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Submitted by
Stacy
a Weekend WarriorDate Reviewed: April 25, 2013
Strengths: The feel and control of them are good when they work.Weaknesses: Pull the levers to the bars Hope the bike will stopBottom Line: I wanted them to be good brakes but i find these to be the worse brakes I have used. They work for a while then fail. I initially liked the feel of them but when they regularly loose power I find it hard to trust these brakes. They have been bleed at least twice.
Similar Products Used: Maura Louise awesome
Hayes awesome
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Submitted by
fisher_rider04
a Cross Country RiderDate Reviewed: April 16, 2013
Strengths: Comes in white. They stop my bike. Top loading pads are easy to replace and insert a bleed block. The pads won't fall out due to the cotter pin holding them in. One finger braking. Leaver blade is comfortable. Easy to bleed. DurableWeaknesses: There is no brake pad distance adjuster.Bottom Line: I upgraded from Avid Juicy Three brakes. These brakes work great. There isn't much difference in braking performance. I can still modulate the brakes and lock the brakes when I need to. However they are easier to bleed, are more comfortable, and weigh less than the Juicy Three brakes. I bought these off Ebay new without rotors or clamps. I purchased the Matchmaker clamps and they make organizing my bar easier. I also kept my Alligator rotors and had no problems with noise or vibrations like other reviewers are complaining about. Definitely worth buying.
Favorite Trail: Santos Trailhead
Duration Product Used: Three weeks
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At: ebay
Similar Products Used: Avid Juicy Three
Bike Setup: Custom setup with Gary Fisher genesis hardtail frame, Rockshox coil u-turn fork, Sram X9 derailleurs, X9 hubs, X7 shifters, and FSA v-drive crankset.
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Submitted by
John
a DownhillerDate Reviewed: April 8, 2013
Strengths: Easy to maintain and bleed.
Look great on my bike.
Good stopping powers.Weaknesses: The levers are pretty weak I think.
I am a downhill guy and crash pretty big.
Levers snap but that is just part of the game.Bottom Line: These brakes are straight up pretty good. I have not had any problems with them yet. Great stopping power. Some times a little finicky(not a ton of pressure at first but stiffen up as I pump them) at the beginning of rides.
For every one having problems; I have found maintenance is key.
I clean the rotors, pads, and levers almost every time after I ride. (no matter what condition) But that is just me.
Favorite Trail: Draper DH
Similar Products Used: Avid Bleed Kit, Hayes Disc Brakes
Bike Setup: Trek Session
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matthew Shuttleworth
a All Mountain RiderDate Reviewed: April 4, 2013
Strengths: Power, Modulation, SetupWeaknesses: Stopping them Squealing is tough ... Until you've cracked the secret.Bottom Line: Having read previous reviews I can understand why people get annoyed at these brakes squealing and occasionally loosing power. I tried everything I could think of until a friend suggested cleaning both the pads, rotors and calipers with isopropyl alcohol (readily available at electronic stores).
I gave this a go and once the brakes had bedded in they were completely silent and had more power than they did when new! When riding these days my tires (Continental Mountain King mkII 2.4" x 26") lose grip way before brakes pack in, always.
As for the setup I personally had no issues whatsoever.
In my opinion the Avid Elixir 5's with the 180mm rotors is one of the best value sets of brakes on the market.
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Submitted by
lawrence
a Weekend WarriorDate Reviewed: April 3, 2013
Strengths: looks solidWeaknesses: rear caliper rubbing with rotor till it locksBottom Line: these brake came with my brandnew santacruz sl29 as built bike,after assembling the parts with an LBS, rear brake lever has no play,just too tight maybe. then after one ride it was locked i mean the rear wheel dont roll anymore even if you push the bike. i researched the net about elixir5s and there are quite a number of the same complains about them,am really very disappointed with this brakes,what made me furious is our exclusive distributor here in the philippines wont replace them outright even its well within warranty,i just used the bike three times with short rides. i wonder if avid u.s. company knows this and aware how this problem is being handled here, its just frustrating that avid/sram as a company has no direct email add in their official website for these kind of complain in their products so they could advice their distributor what actions should they take to address complains like mine.
Duration Product Used: 4 months
Purchased At: santacruz dealer of
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Submitted by
Shred Ted
a Cross Country RiderDate Reviewed: March 27, 2013
Strengths: Came with the bike (Salsa Beargrease fat bike)Weaknesses: Came with the bike!Bottom Line: These are the worst brakes I've ever had. Since purchasing the bike 3 months ago, they continually lose power as air is introduced through fittings/seals with poor tolerances. I've had them bled 3 times by LBS mechanics; but problem persists. Then there are the life-and-limb-endangering failures; they have over-heated and completely failed, causing an emergency bail-out, and front brake line ruptured in a minor fall (from the handlebar twisting around), leaving me limping home on a long descent. I will see if Salvagetti (LBS) can get QBP/Salsa to replace them with XTs or something reliable. Now I remember why I've run BB7s on my last 5 bikes! IMHO, the new Elixer 5 is clearly a faulty product, and should be recalled before people get hurt.
Favorite Trail: Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Purchased At: Salvagetti
Bike Setup: 2012 Salsa Beargrease
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Submitted by
MoralsDate Reviewed: February 4, 2013
Strengths: Um, nothing.Weaknesses: Um, everything.Bottom Line: From word go, the rear brake was mush. It was not uncommon for me to grab the lever and have it easily come all the way back to my handlebar. Had them bled and stuff at the shop by a mechanic that always does top shelf work for me, but it was the same again after 2 rides. I had to pump the lever to get pressure to make them work, and when you're riding technical terrain, that can get dicey.
I went back to some Avid Juicy 3's that I had on a backup bike. The pop in my brakes is back and I don't have to worry about it.
Similar Products Used: Juicy 3, Juicy 7
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
RistoDate Reviewed: January 21, 2013
Strengths: nice lookingWeaknesses: functionality. Very very noisy.Bottom Line: Before even installed, both rear and front calipers needed pistons to be lubricated. Pistons moving only on other side. After installation a few month went ok, no problems.
Then started the new problems. Rear brake got air to system. Bleeding without proper kit did not work. Ordered the kit. Before it arrived, also front brake got air so system.
Complete bleeding was required after every 2-3 months of use to both brakes. Very hard to get all air off from caliper, hose and lever without completely removing set from bike. Free piston movement looks also to be a problem. Nearly got to accident once when rear brakes stopped working. After a year I got tired, bought another set from another manufacturer. Not my cup of tea thats for sure.
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Submitted by
fast03Date Reviewed: January 11, 2013
Strengths: Look niceWeaknesses: Noisy, inconsistant stops, Lever hits knuckles, sometimes no brakes then release and pull again for braking power, scary when you are not sure you will have brakes when you need them.Bottom Line: I am pretty unhappy with these brakes . I have a 2013 Anthem 29er 1 and am amazed that Giant put these POS brake on a bike of this level. I am replacing them with something that works.
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Submitted by
Bikin FoolDate Reviewed: December 29, 2012
Strengths: Easy to change padsWeaknesses: Absolutely the noisiest, most obnoxious brakes ever.Bottom Line: These brakes have enough stopping power, look sort of groovy but have been so noisy, they are dangerous. It has been an embarrassment to ride with others. These brakes were spec'd on my brand new Tallboy. Big mistake Santa Cruz. Stick with Shimano. Two trips to the bike shop, new rotors, bleed job etc. No change. This design is junk.
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Submitted by
S.O.B.
a Cross Country RiderDate Reviewed: December 18, 2012
Strengths: They work, the bleed kit is simple to use, and they come in white!Weaknesses: Not a weakness really, but after some time, I had a piston stop working. Thanks to a thread here on mtbr, I was able to fix it myself in by holding the working down with pliers and forcing the stuck one out. Lubbed and cleaned it with the DOT5.1 fluid and now it works like new.Bottom Line: Read a few of the reviews and I have not had the problems people have posted...and I bought mine used from ebay. Maybe it is because I already owned a bleed kit (for my inferior Juicy Carbon's) and I already new how to bleed them relatively quick and easy, but they have been solid other than a stuck piston that I was able to fix myself. I buy cheap pads from Truckerco on ebay and they always work, I use cheap Alligator rotors from Pricepoint and they always work, I bleed them maybe twice a year and they still work great. I have been waiting for them to totally crap-out so I could justify a pair of silver XT's, but as long as they work and I can fix 'em, I will keep using them. FWIW, while I am not smoking fast, I do race, but because I am cautious, I am on my brakes a lot and I have never been concerned with these brakes...lucky me. :)
Favorite Trail: 286 (NC), Auburn SRA
Duration Product Used: 15 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At: ebay, used
Similar Products Used: Juicy Carbons, BB7's
Bike Setup: Light and fast rigid SS.
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Submitted by
likeaboss
a Cross Country RiderDate Reviewed: October 5, 2012
Strengths: Initial braking performance.Weaknesses: Turkey gobble, Squealing, require frequent bleeding, bleeding kit sold separately,Bottom Line: These brakes came on both mine and my wife's bikes. What a piece of crap. Funny because I bought my bike about 6 months before my wife's and I was able to accurately predict all the problems she is now having. Bleeding them every 50 miles sucks. If you don't they will pulse and make all kinds of noise. Stock pads squeal like a banshee. I tried all the tricks; new pads, break in procedure, bleeding, new rotors, sanding pads and rotors, brake squeal compound, etc. Get yourself some Shimanos like we did.
Favorite Trail: Kingdom Trails
Bike Setup: Trek Hifi Deluxe 2011
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Biklophile
a All Mountain RiderDate Reviewed: September 1, 2012
Strengths: I can't even be nice about these brakes. I have nothing good to say about them.Weaknesses: Where do I start. Fade. Fail. Noisy. Pulsing. Etc... I won't even go in to it. Don't buy em. They super SUCK. I'm pissed that I even paid money for these POS's. Ive had them less than 8 months and I've given up trying to work around their shortcomings. I'll probably throw them away when I replace them so I don't subject someone else to the ultimate frustration that is ELIXER5.Bottom Line: To recap; they suck. Don't buy them. If someone gives you a set, that person is not your friend.
Favorite Trail: otero park LOL
Duration Product Used: Not long enough or too long depending on how you look at it.
Purchased At: Trek
Bike Setup: Ellsworth moment. Marz 5.5. Hope. Race Face etc...
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
big 6"Date Reviewed: August 26, 2012
Strengths: NoneWeaknesses: InconsistantBottom Line: I have a set of these on my Giant Reign purchased in 2011 and they perform good, once in a while my front stops working. I can pull the lever to the grips and nothing, than they start to work.
We just purchased a 2012 anthem 29er that came with these brakes and they suck. The front will work than not, flip a frickin coin. The rear pulses, Avid sent a new rear put it on and it worked for a month that nothing. Brought to bike shop and they bleed and it worked ok for a dozen rides. Back to the shop to bleed again.
Bottom line, I guess there is a reason why these brakes come standard on bikes, there cheap.
Also, very noisy on the 2012 version.
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Submitted by
Dewaine
a All Mountain RiderDate Reviewed: August 15, 2012
Strengths: Looks. Deep hook feel at end of lever instills confidence that wet hands won't come off lever.Weaknesses: Lack of useful adjustability. Howling and sqealing so bad it'll make every dog within a mile start barking.Bottom Line: I bought a Giant Trance X2 two weeks ago that came with these brakes. When I first grabbed the handlebar I noticed I had to stretch my index finger to reach the brake levers and when I pulled the levers with my index fingers both hit my knuckles just as the brakes started to apply pressure to the rotors. This would prevent the brakes from applying enough pressure to stop the bike. I was told the reach could be adjusted but the only thing that could be done was that I'd have to go back to using two or three fingers to brake. The brakes may be okay for cruising on the road or dirt road riding, but I don't like them for rocks and roots at speed. I wouldn't personally recommend them.
Similar Products Used: Shimano XT, but XT's are fully adjustable and are great brakes.
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