Submitted by
NA1NSXR
a Cross Country Rider
from Tustin, CA Date Reviewed: August 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Solid performance
Weaknesses:
No adjustability
Bottom Line:
I have used these brakes for more than 10 years now, and they have served me well. They have always provided reasonably strong braking power that I have come to expect from v brake systems. I have taken care of them this last decade, and made sure they were properly adjusted (toe angle is just a crutch to eliminate noise, optimally setup v brakes use very little to no toe angle). No sqeaks or loss of power, and they make only minor noise in the nastiest conditions. I have equipped them with many different pads over the years and I find the original Avid ones to be excellent but fast wearing, therefore the majority of the time I have been using Kool Stop pads which have only a tiny bit less power but last a lot longer.
I am overhauling my bike with a new build kit and I have decided to go with new calipers and levers for the updated design and adjustability. I think the SD10's are really great brakes for the money though. A lot of people complain about noise and lack of braking power but all V brakes use the same general design and the contact surface (pad) is changable. Those problems are usually due to poor setup.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Piedmont, NC USA Date Reviewed: March 14, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Uhwarrie Mtn area
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Predictable response
Weaknesses:
None noticed at present
Similar Products Used:
First v-brake
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher sugar w/Mavic UST wheels and Conti Explorer UST tires
Bottom Line:
I recently installed the new Aztec pads and followed Zinn's expert advice to use a paper clip in the pads' installation to provide the proper toe-in to mitigate some very annoying squeaking of the rear pad. With this upgrade, the brakes are working well. The bike looked like it had some pretty serious use when purchased; replaced the crank and bottom bracket. The brakes don't show adverse response to the previous user's arduous exhibiton of the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: March 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
came on Schwinn MOAB
Strengths:
Stopping power, lever feel, levers
Weaknesses:
Adjusting the pads requires you to hold the pad with one hand while adjusting (same for the LX at that time). Tightness of the pad is limited to the amount of pressure and stabilization you can provide to the pad as you are tightening it. Pad tightness is an issue for lower end brake models I think.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX, SRAM 9.0
Bike Setup:
Steel X-cal with Mavic 221's, Fisher front hub, LX rear.
Bottom Line:
I'm thinking that XT, XTR or SRAM 9.0 brakeset would be better - obviously (they cost more!). I tried out the SRAM 9.0 and the pads had some concave washer type things that really locked the pads down on both sides of the brake arms, damn! If the assembly fell apart when you were working you had hell to pay. But, you could get a strong adjustment that couldn't easily knock the pads out of whack.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Northboro, MA Date Reviewed: September 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Vietnam
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
These brakes are the best i have ever tried. All of my friends try them compared to theres and they are so much stronger.
Weaknesses:
My pads squeak a little after some lube got in there.
Similar Products Used:
Crappy v's, crappy coda discs, much crap
Bike Setup:
Rockhopper Pro: stock
Bottom Line:
These are the best v brakes Ihave tried but my friend is getting some arch rivals so who knows. I use these for moderate freeriding stuff and they work great. my only complaint is that the little plastic cover on the cable splits.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle Date Reviewed: August 22, 2001
Favorite Trail:
University Campus or Tapeworm
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Elliot Bay Cycles
Strengths:
They look alright, The front lever feels really good, they were good for 6 months.
Weaknesses:
Uhhh, after a while they just didn't really......stop. Rear brake lever feels like a piece of poo. Pads suck serious boo-tang.
Similar Products Used:
Other Avid SD 10's
Bike Setup:
2000 17" Kona Cinder Cone, 2001 Marzocchi Z3 Coil, XTR derailleurs, XT shifters, Blackspire Ring God. Sun Rhyno Lite XL's and Truvativ Hussefelts coming.
Bottom Line:
These brakes kinda suck. But on the brighter side, they don't suck that much. I mean if you are on a budget and don't ride trials, in sick amounts of mud and rain (we get alot in Seattle) then these brakes might suit you very well. But if you are like me, ditch them and buy some higher level avids and boosters or Hydraulic disc brakes. Ride safely, wear a helmet, have fun and bike to work (it saves gas).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodstock, GA Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mountaintown Creek, GA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
AJ Barnes
Weaknesses:
Adjustment screw on rear brake stripped with no pressure at all -- just like a dozen other reviews below. Cheap, pot metal.
Bike Setup:
Came stock on my 2000 GF Sugar 3.
Bottom Line:
Buy something better than this brake. Might be inexpensive, but cheap is a better way to describe. Cheap made this a bad value rating also.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris venett
a Cross Country Rider
from fort braagg cal usa Date Reviewed: July 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
harisson street house
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
a friends house
Strengths:
nothing these brakes suck.
Weaknesses:
every thing. they dont work the springs bend, they go out of allignement and they just suck.
Similar Products Used:
dog poop
Bike Setup:
98 gary fisher hkek
Bottom Line:
dont buy these brakes they suck. if they come stock on your bike that would be the first thing you should change.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shaun
a Cross Country Rider
from cincinnati Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
harbin park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
cheap, simple, easy to service
Weaknesses:
not east to fine tune, maybe too cheap
Similar Products Used:
none yet
Bike Setup:
00 sugar 3 stock w/velociraptors
Bottom Line:
they work fine and dandy and have plenty of stopping power, but they do have a few problems. I stripped the screw on the rear brake after fiddling with it. I know how to adjust brakes, but it was just a weak screw. Also, the pins that hold them apart was hard to adjust and it was too close to the rim for comfort. The front brakes are fine so far and have required minimal adjusting. I am putting xt on the back only. I hear too much about squealing on the front.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andy
a Weekend Warrior
from pennsylvania Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Jim Thorpe
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
kizer gave `em to me!!!
Strengths:
S-I-M-P-L-I-C-I-T-Y!!!!!!!!!
Weaknesses:
can't find it yet
Similar Products Used:
shimano XT V-brakes, Magura hydrolics
Bike Setup:
I use them in conjunction with a set of bontrager ceramic mustang(Rear) valiant(fr.)
Bottom Line:
when I bought my `98 K2 it had crappy STX V-brakes & levers, after complaining they upgraded me to XT. this may have been a mistake! after a few months they were loose & rattling, which caused them to squeal louder than Ned Beatty in "Deliverance". the only remedy was to toe them in so much they barely stopped me.
a buddy gave me these brakes & levers since he had XTR stuff on his kona. they have been great. along with ceramic wheels the bike stops as well as any disk setup, even in mud & snow.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Budd Lake, NJ Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Deer Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
my friend
Strengths:
Great stopping power...Great all around brake for the price...Durable..Light
Weaknesses:
back brake seems to come out of alignment easily but no other big weaknesses.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX Brakes
Bike Setup:
`00 Access Alu frame,manitou mars c fork and LX build kit, Rolf Dolmite wheels
Bottom Line:
A great brake for the price if your into racing and not big on cash these are the brakes to buy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Atsugi Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
sagami river
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Stopping power
Weaknesses:
Pad Wear
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Alivio
Bike Setup:
Voodo with Mars C fork and Shimano XT components
Bottom Line:
This break set rocks! For the money they cant be beat. I weigh 210 and have no problems stopping, even on long down hills. If your on a budget I don’t see how you could beat these breaks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Douglas Powell
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterford, Mi. USA. Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
island lk rec. stoney, pontiac.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Stiff.\, smooth operation,
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
tektro,
Bike Setup:
I have them on two bikes. Mongoose sx4.5 Rigid bike. that i ride in the winter on the road. also a diamond back responce rigid bike set up for the road simalar to cannondales new bike the bad boy
Bottom Line:
can't beat the price 14.00 each. sure beats tektro.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zachary Wright
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA, USA Date Reviewed: March 14, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Beer run in Coole, CA
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Inexpensive and gets the job done.
Weaknesses:
The brakes break down. The alignment of the brake does not hold up to constant use. I had my break and had the adjusting screws strip out.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano's XT V-brakes.
Bike Setup:
Fisher: Hoo koo e koo
Bottom Line:
They may break down and not stop great all of the time if you don't constantly tune them, but hell they lasted 2 years before I started having major problems. At the time this brakes were better then Shimano's V-brakes. Now, these brakes are cheap enough to be changed every season, but I would save my money and buy better brakes. If you need inexpensive V-Brakes that will hold you for a while and don't minded tuning them after every ride these are your brakes. The alignment of the brake does not hold up for very long so be careful and check before you ride because it is a very painful lesson I learned too late.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guy harrington
a Downhiller
from derbyshire Date Reviewed: February 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
ENTHOVENS
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
stanley f's
Strengths:
ok good stopping power
Weaknesses:
not much movement
Similar Products Used:
avid magnesiums
Bike Setup:
psylos, quake 7,soon hopes
Bottom Line:
good but could do with adjustments to them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Billy Bianchi
a Cross Country Rider
from Farmington Hills, MI Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Stoney creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
From a friend
Strengths:
Great power *compared to my old no name sloppy as sh*t brakes*, good looks
Weaknesses:
Pads suck, kinda heavy
Similar Products Used:
sloppy sh*t
Bike Setup:
Nowhere Near Stock Trek 800 sp
Bottom Line:
I am a 180 lbs rider using these breaks, and i'll tell you,..no complaints here. i got them cheap from a friend, they work very well. no squeaking, i have to really get used to these to keep from endoing cuz they're much stronger than my old brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clint W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Mission Viejo Cali. Date Reviewed: January 25, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Oh, so many.
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Rock and Road
Strengths:
Easy to set up. Thats prety much it. Oh, they dont make any noise.
Weaknesses:
Strength!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT,XTR
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR, wheels are about the only stock thing, and the seat post (which is on its way out)
Bottom Line:
Two big problems with these breaks. 1) They flex like a spagetti noodle. You have a hard time putting any power into them. 2)Big fade. You start out at the top of the hill at your putting any type of real power into them. normal lever posision, by the time you reach the bottom of even a mild decent, you have the lever pulled to the bar. Sorry Avid, two chilies for the attempt.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from NH Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bear Brook
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$12.00
Purchased At:
from a friend
Strengths:
Cheap, simple, works, no paralell push
Weaknesses:
no paralell push, the springs wear out after a while (a long while) and one of the pins broke
Similar Products Used:
Rockshow disc (don't get me started)
Bike Setup:
Marin Indian Fire Trail (snapped recently) and a mish mash of stuf. Icon, avid brakes, XTR levers, marzocchi Z-3 Lite, etc...
Bottom Line:
Very good, simple brakes that work well. They are not fancy which could be good or bad. I use these with XTR levers for bike trials and XC when set up well they are very effective, so stopping power really isn't a problem. This is in the dry. They give what can be expected in the wet, although wet weather performance is mostly dependant on pads (I think.) They don't squeel, which is very nice. They probably won't last forever and ever but they last long enough and the price is fairly reasonable. Now I only with someone would make a brake just like this, except with stiffer return spring and beefier brake arms those wouldn't flex at all or get any weaker over time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik Woeldern
a Weekend Warrior
from Swdeden Visby Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Hangmans hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came stock on one of my previous bikes
Strengths:
Good looks and cool becouse not shimano:)
Weaknesses:
Their is no power in them compared to shimano v-brakes (XT)
They are nice but they don`t work if you are in a hurry, more like cruising brakes :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY Date Reviewed: October 25, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Similar Products Used:
Tektro 824A(decent but are nothing compared to Avids)
Bike Setup:
I demo'd a Rockhopper A1 Pro with these brakes(wow!)
Bottom Line:
HOT DAMN,these are pretty strong!A medium-hard pull causes the wheels to lock on-demand(as in FRIGGIN' RIGHT NOW!!Don't underestimate these!!).A hard pull almost throws you off the damn bike!THESE ARE NOT FOR BEGINNERS--they are very sensitive(like all Avid SDs)and demand careful use!
This notwithstanding,they do what good brakes should do--stop you immediately without fuss.
All the Avid models except for the more expensive models go through their stock pads pretty quick.No biggie--just get a good set of hard aftermarket pads and you'll have it made.
Good stopping power,looks awesome,not much flex,cool locking noodle,cheap,etc...THESE ARE A 5-CHILI ITEM!!
Best entry-level brake on the market.Wish I had some!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
spo dawg
a Weekend Warrior
from ann arbor, mi Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$36.00
Purchased At:
jenson usa
Strengths:
cheap, easy setup, decent asthetics
Weaknesses:
none for the price
Similar Products Used:
no-name v-brakes
Bike Setup:
stock Trek 6500
Bottom Line:
The brakes area great upgrade for those of you riding round on the no name crap that comes with many mt. bikes. The stopping power is better, the feel is better, and overall a more consistent performer. I paid $18 a piece for these brakes and got the levers set for $9 (from Jenson USA). XTR snobs may look down on you, but the fact is these brakes work well and are a great value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MIke Orr
a Weekend Warrior
from Redfield Date Reviewed: September 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any i can ride
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Good trusting break, quick stopping power nice looks.
Weaknesses:
Not always nice looks with some bikes, and spring tention is a bit high, but nothing really noticeable to me.
Similar Products Used:
LX V's, alivio canti, diacompe canit's, tektro v's, no name brand v's
Bike Setup:
Stock Trek 7000
Bottom Line:
Out of all the brakes I have tested, these have got to be the best. The have good consistent power the comes quickly, almost grabby at times. The springs are a bit stiff, but that is ok for me. The LX v's I used to have didn't push as much power with the same amount of effort. I like the way these look on my white 7000 too. I give them a 4 value and a 5 overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vince
a Cross Country Rider
from New Windsor, Maryland, USA Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Whites Bikes
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
These have been the worst V-brakes I've ever used. The spring tension is high and after only 2 weeks of using them they developed an extreme amount of free-play.
Similar Products Used:
shimano XT and LX V brakes
Bike Setup:
diamondback V-link 3.0, manitou sx-le fork
Bottom Line:
Junk, don't waste your money. Shimano LX V-brakes are a better buy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clay Buckalew
a Cross Country Rider
from Marietta,GA,USA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2000
A great brake with great stoppin power. I'd recomend buying this brake if your a light cross country rider. Not a 275 lbs downhiller. The only real weekness is the stock pads are way to soft. I recomend replacing them after you see what I mean.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christopher Grimes
a Cross Country Rider
from Thurmont, MD Date Reviewed: August 26, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
good looks, dtrong, fairly light, work adequetly
Weaknesses:
will not stay centered, fade pretty fast ,stock pads way too soft
Similar Products Used:
shimano LX
Bike Setup:
stock rockhopper pro
Bottom Line:
these brakes will do the trick, but on long decents, hang on, also be ready to clean your rims after every ride. I have used better stopping brakes, and will be upgrading, as soon as budget allows, also, become familiar with setting tension springs, these absolutelly will not stay centered for more than two pulls of the levers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carlos Oliveira
a Cross Country Rider
from Portugal Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Very simple, very powerful, excellent quality/price relation
Weaknesses:
Maybe They Could come with better pads.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore/alivio brakes
Bike Setup:
lx/xt avid brakes
Bottom Line:
They do have the brake power, but they could be better. Anyway it's a good investment for your money sopecially if you don't have plenty of it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Langdog
a Weekend Warrior
from Lenoir City,TN Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Haw Ridge Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
The brakes work very well when setup right.Inexpensive(great value).Quality
Weaknesses:
squealy brakes when wet sometimes and if not setup perfectly.
Similar Products Used:
no namers,shimano stuff
Bike Setup:
'99 Fisher HOO KOO E KOO
Bottom Line:
These brakes are a good bargain for the beginning rider. they have the perfect amount of stopping power and are easy to setup.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Mitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Weare, NH, USA Date Reviewed: July 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Clough State Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Good stopping power, works well all around
Weaknesses:
can squeel a bit when u go through water or mud, easy to lock up wheeles may be good may be bad
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
standard Haro EX2 1999
Bottom Line:
I like them but am looking at getting disk brakes. I like these brakes they work great, but I go through so much mud they are chewing up my rims and do not like that, although I am looking to stay with Avids
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Huey da duck
a Weekend Warrior
from B.C, Canada Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Cheap, work better than cantaleavers, dont squeel when wet decent when wet
Weaknesses:
weak for v-brakes
Similar Products Used:
old rusty cantalevers with very worn brake pads and
Bike Setup:
99 sasquatch
Bottom Line:
Better than cantalevers so all of you people who are complaining about the weakness when wet go try a pair of cantalevers, if you are still not happy then go spend $700 for some disc brakes
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Meech Lake decent
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Look nice Work pretty well when dry CHEAP
Weaknesses:
Squeal like a b!tch and don't work when wet
Similar Products Used:
No name V-brakes Old Shimano canti's
Bike Setup:
'00 Kona Caldera (read my review)
Bottom Line:
Good brakes when dry, bad brakes when wet. I can lock my front wheel on pavement when they are dry, but can barely stop when wet, and you let everybody in a five mile radius know your there from the sound. Work OK for now, but I will probably upgrade to an Avid Mechanical Disc when I change my hub
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from Hoboken, NJ Date Reviewed: June 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
blue mountain res
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
There better than using your feet
Weaknesses:
Tremendous amount of force needed to stop going down hill
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT V Brake
Bike Setup:
Trek VRX300 and Specialized Stumpjumper M2 FS
Bottom Line:
After using these brakes twice I was disappointed in their performance, they are ok if your tooling around but for serious stopping power they are quite lacking. I have to pull hard with all 4 fingers on a steep downhill. I would not recommend these brakes for any serious riding. On my stumpjumper I have the XT's and no matter the hill it's 2 fingers on the brake. What a huge difference!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
farmanimal
a Weekend Warrior
from kansas city Date Reviewed: June 16, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
nice upgrade for a relatively small sum of cash... shop around.... these brakes have worked very well for me, rain mud dust whatever... i have no complaints
Weaknesses:
i have worn some pads, but that may not relly be a weakness
Similar Products Used:
shimano.. tektro....dia compe
Bike Setup:
raleigh m7000 noleen chubby lt, fox rear, pedals, handlebars, grips, tires mavic 519rear, sun cr18 front blah blah blah
Bottom Line:
when i bought these brakes i had to be very budget concerned... they have worked well enough to make a believer out of me... my next bike will have avids on it they have good feel, and modulaation... i am eyeballing some mag 50 for my next ride....i will rate this as a five... good dollar value and they preform as well if not better than many more expensive brakes i have ridden
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Winsemius
a Weekend Warrior
from Soquel, CA, USA Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Nisene Marks
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Work well and light weight. Simple to set up.
Weaknesses:
Springs (both front and rear) have broken due to metal fatigue. Both springs failed at the second sharp bend from the pivot. They should have been annealed and rehardened after forming with such a sharp bend.
Similar Products Used:
Dia-Compe, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight-X, Chris King Hubs, Shimano XT/XTR drive drain, SRAM shifters.
Bottom Line:
One Year Wonders. The first spring broke during the Sea Otter Classic and put me from 11th to 50th because of the extra drag. If you've had these on your bike for more than 300 hours, better start thinking about a back-up plan.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Noah
a Cross Country Rider
from Northfield, Ma Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000
2000 K2 Zed X with panaracers and new brakes, gripshift 9.0 lineup
Bottom Line:
these brakes are clearly cheap, bottum of the line crap. im only 115 pounds and the brakes STILL dont do a thing; avid arch rival 40s are a relatively inexpensive upgrade that really works well. added to there terrible braking power the pads wore out in the first 2 weeks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Troy
a Weekend Warrior
from Georgetown, KY Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
They're cheap Easy to set-up
Weaknesses:
Wimpy Pads gone in a month of semi-wet riding.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT Various cantilevers
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Big Sur
Bottom Line:
Too wimpy for a big guy (200lbs.). Not as powerful as many cantilevers I've tried (SRP, Paul, Dia Compe). The Fisher I ride has some beefy chain stays, so I don't think a booster would help. Original pads wore out very quickly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Max Grass
a Cross Country Rider
from Bregenz Austria Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Pfänder - Ruggburg
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Cheap? Yea, gess so! Light? Well not heavy!
Weaknesses:
It does not brake!!!
Similar Products Used:
Lx-V's, old cantis and a few rides on HS-33
Bike Setup:
Mongoose Nx7.3pro hardtail frame (98) Manitou X-Vert DC (00) LX-XT
Bottom Line:
This brake sucks! At first power wasn't bad but after about 1 year it faded rapidly and now i can realy bend the brakearms when pulling hard! Not the cabels, but actually the brakearms! Guess I'll go for a hydraulic setup. Hs55 (disc) front (or maybe Hope) and Hs-33 rear (don't have a rear disc mount! Brake is OK for beginners or riders who don't go for the real stuff!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GammaDriver
a Cross Country Rider
from Pennsylvania Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Inexpensive (? came on a bike I bought) Look OK
Weaknesses:
Brake pad life - but the pads do modulate fine.
Similar Products Used:
Alivio cantilevers Magura HS-33's
Bike Setup:
Soft-tail w/these here brakes I'm reviewing.
Bottom Line:
It's been almost six months and I feel I can rate this product already. Primarily bought for, and used as, a commuter bike, this bike became my main ride after braking the frame on my better mt bike.
I've used the bike (with the brakes) for a few multi-hour rides since my last ride failed (I'm waiting for all the parts to build a new ride with the warrantied frame). Up until recently I have had no problems with these brakes. Just today, as I was riding around town, I realized my braking power was substantially reduced - a buddy pointed out the pads were in need of replacement. A short while later I was hearing metallic sounds when using the brakes, and once home found that one of the rear pads had worn a spot away to expose metal. My rim now has a valley in the middle of the non-drivce side's braking surface.
But up until now that pads did what they were supposed to do, and I blame myself for not reading the reviews earlier than this since they do warn about pad life.
The Avid levers that came with the bike seem very acceptable in feel and quality.
Overall this is my first set of V-brakes (having gone from canti's to HS-33's) and I'm pretty happy with them for the ways I use them. If I didn't think I was going to have a main mt bike built up again I'd switch them out for my Maguras though.
I'm torn for a rating since the pads weren't 'bad' per se, and the brakes aren't overly expensive (nor are they Shimanos) for what a person is getting. But how does one try to rate V-brakes fairly after extensively using HS-33's? There is, almost, no comparison in quality, ease of maintenance and modulation - compared to the HS-33's the Avid brake is almost a 3 chili product.
Basing it on what's out there for the money in V brakes, and for someone who obviuously isn't looking for the level of performance Maguras offer (due to economic reasons?), I'll say what the heck and give it a 5. (they are certainly 5's compared to the canti's I used to use)
If the brakes were any more expensive I'd be a lot tougher on the final rating, but I don't feel there's any sense in that for the market the brake serves.
Update: I saved this review on my computer for a few weeks (meant to hold it for a few days) in case I thought of something else. In that time I had to take care of the brake-pad problem I mentioned earlier. Luckily I had one set of brand new Aztec pads (black) that were sitting around. Put 'em on with some toe-in (just a little) and they work great. Aztec pads have mixed reviews, but I've taken my new set on some off-road rides and plenty of commuting rides, both in all conditions, and they seem like a great pads for the brakes. No squeal - fine braking and modulation power. Hopefully I'll get some of the long-life a lot of people have seen from their Aztec pads.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
intensebike
a
from NY Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
BETTER THE SHIMANO XT
Similar Products Used:
XT V-brakes and Treko
Bottom Line:
BETTER THAN XT-THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from New Mexico USA Date Reviewed: January 26, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The levers have a nice feel and shape.They haven't bent like a pair of my Dia Compe levers did. You can get more fingers on them than you can a pair of shimano levers. Pad wear has not been a problem using stock pads in all conditions wet muddy conditions, snow and dry over 3 months. Pads will last at least 3 more.
Weaknesses:
No weaknesses yet. They feel like sh!t if you use Shimano levers with them, too mushy, have to pull em to the bar and still dont have nearly as much power as they do with Avid levers.
Similar Products Used:
Dia Compe 737 Avid 20 Shimano V's Shimano cantilevers
Bike Setup:
2000 Specialzed Rockhopper A1 pro w/ Manitou SX (piece of Sh!t)
Bottom Line:
Have much better feel and more power than shimanos for lest cost would highly reccommend them. you can pull with 1 finger and have the back wheel off the ground ;}
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross-Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Came on the bike Avid has a good reputation
Weaknesses:
Pad life
Similar Products Used:
Diacomp V brakes Various Cantis U brake
Bike Setup:
Sunn Xchox, Avid SD 1.9 Levers
Bottom Line:
Went through the original pads in 4 half day rides on the North Shore and surrounding area. Fronts are down past the wear bars and the rears are down to metal. Anyone else eat pads this quickly? Original brake set up was by LBS. Other wise they seem to work fine. Minus 2 for poor pad life.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TREE
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle WA Date Reviewed: November 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
downtown Seattle
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
smooth cheap black color
Weaknesses:
need a very little more power.
Similar Products Used:
some cheap sh*t
Bike Setup:
trek7000
Bottom Line:
Since I am only 135 LBS ,stopping only need one finger!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI Date Reviewed: October 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Island Lake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Awesome modulation Great strength-no flex in the arms No grinding sounds on the rim like Shimano brakes when they start to fade. Sweet solid brake feel, no mush in the pads. Good looks
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XTR Shimano XT Shimano LX (both 98 and 99)
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Single speed and Cannondale hardtail for XC racing
Bottom Line:
These are the best Vs I have owned. They blow away my XTRs in overall performance, and they're half the price!!! The modulation is sweet as hell and they dont fade like the Shimano pads do. The solid feel is great too. If your 10s are mushy, theyre not set up right. Im using Avid 10 brakes with 1.0 levers on both bikes. With the money you save, get some XTR shifters, rear derailleur.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lee Chun
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bay Area Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999
Favorite Trail:
bah
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
(assuming the review is for Avid 1.0)good control, simple, easy to adjust brakes
Weaknesses:
not enough power. The leverage adjustments don't really do much, other than pull more cable. The levers build up play real quick. The levers are 3weeks old, and they wobble waaaayy more than my 6month old m600 levers. Brake lever arms are a little big for me, fits better on bigger hands. The levers are not smooth, when brand new. Greased up anything that moves, and it got better, but still wobbles and makes clicking noises.
Similar Products Used:
tektro, XT, LX, DX, various canti
Bike Setup:
DBR V-Link 3.2 98 Judy t2
Bottom Line:
The brakes give me excellent control, I haven't locked my wheels at all with good adjustment, but it would be nice if they were more powerful. I don't know which is worse, too much or too little power. Oh well, I would rather have LX/DX for sure. I wouldn't buy this brakeset aftermarket, because of the play wobble levers, and lack of power. Cheap(came on $650 f/s bike)/control makes it ok with me.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
spud
a Weekend Warrior
from ontario Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
im kinda half n' half with these brakes. the front is still working great,lots of power but the rear is shit. the return springs are shot!! and you cant replace them.so i might buy a pair of xtv's or avid 50's
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Damon
a Cross-Country Rider
from CT Date Reviewed: August 8, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
easy to set up, plenty of power
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
XTR, alivio p.o.s.
Bike Setup:
marin rocky ridge, full xtr(except the brakes), manitou spyder-r
Bottom Line:
when i bought the marin rocky ridge, i upgraded everything to xtr except the brakes. i saw no reason to. i've used xtr v-brakes and these are no different, except for maybe a little weight, for far less money. i'm using them with xtr levers and have ridden them hard for the last 3 months and they have never let me down.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bowdoinham, ME Date Reviewed: July 27, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
light powerful
Weaknesses:
N/A
Similar Products Used:
Dia-Compe Avid 20
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Moab 3 ('98)
Bottom Line:
Great brakes!! they work well in all conditions, good price, way better than shimano, I wish I could rate higher than five
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cole
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary AB Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very powerful brake, nice design, good price, possibly good competitor for XT but even better (tougher built)!!
Weaknesses:
No problems yet, goes through pads pretty fast
Similar Products Used:
XT, LX, 2.0 Avids
Bike Setup:
Simple 100 dollar specialized
Bottom Line:
Great set of brakes for the price, can't go wrong!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jarard Isler
a Cross-Country Rider
from New York Date Reviewed: April 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Van Cortland
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Stop on a dime. Simple setup.
Weaknesses:
I am only human and have the same frailties as everybody else.
Similar Products Used:
Alivo (ha, ha), xt, xtr
Bike Setup:
Trek 7000
Bottom Line:
Darn good breaks and levers, the levers are nice and short and they look cool. Great for people with big hands and I guess if you have little hands they will work for you also.Five Flaming dead Horses
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hj
a Cross-Country Rider
from nj Date Reviewed: April 2, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
these brakes work well,but i dont know how long these pads are going to last
Overall Rating:
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