The reliable, proven Single Digit 5 is a great economical linear pull brakeThat wont breakThe bank. It features Avids FVA (Force Vector Alignment)To ensureThe mostefficient, powerful braking possible.The included Overcoat boot seals yourcables from dirt and grit. KeepThe change in your pocket! includes "noodle" claimed 210 grams Works with "linear pull" (AKA V-brake) levers from Avid,Shimano, etc.
Submitted by
Joe DePalma
a Weekend Warrior
from Newark, DE
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2011
Strengths: Great stopping power on my rear wheel (I run Avid BB& in the front). Easy to install and adjust. Spring tension is powerful.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
If you are trying to upgrade and are cost conscious, these are a fantastic pair of brakes. Pair then with a pair of Kool Stop pads and you'll be able to stop on a dime. I saw no discernible difference in braking power between the SD5 and SD7 to warrant spending nearly 3x as much for the 7's.
Similar Products Used: Tektro V brakes that came on bike, Avid SD7
Bike Setup: Trek 3700 - nothing stock
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Submitted by
TrekFanatic
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2011
Strengths: Great stoping strength at any speeds and conditions! Not at all touchy at low speeds but has great performance stopping you at high speeds. It truly makes my Trek feel like new again.
Weaknesses: I haven't found any yet, although it was a little bit of a fuss putting the wire protecter on while installing it.
Bottom Line:
Buy this product if you're looking for replacement v-brake pads, you won't regreat it!
Similar Products Used: Stock TekTro v-brake system that came with bike.
Bike Setup: 07' Trek 3700 w/ Avid's
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Submitted by
joeinchi
a Weekend Warrior
from Highland Park, IL
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2010
Strengths: Well-made, great performance, good looks
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Great product and the deal from JensonUSA made this a no brainer. Installation took 20 minutes and was a direct swap for my old cantilevers. I had replaced my old shifter/lever combo with some "long pull" levers (Shimano ST-EF50) to ensure proper operation and the setup works perfectly!
The best thing about V brakes is that they're very easy to adjust. No more fiddly brake pad positioning--they're flush with the rim. Period.
The long pulls are also very easy to modulate and provide tremendous force with only moderate effort. Clamp down on them, though, and lock up is not a problem.
Do it! It's an easy, worthwhile upgrade for any bike with old-style canti's.
Bike Setup: 1994 Marin Bear Valley with Continental ContiSport slicks (80 psi) and rigid chromoly fork. Fitness rides.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
da bubba
a Weekend Warrior
from Valpo
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2010
Strengths: Powerful
Weaknesses: Touchy adjustment
Bottom Line:
I paired these up with the FR 5 levers and got the ultimate low cost BMX brake. No more of those crappy stock Tektros. I have SD 7's on my MTB, so I knew Avid was a good brand. I was not dissappointed.
Submitted by
Spawne32
a Weekend Warrior
from Blackwood, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2009
Strengths: forged aluminum, extremely light, awesome stopping power
Weaknesses: none i can think of
Bottom Line:
Bought these to replace broken brakes on my bike, these things blow the stock brakes away. The only thing keeping me from coming to a stop now is the fact that when you jam the lever down, the wheels lock up and you wind up sliding on the tire lol best money ive ever spent.
Bike Setup: gary fisher hardtail w/ sram drivetrain and downhill components
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from JC, MO
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2007
Strengths: does the job, if just barely
Weaknesses: wears down on your rims... just like all v-brakes.
Bottom Line:
I have to admit these brakes worked well in the learning phase of my riding, but now that I'm into intermediate and very hard trails, I am starting to ride alot more aggressively and these can barely slow me down to corner on quick switchbacks. Overall a good brake, it just seems like sooner or later, as an aggressive rider, you are just gonna have to make the leap to disc brakes.
Strengths: Outstanding value, great stopping power, easy to adjust.
Weaknesses: Didn't come with Kool Stop pads, easily corrected.
Bottom Line:
These perform great for the price I paid, $50 for front and rear brakes and Speed Dial 5 levers. It's one of the best upgrades I've made for my old bike. Stopping power was incredible when I first put them on and they only got better when I replaced the pads with Kool Stop V type replacements. The bike stops on a dime even in wet conditions.
I highly recommend these for anyone looking for a cheap and highly effective upgrade for their bikes.
Similar Products Used: Dia Compe crap that came stock with bike.
Bike Setup: '99 Specialized Rockhopper.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Plainwell Michigan
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2007
Strengths: Easy to install. Easy to set up. Easy to tune out any squeal (eliminate any pad toe in so the leading and trailing edge hit at the same time, or even let the leading edge touch first) With koolstops, they stop as well as discs with better modulation. Great price compared to discs.
Weaknesses: Not as trendy cool as discs. Scratchy noisy when wet, but still stop plenty well. Hard to find a modern frame to upgrade to that will take rim brakes.
Bottom Line:
Great for the person who isn't doing major downhill bomb runs or think the discs are a necessity, or just wants a simple brake system that gets the job done.
Discs were a nightmare for me. A noisy mess in the rear triangle. After trying a second brand of brake plus various pads, plus cleaning like crazy, plus replacement discs, plus insane bedding in tricks, plus hand modifying pads - all to no avail, I threw in the towel.
I am thrilled with these brakes. They stop great. They modulate well. And they are quiet. I did replace with koolstop mountain brake pads - a great combination.
Now, if only I can continue to avoid discs for the rest of my riding existence :)
Strengths: Ok power would suggest disc brakes if you have the money
Weaknesses: Not nearly as powerful as disc brakes, rusts, locks up
Bottom Line:
My LBS set up the V-brakes perfectly, but that was the only time they were good, and that was about a week. Then the brakes started to lock up and my sons cheap disc were way better than these.
Bottem Line: If you have the cash go for disc they are perfect for mud and anything really.
Submitted by
ramilcp
a Weekend Warrior
from Whittier
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2006
Strengths: Good stopping power, easy set-up, adjustable, lighter than discs.
Weaknesses: Weak modulation, not as light to operate or as powerful as discs. Not as strong in the wet.
Bottom Line:
I bought these as a set with Avid SD 5 levers. They are great for the beginner/intermediate cyclist: good stopping power, light weight, easy setup, and lots of adjustability. But as I got better and faster, I was reaching the limits of what these brakes could handle. And it takes a lot to stop a big guy like me.
Weaknesses: Springs are too weak, not enough strength to snap back after braking.
Bottom Line:
I love Avid Single Digits. I've even owned another set of Digit 5s (silver color, 2 years prior) that were awesome, but these seem to be much less than a superior product. I'm still going to buy a pair of 7s and give them a shot.
Similar Products Used: Avid Single Digit 5s, 7s, Shim XT
Bike Setup: SS
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2005
Strengths: Braking Power, Adjustability.
Weaknesses: Squeal that took a week to diagnose, after different rims were installed.
Bottom Line:
These brakes are rock solid and easy to adjust! To save people some agony, here are some tips for getting them to stop squealing, (if they ever start). It took me a week of forum searching and talking to LBSs to finally cure a squeal, even in wet weather. It's rarely the fork, or posts, so don't waste your time with shims or washers. Most of the time, it is the rim, even if it looks clean, it's not. Clean it with rubbing alcohol, and you'll see. Tighten all bolts to the manufacturer's specs, usually 6 Nm will do the job for all brake related bolts. Clean the pads with sandpaper or file, and even rotate them left to right. Toe the shoes in if it makes you feel better. Done.
Similar Products Used: XT V-brakes, Arch Rival 50.
Bike Setup: Jamis Coda with Ti Riser, Avid SD 5 Levers, XT Thumbies, Phil Wood BB, Ritchey Pro Rims, Kenda Supercross Tires, Terry Liberator Ti Comfort seat.
Strengths: Very strong stopping power, but if you pull too hard you can flip.
Weaknesses: Intractable queal!!!!!
Bottom Line:
This brake is very strong, but alas the squeal completely spoils my enjoyment of the bike. It squeals so loud even when minimal pressure is applied - not even enough pressure to slow me down much. All efforts on my part and on that of the bike shop have failed to reduce or eliminate the noise. Toe-in, cleaning rims and sanding pad faces, changed to kool-stop pads... no effect. The ONLY thing that fixed squeal is when I greased the brake rims with chap stick (!!!), which although it made a mess, did not compromise stopping power, and it made the brakes totally silent. But that, to me, is extraordinary means, and is unreasonable. I will be replacing this brake as soon as I'm done with exams, that is over a week away, and I'm already fed up. Probably going to go for an old-fashioned, proven, cantilever type, ANYTHING but this.
