LikeThe name says - designedTo beThe ultimate hydraulic disc brake. Light, high-performance, and with cool features like a carbon lever blade,There isnt much else you could ask for.The caliper bodies are a forged, one-piece monoblok design and use AvidsTri-Align caliper positioning system for simple setup. WheresThe knob?This brake does away withThe large contact point adjustment knob youve seen on other Juicy brakes ( a weight-saving concession). Instead, you simply use a 2.5mm hex key (which a
Submitted by
Beejmena
a Cross Country Rider
from BC
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2011
Strengths: - Low maintenance
- works well
- lightweight
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
These brakes were on the bike when I got it on 2008. I ride all year round in Squamish, NS and Whistler, average about 50+ kms per week of tech XC trails in all conditions. I maintain my bike myself, have had to do a lot of adjustments to everything - except these brakes! They have performed excellently since day-1 and just keep going for over 3 years now. I am on the 4th set of pads, but have never had to bleed or do anything but tune rotors and change pads. Only noisy when wet, and only then occasionally. Cannot understand those who say pads are hard to change (???).
Weaknesses: Must be a godd deal from the Avid manufacturers for Specialized. These things work well, when they work, but only after much effort. Changing pads needs a workshop and you need to bleed them each time. Getting pads in and out is hard, even with the bleeding and instructions. Adjustment required every few months to prevent the additional friction of the front brake on the front disc.
I guess my main problem is the comparison with my Shimano Deore breaks, and now with SLX, which have replaced the Avid. Both of these feel bomb proof, and require little maintenance. When maintenance is required, it's fairly straight forward, and does not require the sort of black art of the Avids. Sure the Avid's feel more direct at the start of braking, but after a few rides, thedifference is forgotten, and you have to jump on and off bikes with the different brakes to remember. And the Avids leak, and the synthetic oil sucks water.....
Damn things jammed fast and threw me over the handlebars. Could've been a stone got stuck in there.... but given other experiences, my confidence is diminished.
Those of you out there who have had great experiences, lucky you. From my point of view, a return to Shimano with the SLX has broght back riding with no 'bonus friction' from the front brake and an ability to change pads with impunity. I spent 3 months riding another bike rather than even try...
Bottom Line:
MAintenance is painful, given the frequency required; changing pads; bleeding should not need done so often; pistons should not need played with so much.
Use these if 1. they came with the bike and you forgot to ask for something else 2. you have no choice, they are still better than V-Brakes.
Similar Products Used: Shimano Deore, Shimano SLX, Hope Mono
Bike Setup: Stumpjumper
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ant
a Cross Country Rider
from australia
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2010
Weaknesses: Had to bleed the system twice in the first month fluid was full of debris. Rear calliper failed at 330km, has to fully replaced?
Bottom Line:
I will never touch avid again. Luckily the catastrophic leak from the rear calliper happened after a ride when I was testing the breaks for a spongy feel, just completed some big downhills. Fluid everywhere, I feel a luck man.
Submitted by
Steve Calsavara
a Weekend Warrior
from Windsor, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2010
Strengths: Nice compact design.An attention to detail,well built and made to last I hope. Reading the negitive reviews isn't that promising hopefully they are few and fare between.Also hope the manufacturer stands behind their product with good or exceptional customer service. Hint Hint.
Weaknesses: Had to be bled right out of the box whoever did this job at the time of the manufacturing process should be fired,I'm a mechanical brake guy who switched to hydralic for the performance side of the coin hope I'm not disapointed.The resivoir should be redesigned so that when the the brake handle is in it's neutral positionon the handlebar, the resivior is facing straight up next to the handle bar. Then you would truely have a easy to service brake fluid/bleeding service adjustment.
Bottom Line:
Yes I would recommend these brakes to a friend,they work as good as they look.I sure hope I don't have the problems that some of the other people have complained about in this product review survey. If I can help anybody with answering any questions regarding how hydralic cylinders/master and calipers work please feel free to Email me at stevec1@hotmail.com.
Similar Products Used: Hayes mechanical disc brakes.also Tektro mech disc brakes.
Bike Setup: Marin. Mount Vision 5.6 mountain bike
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dab
a Weekend Warrior
from Southern NH
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2010
Strengths: Weight, stopping power, looks, not bulky, easy to adjust, very little noise once properly adjusted. Rotors are easy to adjust if bent too! Running for two years now and have not had to bleed once.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
For aggressive XC/AM style riding, these fit me perfect. I'm on the lighter side at 165 (175 with all gear) so that also factors I'm sure. These brakes have been pure bliss coming off of an older pair of Hayes.
Submitted by
thehotrodpig
a Cross Country Rider
from Western Washington
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2010
Strengths: Stop on a dime, good modulation, good feel Fairly light.
Weaknesses: Bike had not been ridden for awhile when I got it and the front caliper was stuck and rubbing. Pulled the wheel and spread the pads a couple times and no issues now.
Levers are $40 to replace if you break one.
Bottom Line:
I have had the bike for a couple weeks now with several rides, both muddy and dry. No issues what so ever. I am really impressed with the brakes. Great feel and modulation.
The carbon levers have a great feel and some bling factor.
Submitted by
rob1208lv
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2010
Strengths: light, looks bling
Weaknesses: pad rub, have to be serviced often.
Bottom Line:
I hate that the pad rums all the time I can't get them straight.....These brakes are ok, but if I were to choice I would go with the XT brake system over these. (came on my bike build)
These are nice brakes when they work. But I'm constantly adjusting them due to rotor rub. They need to be bled once every 4-6 weeks because they lose all stopping power. Had problems with the pistons not working properly. They're a major source of frustration and I'll be replacing them with another brand this week. I'm just tired of having to tinker with them just to get them to work for half a ride.
Submitted by
92gli
a Cross Country Rider
from west chester, pa
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2010
Strengths: I've never had a problem with their performance on the trail. as long as nothing feels weird with my brakes I'm ok.
Weaknesses: Just wanted to say that I've had my ultimates on 2 different frames in the past year and my bike ALWAYS hangs upside down in the garage. I haven't had any fluid leaking out of the reservoir and they have never gotten spongy. I bled them and replaced the fluid with 5.1 the day I got the bike they were originally on. From the factory there was some air in the lines. Only had to bleed them once more when I shortened the lines for my new frame. I have had trouble with uneven piston extension on the rear brake as I've gone through pads. To compensate I've often had to re-center the caliper over the disc and push the pads back in.
The rear brake was also making the turkey warble noise when it was on my stumpjumper. Since moving the brake on to my pivot the brake hasn't made a peep. Sometimes I think the rear brake noise has more to do with horst link frames than the brakes.
Submitted by
NickM
a Weekend Warrior
from Johannesburg ZA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2010
Strengths: Pretty
Weaknesses: Pretty crap.
Have to echo a lot of the other comments... regular (weekly) bleeding & adjustment. Back unit locks-up. Front one squishy. Wish I'd bought 5s or 7s instead.
Bottom Line:
Waste of money. Unreliable. Constant need for attention.
Bike Setup: 'goose 09 canaan team, RS Sid Race, SRAM X0 - X9, American Classics.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
slowrider
a Weekend Warrior
from Midway City Ca
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Strengths: Weight, looks, feel (hit or miss)
Weaknesses: Power, reliability.
Bottom Line:
They looked great and half of my set worked well, in fact if the front worked as well as the rear this would be a shining review.
On the bright side Avid took care of this as well as any company could have, they replaced them with Elixer CR Mags for both ends, so the customer service rating for avid is top notch.
i am sick of tweaking/bleeding my juicy ultimates every month its time to replace them.
considering formula r1 but not many reviews however what i have read looks positive.
a Read More »
I've got a new to me Stumpy that has Juicy Ultimate brakes. The front pads were down quite a bit so I picked up some new semi metallic pads but when I install them the pistons won Read More »
Just rebuilt my front Juicy Ultimate caliper. Ordered rebuild kit. Replaced both pistons, all o-rings and blead the system. Decided to also replace the pads with organic compoun Read More »
I'm currently running avid juicy 5's (08 model) and my friend offered to trade me for avid ultimate 7's (08 model) since hes just getting rid of the bike.
I've read that there Read More »
When I go to pull the lever on my rear Avid Juicy Ultimate brake I can only pull it about 10% of its travel then it just locks up. Neither of the pistons move at all. This happened Read More »
