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Avid
BB5 Mechanical Disc Brake
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Submitted by
MTBiker483
a Racer
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Ginny | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came w/ Rockhopper C | | Strengths: | Cheap, simple design, easy to work on (you will do this a lot), works reasonably well when tuned perfectly. | | Weaknesses: | Needs CONSTANT attention and tuning, not very powerful. I have gone on some long rides in which I got these tuned up perfectly before leaving, but completely failing before the end of the ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Elixir R | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc 29'er | | Bottom Line: | These brakes were a huge headache for me. They require CONSTANT adjustment to keep the clearance between the pads and rotors right to have any kind of decent braking power. If they aren't in tip top shape, they basically do not work. However, soon after a pad change and a good tune up, they temporarily work pretty well. The levers are very weak, just a tiny spill and they snap like twigs. A big weakness for these brakes was that they came on a 29'er with only 160mm rotors. On a 26'er I'm sure they would be a little better, but 160mm is not enough with these brakes to stop a 29'er. These brakes are not suitable for aggressive and fast mountain riding, but neither is the bike they came on (rockhopper), so I guess I would say you get what you pay for, and they're "ok" for the price. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
creeker_1
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great stopping ability. Have had no problems. Quiet and work in all conditions. | | Weaknesses: | None yet for me. | | Similar Products Used: | First Set of Disc Brakes | | Bike Setup: | GF Tassajara Stock | | Bottom Line: | Since they came on the bike they are great. If I was to buy new I would go with the BB7's but have no need to upgrade at this time. HAve worked excellent stopping all 220 lbs down some steep hills. I gave it 4 chilis overall as there are better mechanical brakes (BB7's). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joebob99
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Muir Beach drop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong braking, when it works. | | Weaknesses: | Avid BB5 front mechanical disk brakes came out of the box sounding like they were grinding metal. Three different mechanics at three different shops could align it to stop the squeaking, until the first descent and then the grinding would start. | | Similar Products Used: | Have had disk brakes on other bikes. Never had a lemon until this one. | | Bike Setup: | Motobecane cyclocross, nice all around bike. | | Bottom Line: | Avoid the Avid BB5 ball bearing mechanical disk brakes. The front brake has never worked properly. Avid has no manual on how to trouble shoot the BB5 ball bearing. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
legitsauce
a Cross Country Rider
from El Paso, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Crazy Cat Cyclery | | Strengths: | Disc Brakes, Slightly better than V-Brakes | | Weaknesses: | Old technology, overpriced, bad for Mountain biking, hard adjustments and easily has problems | | Similar Products Used: | V-Brakes
Tektro IOX
| | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000
Avid Ball Bearing 5
RockShox Dart 3
Sram X-5 derailer and trigger system | | Bottom Line: | The brakes are okay but are way overpriced and are as good as Tektro IO's. Had the bike for a week and brakes already started having problems. The brakes are alright for road and hill but not mountain biking. For the price go with Tektro IOX because they are cheaper and have the same power. But with me I am going to upgrade to Avid BB7's since they are mountain bike ready and great long lasting brakes for just $20 more! Trust me old technology that is overpriced!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zalexi
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | BSP | | Strengths: | Cheap, reasonable braking power when they work | | Weaknesses: | Very difficult to replace the pads, pads wear often, require frequent maintenance, have experienced complete and immediate loss of braking power on several occasions. | | Similar Products Used: | Hope Mono 4, Avid Juicy | | Bike Setup: | Steelwool Tweed | | Bottom Line: | Sudden loss of braking power is reason enough to avoid these brakes. My LBS complains about the difficulty in replacing the pads. My Avid Juicy's malfunctioned as well. Buy Hope - I have not had any problems with my Hope brakes since 2005. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Cheap, stop ok, better than V-brakes in the wet / snow. | | Weaknesses: | Not as good as Avid BB-7, harder to setup and adjust. Don't have same stopping power. For the extra $30, I wish I bought another set of BB-7 which I use on my other bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB-7. | | Bike Setup: | Fuji Vevada - commuter bike mainly, MTB riding in winter only. | | Bottom Line: | Spend the extra few bucks and buy BB-7's !!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nell7806
a Weekend Warrior
from Bulacan/Cavite/Q.C.
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Carmona-Davilan & Reverse Upak | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Cycle Zone Alabang | | Strengths: | better than other brands like...breaking power is sufficient for XC rides... | | Weaknesses: | not for those people who hates picking up their bike tools | | Similar Products Used: | shimano, MOB... | | Bike Setup: | Trek6000 SLR Frame (STOCK Built Bike)
RockShox Dart1
Deore FD, RD, Triggers...
M475 Hubs
Wellgo Platforms
Bontrager Select Stem, Handlebars, Seatpost, Saddle...
Bontrager Ranger Rims
Bontrager XC Jones
BB5/Tektro Levers | | Bottom Line: | price is just...
better with Teflon coated cables...
time to time cleaning would be best if you like to jump into rivers and mud pools...
a very good mech break system, (but still BB7s are better) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Natedogz
a Cross Country Rider
from NorCal
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stop pretty well on 26" wheel bike, but insufficient on 29er in rugged and/or high speed trail conditions. These brakes came with both bikes. | | Weaknesses: | Pads wear quickly especially on my 29er due to the increased wheel diameter and mass. Finicky to adjust, the cone type washers that they mount with make them even more of a hassle to adjust. Only one pad adjuster knob, so constantly need to loosen mounting bolts to readjust for pad wear. Small brake pad surface area, therefore accelerated pad wear. Need larger than 160mm rotors on a 29er at least in the front. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Specialized Rockhopper Disc and Rockhopper Disc 29er, both bikes came with these brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Specialized Rockhopper Disc and Rockhopper Disc 29er, both bikes came with these brakes and while they do pretty well on the 26" wheel bike, they are not enough on a 29er for me (205 lbs ready to ride) on steep and/or technical trail! Both bikes have 160mm rotors front and rear, and Dart3 fork that also comes with these bikes is not rated for larger rotor...which would help the stopping especially on my 29er.
I'm actively searching to replace these with something that stops better, needs less adjusting/pad replacement, but doesn't brake the bank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sunn Xchox
a Cross Country Rider
from Williamsburg, VA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | New Quarter Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$34.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes Unlimited | | Strengths: | Price
For those new to the world of disc brakes the BB5 is a great cheap way of learning. Paired with Avid Speed Dial Levers the brakes are easy to modulate and set up. Pads are also very cheap and easy to find. | | Weaknesses: | The brakes are quite heavy. Somewhat hard to set up. Set up is crucial to performance. Just simply follow the directions on Youtube.com and you'll have a perfect system. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes S0le
Hayes MX-2 | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Sunn Xchox Alu
-2007 SID Race
-XT 8-speed 11-32
-CST Chicopee tires | | Bottom Line: | Great value for those new to the world of disc brakes! Set up is CRUCIAL. For those looking for a cheap alternative to disc brakes look here. For the weight weenies look elsewhere. I enjoy the wide range of modulation the brakes offer when paired with Speed Dial Levers. I only wish the brakes were a bit lighter and the stock disc rotor the roundagon is VERY heavy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fugazie
a Cross Country Rider
from kingsport Tn. USA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Bays Moutain Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | I purchased a TREK 6000 and the Avid BB-5 brakes were part of the stock setup. I never had a problem with these even after using them hard. They always worked great and stopped the bike on a dime. | | Weaknesses: | They can generate a little noise when wet. Here's a little trick. Check the pads and if they are in good condition with no contamination, remove the wheel from the bike and lightly polish the rotors with emory cloth. just enough to remove the glaze that builds up. Clean the rotor with alcohol, don't touch the rotors with your fingers, after they dry replace the wheels. This should work. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Juicy 7.....Great.. | | Bike Setup: | I've changed quite a few things on the TREK. Wheels,Tires,Brakes,Saddle,Handle bars and stem...A Great bike just keeps getting better.... | | Bottom Line: | Avid BB-5 Brakes are good brakes, They just need a little care in use and setup....Thanks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
_Lac_Man_
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | SoMo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Sturdy, Easy to Maintain, Stop on a Dime. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've found thus far. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel EX | | Bottom Line: | I'm comparing these to the disc brakes on my hardtail Trek - they are Shimano something or others - so in comparison to those Shimanos, these re beautiful. They grip like champs, dust and dirt hasn't phased them at all in the short time I've had them. If something does happen to them, I'll probably swap them with BB7s. I'e heard to many complaints about hydraulic...might look into them more. For now though, these things are great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
titmouse
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawrenceville, GA USA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Yargo, GA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Used for rear brake (upgrade from V-brake system) - Good stopping (Note: power braking provided by front system due to physical laws of nature). | | Weaknesses: | Adjustments - pain in the butt! Once adjusted properly (like everything else), brakes work adequately. | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro IO disc, standard V-Brake systems. | | Bottom Line: | Good all around brakes - if you are a weight weinee, then you should look else where. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lew242
a Cross Country Rider
from China
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | local | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS China | | Strengths: | Good stopping power, good modulation | | Weaknesses: | Stock rotors
BB7 cost a little more but have much better rotors.
Small rotors always get too hot and fade on big hills. | | Similar Products Used: | Some Shimano low-medium end disk brakes. About the same price as these but worse. | | Bike Setup: | hardtail | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are perfectly OK in my opinion in terms of the caliper.
to use the brakes you need:
1. Good levers such as sd7
2. Good (preferably braided cables)
3. Better rotors than stock, maybe better pads too.
4. Some idea of how to maintain things properly
5. Ability to read instructions as how to set them up properly.
6. The knowledge that touching the pad or rotor surface will contaminate the pad or rotor with oil from your skin.
It seems to me that lots of people have no idea what they are doing with these brakes, as they are all coming to these from v-brakes as their first disk.
BB5's need to be maintained, and set up properly, that means you have to change the pads when they become contaminated or sand them off. You also need better rotors than stock, these need to be removed and cleaned properly in Isopropyl alcohol and or detergent and water probably once every 500 miles or so depending on the conditions.
Would I buy these again? No, because avid juicy and BB7 come with much better rotors and bigger pads.
To call them worse than v-brakes is nonsense.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sabreth
a Downhiller
from Keizer, Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Rock Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Shilo Bicycles | | Strengths: | Simple and effective for medium duty riders. | | Weaknesses: | Not the best stopping power; constantly having to make adjustments to them. | | Similar Products Used: | None (first set) | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Haro X2 Xtreme | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are good for introduction to Disc Brake Systems. They are simple and easy to maintain and adjust. These came on my Haro and for my uses they have been decent; however now that I am getting into more mountain riding (all mountain and downhill) they don't have the power or modulation required. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joogoosen'
a Weekend Warrior
from VA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came with bike at LB | | Strengths: | Came with bike, Avid is a good company | | Weaknesses: | SQUEALING Like NAILS scratching a chalkboard, Seems to easy to loosen tension between lever and brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB7 | | Bike Setup: | GF 29er Cobia, Ergon GX-2 carbon barends, Avid BB7's mech disc brakes, upgraded saddle. | | Bottom Line: | These were too much of a hassle if you ride in dusty or muddy conditions...It came with the bike, and as most of these reviews point out, worked pretty well at first...after that it was painful just to try to brake coming downhill, especially trying to stop before hitting you wiped out pal...they eventually told me to just keep going and not to try to stop, they'd rather be run over than hear the damn brakes!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Apex
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingston, ONT
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | CB | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | JJ | | Strengths: | Great value, good stopping power for a cable brake once you get them dialed in. | | Weaknesses: | no modulation, hard to set up right, if pads or disc get contaminated they won't stop | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Hifi | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up from a past review of the BB5's. Since my last review I have finally been able to get them set up right and realized why at times I had no stopping power, it was a simple case of contaminated pads and disc. Even touching the disc with my hand would contaminate it enough to not lock up, but having a bottle of alcohol in the house helps, just pop the pads out, sand them down with some 300grit paper, wipe them with alcohol same with the disc and they are solid stoppers all over again. They certainly don't have the nice feal of some hydro's nor the stopping power, but for the price of the BB5's they are great value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dean minett
a Weekend Warrior
from langley,bc canada
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Affordable, excellent stopping power when time is taken to set up properly. | | Weaknesses: | Finicky for setting up. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '96 Super V Avid BB-5's, M580 drive train, Control Tech seatpost/stem, Sun Singletrack/XT hubs. | | Bottom Line: | I was hesitant to go to disc's over V's due to a lack of experience so I picked up the BB-5's new as a first disk set. I was also a little hesitant because of the mixed reviews for stopping power. It took me about fifteen minutes to dial them in, and I must say that my first impression was poor. They wouldn't stop at all. After breaking them in properly these things stop my 200lbs of body and 30lbs of Super V like I've never stopped before. Way better than my SD-7's. Set up properly these brakes are great especially for the $60.00 I spent! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Kansas
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Haven't found any yet. | | Weaknesses: | They don't stop the bike. My rear hasn't worked right since day #1, and it isn't a setup issue. Possibly a pad was contaminated and i have new ones on order, but I for my first set of disc brakes, i have to say that v-brakes are MUCH better.
When i got this bike a year ago the BB5's had good reviews. Since then it appears people have discovered the truth. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000 | | Bottom Line: | My daughters barbie bike from target has better brakes than these. My LBS guy sold me on disc brakes after years of v-brakes only.
He told me i will never go back to v's. Man was he wrong. It is so bad that i am thinking about selling the bike eventhough i love the frame, just so i can get linear pull brakes!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Renton, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | tiger mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | huge stopping power, smooth, easy to adjust once you get the hang of it. 185mm rotors must help a bit. :P | | Weaknesses: | debris always seems to get stuck on the brake pads causing some nasty grinding sounds after riding in water, sand and what not. i have to remove the pad and use light sand paper to get it to go away. | | Similar Products Used: | non, first experience with disks | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Phantom 29er | | Bottom Line: | I'm pleased with disk brakes, I was a bit skeptical at first but now I'm sold. I'm not even sure i would buy hydraulic disk brakes when these work so well. great product, Avid sure does have it right. I'm sure the bb7's are even better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Maxwell AFB, AL
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | OEM on Woodstock 707 | | Strengths: | No fluids to mess with. | | Weaknesses: | PITA to set-up. There's the Avid manual technique. The business card technique. And various combinations of those. I've yet to get them where I'd like, but they do stop. | | Similar Products Used: | None - first time I've had discs | | Bike Setup: | Avid BB5s with 160mm rotors and Avid FR-5 levers. I'm 220-240 pounds. | | Bottom Line: | I'm a heavy guy. I'm guessing once I do get them set-up right, the 160mm rotors may prove small.
Setup shouldn't be such a tedious affair.
I wouldn't buy them. But they are good enough for a budget OEM disc spec. If just buying a new mechanical disc set-up, it appears the BB7 is the way to go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trevor
a Weekend Warrior
from Silverthorne, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | peaks (Frisco to Breckenridge) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Sports Outlet | | Strengths: | Works | | Weaknesses: | needs fiddled with from time to time | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Specialized hard rock | | Bottom Line: | BB5's came stock on bike I purchaed mostly for commuting in Colorado mountain winter/snow conditions. The bike sees some use during the summer for biking up and down the bike trails on abandoned ski slopes. Bike/brakes has over 800 miles. After numerous futile adjustments I am replacing the pads with Kool Stop to see if performance improves. I have tried surfacing the pads and profiling the rotors to no avail. They rarely make noise but stopping distance is 2-3 times what is was when they were new. The brakes seem to be worth the money but the pads have always seemed lackluster. If I had a do over I would have purchaed an upgraded bike with hydraulic brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Simple, better that using a stick in the spokes | | Weaknesses: | When they get wet you might want to use that stick to stop | | Similar Products Used: | V brake | | Bike Setup: | trek fuel ex 5.5, juciy 3s, panaracer fire xc's, egg beaters, rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | went from v brakes to disk and hoped to get an improvement in stopping power but that didnt happen. I live in Oklahoma where there are not just an abundance of long downhill sections and these brakes worked fine...until i ride in wet conditions. Once wet, the brakes lose all stoping power, are very loud (i understand the are disks but still...),and the stock roters are not very self cleaning. Overall, unless they come on the bike, or you stay on the road, i would spend the $20 extra and get the bb7s. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a Weekend Warrior
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hillside Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$74.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Cheap, easy to adjust, and they can stop you in a heartbeat. | | Weaknesses: | Must be used with Avid FR5 or Speed Dial levers, otherwise its like using a light switch to brake (either on or off) | | Similar Products Used: | Cantilever and V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback Response, only the seat and the seatpost are stock. | | Bottom Line: | I am 6'6" tall 250 lbs, and the BB5 brakes stop me and 30 lbs of bike without breaking a sweat (or my wallet). they modulate well (as long as you use Avid levers), and they stop! (sent me over the handlebars the first time I grabbed them hard) Just keep them adjusted and they will serve you fine.
Great product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Van Dellen
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Cheap. Black. Effective. | | Weaknesses: | They really do need to be adjusted pretty damn well to work really well. The pads are a bit small. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid bb7, Sram 9.0, Hope Mono M4, Avid Juicy 5, Avid Juicy 7, Shimano Deore Mechanical, Shimano Hone, Magura Julie, Magura hydraulic rim brakes, etc.
| | Bike Setup: | Cane Creek levers, BB5 brakes w/203mm rotors, QBP housing and cables. | | Bottom Line: | So, being both practical AND aesthetically motivated, I decide to move the bb7's off my cargo bike and put the bb5's on (the bike is VERY black). Retarded? Maybe, but that's ok. Every week I deliver 5-600 pounds of magazines with this bike and a trailer, and I have NEVER had a need for more power. Now, granted, I'm a mechanic, and I set these brakes up all the time, but it's not THAT hard. The 203mm rotors obviously help with the stopping power, and if I wasn't using those, I'd switch back to the bb7 (especially since they're now made in charcoal), but even with my 200 pound self, 300 pounds of magazines on the trailer (per load), 35 pounds of bike, 35 pounds of trailer, and 20 pounds of bag, I still find it EASY to stop, and a damn sight quicker than I could with anything else. If you're so broke that you CAN'T spend the extra $20 on bb7's, buy these. They really can work great if you have the patience and know-how to set them up properly. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Tx USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price? They came stock. Otherwise, none. | | Weaknesses: | Unreliable, squeaky, cheap. | | Similar Products Used: | BB7s | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Disc w/Kenda Navagals, Manitou Minute 3 fork, XTR pedals, BB7 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | These were terrible brakes for me. They came stock on my bike and I was back to the store within two weeks because they were squeaking whenever I rode. The store fixed them up for me, but a quarter of a mile into the next ride I had the same problem. Back to the store, another fix. Back on the trail, same problems. I eventually had them replace, at no cost, the front brake with a BB7. The difference was night and day. Over the next month I rode with the BB5 on the rear and had to tape it up with electrical tape. Try riding with your friends and having to stop so you can tape up your bike, pretty lame. It's a good way to get a bad nickname.
A month later I had to replace the rear with the BB7 because the 5 was so unacceptable. Note though, I never had any stopping problems. The brakes were ok on that part, stopping was slow, action was weak and squishy. Overall the 7s are in a different league than the 5s and well worth the money. The BB5s were, without a doubt, the worst component on my bike and the worst component I've ever dealt with period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John R.
a Cross Country Rider
from salinas, CA, U.S.
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | blueskycyclig.com | | Strengths: | cheap, combo pack including, rotors, brakes, cables, and levers. | | Weaknesses: | started squeaking in the back and became kind of loose. | | Similar Products Used: | first disc brakes ive used | | Bike Setup: | specialized hardrock comp with manitou nixon elite and new mavic rims | | Bottom Line: | these breaks are great for me because i am 16 and i dont have a job yet so money is scarce. i was able to buy the brakes, rotors, cables, and levers for 50 bucks. it was a very good price for this setup. i started having a little trouble with the back break but i think it was just installed poorly. these breaks have great stopping power and suit my needs. i go on trail rides and the occasionl drop or jump and i have never needed anything more. these breaks are cheap but are not crappy. look into them.. they are good brakes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, CA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hurkey Creek Park (24hrs/Adrenalin Course) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Cannondale OEM | | Strengths: | Easy & flexible adjustability, Reliable stopping power, One-finger braking. | | Weaknesses: | Front pads always out of adjustment, noisy Roundagon rotors, high-speed fade. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT, Hayes Sole(not very good), CODA(even worse). | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Cannondale F600 Furio hardtail w/ Headshok Ultra Fatty DLR; MAVIC XM117/DT Swiss wheelset, Thomson Elite seatpost, SRAM X.7 shifters/RD, SRAM PG990 Cassette, FSA/ISIS crankset/BB, Fizik HP Ti saddle, Crank Bros Smarty clipless pedals, Avid BB5/FR-5 brake levers. Amounts to a 24lb XC hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | Make sure the BB5 disc brakes are combined with either the Avid Speed Dial, or 155gram/pair FR-5 V-brake levers......or else suffer from almost NO MODULATION. The Avid levers simply go best with this setup, hands-down. Everything else(levers) are either ON, OFF, or too HARD.
The BB5 is a great system to start on mechanical disc brakes- but as your skills rapidly improve, you will demand more precision, adjustability, and even more brake modulation. That is why I am ready to upgrade to the Avid BB7s, with the larger, 185mm rotors(superb heat dissapation). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabriel Porras
a Racer
from Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Cartago | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Ciclo Carlos Mata | | Strengths: | Easy to Maintain. It breaks pretty good. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale, everything with XT. | | Bottom Line: | If you know how to use the breaks you won't have any problem with pads. I use to do long downhills and the breaks work good every time If you know Costa Rica. You know that MTB is MTB here.
If you want a better pads, you will have to buy the Kool Stop brand. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Griffin
a Downhiller
from Carlisle, MA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Heartbreak Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$880.00 | | Purchased At: | Came on Bike (wheel works) | | Strengths: | great for xc | | Weaknesses: | when pads wear hard to adjust outer
get to hot and fade
pads too small | | Similar Products Used: | juicy 5 (friends bike) | | Bike Setup: | '07 Rockhopper comp disc w/ RockShox revelation 426 | | Bottom Line: | started off casual but as i got better the brakes got worse, get hydraulics and if your afraid of bleeding your brakes get bb7 for the extra $20-$40, just dont get these usless all you do is just do xc/flat trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Southworth
a Cross Country Rider
from Landenberg, PA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Fair Hill, MD | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Cheap, easy initial install | | Weaknesses: | A nightmare to keep adjusted, poor stopping power compared to BB7's. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes hydros, BB7's. | | Bike Setup: | Wife's bike | | Bottom Line: | These are just plain awful brakes....period. For the relatively small amount of extra investment, go the BB7. The 7's are way easier to adjust and have a decent amount more stopping power, due to better and bigger pads. I bought these for my wife thinking I'd save a couple of bucks, but these have been much more of pain than they're worth. If considering mechanical brakes - the BB7 is the CLEAR winner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume Trail at Tahoe | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance (w/bike) | | Strengths: | Simple to maintain | | Weaknesses: | Useless and dangerous on long downhills; overheat and fade to no brakes at all after 250 meters of continuous descent. No high temp brake pad formulations are available for this model.... | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB-7, various V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Iron Horse Azure Sport 2007 | | Bottom Line: | These disk brakes have smaller pads than the BB-7, or than most hydraulic brakes, so they get hotter. Also, the only pads available for them are Avid's organic pads. These have little intrinsic friction against steel, but a few stops on the flats will "wear them in", i.e, transfer some material to the rotors, after which they have plenty of friction.
But on a long descent they get so hot that this boils off, and suddenly you have no stopping power at all. And they stay hot for a while...I had to walk down the last 2000 vertical feet on my last ride. I've replaced them with BB-7's which can be had with high temp brake pads. The BB-5's are safe only on flat rides or short hills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Dalton
a Cross Country Rider
from MO
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | cable operation is simple- no bleeding or leaking, works well when setup properly | | Weaknesses: | setup process can be aggravating until you get it right | | Similar Products Used: | various V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000 hardtail | | Bottom Line: | OEM BB5s on new Trek 6000. my brakes came very poorly setup from the shop, required adjustment before almost every ride and made frequent, loud noises. after screwing around with it for a month and getting no love I tried the suggestion from a previous reviewer below: loosening the caliper bolts, tightening the pad adjuster all the way in, squeezing the lever and retightening the caliper bolts. had to also adjust the cable after this, but the brakes have worked perfectly ever since, with no noises or adjustments needed. bike now stops strong, consistent, and quiet, i will not upgrade these brakes for a long time.
As a separate note, the bike came with cheap Tektro levers which really suck. I found a pair of the Avid FR-5 levers online for $15, which is MUCH better and makes the whole system feel like it's higher quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Wright
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | PMSP | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$56.00 | | Purchased At: | Carolina Triathlon | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, easy to set up (though evidently not for my LBS), decent modulation | | Weaknesses: | Low power, fade under heavy use, occasionally makes odd noises | | Similar Products Used: | None; first disk brakes | | Bike Setup: | 26" wheels, brake is on a Mavic Crossmax SL, Avid adjustable pivot levers | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to a review I posted shortly after mounting these brakes. They have seen a fair amount of use and service since then. Power did improve during break-in, but still didn't get to the power level of the replaced V-brake.
Looking very closely at the disc and pads during activation, I realized that the LBS had mounted the calipers incorrectly. They were twisting the disk instead of just deflecting it slightly. Careful remounting of the caliper took care of most of the squealing.
These brakes do fade when used heavily, which is a bit disconcerting. A little perspective on that may help. I weigh 180 (~215 including bike and typical riding stuff). This past weekend's rides at Tsali included negotiation of some 10% - 20% downslope tight switchbacks during which I lost maybe 100' elevation. Speed had to be kept down due to many moderate rock & root drops and the narrow twisting trail line. I was completely relying on this BB5 front brake. During these descents I noticed an amount of fading that was not confidence-inspiring. By the bottom I was squeezing a good bit harder than at the top, and had to wrap all my fingers around the lever because there was no longer room between the lever and grip. I prefer to brake with a couple fingers on the lever and a couple on the grip.
I ride descents like that from time to time, but not every day, so my plan is still to stick with the BB5 for a while. There is a good chance that I will go to a 180mm hydraulic brake in the next 6 - 12 months. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ciobica Vladimir
a Weekend Warrior
from Radautzi, Romania
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | >:) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | very good brakes...good stopping power...very good modulation | | Weaknesses: | let's be honest at this price...these brakes are very good ...yes they make noise ...and yes they are a bit hard to mount but once o have set them up corectly ..there a fine friend
| | Bike Setup: | Fun Works Dirt Diggler...Marzocchi...Avid... | | Bottom Line: | good brakes for the money...i have the 7" rotor...on the back ...and i use the bike mostly for street ...and i am very happy :D | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fraser
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Tanglefoot Track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Cycle Science | | Strengths: | Reasonable Build Quality, Ok stopping power IF setup right | | Weaknesses: | Painful to setup correctly, Brake Pad life, Brake Pad availability, Brake Pad cost, Squeeeeeak... | | Similar Products Used: | XT V-Brakes, LX V-Brakes | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Furio | | Bottom Line: | These base model brakes came with the bike. Took it back to the shop twice to get them to fix the squeeeealing noise... still want quite right.
Once (and only once) these are setup correctly, they stop fine - well, better than V-brakes anyway - and for as long as the pads last, which is not long.
There's only an pad adjustment on one side, so getting them setup right can be a pain. In comparison, the Avid BB7 (which I have literally just replaced the front set with) was easy-peasy to setup.
I was lucky to get more than a few months out of each set of pads (front and rear) - not sure if this is normal for mech disc brakes, but the co$t starts to add up, especially at A$30 a pop for a set.
Oh, and the tiny fiddly clips that hold those pads in? VERY easy to lose.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brad buob
a Weekend Warrior
from thunder bay ontario canada
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | all over | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | freshair experiance | | Strengths: | (abouve price was whole bike) wen it locks up it locks up | | Weaknesses: | rather useless wen any kinda mud or forign materials come into contact with rotor | | Similar Products Used: | hayes mx1 , hAYES HFX9 shamano xtr (shifter brakes) | | Bike Setup: | 05 norco tactik 8" bb5's stock except grips, rims s-Type (camo), and tires | | Bottom Line: | thease brakes work well wen properly maintained and adjusterd (rotors need 2 be cleaned frequently) the bb5's have crazy stoping power on an 8" rotor but are rater useless wen mud gets into rotors. thease brakes would be best suited for clean dry places but are of great quolity for the price paid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Cohen
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Lauderdale, Fl USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Razorback, Ocala | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | For the money you can't beat it. Long wear, great bite and modulation. | | Weaknesses: | Finicky, if you do a long ride with alot of braking you will need to adjust next run. Caliper grabs from one side so proper set up is a must. | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro IO, Hayes HFX-9 | | Bike Setup: | IronHorse Warrior Pro FS; Gt avalanche 3.0 disc HT | | Bottom Line: | I had these on both my bikes and I love them for the cheap way to get excellent braking! Anyone who says they make alot of noise or don't grab is because they did not set them up correctly, which is an art all in it's self. If you loosen the mount screws, turn the back pad in all the way, then back out 2 clicks, then squeeze the brake lever, tighten the screws, then back the back pad out another 2 clicks, they should be perfect and give you excellent braking no matter what condition. Never any noise. I replaced the stock pads with kool stop ones because i love those pads. but if you're a poor college kid like me, you cant beat it, although the hayes hfx-9 carbons i have recently acquired on ebay for $70 shipped. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Calica
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn, New York
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | prospect park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$34.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Simple, easy to maintain, weight and looks good. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe my stock avid fr-5 levers but none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | hayes hfx-9, avid's juicy 7. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Specialized FSR xc, Rock Shox Tora 302, Deore front and rear, avid bb5 with fr-5 levers, but mostly stock. | | Bottom Line: | This brakes are awesome, you have to learn how to set them up good...if you do you will be very happy and plus with the price I paid for them, you cant go wrong. Some people complain about there stopping power, but like I said before have them set up nicely and they will be your best friend on any trails. I will be upgrading soon to Hydros though cause of the bling factor but I am very satisfied with this brakes for at least till I get the upgrade. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pedro
a Weekend Warrior
from Santarém, Portugal
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Good braking, not to much noise as I thought, not too heavy. | | Weaknesses: | When I'm stopped on my bike, the rear brake bites on the rotor when I touch the lever a bit. | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro IO, Shimano Deore Mechanical Disc | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock Comp 2007 | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that these brakes are good for trail riding and I would reccomend them to anyone. But I prefer the BB7 instead because they have a bit more modulation and stop quicker. If you need a good disc brake choose the bb5 (they are good but not as good as his older brother) but if you want extra braking power and you're willing to spend 160 dollars in a pair of disc brakes go with the bb7. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Aichi Ken, Japan
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | my way to school | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Zunow Bikes Nagoya | | Strengths: | If the brakes are set up correctly, they will stop you. I agree with one reviewer that you might want to set the brakes tighter fit at first, then ease off on the adjustment wheel to get a 'strong' brake feel. | | Weaknesses: | a) The rotors are noisy which indicates to me that there is play and friction somewhere. Personally, I could care less what the bike looks like, but if the bike makes noise... I want to give up cycling. In any event, when you get speed up, the rotors start to hum so loud that people can hear you coming from quite a way. b) Much worse, though, brake cables wear out and snap easily on the set up. In the last year, I have had six broken cables (both front and back combined). Because I ride in traffic with plenty of cars around, a broken brake cable is the last thing I want. Thinking about going down a big hill makes me shudder. Very scary. So we's gonna dump the brakes (and I should have insisted that my mechanic did it a long time ago.) I haven't heard what we are putting on instead, but I will shell out the cash for some quiet, efficient brakes that work. | | Similar Products Used: | V brakes | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Utopia 19 " | | Bottom Line: | They say you get what you pay for, and that's probably the story here, too. I have no idea how much these brakes cost; they were standard on the bike that I bought. As for future bikes, I would like to say that disc brakes are the way; at least, they will save you time and frustration on brake pad replacement. If you do have AVID BB5 brakes on your bike, especially if it's a Fisher Utopia, check the brake cables every time you get on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Local shops | | Strengths: | PRICE! Quality! | | Weaknesses: | For the price, you cant complain. | | Similar Products Used: | V-brakes, hayes | | Bike Setup: | Freeride setup - soul cycles frame | | Bottom Line: | bottom f'in line:
-get some nice $30 avid brake levers
-run straight housing to the rear brake, front also(obviously)
-lube the crap outta the housing
-adjust the the pads real close to the disc so the disc rubs a little, and the levers feel good.
-ride it hard for a day till they feel a little different
-re-adjust these bad boys.
There awesome! For the price and the stopping power you can't complain. If you knowledgeable in bike repair or bring your bike to a good mechanic they'll get these bad boys in awesome shape.
I happen to be a bike mechanic and I've played around with probably every popular disc brake around and avid makes a hell of a mechanical disc brake. the bb5 and the bb7 are badass brakes for the money. the bb7's i honestly dont see a big difference besides color. braking i find to be the same.
You want a cheap, well working disc brake? Get these. Have a good mechanic set them up. You'll be happy. And if anyone tells you different, punch them in the mouth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in Capitol Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very smooth braking, even for a heavier rider like myself. Plenty of stopping power. Looks clean. Low maintenance req. | | Weaknesses: | None found so far | | Similar Products Used: | TekTro Discs (underpowered) | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Specialized RH Comp | | Bottom Line: | Although these came with my bike, I was specifically looking for a bike with these disc brakes (or 7s) because of all of the high reviews and let me tell you, they deserve their praise.. I would recommend these to my mother. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Wright
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | PMSP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$56.00 | | Purchased At: | Carolina Triathlon | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, fairly lightweight, good modulation, typical advantages relative to V brakes | | Weaknesses: | Weak braking power, some squealing, weak braking power, did I mention that their braking power is weak? | | Similar Products Used: | Plenty of V brakes; I used these to dip my toe into the world of disk brakes | | Bike Setup: | Train wreck of replacement parts hung over the years on a 2000 Marin Eldridge Grade; currently a double single speed (34/19 and 36/17) | | Bottom Line: | I don't normally review products so soon after buying them, but it was obvious right away how these brakes were going to work out. I went from a front V brake to one of the BB5s to try a disk brake at the reco of a nearby bike shop. They set up my Speed Dials to soften the brake power and cautioned me to take it easy to avoid being thrown over the bars. What a laugh! I guess they never used these brakes, because they have much less power than my V did. I can't go back because a new disc-only wheel is involved. Oh well.
On a brighter note, later on I used the Speed Dials to up the power on the BB5 and drop the power to my back V. The setup is tolerable now - enough so that I will ride them for a while before deciding which better disk brake to buy. They do have pretty good modulation, which will be handy during some downhill switchbacks on a regular route.
Ratings? They are cheap and do the job, but I can't give them a 5 for value because I am likely to toss them in the next few months. If what you need is an inexpensive and light brake for flat country use then they deserve an overall of 5, but if your needs are more demanding then they do much worse.
Want to know how you would be able to tell if BB5s are right for you? If your riding commonly involves sliding back to reduce pitchover risk then you will want stronger brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Lewis & Clark Monument | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Bike Masters | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, a little lighter than entry level Hayes | | Weaknesses: | Low power, difficult to adjust, diffificult to set up,very "soft feel" | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes MX-1, MX-4 | | Bike Setup: | Haro Mary Single speed, Stock | | Bottom Line: | These were horrible brakes for me I had a terrible time keeping them adjusted and gettign them set up. It felt like they had very little stopping power and I ended up replacing them with hayes MX brakes, which work much better. They did have good modulation, but that's all. I'd never ride with them again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati, ohio
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | stopping power, ease of use | | Weaknesses: | could use more adjustment like the BB&'s | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Piranha, stock | | Bottom Line: | Very pleased with the stopping power. I am 200# and they stop on the dime even when wet. I haven't had the adjustment problems that other poeple have had. I do not remove my wheels when I transport the bike. Love them but thinking when the pads wear of replacing with the BB7's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, TN. USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Stanky Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Good Modulation, Great stopping power (compared to the Shimano V-brakes I was using). Easy to set up. | | Weaknesses: | Squeals and adjustment knob faces the spokes | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Catamount, Marzocchi Bomber, Ryhno Lites, Octalink, and Huthinson Pythons | | Bottom Line: | Great mechanical disc brake for the price. Could probably get a better setup for more money, but it does what I need it to do extremely well. I have full faith in these so much that I plan to upgrade my wife Gary Fisher Wahoo to these.
I gave it a 5 because the price and quality and a 4 because the adjustment knob | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Sweum
a Racer
from Sioux city,Iowa
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Stone Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Spoke n Sport | | Strengths: | They stop you (eventually).Fairly cheap to replace.Easy to adjust. | | Weaknesses: | Not much braking power,always readjusting,especially the front.Not even close to V brakes power | | Similar Products Used: | V brakes | | Bike Setup: | F600 Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | These brakes don't really stop you they just keep you under control.If you demand braking power avoid at all costs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good modulation and power when tuned perfectly, regardless of disc size. | | Weaknesses: | Constantly retuning them!!! But I do live in rocky climes... | | Similar Products Used: | v-brakes, Avid Juicy, Hayes HFX-9 | | Bottom Line: | I'm forever having to adjust the caliper position on these. If these come with your bike, you might give it a shot, but if you're buying after market, spend the extra money and get Avid BB7s, or possibly a set of hydraulic brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim coyne
a Cross Country Rider
from san rafael, ca u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | coast view | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel works | | Strengths: | cheap. the least expensive mechanical disc brake around. easy to set up, lots of adjustments, everything quality checked at the factory. | | Weaknesses: | weak braking characteristics, no where near the braking power of typical v-brakes to the point they are dangerous in emergency braking situations. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | strong xc set-up on a specialized epic frame. | | Bottom Line: | bought this rear disc brake as a replacement of a worn out wheel. wasn't at all unhappy with the xtr v-brakes with the old set-up, just got a great deal on a disc wheel and thought the bb5 would be a good mechanical disc brake option. if this is the best the bb5 can do then i'll take a pass and go back to the v-brakes. while not totally useless, the bb5 is simply not a brake i'd recommend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Chutes, Tucson | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Relatively inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | For a minor price difference, doesn't work nearly as well as the BB7. The lack of another adjustment knob and not-so-great rotors. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes MX1's and MX2's, a variety of hydros. I would use either of the Hayes I mentioned. Oddly enough, I would use the BB7 over all of them. | | Bike Setup: | 5 inch travel all mountain, running it at 4, heavy bike, heavy dude. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that the bb7s are so good it's not funny. However, bb5's are hard to keep from rubbing the rotor. Avid's recommended "clamp it down and back it off" method that works like magic on the bb7s is so much more difficult with the lack of an outside adjustment knob on the 5's. Also, rotors seem to make a big difference. The roundagons are lame, even after break-in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Hagen, NRW, Germany
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | stops me (1.95m, 85kg) with ease (160mm rotors), easy to mount/adjust, easy to service (no oil that can leak.. ;)) | | Weaknesses: | brake pads are somewhat hard to get here, CPS bolts are too weak | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Cross Brakes, Tektro VBrakes, Deore VBrakes, LX VBrakes, XT VBrakes | | Bike Setup: | Self-made CrossCountry bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is a real good brake. I bought them via eBay, because I wanted to know if mechanical disc brakes are as bad as they are said to be (e.g. on mtb-news.de). For they were relatively cheap (38EUR | 50USD for a complete set of brakes) it wouldn't have been a misinvestment, because they would be better than my VBrakes, I thought. In fact it was one of the best impulsive buyings I did in the recent days/weeks/months. In combination with the Avid SpeedDial 7 levers, teflon-coated brake cables and buckling-free casing they are even better than some of the hydros i rode on friends' bikes.
As I'm a CC enthusiast I can't tell if they are "enough" for DH or FR, so this review is just for CrossCountry/Marathon.
GET 'EM, MOUNT 'EM, LOVE 'EM! :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from nova scotia
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | ideal bikes (bomb store) | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | winzip mechanicals, trade off when you buy, defanatly dont buy them, thay are worhless aad you cant get pads for about 4 weeks after you order them | | Bike Setup: | khs dj50, avid bb5s shimano drive, dropoffs | | Bottom Line: | the bomb, when my winzips broke and the awsome staff at ideal hooked me up for 50 bucks an end. Take care of them and they will take care of you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, AZ, United States
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Cheap basic disc brake set. Usually has no problems and can be dialed in really tight with no problems | | Weaknesses: | I received a set with a torqued rotor, it could easily happen on a different set up like the BB 7, but the BB 7 is overall easier to adjust. | | Similar Products Used: | Worked on the BB 7 | | Bike Setup: | Xt/Lx mix drivetain, Rock shox Tora fork, WTB laser disc weels, BB 5 Disc Brakes | | Bottom Line: | I work at a bike shop in the Phoenix area and have now for about a year. I have built countless bikes with the BB 5 disc brake set up and 90% of them have no problems and can be dialed in super tight with minimal headaches. I happened to get one of the sets with a slightly bent rotor and it is a royal pain to sraighten. If you want a cheap mechanical set up, spend the extra cash and get the BB 7, much easier to adjust, less headaches, less to go wrong than on a hydraulic set. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steven gerrard
a Weekend Warrior
from cary, nc, usa
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | rocky road | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bicycle | | Strengths: | stops on a dime, pretty much maintenence free, may need to tighten cabels when they strech, very smooth awsome stopping power | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | hays hydrolic disk brakes, avid juicy 7 | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher piranha stock | | Bottom Line: | these brakes rock easily as good as most low-end hydro's so good that their is no point switching to hydro's | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luís
a Weekend Warrior
from Lisbon - Portugal
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Cheap, powerfull enough for a mech. | | Weaknesses: | Only one adjustable pad | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore LX / Avid Juicy 5 | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo Bokor with LX Groups and Marz. MX AIR | | Bottom Line: | Very nice brakes! They do the job without dripping DOT oil on my car. Best mechs i`ve ever tried. Very easy to set up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Guido
a Weekend Warrior
from Norwood
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | beachwoods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | they came with my p1 | | Strengths: | they stop you. easy to setup and install. | | Weaknesses: | rotor is already warped on mine after like 3 weeks and it rubs . the lever not smooth even after replacing the cable. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes mx2 | | Bike Setup: | 2007 specialized p1, juicy 5's , Azonic bars and pedals, Truvativ Ruktion cranks, holy roller rear, specialized front. MRP basher bash guard | | Bottom Line: | this is not a dirt jumping brake as it came on my p1. its gets hard after a while and the cable gets a knotted and frayed inside. and, the brake lever is weird. its also hard and it gets really cold. I wouldn't really suggest this brake to dirt jumpers because sometimes you need that good braking and this doesn't give you the full effect. if you just need that fooling around brake and easy cheap brake this is for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint Louis, Missouri USA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Berryman | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Cheap and worry free disc brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Not as easy to adjust and center as the BB7's, but it's not like they need it much. | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh XXIX | | Bottom Line: | These brakes, along with the cheaper, non-adjustable Avid levers are great. They have a terific feel and are easily modulated. I am over 200 lbs and I can get the bike stopped very quicky. Truthfully, I can do endos and nose wheelies with these brakes, but they will not lock up the front wheel at higher trail speed. Fine by me, as the bane of all linear pull brakes is being way too sensitive and easily locking. These brakes get me stopped as quick as I want and are awesome for being mechanical discs. For the price (I have seen $40 per wheel online) they are great. If you have the money, go with the BB7's, but if you are on a budget, these work just fine. Just remember that set-up is key...the more pad that hits the rotor squarely, the better the brakes will work. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lloyd
a Downhiller
from Mandaue City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$88.00 | | Purchased At: | YKK Bike Shop | | Strengths: | My set performs like a BB7. Used it for trails, freeride & downhill. So far i'm satisfied w/ it.
Cost wise, its a give away. Much better compared to the other mech disc brake systems except its higher sibling - the BB7... due to the additional outboard adjuster on the BB7. Anyway, the BB5 was a stripped down design of the BB7 at a much lower cost. But carried the same Avid/Sram workmanship & quality. | | Weaknesses: | None so far... | | Similar Products Used: | My only mech disc brake system... | | Bike Setup: | Freeride single pivot frame, 5th Element CVT (5.8" i2i), Bomber Jt T, Alex DX 32 rims, Answer Pro Taper handle bar, Shimano LX shifter, Shimano XT front derailuer, Shimano Tiagra rear derailuer, Shimano LX 9 spd cogs, Truvative Holzfeller crankset (2 rings w/ bash guard), Shimano Deore hubs, Avid BB5 mech w/ 8" rotors on both front & rear, Avid Speed dial 7 lever, Maxxis High Roller DH tire (2.35 on both front & rear) & Da Bomb pedals. | | Bottom Line: | If you're tight on the budget, buy this mech brake system. It will not harm your pocket and it performs great. Be sure to pair it with an Avid Speed Dial 7 lever as a minimum for more adjustability. Don't forget to buy a torx wrench (T-25) and have it handy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake
a
from la
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | They are easy to install | | Weaknesses: | They just don't stop good enough. The rear works good enough but the fronts won't lock up no matter how much force I apply. | | Bottom Line: | I thought that the perfomance would be close to that of the bb7's but its no where near. If you want to try disk brakes steer clear of these | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B Kalikoff
a
from London, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | ToWheels | | Strengths: | Comming from regular v-breaks the Avid mechanical discs are incredible. great stopping power through any condition. if these work this well i dont know if i could handle the juicy's! i am completely content with them. | | Weaknesses: | they wieght alot. but just suck it up and stop being a cry baby. | | Similar Products Used: | only calliper breaks and v-breaks. | | Bike Setup: | Giant STP2. just upgraded to disc breaks. | | Bottom Line: | Avid mechanical disc breaks get three thumbs up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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