Accu-Push™ Technology - Pivoting arch moves pads so they maintain an ideal plane with the rim. The oversized, widely spaced pivots put minimal loads on the bushings. Pivot wear and slop is greatly reduced, enhancing brake efficiency.
Strengths: Low weight, massive stopping power, easy setup and centering, Super high quality, looks great.
Weaknesses: Rim eater if you are heavy on the brakes...
Bottom Line:
The best V-brake i have ever used or seen. Fantastic Modulation especially when paired with Avid Ultimate levers. Probably the finest V-brake ever produced!
Strengths: real easy to set up, centering the pads is a cake, looks cool, very light.
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
This system works like a charm, I dont have to mingle with both sides of brakes to adjust it to center, I just loosen that little screw adjust then ride.... this is the best looking brakes in my opinion./ Levers are cool as-well bought these in sets.
Submitted by
Kyle Hewitt
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester, England
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2004
Strengths: Power, Modulation, Reliability
Weaknesses: The fact they are a 'cable brake'
Bottom Line:
I bought these off Mark at Leisure Lakes as a customer had them taken off a Cannondale Carbon full suss thingy. I paid £50 for front and rears. They have been on the rear of my Santa Cruz Chameleon now for about 5 years now as the disc brake adaptor is a poor design and anyway with brakes this powerfull who needs disc's. The rear brake is as powerfull as a Hope Mini front hydraulic.
Similar Products Used: XT V's, XTR V's, Hope 4 pots and Mini's, Hayes Mags 8"
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Chameleon dirt jump/DH/hard XC/everything bike
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Maountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003
Strengths: All of the wonderful things said below.
Weaknesses: Eats throught rims like I wish I had Disc Brakes.
Bottom Line:
As a review of longtime use and abuse. They are built in a fashion that precludes ever needing to replace them. This brake taught me how to build wheels. I have never seen a set of rim brakes destroy rims like these do. My first season claimes a Sun Rhino-Lite. Season two and a half claimed a 517 and now in Season 4 I am halfway through my second 517. I bought a Park PS-2 so I could save the cost of having whels built all of the time. Overall, maybe its cheaper to run disc but I can't do rear disc on this fram without considerable upgread.
Bike Setup: 98 Ellsworth Truth, White Bros. SC-92, Hayes hydraulic in front, Arch Supreme in rear. Chris King hubs and Headset, Race Face / XTR / XT Drive train.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Erik van Lier
a Cross Country Rider
from Driebergen
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002
Strengths: Brake power
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I do not need to say more about the brakes, ´nuff said about it I think. Let´s talk about service. While I cleaned the brake levers, I lost one bearing ring (washer). In the mess on the floor I couldn´t find it again, so I gave a ring to Avid, no problemo Sir, we will send it to you. That´s what I mean SERVICE. Thnx to DAN from Avid. BTW, I live in The Netherlands, but it seems to be no prblem for the AVID guys. Thnx again!
Similar Products Used: XTR, Magura Hydraulic rim brakes
Bike Setup: Mountain Cycle Mojo w/Manitou Mars C, Mavic Crossmax, XTR.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jeff M
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln, NE USA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2001
Strengths: These are "The" brakes" It's a real shame that Avid discontinued them because everyone that used them seemed to feel the same way as I do. Go Figure?
Weaknesses: The plastic retainer for the tension spring is subject to breaking renedering the brake totally useless. Avid was "kinda" wonderful in that they sent me out some replacements, however I really don't trust a piece of plastic to hold up over time to insure that my brakes work, so I have had a set made out of stainless steel (avid should offer these as an upgrade)also be careful if you do use the plastic-they push on over the bolt, they DO NOT thread!
Bottom Line:
Toooooo Bad for anyone wanting these brakes, as I have heard that they are totally unavailable. Drop Avid a email and tell them they need to re-introduce them. There is simply not a better brake available anywhere.
Strengths: Super easy installation. No tools necessary on the trail. Great stopping power
Weaknesses: No spring adjustment
Bottom Line:
I finally found a set!!! These brakes are definitely worth getting if you can afford and find a pair. Avid should go back into production on these. Who needs discs?
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Avon Lake, OH USA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2001
Strengths: design, tolerances, ease of adjustability, looks
Weaknesses: unavailability
Bottom Line:
These are awesome! stopped on hills that had the Mags still rolling. Setup with Salsa booster upfront and DKG in back, beautiful setup!! search for them and buy them!!
Strengths: -Incredibly strong -Make me feel warm inside to know i wont die on a short stop -light, especially for the "disc-like" feel they have`
Weaknesses: Theyre a little expensive, but if you dont like the price...dont buy them, its not hard to figure out.Dont complain about the price, just dont buy em. THEY'RE WORTH THE ADDED MONEY FOR THE INCREASED POWER
Bottom Line:
They're expensive, but they're worth it for the added power. They look bad-ass, the power is awesome, they're light and they will stop you when you need it most.
Strengths: look like a design exercise, work like a rotweiler clamped to your wheel.
Weaknesses: they're too powerful for the bike I use them on, plus if you bought them full whack, you're hurting.
Bottom Line:
These look awesome, and for that reason alone I got them. They are hugely powerful, so much so, I can't really feel when they hit the rim on my cyclocrosser - so I guess it's not the best use for them. It's all about the looks, and these puppies have it.
On a more practical note, they're simple to set up, don't squeal, and have bags of stopping power. Buy them with the Ultimate levers and you can adjust the cable pull etc and complete the pimp package.
If you love biking - invest in your passion. Lay down whoever much it costs and enjoy!
Strengths: Light weight Stiff Excellent modulation Fantastic braking performance Durability Just take a look !
Weaknesses: Poor mud clearance Price They've stopped making them
Bottom Line:
Married to ESP 9.0 SL levers and Goretex cables these are the bees leg joints.Superb braking performance although I would recommend a change to Shi*mano ceramic pads for use with Crossmax etc. No wear at all in the parallel push bit and the bearings are still running smooth. I run Hope C2's on my old Explosif and there is very little between the two systems apart from 1lb in weight!I haven't got the mud Arch so I would knock them down 1/2 a chili for mud clearance but they work SO well I'll put them up 1/2 a chili for performance. Really rather good. And shiny. Definitely a must have for serious racer bike tarts like myself.
