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Submitted by
Steve Dundee
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | England | | Strengths: | Weight, comfort, adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Quite a bit of play has developed and where I cycle is quite flat so I hardly use the things. The bushings pop up slightly from the lever body but can be pushed back in. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid 1.9s, LX levers | | Bike Setup: | Custom build | | Bottom Line: | These levers have a good feel and work well but the play they developed is annoying and is getting worse. Prefer Avid and Shimano. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Racer
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ald bour down | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, light, light, light
nice design
good clamp | | Weaknesses: | Don't feel as powerful as XT | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Team Ti, XT, STX, etc | | Bottom Line: | These levers look fantastic, are light and have a very good clamp.
I have found that they are not as smooth as the XT they replaced.
The RRP in the UK is about £80 but they can be had for £35. At £35 they look better than XT work as well if not quite as smooth and are a good buy.
I wouldn't recommend them at the £80 RRP its too much. 5 chilis at £35 about 1 at £80 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
iain
a Downhiller
from manchester
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | sligachan | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | low weight
very comfortable shape and size
adjustability | | Weaknesses: | flimsy
poor bearings
don't fit well on thicker bars | | Similar Products Used: | dx, magura lever
dia compes | | Bike Setup: | azonic ds1, pace rc37, hopes roox | | Bottom Line: | These lever are pretty good if you have very thin bars. Otherwise you're a bit stitched because you won't be able to tighten up the bolts enough. This means that the (very comfy) lever blade flaps about all over the place and is really annoying. Sometimes the barrel adjuster vibrates and alters it's position on bumpy bits of dh or whatever, so watch out for that.If you do have thin bars they're top though because they feel really nice. They require a hammer and chisel top get them onto a pair of azonic bars otherwise though. I also got them dead cheap (£15) so the value is good but £80 sterling is far too much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Iron Mountain
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | VERY Light, very cool looking, and easily rebuildable. | | Weaknesses: | Overall, this product is very weak. I crashed ONCE and the lever bent at a 90 degree angle! It can be bent back, but it's a little surreal to see your lever at that angle. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT, XTR, Avid 1.9. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Mt. Tam | | Bottom Line: | While these levers are very cool, the strength is somewhat lacking. For no confusion, they are rigid, but they bend a little to easy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, Maryland
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | **Update on the review below**
I'd like to make a correction about what I previously stated. The '99 levers that I recently purchased have a forged lever blade which is bead blasted for a non-slip grip. I was informed of this by a Jeff Menown from Real Design's tech support. He also informed me that the lack of slots on the clamps occurs only on the original equipment model. This model also comes equiped with steel clamp bolts instead of the aluminum bolts on the after market model. As I see it, this only makes the X-lever more durable, because I did happen to break a bolt on my after market model.
So all of this only means that I should be perfectly satisfied with the performance and longevity of these new levers. Long live Real Designs and Jeff Menown for a quick response to my uncertainties!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, Maryland
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Beautiful craftmanship, great adjustability, completely serviceable, and stiff as iron (crashed on them more than a few times) | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely none! | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | It has great adjustability for using cantilevers or v-brakes. It has the best clamp design ever: uses a chainring bolt(very nifty-easy replacement). | | Bottom Line: | I've tried a number of different levers on other peoples bikes, but none came as close to the X-levers' stiffness.
**BE WARNED**: I recently purchased a second pair which were made in '99----the lever blades appear to be of a cheaper quality....probably cast aluminum:( My previous pair have CNC'd blades which are very durable. I'll let you know about the second pair when I get some use on them. Also, the clamp on the new levers don't have that cool open slot like my first pair.
If you like these levers and are depressed about the cheapness of the new ones, give Real Designs an e-mail at tech@real-design.com.
OH! Did I mention that these levers are infinitely adjustable and serviceable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bomber
a Racer
from Singapore (but come from Sweden)
Date Reviewed: December 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bukit Timah and Tampinies | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Looks, reach, build quality, looks, its light, looks ,cnc machined clamp and did i mention looks? | | Weaknesses: |
None yet...... | | Similar Products Used: |
Tektro 381 (broke after 2 months!), Kookas(FLEX)
and Lx(too small/short). | | Bike Setup: |
Wheeler 2900, Lx/Xt, Bomber Z3 Light, 646 Platforms, Mavic x517, SDG Bel Air, Fuji Foam Grips and Tektro 824'S. | | Bottom Line: | This is a GREAT lever. It has everything that need and want from a lever, its lightweight, strong, it looks cool, its well made and it works well. I recommend this lever to any1 who wants a great trouble- free brake (that looks good too!).
Seeyall, bomber. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross-Country Rider
from Fremont CA
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Toads | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
looks,funtion and light wt. | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
Kooka-junk,XTR,XT | | Bike Setup: |
Santa Cruz superlight | | Bottom Line: | these levers look and work great and only the Kookas are lighter but that does not matter because the Kookas suck- they flex to much | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave s
a Downhiller
from houston texas
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
all | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
weight looks strength | | Weaknesses: |
nothing to complain about yet | | Similar Products Used: |
xt
xtr
avid | | Bike Setup: |
cannondale caad3 w/fatty sl
caramba cranks
white hub/ syncros rims
xtr derailleurs
kore stem/bar/seatpost
specialized team ed. tires | | Bottom Line: | i have used these levers for over a year without any problems. they are so much better than the xt levers they replaced. they have better reach than the shimanos i had been using. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikematt
a Cross-Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: August 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
light, cool looks, versatile, compatible with all cable brakes | | Weaknesses: |
none so far | | Similar Products Used: |
lx levers | | Bottom Line: | I really have enjoyed these levers, I run a mix of v-brakes and cantilevers on my bike (personal secret) and like the fact that these levers are strong responsive, and work with both types of brakes. They look really cool to. I looked at similar levers but like these for there weight, recommended strentgh and versatility. I would reccomend these to anyone. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wesbury
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light, Strong, simple, versatile, did I mention LIGHT, and Strong ! | | Weaknesses: |
well, they're not free, but otherwise have no significant faults | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid ultimate, XT, ESP9.0 | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Attitude race
Avid 2.0 V brakes w/ REAL X-Levrs
XT Rapidfire
XTR rd, XT fd
Z2 BAM
Ritchey Alpha/Omega WCS-K
on XTR/517 wheels | | Bottom Line: | Buy these if you want excellent lightweight flex-free levers.
They function perfectly, and are pretty to boot. ( perfect finsish by the way, with good lever grip even wet due to the matte finish )
Great design - replace the clamp bolt with an alloy chainring bolt for extra weight savings )
left / right interchangeable, so a set of spares goes a long way (though you probably won't need them ) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
This lever has a nice shape without any sharp edges. For the weight, the lever itself is very stiff. Also, the lever is well suited to fit around Grip Shifters. | | Weaknesses: |
I don't think the lever was finished as well as it could of been. Also, I did notice some play out of the box that I assume will only get worse. | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid 2.0 SL and Grafton Levers | | Bike Setup: |
Dean FS with a Manitou Carbon SX fork. XTR V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is a decent brake lever, but for the price ($75) I think that the tolerances on the pivot could be better and the ano could be improved. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DJD
a cross-country rider
from SF Bay Area
Date Reviewed: March 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I liked their canti product, and I like the X Lever also. But be careful, if you tighten the handlebar clamp too much, it impedes the cable movement (it squeezes the cable path so it is too narrow to allow smooth movement). If your brakes seem to be sticking, then try loosening the clamp. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a weekend warrior
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: January 26, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
These are GREAT levers !!
No slop (is it fair to compare to the clapped out XT levers they replaced ?!)
The pivots are designed and built much better than XT
EXCELLENT pull with my Avid SD 2.0 V brakes - at least as good as the XT set
(and they work great with '98 XT arms as well)
lighter than almost any V-levers (except Kooka Rachas!)
- left/right interchangeable
- I love that they used chainring bolts for clamp bolts - excellent feel
- the only thing I've tried that I like as much are ESP 9.0 levers.
Get them at UniversalCycles for $56
I don't think Keven Macgowan (below) reviewed RealX-levers - they definitely are V levers!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keven Macgowan
a weekend warrior
from Rancho Palos Verdes
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have to say Im not impressed with these levers. I have owned
them for 2 years, and they have developed lots of play. The bike
store I bought them from claimed they could be used for V-brakes.
Not so, they do not have the pulling range. They look really trick,
and are light weight, but cost to much($75) and dont work with V's.
I bought a pair of Shimano XT levers for my V's for only $39 and
only added about 30gms to my bike. The Shimanos have no play,
and tons of stopping pull/leverage. Unless you love your cantis,
dont buy these levers. Two stars for looks, and cant performance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sammy
a weekend warrior
from USA & Canada
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Love these Levers! I am using them with the Avid Arch Supreme brakes & the combination works well. The Real Brakes are a much better value then the Avid levers & the grip action feels better. I also love the way the lever part itself is designed or machined. Simular to the Altek levers, but again a much better feel & price. I plan to put these levers on my other bikes, but wonder how they will work with the Shimano XT/LX & XTR V Brakes. Definetly 5 Chili Peppers for quality, price, great looks, feel & the over all compatability with the Arch Supreme brakes. Any experience with the Shimano V brakes & these levers?? Please be sure to put it in as a review. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MUD
a cross-country rider
from BENSALEM,PA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THE FINISH IS SUPERB AND THEY HAVE BETTER FEEL THAN THE SPEED DIALS THEY REPLACED.112 GRAMS MEAN A WEEINE LIKE ME IS HAPPY!!! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT A PRODUCT THAT WORKS AND IS LESS FILLING, I'M IN HEAVEN DOES THIS REAL MAKE OTHER PRODUCTS THIS WELL? COUNT THEM 4 FLAMMIN TURDS THIS STUFF IS REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
big ed
a cross-country rider
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I like my real levers. I ride pretty hard and have crashed on just about everything, only Real's and altecks held up.
The altecs didn't have adjust for pull and were too soft.
I have used Maguras, XTR, Avid, Altec, and Real.
The Real levers have the best value for the $$. but if you can afford it Hydrolic is sweet but heavier.
I am using the Real with Avid SD 2.0 arms, which I like , but have used them with XTR and LX V-brakes also. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a cross-country rider
from Brussles
Date Reviewed: December 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Look fantastic.
Work beter than shimanos.
112 grams.
Very good build quality,but no return spring.
I used Kooka Ratchas for 1 year,22 grams lighter but,too small,and a piece of teflon that was destroyed after less than 6 months.
I have not found beter levers yet (if weight is important to you) | | Overall Rating: |
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