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Submitted by
NA1NSXR
a Cross Country Rider
from Tustin, CADate Reviewed: August 27, 2008
Strengths: Solid performanceWeaknesses: No adjustabilityBottom Line: I have used these brakes for more than 10 years now, and they have served me well. They have always provided reasonably strong braking power that I have come to expect from v brake systems. I have taken care of them this last decade, and made sure they were properly adjusted (toe angle is just a crutch to eliminate noise, optimally setup v brakes use very little to no toe angle). No sqeaks or loss of power, and they make only minor noise in the nastiest conditions. I have equipped them with many different pads over the years and I find the original Avid ones to be excellent but fast wearing, therefore the majority of the time I have been using Kool Stop pads which have only a tiny bit less power but last a lot longer.
I am overhauling my bike with a new build kit and I have decided to go with new calipers and levers for the updated design and adjustability. I think the SD10's are really great brakes for the money though. A lot of people complain about noise and lack of braking power but all V brakes use the same general design and the contact surface (pad) is changable. Those problems are usually due to poor setup.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
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Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Piedmont, NC USADate Reviewed: March 14, 2006
Strengths: Predictable responseWeaknesses: None noticed at presentBottom Line: I recently installed the new Aztec pads and followed Zinn's expert advice to use a paper clip in the pads' installation to provide the proper toe-in to mitigate some very annoying squeaking of the rear pad. With this upgrade, the brakes are working well. The bike looked like it had some pretty serious use when purchased; replaced the crank and bottom bracket. The brakes don't show adverse response to the previous user's arduous exhibiton of the bike.
Favorite Trail: Uhwarrie Mtn area
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Purchased At: Came with bike
Similar Products Used: First v-brake
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher sugar w/Mavic UST wheels and Conti Explorer UST tires
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Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WADate Reviewed: March 10, 2003
Strengths: Stopping power, lever feel, leversWeaknesses: Adjusting the pads requires you to hold the pad with one hand while adjusting (same for the LX at that time). Tightness of the pad is limited to the amount of pressure and stabilization you can provide to the pad as you are tightening it. Pad tightness is an issue for lower end brake models I think.Bottom Line: I'm thinking that XT, XTR or SRAM 9.0 brakeset would be better - obviously (they cost more!). I tried out the SRAM 9.0 and the pads had some concave washer type things that really locked the pads down on both sides of the brake arms, damn! If the assembly fell apart when you were working you had hell to pay. But, you could get a strong adjustment that couldn't easily knock the pads out of whack.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Purchased At: came on Schwinn MOAB
Similar Products Used: Shimano LX, SRAM 9.0
Bike Setup: Steel X-cal with Mavic 221's, Fisher front hub, LX rear.
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Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Northboro, MADate Reviewed: September 23, 2001
Strengths: These brakes are the best i have ever tried. All of my friends try them compared to theres and they are so much stronger.Weaknesses: My pads squeak a little after some lube got in there.Bottom Line: These are the best v brakes Ihave tried but my friend is getting some arch rivals so who knows. I use these for moderate freeriding stuff and they work great. my only complaint is that the little plastic cover on the cable splits.
Favorite Trail: Vietnam
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Crappy v's, crappy coda discs, much crap
Bike Setup: Rockhopper Pro: stock
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Submitted by
Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from SeattleDate Reviewed: August 22, 2001
Strengths: They look alright, The front lever feels really good, they were good for 6 months.Weaknesses: Uhhh, after a while they just didn't really......stop. Rear brake lever feels like a piece of poo. Pads suck serious boo-tang.Bottom Line: These brakes kinda suck. But on the brighter side, they don't suck that much. I mean if you are on a budget and don't ride trials, in sick amounts of mud and rain (we get alot in Seattle) then these brakes might suit you very well. But if you are like me, ditch them and buy some higher level avids and boosters or Hydraulic disc brakes. Ride safely, wear a helmet, have fun and bike to work (it saves gas).
Favorite Trail: University Campus or Tapeworm
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At: Elliot Bay Cycles
Similar Products Used: Other Avid SD 10's
Bike Setup: 2000 17" Kona Cinder Cone, 2001 Marzocchi Z3 Coil, XTR derailleurs, XT shifters, Blackspire Ring God. Sun Rhyno Lite XL's and Truvativ Hussefelts coming.
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodstock, GADate Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Weaknesses: Adjustment screw on rear brake stripped with no pressure at all -- just like a dozen other reviews below. Cheap, pot metal.Bottom Line: Buy something better than this brake. Might be inexpensive, but cheap is a better way to describe. Cheap made this a bad value rating also.
Favorite Trail: Mountaintown Creek, GA
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Purchased At: AJ Barnes
Bike Setup: Came stock on my 2000 GF Sugar 3.
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Submitted by
chris venett
a Cross Country Rider
from fort braagg cal usaDate Reviewed: July 5, 2001
Strengths: nothing these brakes suck.Weaknesses: every thing. they dont work the springs bend, they go out of allignement and they just suck.Bottom Line: dont buy these brakes they suck. if they come stock on your bike that would be the first thing you should change.
Favorite Trail: harisson street house
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: a friends house
Similar Products Used: dog poop
Bike Setup: 98 gary fisher hkek
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Submitted by
shaun
a Cross Country Rider
from cincinnatiDate Reviewed: June 26, 2001
Strengths: cheap, simple, easy to serviceWeaknesses: not east to fine tune, maybe too cheapBottom Line: they work fine and dandy and have plenty of stopping power, but they do have a few problems. I stripped the screw on the rear brake after fiddling with it. I know how to adjust brakes, but it was just a weak screw. Also, the pins that hold them apart was hard to adjust and it was too close to the rim for comfort. The front brakes are fine so far and have required minimal adjusting. I am putting xt on the back only. I hear too much about squealing on the front.
Favorite Trail: harbin park
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Similar Products Used: none yet
Bike Setup: 00 sugar 3 stock w/velociraptors
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Submitted by
andy
a Weekend Warrior
from pennsylvaniaDate Reviewed: May 25, 2001
Strengths: S-I-M-P-L-I-C-I-T-Y!!!!!!!!!Weaknesses: can't find it yetBottom Line: when I bought my `98 K2 it had crappy STX V-brakes & levers, after complaining they upgraded me to XT. this may have been a mistake! after a few months they were loose & rattling, which caused them to squeal louder than Ned Beatty in "Deliverance". the only remedy was to toe them in so much they barely stopped me.
a buddy gave me these brakes & levers since he had XTR stuff on his kona. they have been great. along with ceramic wheels the bike stops as well as any disk setup, even in mud & snow.
Favorite Trail: Jim Thorpe
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: kizer gave `em to me!!!
Similar Products Used: shimano XT V-brakes, Magura hydrolics
Bike Setup: I use them in conjunction with a set of bontrager ceramic mustang(Rear) valiant(fr.)
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Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Budd Lake, NJDate Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Strengths: Great stopping power...Great all around brake for the price...Durable..LightWeaknesses: back brake seems to come out of alignment easily but no other big weaknesses.Bottom Line: A great brake for the price if your into racing and not big on cash these are the brakes to buy.
Favorite Trail: Deer Park
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: my friend
Similar Products Used: Shimano LX Brakes
Bike Setup: `00 Access Alu frame,manitou mars c fork and LX build kit, Rolf Dolmite wheels
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Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from AtsugiDate Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Strengths: Stopping powerWeaknesses: Pad WearBottom Line: This break set rocks! For the money they cant be beat. I weigh 210 and have no problems stopping, even on long down hills. If your on a budget I don’t see how you could beat these breaks.
Favorite Trail: sagami river
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At: Supergo
Similar Products Used: Shimano Alivio
Bike Setup: Voodo with Mars C fork and Shimano XT components
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Submitted by
Douglas Powell
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterford, Mi. USA.Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001
Strengths: Stiff.\, smooth operation,Weaknesses: none so farBottom Line: can't beat the price 14.00 each. sure beats tektro.
Favorite Trail: island lk rec. stoney, pontiac.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At: Jenson USA
Similar Products Used: tektro,
Bike Setup: I have them on two bikes. Mongoose sx4.5 Rigid bike. that i ride in the winter on the road. also a diamond back responce rigid bike set up for the road simalar to cannondales new bike the bad boy
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Submitted by
Zachary Wright
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA, USADate Reviewed: March 14, 2001
Strengths: Inexpensive and gets the job done.Weaknesses: The brakes break down. The alignment of the brake does not hold up to constant use. I had my break and had the adjusting screws strip out.Bottom Line: They may break down and not stop great all of the time if you don't constantly tune them, but hell they lasted 2 years before I started having major problems. At the time this brakes were better then Shimano's V-brakes. Now, these brakes are cheap enough to be changed every season, but I would save my money and buy better brakes. If you need inexpensive V-Brakes that will hold you for a while and don't minded tuning them after every ride these are your brakes. The alignment of the brake does not hold up for very long so be careful and check before you ride because it is a very painful lesson I learned too late.
Favorite Trail: Beer run in Coole, CA
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Similar Products Used: Shimano's XT V-brakes.
Bike Setup: Fisher: Hoo koo e koo
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Submitted by
Guy harrington
a Downhiller
from derbyshireDate Reviewed: February 24, 2001
Strengths: ok good stopping powerWeaknesses: not much movementBottom Line: good but could do with adjustments to them.
Favorite Trail: ENTHOVENS
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At: stanley f's
Similar Products Used: avid magnesiums
Bike Setup: psylos, quake 7,soon hopes
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Submitted by
Billy Bianchi
a Cross Country Rider
from Farmington Hills, MIDate Reviewed: February 21, 2001
Strengths: Great power *compared to my old no name sloppy as sh*t brakes*, good looksWeaknesses: Pads suck, kinda heavyBottom Line: I am a 180 lbs rider using these breaks, and i'll tell you,..no complaints here. i got them cheap from a friend, they work very well. no squeaking, i have to really get used to these to keep from endoing cuz they're much stronger than my old brakes.
Favorite Trail: Stoney creek
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At: From a friend
Similar Products Used: sloppy sh*t
Bike Setup: Nowhere Near Stock Trek 800 sp
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