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Avid
Avid Shorty 6 Cantilever Brake Caliper
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Submitted by
pstickne
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, WA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | It's all for the ride | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | generic online store | | Strengths: | [For 2009 Avid Shorty-6; different from 2008 model]. All I have to say is ... wow. I can easily lock the tires on a long steep decent. These things are *strong*, even with the standard brake pads. I am looking forward to trying them in the rain and mud.
The dull/matte silver gray fits my color scheme perfectly. They aren't for the bling, but they do catch good comments from mechanics who know.
I personally chose the 2009 vs. the 2008 model because of the new design and outside brace which looks incredibly durable and rigid; unlike the "froglet" style, the cable attachments are raised nice and high, as cantilevers should be, that allows for a low cable pull angle (and incredible pull strength). | | Weaknesses: | While the cartridges are refillable (standard V-brake), they are still the basic traditional style and not the better design found in the Kool Stop MTB/BMX pads. However, since the cartridge holders can be replaced, it's not really a weakness: yet, savvy shoppers interested in ditching the stock cartridge setup may save some money on the Shorty 4 cantilevers.
Brakes squealed very loudly until properly tightened with a very slight toe-out (not toe-in). Small tweaks and adjustments (including proper tightening of steerer, cable hanger and pads) created a noiseless braking experience. | | Similar Products Used: | Older Shimano (Altus and Acera?) cantilevers. | | Bike Setup: | "Cyclocross with a Granny" | | Bottom Line: | At least in dry weather these things have amazing stopping power -- compared to some more boutique brands, these are also a relative bargain.
Only 4 chilis for value because cartridges only compatible with V-brake style pads (I will replace the pads with the Kool Stop MTB/BMX pads).
Only 4 overall rating because, unlike the Shimano, these cantilevers take some more fussing to get them dialed in and silent (but once dialed in, they really, really grip). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
awa
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Lakeshore Bike path | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bilke | | Strengths: | They look sharp and come with really good pads.
They are easy to setup: I did a part of it myself and, after realizing I needed new cables, I took the bike to new LBS I have not used before. They admitted that they had not installed the 2009 version before but did it pretty well anyway after reading the instruction.
Most importantly those brakes actually let you stop a bike. A novel experience to a former user of Empella Frooolegs. | | Weaknesses: | The brakes come with two straddle cables: short for more stopping power and the long one for more modulation. I would prefer one adjustable straddle wire. I am planning to try a setup with the Empella Frogglegs yoke. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Shorty 4 2006, Empella Frogglegs | | Bike Setup: | Aquilla Pave Lite frame with carbon fork, 105 FD,RD and shifters,Mavic Axium, Truvativ Elita compact crank. | | Bottom Line: | I am thrilled to have brakes that actually work for a reasonable price. I spent countless hours myself and paid for numerous attempts by experienced bike mechanics to make Empella Frogglegs work. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bs9
a Cross Country Rider
from slc, ut
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | 2009 version is the best stopping canti around. easy set up, very adjustable. good modulation and stopping power. it ain't a disc, but it's great for a canti, no chatter on the front (as opposed to oryx). easy to toe shoes, shorty 6 has cartridge pads.
| | Weaknesses: | none yet for a canti (but it ain't a disc brake)... | | Similar Products Used: | tektro oryx (2 different versions) | | Bike Setup: | soma double cross single speed. | | Bottom Line: | best canti brake around - GET THE 2009 VERSION! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kirkmeister
a Racer
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Near Cassis en France | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | in Scotland | | Strengths: | They're as effective as a chocolate teapot but at least you can eat a chocolate teapot. | | Weaknesses: | Squeel like a pig being tortured.
Massive fork judder that makes your eyeballs rattle
Damn right dangerous! | | Similar Products Used: | Frogleggs, XT cantis | | Bike Setup: | Giant TCX with Ultegra | | Bottom Line: | I've had a mechanic that is trusted with the set up of top pro's bikes, but he gave up too.
Being skint, I've had to make do but they just are too damn dangerous riding in traffic, let alone a knarley off road decent!
I've even tried to change brake compounds etc to no avail!
They may work on other bikes but mine is a big frame and the distance of pull may just be too great. No fit for purpose.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from New York
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Sonne's Bike | | Strengths: | Good braking, easy to adjust | | Weaknesses: | SQUEEEEEEEEAL! | | Similar Products Used: | Shorty 4 | | Bike Setup: | Seven Mudhoney, Ultegra, DT 1.2 Wheels, Ritchey Comp Fork | | Bottom Line: | If it weren't for the major squealing and chattering problems these would be great breaks (later searches found this to be very common with these). I haven't had problems with the rear yet but have had steady problems with the front (toeing them makes no difference) I have been playing with different pads and am crossing my fingers on a set I just got from Jagwire. Never had this problem with the Shorty 4 on my other CX bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nelson Binch
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC USA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cane Creek (Union County) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$64.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Easier to set up than traditional cantis. Unholy strong coupled to 105 STI shifters | | Weaknesses: | Finish rather dull | | Similar Products Used: | CODA and Shimano cantis | | Bike Setup: | Carbon Fiber framed Cross bike | | Bottom Line: | beats the pants off any previous canti design. Great being able to use V-brake style pads and adjust them the same way you do a V. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom margulies
a Cross Country Rider
from ashland, oregon usa
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | tmarguls@mind.net | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | siskiyou cyclery | | Strengths: | readily available, looks good, adequated stopping power | | Weaknesses: | squeals like a pig in heat. This is a known problem an possibly a design flaw. The worst pads to use are the Avids. KoolStop salmon pads improved the problem but you have to fuss with proper toeing. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano xt cantis
mafac canti | | Bike Setup: | cylco cross; 700c wheels
| | Bottom Line: | if i had known, i would not have gotten them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Belleville, IL
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | STRONG, easy to set up and adjust. | | Weaknesses: | Difficult to find mntbikes that are canti-compatible, or parts that will accomodate. I sometimes wonder if they're TOO strong. | | Similar Products Used: | Various V-brakes. | | Bike Setup: | Mountain bike, fully rigid ss, Sun Rhyno Lite rims. | | Bottom Line: | I had these on my cross bike for a long time. I loved them on the cross bike, they were the single best upgrade I made on that bike. Then, I sold the cross frameset and recently assembled a touring bike and a single speed. WOW, you want to talk about a strong set of brakes. Coupled with mnt bike brake levers, these thangs will stop on a dime, even when wet. I highly suggest toeing in the pads. You don't have to squeeze the levers too much to apply the brakes. Once the pads grip the rims, the brake levers will not squeeze too much further. I like this since I don't have to adjust the pads too close to the rims. This way, when they do go out of adjustment, they're not rubbing on the rims. I can wait until the end of the ride to adjust.
I HIGHLY recommend these brakes for your cyclocross or touring bike. You will not be disappointed. If you have a fully rigid mnt bike and you just like to be a little different, these will not disappoint you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Kirksville, Missouri USA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | very powerful stopping, great stock pads, stops reasonably when wet | | Weaknesses: | required me to replace my rear cable..slightly tricky to set initially..if gotten wet without drying time the stock pads don't stop as well as they could..may want to get some koolstop eagle 2 threaded if you're expecting a fair ammount of wet riding, or even discs if you expect a lot of wet or muddy riding | | Similar Products Used: | shimano alivio cantis, older discs | | Bike Setup: | bridgestone MB-6 w/ mongoose all terrain front tire for smoother paved ride | | Bottom Line: | great brakes to cut down the dangerously fast stopping on my front shimano alivio w/ koolstop eagle 2 no threads (tried riding with no rear brakes and whole bike flipped on top of me when I went over the bars). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Soquel Demo - Braille | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | powerful, rock solid, easy set-up, good pads. | | Weaknesses: | The Shorties make you look down on people who think that only V-brakes or discs are worth having. It's not nice to smirk at lesser folk, but it's a common weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT V-brakes, a lot of older cantilevers. | | Bike Setup: | Klein HT, with Speedgoat conversion forks, mostly XT. | | Bottom Line: | The brakes really stop your bike and offer great modulation and "feel" because they are so solid. The stock pads are also as good as I've ever had.
Many Kleins cannot take V-brakes on the rear. This is a great solution. Just watch out if your chain stays are very short (mine are 16.7 inches) and your Q-factor is small (I've got a 113 BB with XT cranks and Time ATAC pedals). Otherwise your heels might hit the calipers. But this isn't very likely. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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