Avid XX Disc Brake System

2.13/5

(24 Reviews)

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MSRP : $404.00

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Product Description

The SRAM XX Disc Brake uses an all-new, two-piece forged magnesium caliper for greater stiffness and performance in a lighter-weight package. Oversized pistons give you more stopping power with less lever pull for easy one-finger braking.

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Reviews 1 - 15 (24 Reviews Total)

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Submitted by Rob Hester a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: April 22, 2013

Strengths:    These brakes look really great. They came stock on my S-Works Epic so they go with the entire XX package that came on the bike.

Weaknesses:    Adjustments galore, but painful to get them dialed in. I wont remove my front wheel from the fork ever once I get the front to ride rub free or it take me 15-20 minutes to get it back aligned. The pistons appear to stick and are not rugged.

Bottom Line:

Maybe I am spoiled. I had Magura SL on my S-Works Stumpjumper. They were the best brakes ever, although the XTRs on my 2004 Stumpjumper were also troublefree for 4 years. The XX disc brakes are horrible. I took the rear brake to my LBS and $90 later they returned it to me and said "sorry, we bled the brakes and the rear brake is still spongy". They bled it 3 times and the brake pads will not release when you let off the brake lever. The piston is stuck. Th eLBS said it would be less expensive to buy a whole new brake (lever, hose and caliper with pads) assembly versus trying to rebuild it. So I bought a brand new assembly and 1 year later, same problem. SRAM wont replace it under warranty either. I am going to throw them in the garbage and buy some Magura SL. Magura cost a lot but only $100 more than these silly things. Stay away from XX brakes folks. Go with XTR or Magura. That's my opinion.

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Favorite Trail:   Tsali National Forest

Duration Product Used:   3 years

Similar Products Used:   Magura SL, XTR brakes

Bike Setup:   2010 Specialized EPIC S-Works

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Submitted by tom

Date Reviewed: December 20, 2012

Strengths:    Avid warranty- They acknowledged issues with this run of brakes a replaced them with 2013 XX model at no charge. They are nice!

Weaknesses:    Weak seals led to fluid loss

Bottom Line:

Buy from a company that stands behind thier products, good, bad or in this case excellent.

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Submitted by DesertJockey a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: September 17, 2012

Strengths:    Lightweight. Good modulation and power when they're working.

Weaknesses:    Poor reliability. Needs bleed several times/year.

Bottom Line:

I thought it was just me until I read all the reviews here. After 2 seasons of weekend warrior XC/endurance riding the front brake has no power. The lever goes to the bar on every ride, no matter how thorough the bleed procedure. SRAM said they need to be overhauled every 2-3 years, as if I shouldn't be surprised. At this price I can not recommend these brakes. Will be moving to XTR.

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Favorite Trail:   S. Boundary Trail, Taos

Duration Product Used:   2 years

Similar Products Used:   Avid Juicy 7s- NEVER needed bleeding!

Bike Setup:   GF Superfly 100 Full XX

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Submitted by Elvis K

Date Reviewed: September 13, 2012

Strengths:    Light weight. The carbon lever feels better than metal.

Weaknesses:    Expensive. Rear is noisy and barely works.

Bottom Line:

I have had these brakes 1 month. I was talked into them by the shop employee who loved them. The rear just doesn't work well at all and is really noisy and shuddery. Feel is what I was trying to get out of these and it just isn't there. I really regret this purchase more than anything else I have bought in years, but to have just dropped $400 and then need to replace them is outrageous. AVID you reading this? You owe me some brakes that work. I have to say this, I'm faster because of them, because I hate to use them I'm braking less. These things were a fortune and suck.

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Submitted by blahblahx a Racer

Date Reviewed: September 2, 2012

Strengths:    You can't mount your dropper shifter and brake on one clamp.

Weaknesses:    Pistons stick need to bleed monthly or more. Replaced original under warranty. LBS couldn't bleed them. Second set same problem. Constant bleeding. Really fun when 15 miles out with no rear brake and have 20 miles to go. Front and rear piston occasionally stick.

Bottom Line:

Good for learning how to bleed brakes. Not for use on a real bike

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Similar Products Used: magura, shimano, formula

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Submitted by T.rhees a Racer

Date Reviewed: June 29, 2012

Strengths:    Weight

Weaknesses:    Everthing else

Bottom Line:

These brakes are a high dollar nightmare. Failed on a race... Dislocated finger / elbow contusion. Over way expensive and a horrible design.

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Submitted by Craig Morris a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: June 26, 2012

Strengths:    Good stopping power (when the lever doesn't go to the bar) and light.

Weaknesses:    Had them for about a year in which time they were bled 12 times. I found that 20 hours or riding was all that it takes to get air in the system and you then need to have to bleed them again.

Bottom Line:

I cannot recommend these brakes to anyone. I finally got rid of them after a year and am super happy I did. I was always riding with extra caution not knowing when the levers would go to the bar, drove me crazy. Please stay away.

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Submitted by Bob a Cross Country Rider from Tustin, CA, Orange County

Date Reviewed: April 6, 2012

Strengths:    Light

Weaknesses:    Constant pad rub, pads wear out quickly, have to pump to keep pressure up while riding, expensive.

Bottom Line:

These brakes are a joke for the money they cost. The calipers stick constantly, pad rub on every ride and if I don't pump them after every downhill they go to the bars. Based on the huge amount of horrible reviews and the high cost Avid should have issued a total recall of this junk. I wonder if they monitor this site? Hello Avid!

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Favorite Trail:   Chutes "A" Line Santiago Oaks

Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Purchased At:   Came with the bike

Similar Products Used:   Avid Juicy 7, Shimano XTR

Bike Setup:   2010 Jet 9 with all XX and Crest rims, DT240 hubs

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Submitted by G a Cross Country Rider from Australia

Date Reviewed: March 18, 2012

Strengths:    Lightweight, good control, Matchmaker (in theory), look great

Weaknesses:    Matchmaker. This system is great in theory. I've used the brakes for a year now and have had 4 levers break at the mounting point when I've come off the bike. The clamps were definitely loose enough to allow play on a hit but tight enough to allow me to use the brakes with confidence. Out of warranty, these things are far too expensive to be replacing that often. It has put me right off the XX line.

Bottom Line:

The bottom line is theyre far too expensive, and when installed on a handlebar with the matchmaker clamps, they do not marry uop to the shape of the lever. There is a gap which creates the problem of them braking so easily. If the clamp married in to the groove on the brake lever i feel at least 3 of the 4 I have broken would not have been an issue.

I will not be buying these brakes again and the regulars I ride with have expressed the same. They really have not been worth an ounce of the money spent. Look elswhere.

Use these if you're a sponsored rider and can get replacement gear on flow easily.

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Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Similar Products Used:   Shimano XT/XTR

Bike Setup:   S-Works Stumpjumper 26", Full XX groupset

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Submitted by Adam490 a Weekend Warrior from Hammond, LA USA

Date Reviewed: January 31, 2012

Strengths:    I have the 2012 Avid XX that no longer uses the CPS mounts. No squealing or turkey gobble to speak of! I lost an arm in a car accident many years ago and only ride with a rear brake setup, so I cannot speak for anything concerning front braking characteristics. The brakes have a ton of power and do exactly what they need to do; solid 1-finger braking. I bled them once when I got them after I cut the line to proper length; great feel and have not had to to touch them since. The Ti hardware is nice and light and it came with the Matchmaker X mounts. So nice not to have to bother with those CPS washers any more!!

Weaknesses:    Pricey! I got a GREAT deal on a new rear XX setup from a seller here in the classified section.

Bottom Line:

Great brake and much improved over previous models. If you are in the market for a super light, high end braking system, I'd definitely recommend these brakes. Have not had any of the typical squawking or turkey gobble often associated with the older versions of these brakes. Bled once when I cut the hose to proper length and have quite a few miles logged since with no change in braking performance. Overall, great performer if you have the money/desire for a high end brake set.

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Favorite Trail:   Mt. Zion, MS

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $220.00

Purchased At:   Mtbr.com Classified

Similar Products Used:   Avid XO, Avid Juicy 3, Avid Elixir R

Bike Setup:   Trek Fuel EX8, XO Der./Shifters, XX Rear Brake

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Submitted by dirtyjack a Racer from MA

Date Reviewed: December 13, 2011

Strengths:    Good modulation when they are working

Weaknesses:    fickle setup, hard to bleed, prone to sticky pistons, and the dreaded Turkey gobble (even after upgrading to HS-X rotors).

Bottom Line:

While they are a nice light brakeset, they are an epic fail in terms of usability.

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Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Similar Products Used:   Shimano XTR

Bike Setup:   Tallboy, full XX

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Submitted by schril a Cross Country Rider from clio, ca, usa

Date Reviewed: December 10, 2011

Strengths:    lightweight

Weaknesses:    lack of modulation, difficult reach adjustment, stock pads need immediately replaced with organic, lack of stopping power up front

Bottom Line:

I have had this bike for a year, the front brake was warrantied and is only about 2 mos old. Supposedly the magnesium was reacting with the dot brake fluid in some brake systems causing off gassing and the loss of power (similar to when air gets in the line). Overall the system is weak when taking into account the price tag. I only race once a year at Downieville and am primarily a xc rider, but feel this groupo and brake are best suited for race specific riding and "controlled" types of tracks or trails. As for xc country and trail riding, I would go with a system that offers a 203mm front rotor, easier reach adjustment and that are good for all day rides.

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Favorite Trail:   middle fork in oakridge

Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Price Paid:    $400.00

Purchased At:   Pacos

Similar Products Used:   Avid Elixir CR, Formula R1, Magura Marta SL

Bike Setup:   Epic with all XX, stans arch w/chris king hubs-headset-bb, henge saddle, maxxis ardent front tire/specialized captain rear, easton ec 70 bar, thomson stem/post, shimano xt pedals

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Submitted by KMA a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: October 11, 2011

Strengths:    Light weight.

Weaknesses:    Instant loss of power during rides!
Continuous bleeding required on about every two rides or until you instantly loss power within that time frame.
Sticky pistons which results in pad rub.

Bottom Line:

Ditto on all the previous complaints about instant loss of braking power during rides, sticky pistons, and continuous bleeding.

These brakes are an accident waiting to happen for SRAM. Complete loss of braking power during rides! It’s amazing that companies don’t recall a product until someone is seriously injured and takes legal action.

Bike shops best friend because in order to get them warranted, they will charge you for numerous bleeds/maintenance only to tell you the same thing you took them into the shop the first time – there’s something wrong with them and then at that point they call SRAM.

For your SAFETY, health, and well-being, do not buy these SRAM XX Brakes! SRAM makes some great products and I will keep using them on my mountain and road bike bike. It’s only the XX Brakes that are poorly/inconsistently made and dangerous.

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Duration Product Used: 1 Year

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Submitted by High Desert Norwegian a Cross Country Rider from Grand Junction, CO

Date Reviewed: September 14, 2011

Strengths:    Very light, good looks

Weaknesses:    Will not hold a bleed more than one ride. Levers will go nearly to the bar without warning. Must "pump" them to get them to come back during your ride. Exciting!

Bottom Line:

The first rides were decent thru the first month. Then the brakes needed to be bled. Then again. And again. And again. I paid for three bleeds. The shop covered three. sometimes a bleed would last only one ride before the levers hit the bars unexpectedly.

Frustration level "11" !

If you like "exiting" rides when you never know if your brakes are going to work, then these are for you.
RUN, RUN FAR AWAY from these babys.

My LBS worked hard to make these work and gave up. However, I must give kudos to SRAM for sending me the new 2012 world cup version free of charge when we asked. They are installed and I will review them after I have about 10 rides on them.

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Favorite Trail:   Da Butterknife

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Purchased At:   LBS in a total XX gr

Bike Setup:   Full XX group on an XXL Turner Sultan 29r. Lots of carbon bits. DT 240 hubs on Stans Flow wheels. 180mm front disk, 160mm rear disk, Fox F29 & RP23.

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Submitted by B Rad a Cross Country Rider from Bow,NH

Date Reviewed: August 11, 2011

Strengths:    After trying to think of it for a minute....all I can think is I hate them! Mayby the new word I picked up in a previous review....JUDDER! I think any product that cost this much and does not work should get a total product recall. I will never use an Avid product again. But hate set aside they are great if you do not go down any hills. set as

Weaknesses:    On any steep downhill they are junk. Judder is the word used above and it is a word that is fitting.

Bottom Line:

Big disapointment. After building a Rip nine with what I thought to be the best components I find out that these brakes stink! How can you not be pissed! Usually if you spent the money you get a good product...not here. Mayby they are ok if you ride on a flat plane and do not need to brake????

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Favorite Trail: The one I'm on

Duration Product Used: 3 months

Reviews 1 - 15 (24 Reviews Total)

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Avid XX Disc Brake System

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