Country Rider from Santa Cruz Ca

Date Reviewed: January 28, 2006

Strengths:    Thought I'd give an update. I've now had these levers on 3 different bikes for 11 years. The red anodizing is a little faded, but otherwise NO problems. They've squeezed a large variety of canitlevers, V brakes, and now Avid Mech BB7's.
This is the best lever ever made. Titanium parts, aluminum body, and sealed roller bearings even in the handles.


Weaknesses:    None

Bottom Line:   
If you find a set of these on the internet, they're top notch. In 97 or so, Avid gave them the 'V Chip', a small tab that allowed them to pull a bit more cable. My set doesn't have them and they've worked perfectly with both V brakes, and Avid Mechs.

I could prolly say for someone similar who's ridden and raced for 10 + years that I've spent less on levers than you!
Neener neener neener!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   up Mission Peak

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by cmdrpiffle a Cross Country Rider from Santa Cruz Ca. USA

Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004

Strengths:    performance, durability, value

Weaknesses:    NONE

Bottom Line:   
I got these levers in 95 before they were available
to the general public. I've used and abused them
since then. This last month, I got with the times
and added disc brakes. (Avid Mechanical)
Wow! There is nothing these levers don't excel at.
Mine have the titanium fittings. If I ever break
them, I'm gonna be bummed. I paid more than MSRP
as they were a HOT item when first released. The
5 chili rating on value reflects the 9 years I've
gotten out of these levers. None better.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Soquel Demo Forest

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Price Paid:    $169.00

Purchased At:   Avid mailorder

Bike Setup:   Clark Kent Ti F-12
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Troffers a Weekend Warrior from Surrey

Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003

Strengths:    Great split-clamp system...easy to install and remove...great looks

Weaknesses:    none

Bottom Line:   
Best levers i've ever used! Make my cable discs have a hydraulic feel. Beautiful workmanship. Speed dial works a treat. If you want the best (and if you can afford them!) get these. You won't be disapointed!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Oxshott woods

Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Price Paid:    $30.00

Purchased At:   Clearance sale

Similar Products Used:   Kooka, shimano deore

Bike Setup:   Gt moto, Marzocchi MCX's, Azonic bar/stem combo, shimano cable discs, WTB Weirwolf 2.5/Schwalbe Fat Albert...
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Matthew a Cross Country Rider from Milwaukee

Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003

Strengths:    Light, great craftsmanship, easy clamp, easy to modulate, look cool.

Weaknesses:    None

Bottom Line:   
I got this version in '97, so they're V-brake specific and not the canti version with the V-chip upgrade. Best levers ever. Speed Dial works like it's supposed to, let you set the brakes firm or soft without adjusting the cable. I set mine at firm all the time, and they have no flex whatsoever. Lever is just the right size and extremely comfortable. Clamp allows you to remove or install them without pulling off the grips or shifters. The craftsmanship is impeccable, the pinalce of the good old CNC machine days. If you can still find them, these are the best.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Bonzai

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Price Paid:    $70.00

Purchased At:   Irvine Bike Source, over the phone.

Similar Products Used:   Avid Single Digit levers, Shimano LX.

Bike Setup:   '98 Trek 8000 with lots o' goodies.
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Lester Browne a Cross Country Rider from USA

Date Reviewed: November 3, 2001

Strengths:    Super light weight... long... smooth... nicely manufactured... excellent quality... two peice clamp... adjustable... snappay!

Weaknesses:    Long... may break easily.

Bottom Line:   
Very nice levers if you can afford em. Super light and snappy if you set them up with the right brakes. Nice adjustability and excellent machining,. They tend to be on the long side -- about three fingers long -- so they will tend to snag things if you're not careful. The length also makes them vulnerable to damage when eating it. If you run Gripshift or similar type shifters, the lenght will work well. The two peice clamp is excellent in case you do dumb things like putting the shifters on backwards and not noticing until you've already set the grips. Doh!

When I first installed the rear lever, I never got the snappy feel i liked so off it went for a Shimano DX lever. I just upgraded the shifter so put the lever back on and now it feels right. No changes so I can't tell what fixed it. Maybe cable stretch.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Price Paid:    $99.00

Similar Products Used:   Shimano DX... Tektro.

Bike Setup:   Cannondale BoE... Marzocchi Z.2 Atom Race... XT V-Brakes... Race Face Turbine 180... Two wheels.
Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Erik a Cross Country Rider from San Diego

Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001

Strengths:    Lightweight, functional, super easy to install, upgradeable by mfgr to use v-brakes

Bottom Line:   
These are great levers. I've used them with canti's, then sent them in to Avid for the "V-Chip" and use them with Avid Arch Supremes. Great levers--get em on clearance!!--and the two-piece clamp makes installation an absolute breeze.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Purchased At:   Cantina Bike Shop

Similar Products Used:   Shimano DX, Suntour XC/Pro, Dia-Compe, Kooka Racha, XT, XTR.

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:3
Submitted by Marcus Van Kommer a Weekend Warrior from Yakima, Washington, USA

Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001

Strengths:    comfy, very light and adjustable

Weaknesses:    bends a little easy in wrecks, and expensive when not on closeout

Bottom Line:   
One very nice brake lever

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Price Paid:    $80.00

Purchased At:   local bike shop

Bike Setup:   the way I want it
Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Mark a Cross Country Rider from Tucson, Arizona

Date Reviewed: January 14, 2001

Strengths:    Wonderful shape for Sachs/Gripshift, smooth operation

Weaknesses:    Lost the main pivot screw on one lever from vibration

Bottom Line:   
I have not tried a lot of brake levers but these are much nicer than my old Shimanos, I love the adjustability, the clamping mechanism and the bearing smoothness. However I must warn that they do not seem to locktite the pivot screw & mine worked its way off the bike either on a desert ride or the Jeep trip home. Will be contacting Avid for a replacement. I like these levers.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Price Paid:    $49.00

Purchased At:   CBO

Similar Products Used:   Shimano XT V-lever '97
Shimano LX V-lever '97


Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:3
Submitted by tim a Weekend Warrior from cincinnati, ohio

Date Reviewed: December 3, 2000

Strengths:    light
bearings are super smooth
wide range of adjustment
easy to remove from the handlebar
long, comfortable lever works well with gripshift, rapidfire, or thumbsifters
no lever slop after almost three years
crash replacement program
easily adjustable leverage

Weaknesses:    expensive

Bottom Line:   
these are selling these days for 40 bucks for the set if you're willing to ride red or blue levers, just sandpaper that ugliness off if it really bothers you. they work really well with cantilevers, although they are a little squishy with v-brakes, and won't pull enough cable for avid's cable disc even with the v-chip, as the cable disc almost requires you to set a full-on v-brake lever in the highest cable-pull position. they're a little pricey, though- best left to brake fanatics or people with money to spend.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   2 Years

Similar Products Used:   xtr, paul

Bike Setup:   95 khs, arch supreme brakes.
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Mike a Weekend Warrior from San Diego, Ca

Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000

Strengths:    Quality, Great length for Grip-Shift, Good modulation & they don't tire my hand out when braking hard.

Weaknesses:    Might not pull enough cable for some v-brake users. For me, they have worked fine.

Bottom Line:   
I have used these levers w/cantis & also w/v-brakes after adding the v-chip. They have been on 3 different bikes. They continue to impress me with their quality & performance.

I like the way they work with my Avid Mags. Before those, I used them with XT v-brakes. Good there also. They have wonderful modulation and the pull is so smooth and progressive that my hands don't get tired, even on long downhills. I like the lever length for Grip-Shift. That little extra bit makes for an easier pull.

I first got these when I had XTR cantis. They have moved with me to v-brakes. I have no complaints. Great product, which seems to be the norm for Avid!

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Similar Products Used:   Shimano, Sram, Dia-compe, other Avids.

Bike Setup:   Jamis Dakar Team w/Judy SL, Avid Single-digit Mag brakes
Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Dave V. a Racer from Toronto, ON, Canada

Date Reviewed: January 12, 2000

Strengths:    Lightweight, beautiful craftsmanship, perfect length for Grip Shift.

Weaknesses:    Limited adjustability with V-brakes.

Bottom Line:   
These levers are fantastic, and there are more than a few places that are selling them at clearout prices.

Yes these levers do work with V-brakes, I currently have them set up with 1999 XTR brakes. However, you do lose the leverage adjustment - to use V-brakes, the Speed Dial needs to be set up with max cable pull (least leverage). However, on that setting, the Avid levers feel like a Shimano lever set to minimum cable pull (max leverage). In other words, the levers have a softer, more progressive feel. Rim clearance however, is just fine.

Also, these levers do not have a return spring - so the springs in the V-brake arms have to be wound fairly tight.

Happy Trails

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Similar Products Used:   Various Dia-Compe, Shimano.

Bike Setup:   Avid levers with XTR V-brakes.
Overall Rating:5
Submitted by Magnus a Cross-Country Rider from Sweden

Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999

Strengths:    
Light, beautiful, exellent feeling, easy to adjust.

Weaknesses:    
Just hope they work with Vs or I'll be mad.

Bottom Line:   
Been using them now for 3 years and they done the jobb,, up grading to Vs now but keeping my lovely levers.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   
more than 3 years

Bike Setup:   
XTR race bike with RQ.
Overall Rating:5
Submitted by Greg a Cross-Country Rider from Boulder

Date Reviewed: May 3, 1999

Bottom Line:   
This is a quick update on my last review. I sent an email to Avid about the problems I experienced with the V-chip upgrade and recieved a follow-up call from one of their customer service reps. They are going to refund the money I spent on the V-chip. I would have loved to have traded my levers for their new Ultimate L's but am satisfied with the refund. Avid produces great products and stands behind them. 5 flaming turds for customer support.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   
2 Years

Overall Rating:3
Submitted by Muddyfox99 a Weekend Warrior from S.F.

Date Reviewed: April 30, 1999

Bottom Line:   
Just emphasize what others have said: These are very nice and light, beautiful craftsmanship and look great. But they don't work well w/ v-brakes even with the v-chip. Got mine for $25 at a swap and was gonna use them for xtr v-brakes but they feel way too soft, the SD 1.9L I got for 10 bucks ended up working better, so I'm not too upset since I didn't pay retail.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   
NA

Duration Product Used:   
less than 1 month

Reviews 1 - 15 (40 Reviews Total) | Next 15

Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

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