Avid BB-7 G2 160mm Mechanical Disc Brake: Mtn version for use with linear pull brake levers (sold separately). Tri-Align Caliper Positioning System (CPS) for easy caliper/rotor alignment. Sleek body design with a fully sealed Ball Bearing...
The weight is not an issue for me. Especially considering that coupled with a pair of the Speed Dial 7 levers you have a braking system that rivals many lower end hydros. They offer more than enough stopping power for XC riding. With the SPD 7 levers you can adjust the brakes for a moderate amount of "modulation" Not quite an on/off feel but definitely more so than any other disc brake. I had heard these are top of the line for mechanical brakes and after a couple months with them now, I see why. They also offer 1 finger braking. At least to me they do. They are fairly easy to set up and adjust. I can't really see the point in spending the extra money on a pair of hydros when you can get these for under 150 a pair current year. Last years model is even cheaper. I got mine for $100.
Strengths: Price, ease of use, dependability, reliability, consistency, consistent consistent
Weaknesses: not the lightest strongest blingiest cnc forged unobtanium bike part
Bottom Line:
I really like these brakes. I run them on my XC bike with Jagwire Ripcord housings pulling from an older xt dual control pod. I love how these always work. The hydros i have on my AM bike feel better when im pulling the lever, a nice smooth buttery feel, but as the day progresses or the trail gets steeper or the weather changes or the moon is full or the birds are chirping....who knows what im gonna get.
Was debating whether I want to put these on my new DJ frame. yup, sold. Definitely gonna go with the jagwires again too.
Strengths: Brakes stop well, even with just the 160 mm rotors. I may upgrade the front to a 185 mm rotor just for a little more but for my riding the 160 is fine too. Super easy adjustment, the addition of the T25 on the inboard adjuster is nice too. Simple install and setup.
Weaknesses: Front seems to require adjusting every time the front wheel is removed. Nothing much, a click or two on the inboard and outboard pads, but it needs to be done every time.
Bottom Line:
Great for the money. Only complaint I have is adjustment needed each time the wheel is removed/put on. For the average rider I don't see why anything more than these brakes would be needed. No brake fluid to mess with and great stopping power.
Submitted by
mbrennwa
a Cross Country Rider
from Zurich, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2012
Strengths: The very good alternative to HYDRAULIC disc brakes. You can use them with drop bars (the road version works well with road brake levers)! They work reliably, and you don't need to fuss around with brake fluid. And they don't cost you an arm and a leg. Setup is a bit different than with hydraulic brakes, but it's easy if you follow the instructions at http://howtosetuptheavidbb7.weebly.com/how-to-set-up-the-avid-bb7.html .
Weaknesses: Stopping power and modulation is not as good as a good hydraulic disc brake. While I've read reviews claiming that a properly adjusted BB7 can give the same modulation and stopping of a hydraulic disc, I don't agree (except if one compares to a poor hydraulic disc brake). This is why I replaced them with "proper" hydraulic brakes on my commuter bike. But I got me a pair for my cyclocrosser with drop bars (there are no hydraulic brake levers for drop bars yet).
Bottom Line:
Sometimes, there are good reasons against a "classical" hydraulic disc brake. If you still want a disc brake, the BB7 is a very good choice.
Similar Products Used: Formula hydraulic disc brakes
Bike Setup: Commuter bike, cyclocrosser / road bike with drop bars (see http://velopflock.veloblog.ch/post/103/2111 )
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Submitted by
Vegas Denny
a Weekend Warrior
from Henderson NV
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2012
Strengths: Easy to install, set up and use.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
These brakes where chosen for my wife's bike during a complete build up. They replace the OE tektro linear pull brakes on her bike. I was compelled to try the BB7's because they had good reviews. I found them very easy to install. Very easy to adjust the pad position with the red positioning dials. I used a SRAM straightjacket kit to connect the calipers to Shimano quick fire shift/ brake lever combo controls. This was very easy too. From the few test rides I took on the bike after the build was complete these brakes are nice, much nicer then my Tektro Novela's. My wife say's they are very responsive and always feel ready to go, providing her with confidence via stopping power. I found them easy to set up to provide maximum braking power without locking up the wheels. For less then $90 I got front and rear BB7 mountain's with 160mm rotors. That is too good to pass up, these brakes are great.
Bike Setup: 2012 Trek Neko dual sport. Custom 29er build.
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Submitted by
stubecontinued
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2012
Strengths: Stopping power
Ease of setup
Durability
Price
Simplicity
Weaknesses: Not quite "set it and forget it"
Bottom Line:
I have used multiple sets of BB7's on multiple bikes, they are my favorite. I may be somewhat of a retrogrouch/curmudgeon but I appreciate the level of performance for a cable actuated brakes... I don't trust hydraulics ( and they're such a pain to work on), I don't ride carbon.
Similar Products Used: Tektro hyrdraulics
Avid BB5
Some cable actuated Tektro cheapies
Bike Setup: Haro Beasley 650b Single Speed/Rigid
Redline Monocog Flight Single Speed/Rigid
Haro Steel Reserve/Avid BB7 Road/BMX Lever
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Submitted by
seat_boy
a Cross Country Rider
from Dublin, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2012
Strengths: cheapish
lightish
stops OK
you get very familiar with the recentering process
Weaknesses: seems every time I remove a wheel, I have to recenter the pads
Bottom Line:
There's a lot of love for these brakes, but I find them just so so. The stopping power and modulation are fine for my uses. However, I'm quite frustrated that I have to constantly recenter the pads. Remove a wheel, recenter the pads. I've had some rides where I really couldn't seem to get rolling well, only to find later that my brake was rubbing because it hadn't been recentered. Again. Also, the tool free adjuster knobs only work on some of my BB7s (I have two pairs). One set is so stiff I just use the wrench.
Submitted by
Markb48
a Weekend Warrior
from Tauranga
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2012
Strengths: Easy to install if you follow the instructions and use common sense. Cheap, hassle free, Easy to adjust for different riding requirements and they don't fade on long downhills
Weaknesses: Pads are a little fiddly to change. Especially when dark and wet. Pads last so long it was just my stupidity that it occurrred then lol
Bottom Line:
Cheap reliable brake that performs nearly as well as brakes 3 times the price and they are a damm site more reliable.
You have to adjust them occasionally but that only takes 1 min max. Why would anybody what to spend 2-3 times as much for another brake system that does not perform any better in most situations???
They are bullet proof.
Extreme riders may want to invest in bigger better brakes but 90% of the rest of us would not require any more than these
Long term reliability is excellent. I've been using my BB7's since 2004 on my XC bike and now my DJ bike. Set these brakes up with some Avid Speed Dial levers and compressionless cables and you'll have yourself a solid low maintenance mechanical brake set. Not as powerful as my new XT hydraulics but I can still brake easily with one or two fingers. The pads are easy to adjust with the outboard and inboard dials. I've been through a few pads and cables since '04 but these brakes have been low maintenance and worry free unlike my previous SRAM XX hydraulic brakes. I had an issue with one set of sintered brakes that squealed but I now use organic pads. Wish SRAM Avid would put more R&D into these mechanical brakes to make them even more powerful and lighter. I only gave it a 4 for value because I think the cost is high for a mechanical brake caliper that has not seen much major redesign. Overall a 5 (outstanding) for long term reliability and mechanical performance.
Similar Products Used: SRAM XX '10 (poor) and Shimano XT '12 (outstanding so far).
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Submitted by
Isis01
a Weekend Warrior
from Missoula MT, USA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2012
Strengths: Huge stopping power, easy adjustments, quick install. Brainless, no bleeding or boiling of fluid
Weaknesses: not yet
Bottom Line:
I really believe the hydraulic movement to be overrated. They don't have the power, they don't have the convenience, and they don't have the price. I rode with a number of guys at my local ski hill this year, all with the latest greatest. SramXX, Elixirs etc. Half way down the first of four runs people were losing brakes cause they were boiling the fluid. Mine lasted all day. At the car they were all complaining about the wear on their pads. That prompted me to look at my 6year old pads. STILL 50% LEFT! Go ahead and argue the modulation argument, I just keep my money, ride happy and learn to ride with gentle finger. It keeps your arms from going numb anyway.
Bike Setup: I run them on all my bikes. Ellsworth Isis, Haro Escape, Kona Tanuki and hopefully soon a Ragley Blue Pig
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Submitted by
Briangl92
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotts Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2012
Strengths: Breaks in quickly; stops well after 1-2 stops; price; easy outboard pad adjustment; looks great
Weaknesses: Installation is finicky; removing and replacing pads is tricky; tension springs bend (deform) too easily; powder coat on included mounting bracket is too thick in spots and had to be sanded down to stop outboard pad from rubbing (with the caliper shimmed all the way and the adjustment knob maxed out; CPS bolts can rub on rotor if you're not careful when mounting caliper to bracket (I got sparks!); slightly noisy on first cold stop; inboard pad is nearly impossible to adjust by hand unless you have the included tool
Bottom Line:
The biggest pain is the installation. I've installed brakes before and this is the only set that's given me problems on installation. That is this product's weakness. That being said, going through all the hassle was well worth it. These brakes are great! I'd buy them again.
Similar Products Used: Hayes MX4 with Hayes 160 mm rotor
Hayes MX4 with Tektro 160 mm rotor
Tektro Novela with Tektro 160 mm rotor
Bike Setup: '11 Diamondback Recoil with upgrades: Rockshox Tora 302, Fox Racing Shox Vanilla R, Avid BB7 front, Avid G2CS 200mm front, Hayes MX4 rear, Tektro 160 mm rear, Shimano clippless pedals, Specialized speedometer
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Submitted by
shenny88
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2012
Strengths: Strong grip, good modulation with good cables/housing, easy to install/maintain, look good, fairly light, inexpensive
Weaknesses: Picky setup if you have a 9QR fork and remove the wheel frequently. Stock rotors can be loud.
Bottom Line:
An amazing brake system for the money. Would highly suggest to friends and customers. No other mechanical brake to compete with.
Submitted by
BeerBikeBerm
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2011
Strengths: Adjustability on the fly. Reliability. Ease of service no matter where you are, as long as they have allen keys and brake cable. Good power, decent delivery.
Probably the last good mechanical brake made before the end of the Mayan Calendar, or Second Coming of Christ, or whatever your fancy may be. PRICE.
Weaknesses: I think the caliper could be optimized to be made lighter. Really, why is it not lighter? The inner knob can be difficult to turn. The addition of a torq interface on the latest version has helped this, but still not REALLY hands free. Can be noisy. Modulation / power compared to, say, Formula The ONE...meh. I could see why these would not work for full-on downhill.
Bottom Line:
I have ridden these brakes on the West Coast (once), East Coast (a ton), and that middle mountainous state (for 2 years).
I have a good deal of experience with hydraulics and mechanicals. Hydraulic brakes will always be a fussy system, however superior they may be in terms of performance. For me, mechanicals have always been quicker to work on AND set up exactly how I want them. I know many will argue that bleeding brakes is nothing. I even used to argue that.
The real point is the following: They can be set up exactly as needed.
I can make these brakes contact wherever I want, which for me is most comfortable with the levers very close to the bar on "full stop".
Good luck trying to set up hydraulics like this! I have done so, successfully, but at much trial / error and spilled hydraulic fluid. And if that is DOT 4 or 5, there goes your paint job. This is actually a big selling point for these brakes. On long descents, having my fingers closer to the bar while braking is key for easing wrist pump.
They are heavier when stock, but I have the BB7s pretty darn light now (using full Ti bolt set, light levers, light housing, light rotors) at a fraction of the cost. Not sure why I jazzed up these brakes, maybe just to prove a point to myself. So yes, they can be nearly as light as XC hydraulic brakes.
5 chilis on both sides for a product that set a benchmark years ago and appears to be unrivaled. Will there ever be another great mechanical disc brake? Who knows? Probably not, what with the world ending next year...
Similar Products Used: Some fancy hydraulic brakes Formula (K18, 24, Puro, The One), Juicy, Shimano, Magura, a couple cruddy Mart Mechanicals, endless rim brakes. A couple trees (good power, no modulation).
Bike Setup: Single Speed, 1x9, 1x10, no suspension, all suspension, cyclocross, commuter, these brakes work nearly everywhere!
Strengths: Adjustable. Replacement parts are available if you wreck like I did and lose the outboard adjuster knob.
Weaknesses: Nil.
Bottom Line:
The best disc brake I have ever used. I hope this one never gets removed from the line up. It is a staple on all my bikes. From the long travel full suspension bombers to single speed full rigid they always perform and always stop. When I connect them to my higher end Avid levers or Shimanos they make an excellent pair. I have yet to experiment with different housings, but so far so good. I like the fact that if something goes wrong it is something I can fix pretty easily at home or make do on the trail. I don't experience brake fade or any sense of in consistency. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a low maintenance disc brake.
Submitted by
hardtailharry
a Weekend Warrior
from california
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2011
Strengths: amazing stopping power. durability is unequaled, dependability(just get on hydraulic leak and ur done). ease of installation a baby could do it.
Weaknesses: NONE!!!!!
Bottom Line:
a friend said to me u want mechanical. i said no i want the current kick ass hydraulic stuff. he said 20 miles in the back woods having a great day riding singletrack and u catch a branch or whatever. U spring a leak. NOW WHAT !!!! its 10miles back down hill with no brakes. the BB7's have the same stopping power as hydraulic, they are more dependable and if by chance a cable breaks or whatever u got one with u & one tool and u still have brakes. try fixing hydraulics 10miles back in the woods......UR done dude. the AVID BB7'S are the best mechanical brake on the market. no DOT fluid or mineral oil. BE KOOL OR BE SMART & RIDING .........U pick
