Crap brakes. They have been sent in and worked on several times. Took them off and put them in my junk box. Went to the trusty XTRs. they bleed down and have to be "pumped" back up and adjsuted with each ride. Don't buy them, if you have them toss them in the trash.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Malamute
a Cross Country Rider
from Belgium Date Reviewed: August 1, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
When new! good stopping power for a XC type brake, light, fairly easy to change pads, and very ajustable lever with good ergonomics
Weaknesses:
1:when u put ur bike upside down the brakefluid starts running out tru the small hole into the plastic reservoir cover
2:unless u bleed them every month they become spongy and fail on braking properly
3:the bleeding itself is a pain aswell, the 1st time its ok, but when doing this every week i really prefer the hope or magura bleeding way
4:u need really descent brake pads, else the brakes dont have the power for stopping like they should
Similar Products Used:
giant system, magura louise, xt brakes
Bike Setup:
Hardtail with an average XC setup.
Bottom Line:
the 1st 6months i had these brakes they really suited me very good, the stopping power i needed, the control over the stopping power i wanted
After 6months the problems started showing, the pads were worn so i fitted ebc pads as these suited me on the other brakes i used aswell, tho the avid's didnt have the power needed to make the pads work. so i went to swissstop pads and the problem was solved.
at the same time, also aboud 6months (before changing the pads still) after i got them they started to feel spongy so i changed the oil the oil showed alot of air and rubbish, that worked for a month or less, and the problem started again, when i took out the oil there was again alot of rubbish in it and after changing it they worked for a month again, its really annoying and the bleeding kits wear out fast aswel with frequent use
Also if u have these brakes fitted, do not put ur bike upside down or hang it to the wall with a wheel hook, keep the bike horizontaly or the oil will just leak out the brakes and u will probably notice it when its to late
Another problem with these brakes is that theyr not heat resistand,so downhillers and freeriders, even all mountain riders pay close attention to the heat these brakes generate
I woulndt advise these brakes to anyone personally, especially with the air they make and the strengt they miss
the 1st 6months theyr ok, but after that the problems start showing, if i had the mony i would have bought new ones a long time ago
only 1 chillie for value and overall
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
davidpol
a Cross Country Rider
from Greensboro, NC Date Reviewed: July 6, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Light, strong, when they work, they work well
Weaknesses:
Brakes feel spongy, with way too much lever play, for no apparent reason. Many, many brake bleeds later same problem. Shame on you, SRAM, try reading the reviews of your junk!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT's for years
Bike Setup:
Superlight, XTR, Thomson, Dave's Wheels, Chris King, blah, blah, blah
Bottom Line:
Great brakes until they stop working. Same problem as numerous reviewers have noted: brakes become spongy with excessive handle play for no particular reason. I've had the Ultimate's bled numerous times, they always revert to excessive play in the handle. I have to believe SRAM must read MTBR reviews of their products - these really are a shame, as they're great brakes when they work. I would not recommend these very expensive brakes for anyone not willing to bleed them weekly - no exageration!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jhowa1
a Weekend Warrior
from Beaverton, OR Date Reviewed: May 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Lake Waldo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$240.00
Strengths:
No squeaks, solid braking, no fatigue or fade, smooth progressive pressure. Brake levers are easily adjusted and are have correct ergonomics.
Weaknesses:
The setup instructions aren't the greatest if you need to shorten your brake line length.
Similar Products Used:
Avid mechanical disk.
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR Stumpjumper M4
Bottom Line:
I highly recommend these brakes. I can't imagine a better set up. I tried some Magura's on a test ride of another bike and they were not as solid as the Ultimates.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john9iner
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO USA Date Reviewed: May 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Ute Valley
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$460.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Awesome looking brake set, carbon levers feel great leveraging with fingers. Easy adjustment.
Weaknesses:
Have to bleed 3 times a month, spongy feel as week goes on. I have heard this issue from so many folks.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes El Camino, Magura Julie, Shimano XTRM 975 and Avid BB7
Bike Setup:
- Medium Litespeed Obed 29er frame
- DT Swiss 340 hubs
- DT Swiss TK 7.1d rims
- Kenda Karma 1.8 front and rear
- XTR rear cassette
- XTR front and rear derailleurs
- XTR crank
- Jones H bar
- 2007 Reba Race fork with Poploc
- Thomson Masterpiece seatpost
- Salsa 90mm stem
- Specialized Toupe 143 saddle
- Avid Juicy Ultimate Carbon levers and disc brakes
- Crank Brothers Ti pedals
- Chris King Headset
Bottom Line:
These are expensive brakes, not all Utimates have this spongy problem, but MANY do. I bleed these almost once a week, stopped taking them to our local bike shop, it was getting expensive to have them do the service, if the bike sits idle for couple of weeks I can squeeze the levers and they will almost touch the handlebar, there are not leaks what so ever. Bleeding makes them feel brand new, but as the week goes on they become spongy. I plan to take them to Sram and see if they can look at these and repair them. I am very disappointed and have replaced them with Avid BB7 mechanicals. I just ordered a set of Hayes Gram Strokers. I am moving on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dougkast
a Cross Country Rider
from Taos, NM Date Reviewed: May 2, 2009
Favorite Trail:
United States
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
reliable strong no maintance
Weaknesses:
removing the disc pads expensive
Similar Products Used:
avid bb7 magura 2002
Bike Setup:
fisher superfly
Bottom Line:
These are reliable strong brakes for cross country. Definitely not a down hill brak. Used this brake for about a year and have had no problems. I have put probably around 400-500 miles
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chitown_ga
a Weekend Warrior
from Newnan GA Date Reviewed: March 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Bull Mountain
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
bike equiped with br
Strengths:
When it works light and good stopping power
Weaknesses:
serious design flaw in the brake must be bled on a regualr basis, it is not a reliable brake
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Tomac Carbon X1
Bottom Line:
If you get a good pair of brake they are great. I have an SRAM replace the front brake 3 times. The brake goes soft after sitting for awhile. The last front brake last for 4 months before the hydralic pressure dropped to zero and it happen rather quickly once it decides to go. This is only a good brake if you are looking to make a career out of bleeding brakes. The rear brake on the other hand is as good as the day I got the bike, so there are some good ones out there and there are some very bad ones in the market. There are far more reliable brakes for the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
xle
a Racer
from Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary Date Reviewed: March 3, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Speed-Way
Strengths:
Great adjustability, very good modulation, easy to setup, reliable, lightweight, good looking
Weaknesses:
Can be a little bit more powerful
Similar Products Used:
Juicy Carbon, Shimano XTR
Bike Setup:
S-Works Epic, Fox Terralogic, X.O, Juicy Ultimate
Bottom Line:
My rear Juicy Carbon raised terrible noise, no matter what rotors and pads I have used. That's why I have replaced them with these ones. With 160/140 rotors they are not as powerful as the Carbons. I am 75 kg, so not a lightweight rider. Now I am using 185/160, this setup is perfect for me. Easy to bleed with the Avid bleed kit.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
vile.gnus
a Cross Country Rider
from Kyiv, Ukraine Date Reviewed: January 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
XC around Kyiv
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
barygo-shop
Strengths:
Nice modulation, enough power for my 72 kgs. Great design and feeling. Absolutely silent, i've expected a lot of squeeeeze, but heard nothing
Great combination of breaking control,design and weight for me. I'll buy one more complete of Juicy Ultimates for my girls bike.
Breakes are a little expensive, but worth any $ paid for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fearless139
a Downhiller
from colorado springs Date Reviewed: November 11, 2008
amazing looks definatly get them if you dont already have a pair
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
olivier quetin
a Cross Country Rider
from Hasselt, Belgium Date Reviewed: October 2, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$220.00
Purchased At:
Math Salden
Strengths:
strength, feel, no fading
Weaknesses:
need to be broken on a big hill, some issues with the adjustment wheels
Similar Products Used:
hayes carbon
Bike Setup:
Giant composite 2006, fulcrum metal 1, Shimano LX, rock shocks tora, avid juicy ultimates, fsa crankset
Bottom Line:
Very good brakes, but de adjustment wheel don't do much to the feel of the brakes and brake if you put to much pressure on them! But all together awesome brakes with no fading at all. The feel en progressivity of the handles is unknown!! Very easy to setup, no noises unless they ar wet. But even then they still stop like nothing else
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
qkkqc
a Weekend Warrior
from san antonio Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
looks great, feels great, extremely powerful, effective, does not squeak that much...gets the job done!
Weaknesses:
requires a lot of maintenance/cleaning, but probably because i ride in trails a lot
Similar Products Used:
juicy 5
Bike Setup:
07 stumpy
Bottom Line:
these are great breaks, extremely eye-catching, really powerful...i never seemed to have to use full strength to pull the levers, actually just about half...sqeaks easily when dusty, works great with G2 CS rotors! I wonder how it will work with the G3s..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TCRunner
a Cross Country Rider
from Traverse City, MI, USA Date Reviewed: August 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
big Vasa
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$385.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
SEXXY, Bling-Bling, ease of set up, light-weight
Weaknesses:
need allen to adjust contact point
Similar Products Used:
None - first time
Bike Setup:
Salsa Mamasita 160 FR 140 R
Bottom Line:
These are Great! First time using hydralic brakes. I was nervous about setting them up and servicing. It's been a breeze. Great stopping power. No squeaks or noise.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marbroz
a Cross Country Rider
from Tychy Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Tremalzo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Strengths:
Good and strong brake for overall riding
Weaknesses:
In the Alps on the long downhills my rear 160 mm brake was overheatet all time i would suggest to use 180
Similar Products Used:
Magura Marta
Bottom Line:
After first week of riding had to change the lever seal!
Good brakes with organic pads giving strange noises, i still must say good brakes but not the best!!
Since last week i cannot set my front break the way i want will have to go to shop wherei bought them.
Next time i will go for something else maybe formula who knows.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
michgri
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago Date Reviewed: July 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ft. Custer, MI
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$530.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat with bike
Strengths:
Great stopping power, great modulation, no noise (so far).
Weaknesses:
I can't speak to the setup issues expereinced here since Speedgoat hooked mine up, but these brakes work much better than my Juicy 7s and they are practically silent in comparison as well (so far).
Similar Products Used:
Juicy 7, XT, BB7
Bike Setup:
Pivot Mach 4
Bottom Line:
I was hesitant in getting these brakes based on some of the negative feedback here but I couldn't be happier at this point. Time will tell of course but so far these brakes are awesome and the best I've tried.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jester1911
a Cross Country Rider
from New Wilmington, Pa, USA Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The one I'm on
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Light, great stopping, good looking. Got the 185's
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Avid juicy 5
Bike Setup:
Stumpy 29er
Bottom Line:
Like SUVowner said, Tough to setup, but well worth it. I love the adjustably, I like touchy brakes, and these are them.
I give 5 for value, I'm glad I spent the money to get them, and overall is 5 cause they work so well. I'm not afraid to do long descents anymore like with my juicy 5-160's.
I still need to cut the lines and bleed to fit my bike, but bleeding will be the same from the 5's to these.
If you have the $$, get them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
suvowner
a Weekend Warrior
from little rock Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$600.00
Strengths:
light, bling carbon lever, great power
Weaknesses:
a little finicky to set up, but once right they are awesome
Similar Products Used:
jiucy 5, cantilever stuff
Bike Setup:
fisher supercaliber 29, xtr and xo, 185mm front and 160mm rear
Bottom Line:
these brakes do like to be broken in on a big hill, once you do this, the power improves considerably.....185 front on a 29er wheel is a big help, i have all the power and modulation i could want, one finger braking on technical steep decents is what i wanted with these brakes and i got it..........
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mtnbiker5
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: June 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Feel
Weaknesses:
Pads
Similar Products Used:
mechanicals
Bike Setup:
the best
Bottom Line:
Pads are a problem. Vibration sends a shockwave through my body. Tried organic pads but then the pistons didnt work causing loud squeeling. Annoying. I wish I tried others. One word for these brakes: Overrated.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robin
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Vegas, NV Date Reviewed: May 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Cottonwood Valley
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light and looks good
Weaknesses:
Weak, giving out without any notice.
Similar Products Used:
Juicy 7
Bottom Line:
These are great looking brakes and worked very well the first few rides, but after the first few rides things changed. I had the same problems with front or back; during a ride one of them would suddenly become weak or not work at all, then start working again. Luckly it wasn't both at the same time. I've had them bleed, serviced, and rebuilt, after each time they would work well for a few rides then problems. I have Juicy 7 on my other bikes that work well without complaint, but these things are off and will not be touched again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DLH
a Cross Country Rider
from PNW Date Reviewed: April 19, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Looks and performance. Feel and modulation. Ease of setup and adjustment on trail if necessary with Avid tri-align system -- unless of course you like fiddling with calling cards, spacers etc. to get your brakes and pads to align properly.
Weaknesses:
Those issues normal to all hydrolic brakes.
Similar Products Used:
I've used them all --
Bike Setup:
Three bikes... setups are irrelevant
Bottom Line:
I have tried and used the top end hydrolic brakes of every line. These perform as well or better than any. You will experience the necessity of bleeding brakes if you use hydrolics...period. Disk brakes squeel when wet - hydrolic or not. Clean rotors and pads after or prior to each ride to avoid constant squeeling - goes for any disc brake hydrolic or not. If your LBS mechanic can't adjust or bleed these brakes or any Avid disc brake so that they operate properly -- send him back to mech's school, find a new LBS or learn to take care of it yourself, none of it is rocket science. Generally speaking don't expect totally "trouble free for ever" majic performance with any bike product - expecially a toy that is put through what a mt bike experiences every ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AL GO
a Racer
from Québec, Canada Date Reviewed: February 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
canadian wild & fast trails
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
bicycles lessard
Strengths:
lighther than the juicy carbon,reliability
Weaknesses:
stock pad should be change right away. they are not as strong has the juicy carbon.The différence do not worth the extra$$$
Similar Products Used:
Juicy carbon,magura,shimano(stay away from them)haynes
Bike Setup:
TURNER flux with every light component
Bottom Line:
Don't waiste youre time and money The juicy carbon is better(stronger) and you will gett only 56 grams more. The juicy carbon ajustement is accessible with your hand on the fly,not the ultimate.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ross
a Weekend Warrior
from Moab Date Reviewed: January 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$390.00
Purchased At:
Red Barn
Strengths:
Very nice stealth looks. Very light weight. Nice carbon lever.
Weaknesses:
Where do i start! NEW they needed bleeding and have needed another 4 bleeds to get them right, then the front pistons wouldn't return to the correct position.
Similar Products Used:
Avid Juicy Carbon, Juicy 7, Hayes 9.
Bottom Line:
I want to like these brakes i really do but from day one they have been nothing but a hassle. Out of the box the factory bleed was awfull. Got my LBS to bleed them and they felt a bit better but they had no where near the power my Juicy Carbons had. I bleed them again 4 times, fitted different pads and rotors and things were starting to get good - power was OK but not great.
Just when i was getting somewhere the front pistons will now not move back into the caliper so the front brake is always on rubbing the rotor. now i need to bleed them again!
Im sure they are good brakes - alot of other people have good success but so far they have been an utter disaster. Kinda wish id kept my Carbons - they had rip your face off brute power!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mtnbiker
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: December 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Feel, look, strength
Weaknesses:
Hmmmmmm.....
Similar Products Used:
Avid mechanicals
Bike Setup:
Moots Cinco. Full XTR, SRAM shifters.
Bottom Line:
I was skeptical at first coming off of Avid Mechanicals but after a couple of rides I'm sold. You get what you pay for. The feel of these brakes is incredible. On a dime stopping power. Super light. Look fantastic. Love em. No complaints.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jamis Snow
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Terrace, California Date Reviewed: October 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
i am not picky, all i need is dirt.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$327.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Very nice looking, seems to be well built, bleeding is a breeze, great stopping power, great modulation, weight, ease of setup
Weaknesses:
rear rotor is only 140 mm, if 'ya are a wee little guy/gal this may be okay for you though
Similar Products Used:
Juicy carbon, mono mini, nines, deore hydro, xt and xtr
Bike Setup:
Jamis dakkar expert, fox f100rlc, rp23, full XO, carbon cockpit, ultimates, and spinergys
Bottom Line:
Overall i am very pleased with the Juicy ultimates. They have a very nice feel to them and they really look great. I can easily modulate and stop with one finger. The clamping power is very good. I head to bleed the rear when i recieved them but that was a cake walk. i followed avid's instructions and had it done, with no mess, inside 10 minutes.
The rear rotor should be stepped up to a 160mm. i understand the idea of the 140mm is to shead weight but it heat soaks and fades very quickly. i upped it to a 160 and have had no more issues with fade.
for the price i paid i give them a very good value rating.
overall they are very good brakes, you will not be dissapointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DJ
a Cross Country Rider
from S. CALIFORNIA Date Reviewed: October 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$360.00
Purchased At:
EBAY
Strengths:
NICE, SLEEK, COOL DESIGN. POWER. MODULATION. VERY LIGHT WEIGHT.
Weaknesses:
NONE, OTHER THAN IF YOU USE THE SHIMANO XT SHIFTERS (M760) THAT HAVE THE OPTICAL INDICATOR, YOU CANNOT MOUNT THE BRAKE CLAMP ONTO THE HANDLE BAR BECAUSE THE OPTICAL INDICATOR SECTION OF THE SHIFTER DOES NOT ALLOW ROOM/SPACE FOR THE BRAKES MASTER CYCLINDER FLUID RESERVIOR BODY OR THE RESERVIOR BODY DOES NOT ACCOMODATE ROOM FOR THE OPTICAL INDICATOR - IT DOESNT MATTER HOW I ANGLE THE BRAKE OR ANGLE THE SHIFTER ON THE HANDLE BAR OR IF I WERE TO MOVE THE BRAKE CLAMP IN BOARD OR OUTBOARD FROM THE SHIFTER - THE BRAKES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CLAMP ONTO THE HANDLE BAR. WITH SHIMANO XT 760 SHIFTERS, YOU HAVE TO MOUNT THE BRAKE CLAMP OUTBOARD FROM THE SHIFTERS. THE DIFFERENCE I SEE BETWEEN THE MASTER CYCLINDERS FLUID RESERVIOR BODY SHAPE/DESIGN OF THE AVID JUICY ULTIMATES AND ALL OTHER AVID JUICY (3,5,7) DISC BRAKES IS THE AVID JUICY (3,5,7) HAVE A TAPERED OUTSIDE END OF THE MASTER CYCLINDERS FLUID RESERVIOR BODY, WHICH WILL ALLOW ROOM FOR SHIFTERS W/ A OPTICAL INDICATION, LIKE THE SHIMANO XT 760. THE ULTIMATES MASTER CYCLINDER FLUID RESERVIOR BODY DOES NOT HAVE A TAPERED OUTSIDE END. I LIKE MY SHIMANO XT 760 SHIFTERS, BUT I HAD TO END UP USING MY SPARE SRAM X9 SHIFTERS (BECAUSE THE X9s DONT HAVE AN OPTICAL INDICATOR POSTIONED IN A SPOT THAT WONT ALLOW ROOM FOR THE MASTERCYLINDER FLUID RESERVIOR BODY.
Similar Products Used:
HAYES EL CAMINO, HAYES NINE, SHIMANO XT.
Bike Setup:
TITUS RACER X, MAVIC CROSSMAX SL WHEELS, JUICY ULTIMATE BRAKES, RACEFACE DUES CRANKS, CRANK BROTHERS SL PEDALS, SRAM X9 SHIFTER, XT FRONT DERAILLEUR, SRAM X9 REAR DERAILLEUR, THOMSON SEATPOST, BONTRAGER XXX CARBON RISER BAR, WTB LASER V Ti SADDLE, MAXXIS TIRES, FOX 100 RL FOX, FSA 140 STEM, KING HEADSET.
Bottom Line:
EXCELLENT BRAKE FOR CROSS COUNTRY RIDING. BESIDES THE GOOD LOOKS OF THESE BRAKE. THEY WERE VERY EASY TO INSTALL. DURING MY FIRST RIDE WITH THESE BRAKES: THEY WERE CONSISTENT W/OUT FADING, DELIVERED ADEQUATE POWER, THEY WERE NOT NOISY, LEVER ADJUSTMENT ALLOWED PERFECT ERGO SET UP FOR MY HANDS.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ashley
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007
2007 Kona Kula Supreme, Reba Team U-turn, 07 XTR F&R mechs, FSA K-force cranks with Middleburn rings, Dura-Ace cassette, Hope Pro II hubs on Mavic 717 disc rims, Chris King headset, Thomson stem & post...
Bottom Line:
When I first replaced my Juicy Carbons with the Ultimates, I really noticed the 'spongy' effect that others have talked about. But, with some adjustment to the caliper and pad alignment and after the pads were bedded-in, they feel great. Still have a longer lever travel to the contact point, but this provides greater control in my opinion. I'm 105kg (230lb), and the 160/140mm rotor setup still has plenty of stopping power when I need it.
Obviously it's not a downhill/freeride brakeset... it's specifically designed for XC/marathon racing, but it can also handle everyday 'trail' riding without any trouble...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Oakley
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: September 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
scottoakley@detailscentral.com
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Light weight, strong, adjustable.
Weaknesses:
Mechanicals are easier to keep dialed in.
Similar Products Used:
Avid BB5
Bike Setup:
2007 Jamis Dragon Expert. R-7 100mm SPV. SRAM drive train and cranks. Easton EC70 and EC90 cockpit. I-9 Ultralite wheels.
Bottom Line:
Moved from Avid BB5 mechanicals to Ultimates and love it. I have smaller hands and I like the ability to adjust the levers closer to the bar. The pad contact knob is worthless. Set-up takes a while. There's going to be one side closer than the other when centering the caliper on the rotor. The best tip I can give anyone is use a business card in between the pad and rotor before bolting down the caliper.
I got the brakes from a buddy who had it on a bike that flew off his car rack going around a turn at about 35mph. We watched the bike do 3 flips in the air before it landed. The carbon levers had a little chip where it hit the street. My buddy didn't want them any more so I took them and haven't had a problem with them.
I don't think Ultimates are as good as Hope Mini's or Magura SL's. Ultimates don't clamp down with the authority that Hope's and Magura's do. Nonetheless, I am completely happy with mine
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
curtis
a Cross Country Rider
from bend OR Date Reviewed: September 9, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
sexy, modulation
Weaknesses:
red engagement point dial is a joke
Similar Products Used:
hayes, various shimano
Bike Setup:
97 kona hei hei sram XO fox float
Bottom Line:
these things seem to lack all out power, even running a 180 front and rear it never seemed like i had the all out power like i was used to with my 8 year old set of hayes. the red widget is a scam way to much effort for way to little adjustment. maybe swapping to even bigger rotors would help but i have already gone back to the hayes at this point
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Todd Friedmann
a Racer
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Scoul, Scharl, Mustair, Sur en
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Good strong break. Easy to mount. My first set of disks, and figured out without a bike shop. Have had no real problems. I liked them so much I put them on my fully. I weigh 78 Kg and run 160 f and b. 185 front would be a good idea.
Weaknesses:
They are loud on long down hills. I seem to go thru break pads a lot. The 140 disk on the back was a joke. It got really HOT. 185 F and 160 B should standard. Always somthing to work on or adj, but i ride daily, that may be normal?
Bike Setup:
2 Bikes Felt Racing hard tail, XO grip shift, easton carbon seat post and handel bar, ritchey stem, no tubes wheels, cris king head, Race face crank! Bike ist stiff and fast!!! handeling Santa Cruz superlight with the same set up. Also fast but not so stiff;-)
Bottom Line:
I train 45 to 50 Hr a month and have done over 60.000M of up and down this year and the breaks are holding up well. Of course this time and elevation is not all on one bike! Live in Switzerland and ride bike marathons. This break has worked well but may be better for CC riders with shorter decents. I think it is a great break, but on down hills with over 1000M at race paace are pushin the limits.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Australia Date Reviewed: June 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
All of them.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Riders Choice
Strengths:
Uber-Bling! Super light, beautifully made, comfortable to use with superb modulation, very powerful, highly adjustable. As they came off my frame-builders bike and were only a couple of months old, I paid little more than cost and got 12 months warranty as well! Oh, and they were perfectly run in too.
Weaknesses:
What?
Similar Products Used:
Juicy Sevens.
Bike Setup:
575, Discs - 180mm F & 165mm R, 140mm Talas 32 RLC & RP23, XO, Easton, King, DT/Mavic, Conti Vert 2.3 UST Rear with 2.35 sticky Nevegal on the front (there is no better front tire for trail riding) Large frame @ 27 1/2 pounds
Bottom Line:
Coming off XT v's which I STILL rate highly, these are the icing on the cake. No fade, no lever creep (unlike all Hayes), not grabby yet very sure and powerful with fantastic modulation. The calipers are the neatest designed brake I have ever seen - understated yet QUALITY.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Font9a Ninea
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin Date Reviewed: May 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dr.s Park / 401 --> 403
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
wrench science build kit
Strengths:
modulation, strength under unusally wet and muddy conditionss, super light weight, but feel really solid
Weaknesses:
i am a novice with with avids.... seems like rotors rub a little a the begninning of the ride (even though they are totally true). Didn't grok the maintenance manual very quickly. Makes rotors/pads contact from minute one until they "magically self adjust"... makes me want my old center-pull 990s back...
Similar Products Used:
XTR rim brakes, XT hydrolics
Bike Setup:
maverick durance, duc32, XTR drivegear, SRAM shifters and deraileur (expect the shimano braze on roadie front d)... what else... CAndy 4Ti pedals and SIDI Dragon2 shoes (awesome), 2.3 conti front 2.1 conti rear -- conti makes narrow tires (edge of lug to edge of lug measuring instead of casing measuemenets. Made me want to switch back to Michelins immediately. But the grip is OK). 2007 XTR Hollowtech is definitely the way to go. The Maverick front fork and rear strut are proprietarty so you have to be comfy with them to continue supporting them. And So far, so good. I could ask for a better bike.
Bottom Line:
The Avid Ultimates feel a little out of alignment from the get-go.
I've only used them on 2 rides so far and both have been muddy, rocky, totally unpredictable affairs. This last ride though, I rode 2 miles on the street with the front rotor dragging.... I thought these self-tuned? If I had my XTRs it would have been a 1/8" turn on the dial to fix the noise.
But the brakes are powerful, modulating, predicatbable, easy to lock up if needbe, and easy to pinky finger around corners (does anyone even do that any more?)
I am still trying to undertand the subtle ways to tune and refine these brakes, but so far I love them. Light action levers, Ti anf Al hardware galore, weird torx wrench (2.5 mm) to dial in contact points... Since I don't wear rockshox I'm not sure why this is better than a 4mm hex? or at least a nub with option to remove if your 20 grams send you over the line.....
Still, beautiful levers, calipers, mounts, and rotors all for 185mm front and rear. I've ridden down some gnarly 3, 2, 1 divide and never had a moment of fade.
5 flamin chilis for price and 5 for performance. Just need to get the bugs worked out and word out to the consumer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Racer
from Berkeley Date Reviewed: April 19, 2007
Perfectly adequate for cross-country. I have the 140mm rear rotor and 160mm front and I have more power than I need for comfortable one-finger braking (I'm 145 Lbs). The levers are a little stiff, but I've experienced stiff bushings from Avid levers before, and I expect them to break in. I don't understand what some people have against the levers. I find them to be very comfortable and in the correct place. I did need to position the levers closer to the stem than you would for v-brakes to get the correct finger placement and enough clearance between the lever and my hands.
The only weird thing is that I can't seem to get the front caliper completely aligned. Whenever I get it centered, it is un-aligned with the rotor, and when I get it aligned with the rotor, I can't get it centered. Might be a problem with my fork, or I may need to spend more time tinkering.
Anyhow, once the pads broke in, I got identical performance using one finger on the disk brakes as I had with two on my Avid SL V-Brakes. These are a great upgrade for any racer and are definitely too weak to use for DH. I would also be hesitant to use them on any super-technical stuff, but they are a dream on anything a NORBA cross-country can dish out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Dailey
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonds, WA. USA Date Reviewed: March 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Mission Ridge
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
BeyondBikes
Strengths:
Nice setup. Thats it.
Weaknesses:
Bar clamp bolts easy to smoosch with allen wrench (not threads, but bolt head. SPONGY!!! I have 2007 Magura Martas, and these are my wifes 2007 Juicy Ultimates. The Magura has a positive, hard pad engagement. GREAT! The Ultimate is spongy, with a long travel to pad contact-- and YES, I did all the adjustments--- several times, carefully... and bled them three times carefully-black goo came out the first time, from the factory-- no bubbles after careful bleed...but still spongy (and with corrosive DOT!). I prefer my Maguras, and now, so does my wife-she, 110 lbs... 5-2--- small hands. The carbon levers are massive/clunky/not *Italian* refined. Not sexy- just brutish.... and the friction at the pivot is too much. They are not crisp. It takes effort just to move the levers 1mm. (compared to Martas).
Motolite II xs- Ti, Carbon 22 lbs. all the trick stuff. Thomson masterpiece, Devo Gel, Raceface carbon, SyntaceF99, Xpedo Ti/Ti, DTSwiss supercomp/Stans 355/240's, xtr/sram shifters/derailleurs....
Bottom Line:
These brakes are NOT the easiest to bleed, or lightest, or with the most positive/hard contact feel. Spongy. I really wish I'd have bought another set of Magura Martas in silver for her silver Motolite II. We hate "long" reach, with spongy feel, with big movement from reach point to pad contact point. I wrote to the manu. before purchase. they did not *get* it. in terms of reach/pad contact. Buy these if you do not care about finesse, fit or detail, or weight. Do not buy these if you are anal retentive about finesse, fit or detail, or weight. By the way- I am a retired physicist. Einstein: "God is in the details."
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
William
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: March 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Amazing braking power and feel, design, easy installation (and they look soooo damn good).
Weaknesses:
None encountered.
Similar Products Used:
Juicy 7's, Hayes HFX Carbon, Hayes HFX Mag Comp
Bike Setup:
Orbea PopR hardtail with SRAM X.0, REBA Team forks and Spinergy Xyclone wheels. I am running a 160mm rotor on the front and a 140mm rotor on the rear (no issues in terms of xc riding performance with the smaller rear rotor).
Bottom Line:
Levers fit my hands perfectly...awesome one-finger braking power...lightweight and damn sexy too...a great upgrade from my much loved and trusted Juicy 7's...HIGHLY recommended...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix,AZ Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
100
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$269.00
Purchased At:
Slippery Pig
Strengths:
Great looks, and feel. very light, and a significant upgrade to the juicy 7's.
Weaknesses:
leavers are flexy, 140mm rotor is too small for my full suspension 29'er, and the speed it generates on the descents.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XTR, XT, Saint, Avid Juiocy 7's, BB7, Hayes nine, MX-1, and Magura Julies.( I am still a fan of shimano's strong leaver feel, but these are in of comparable quality)
Bike Setup:
XL Turner Sultan 29'er, with all the goodies. 28lbs
Bottom Line:
These brakes are great for the purpose they were intended for. I love the feel, and they are easy to maintain and bleed. I upgraded to Goodridge lines, and put a 6" rotor on the back, and there is plenty of power to stop my bike and my 250lb ass on every trail I have riden so far. Buy these brakes if you want to put the bling on your bike, or if you want good light brakes. If weight is not as important save some cash and you will be happy with the Juicy 7's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Falcon
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: November 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Palmer Loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$245.00
Purchased At:
Bikeman
Strengths:
Build Quality, Light Weight, Modulation
Weaknesses:
Some disc rub.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575, XTR Wheelset, XTR components, Fox 140 RLC, Speed King tires (2.3), Thompson Masterpiece Seatpost, Fizik Aliante Saddle
Bottom Line:
I really like these brakes. Originally I wanted to get the new M970 XTR disc brakes, but I tried a bike sitting in a shop that had them and didn't like the way the levers felt. The ultimate carbon lever fits my hand perfectly and I can't imagine how the modulation could be better. I have the 160mm disc in front and the 140mm in back and both have more than enough power. I usually use one finger for braking. Right now I have more disc rub, just a little, than I had after my Hayes got broken in, but that could be due to the DT hub adapters I have to use with my XTR centerlock wheels. Overall, if you want some beautifully built and functioning brakes that just happen to be among the lightest available, get these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ALEX T
a Weekend Warrior
from Ukraine Date Reviewed: October 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Ketaevo
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
http://velo.net.ua
Bottom Line:
First Nax
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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