Submitted by
Pim Jansen
a Cross Country Rider
from The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2003
Strengths: Cheap, easy maintenance, quite good braking power
Weaknesses: Heavy, looks kinda ugly, poor braking under bad conditions
Bottom Line:
Pretty good, even under bad conditions. Willing to buy something else though, like Avid SD5/7. Good brake if you aren`t going to ride in bad conditions alot.
I spec'd my commuter with strictly second tier parts and these were the brake choice. Ditch the stock pads and get cartridge pads for added stiffness. Also, get shimano or other noodles to replace the SRAM noodle which has a plastic piece which will break immediately if you put any force on these.
These breaks work great for what they are. I can stop on a dime, lock up the wheels, hop on the front wheel at stoplights etc... All the things you want out of a brake. There is no noticable flex at the arms and they are easy to adjust. I've had the same experience with these off road, they're great. They stop. nuff said
Bike Setup: Bridgestone mb5 fully rigid commuter and some off road use. I'm also using 7.0 Levers.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie
a Weekend Warrior
from Central Virginia
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002
Strengths: Nice feel on the levers...smooth. Good stopping power - stiff. Even pull.
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
I wouldn't buy these brakes for a $2,000 bike....but then again...I wouldn't buy a $2,000 bike (I enjoy being able to sleep at night).
However, these are an excellent buy for a step up from your entry grade, stock Tektros/shimanos/whatever...especially if you get the pair for $30 like I did. These are great for the weekend/afternoon MTB'r like me.
Bike Setup: yer basic tig-welded aluminum hardtail in the only real MTB color - ORANGE
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Craig Ruhland
a Cross Country Rider
from Eden Valley, MN
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002
Strengths: Overall value factor. Light, sexy and effective.
Bottom Line:
Through commuting and trail riding, I have used these brakes for about 500 miles. If you are looking to step up from OEM, and don't want to break the bank, lube your cables and throw these on your ride. Yes, the pads will wear uneven, but I single digit these all the time and it brings my 215 lbs. to a predicatable stop. In my opinion, these work great for anything but very wet, cold or fast.
Also,
1.Sram has supported grassroots racing/riding for years. 2.SUPPORT I.M.B.A.
Submitted by
Erich
a Weekend Warrior
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002
Strengths: Cheap, easy to set up. Includes decent pads. $9 for new pads, we'll throw in a set of brakes!
Weaknesses: Couldn't get the included noodle threaded... I had to use my existing ones. The riveted hinged link rattles when there is no tension on the cables. Probably not an issue, just a sign of slightly cheesy engineering.
Bottom Line:
Dang these guys were cheap! I replaced the stock mystery brand Tektro linear pull brakes, which worked okay. I saw these guys in a clearance box for $9 a set and figured I can't loose at this price. I swapped them out and was well worth it. These guys are stiffer and way more positive feeling than the cheesemaster 2000's that came with the bike. The stock brakes pivoted around the stud that hangs off the fork and seat stays. I overtightened the ones on the fork about a year ago and flared the stud. I had to take an emery cloth to them to make the old brakes work well again. The SRAMs have an intigrated pivot bushing outside of the boss. Way better design! I can gorilla tighten them and not degrade the action.
Now my bike can reliably stop my 205 lb. ass with one finger on each lever.
