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...
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).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
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
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
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
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
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
Bike Setup: cannondale f8 entry level mtb. upgrades forks, brakes, rims, tires. NOT AN F8 anymore.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
xserret
a Cross Country Rider
from Brussels, BE
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2011
Strengths: Drop-in replacement for any mechanical V-Brakes. Work really great when properly adjusted. No noise.
Weaknesses: Must adjust them constantly!!! Very intolerant to cable's twisted circuits towards rear mount in modern full suspension frames.
Bottom Line:
Used as both front and rear brakes in two frames, initially a 2003 hard tail and then the X2.
Braking power is really good-to-amazing with the 203 rotor in all conditions, modulation is also very good... but man, you really have to keep adjusting them all the time (each 40km absolute max, or whenever you remove-and-refit a wheel for transportation)!
Strengths: Great stopping power
Cheap
Quick to break in
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
These brakes are awesome. They perform as well as or better than my friend's hydros. They are great for someone on a budget, or someone who prefers the simplicity of mech discs to hydros. These brakes are incredibly easy and fast to set up. The break in period is very short. I ride with the 203s because their stopping power is amazing. These brakes are meant for gnarly descents. Buy these and you will not regret it.
Submitted by
Mike Korhummel
a Cross Country Rider
from Livermore
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2011
Strengths: Excellent Stopping Power, Easy Adjustments, Easy To Set Up
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
These brakes are great, they would be even better if my son did not touch the rotor (Oily hands=contamination+poor braking power.) But anyways, I was looking at how the brakes preformed before my son touched the rotor. Now they squeal. But before, they provided excellent stopping power and were as quiet as a owl.
Similar Products Used: Tektro Io Mechanical Disc Brakes (Horrible), Hayes, Shimano Saint
Bike Setup: Trek Advance
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
am_dial
a Cross Country Rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2011
Strengths: inexpensive, good stopping power
Weaknesses: loud, have to be adjusted constantly
Bottom Line:
After riding these for a year, I'm not sure I get all the love. Despite endless adjustments, sanding of pads and rotors, cleaning with alcohol, etc., mine have squealed since the second month of riding them. I use the XTR full-length housing cables and the Speed Dial 7 levers. The stopping power is good for my XC riding style, and the adjustability of lever feel is nice, except that I've found I have to spend way too much time adjusting them just to try to get them to stay quiet -- and they rarely do. My old, much-maligned Hayes HFX-9s were so much better in terms of power, modulation, and especially lack of noise on the trail.
Submitted by
littlefelt
a Weekend Warrior
from Cottonwood Heights, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2011
Strengths: Great modulation when paired with the smaller fingered Avid lever family. I tried both the FR-5 levers and the Speed Dial 7 levers. Obviously I stayed with the SP-7 but both were a great pick compared to my stock Tektro brake levers.
The adjusting of this brake is the most amazing thing ever. Dialing in the pads is so simple with only the need for two fingers. Adjusting takes seconds on these brakes which can take minutes on most. The CPS aligning is also an extremely clever design that makes these brakes shine with glory because of how easy they are to adjust.
Weaknesses: Squeal much louder than my Hayes MX-4s when wet.
Bottom Line:
Best Mechanical Disc brakes on the market. You can't beat the modulation in price compared to the lower end hydraulic brakes that cost more than the BB7s. The easy adjusting controls on the caliper are a downright blessing! Amazing product, Avid!
Favorite Trail: Slickrock (Moab UT) or The Wasatch Crest Region (Between Big Cottonwood and Millcreek Canyons)
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$48.00
Purchased At: Jenson USA (Online)
Similar Products Used: Hayes MX-4, Avid BB5, Avid Juicy 3, Base Shimano V-Brakes
Bike Setup: '10 Diamondback Response Sport, F&R Avid BB7 185mm Rotor, Avid SD-7 Brake Levers, Rock Shox Sektor RL Fork (150-110mm and QR), Topeak Front and Rear Fenders, and SRAM X-9 complete shifting set-up.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Cogged
a Cross Country Rider
from Honolulu, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2011
Strengths: Easy to setup
Weaknesses: "Proprietary" brake pads forcing you to use only Avid pads.
Bottom Line:
I've used the original Avid BB's for nearly 10 years, and they were reliable, easy to setup, and trouble free.
The Avid BB and BB7 are identical up to 2009.
They are nearly identical to the 2010 and newer version, except for an insidious change that Avid made to them.
The only problem with Avids is the on-off brake feel.
Even with Avid Speed Dial 7 levers, the brakes are grabby with poor modulation.
I've lived with them as there really isn't anything else available in a mechanical disc brake that is reliable.
I decided to upgrade to the 2010 Avid BB7's, and what a big mistake.
The brakes were extremely grabby and squealed constantly.
I've used Kool Stop pads on my earlier BB version, and they were quiet with good stopping power.
To my dismay, the new 2010, and I'm assuming the current version, uses a similar pad, but has different mounting ears.
The pads are NOT interchangeable with earlier versions of the BB and BB7.
After talking to a Kool Stop technician, he said that Avid patented the new brake pads so Kool Stop could no longer offer them for the 2010 and newer models due to patent infringement!
He also said the new brake pad design is bad news, as it tends to clog easily with mud and stop working.
Since selling out to SRAM, Avid has become more interested in profit than listening to its customers.
How greedy can you get?
They want not only the brake sales, but the pad sales, too!
Regrettably, I found this out too late, and had already sold my older Avid BB's.
If I knew this beforehand, I would have kept my trusty old Avid BB's.
Avid makes a good disc brake, but lousy brake pads.
My rating reflects the pre 2010 versions of the Avid BB7's.
The 2010 and newer versions are not recommended due to the lack of aftermarket brake pads which severely limits the performance potential of this brake set.
Similar Products Used: Hayes, Avid BB, Interloc Dual Banger
Bike Setup: 2004 Ellsworth Joker, Shimano XTR crank, derailleurs, shifters, wheelset, disc rotors; Manitou MRD Minute fork, Manitou Type S rear shock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
GrantB
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon, GA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2011
Strengths: Brutally easty to set up and maintain. With the Speed Dial levers you can aet them up to feather like a champ or to grab at the first twitch of your finger.
Weaknesses: The stock pads. If you ever think you are going to ride in the wet, immediately switch to a semi metalllic set.
Bottom Line:
I have used the same set of BB7 brakes for riding, racing, etc. for something like 7 years. After the Hayes hydros that came stock on a second bike went toe up in a sub freezing race, I went ahead and replaced them with another set of BB7. Any set of nice hydros I have tried have only bettered the BB7 in the refinement of the feel at the lever, but certainly not performance or control. Get a high quality set of cable and housing and you are set. I will try hydros again if they come stock on a bike, but I can not see deciding to replace ghe BB7 with anything else otherwise. This is the Kalashnikov of bike parts.
Hi,
I have 2012 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 29 that came with BB5 which I bought last August. I haven't gone out to ride for 2-3 months now since it's cold out and day is s Read More »
I have both of these brakes but need to sell one for other parts.
Which one would you keep for your bike and why? I know that the Stroker is hydraulic and the BB7s are mechanic Read More »
I have BB7 calipers and 160mm rotors on my 2008 El Mariachi. I'm converting the rear wheel to an Alfine 8 hub which has Center Lock. I have no experience with Center Lock and am Read More »
I have BB7's on my Mukluk 2. When I first took it out of the box and mounted the front wheels, they were great! No adjustment needed, no noise. I took them out to a trail, rode Read More »
