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Avid
BB7 Mechanical Disc Brake
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Submitted by
sambs827
a Cross Country Rider
from Oneonta/Swain, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Blood, Sweat & Tears--Oneonta NY | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Where price is the p | | Strengths: | Easy install, great stopping power, great progression in grip, great for feathering brakes (wheelies, anyone?), red & black looks pretty sweet with anything red, white, grey, or black. Affordable ($120 for front and rear). Super easy to dial in super close to the pads. | | Weaknesses: | ummm......can I phone a friend?
Seriously, I haven't experienced any | | Similar Products Used: | Low-end Shimano Mechanicals that came stock on my entry-level hardtail | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Scott Aspect 55, Rockshox Tora 318 U-turn (85-130, and almost always kept at 130), Azonic Outlaws, Panaracer Firepro XC's, Syncros bar, BB7 front and rear | | Bottom Line: | These things are awesome. They have a great progression curve so you can easily control whether you want just a wee bit of braking for the turn up ahead or of you're about to mess the seat of your panties and need to stop on a dime. The ease of adjusting them allows you to make them feel just how you want them to. My buddy has Elixer R's on his Fuel EX9 and every time he gets on my bike he remarks on how great my breaks feel. Oh Yeah!
Oh, and let us not forget that they are WAY cheaper than a set of solid hydros. 4 Flamin' Chilis for value and 5 overall because they're so friggin' awesome. Cheers! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MObiker
a Weekend Warrior
from Mid-MO
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | They just work and limited adjustment is needed. | | Weaknesses: | Some people think hydros are the only way to go. | | Similar Products Used: | I have BB5's on my 2004 Blur | | Bike Setup: | I just bought a Spec 29er HT and the stock Avid Elixers did not work on the back, they made a horrible racket. | | Bottom Line: | BB&'s fixed the problem, they work great ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nitrogenus
a Weekend Warrior
from TN
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Affordable, good-looking, RIDICULOUS stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | Red adjustment dials. What is it with Avid and red accents? | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are one of my favorite parts of my bike. I do not stop often, but when I do, I stop hard. These bring my bike from sixty to zero in three seconds flat. =P
Seriously, these brakes are amazing. If you are looking for a great disc brake without the price and/or hassle of hydraulics, BUY THESE. You will NOT become a victim of buyer's remorse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eggroller
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellevue, WA USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Diamond | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint.com | | Strengths: | Easy install, adjustment and maintenance. Good power and modulation. Absolutely wonderful in the wet compared to the old XT V-Brakes! | | Weaknesses: | Squeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!! When it is wet out these suckers squeak worse than stepping on a sewer rat. The spacing is properly adjusted per the instructions. | | Similar Products Used: | '97 Shimano XT V-Brakes & early '90s Shimano Cantilever. Rode buddies current Shimano LX | | Bike Setup: | '97 Ibis Alibi - XT component group, Marzocchi MX Pro/Lo, Sun Rhyno Lite Rims, Gore Sealed cables. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great upgrade for those that don't want to keep it simple without hydraulic brakes. I only upgraded with the front Disc (160mm) and rear V-Brake. It works VERY well for an XC bike to terrorize the local trails. Worked great for steep chutes and flowing trails. Hard to believe I held out this long...should have upgraded a loooooong time ago. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shorner
a Weekend Warrior
from Roanoke, VA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | The Cove | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$46.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat | | Strengths: | Great stopping power, easy to adjust on the fly. | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy, but not a deal breaker | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes. Great adjustability and absolutely no hassle with setup and maintenance. Stopping power is fantastic, even for a clyde, with no loss of power even on the long descents.
All around a great product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michaelblade
a Downhiller
from SoLag Calif.
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Blade's Chute | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | They function | | Weaknesses: | The plastic adjusting knob comes off too easy. | | Similar Products Used: | Bomb proof Shimano weight weenie nightmares | | Bike Setup: | Right now they are on my Marin B17 DJ Death Rider.I designed and built it. Dirt Jumper 1 2005 fork. RF bars and stem DH. XTR controls.XTR RD.XT FD. XT BB with RF bash G.DH wheels and tires. 32/22 front sprockets. | | Bottom Line: | They are easy to find and work well.The falling knob just bothers me (I'm A Mechanic). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
virgo22sep
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern AZ
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | XC single track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria.com | | Strengths: | Easy to install and adjust. Been working first time, every time, same everything... after a year. Fairly light. Don't have to constantly adjust and check. One less and very important thing to have to think about when cranking through some fast XC. | | Weaknesses: | Ummmm... will have to get back to you on this one. | | Similar Products Used: | No other discs. Most all of the v-brakes from low end OEM to the Avid mags and Ti and XTR. Have several bikes and the others are XTR V's right now. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Dakar Pro (last of the Horst links!!!). XTR or better. Went 69er about a year ago. NOS Marzocchi Marathon SL fork, S6, Swiss Onyx hub (6 bolt), WTB Dual Duty rim (the wider one) with db spokes. XTR shift/brake pods with XTR cables. BB7 caliper and roundagon 180mm rotor. Phat tire - WTB 29x2.55 Weirwolf | | Bottom Line: | This front brake setup is almost too good to be true. The only reason I'm even having to think about brakes right now is that I'm building another 69er FS and deciding on a front brake. I'd like to try a good hydraulic but "why?" when the BB7 has proven to have plenty of XC stopping power, easy setup and adjustment, dependability, and ultra low maintenance. Did I mention easy on the wallet? Since my Clysdale son may be riding this new rig when he visits, I'm using a BB7 caliper on a 180 xtr rotor (XTR center lock hub). Should work ok - but the point is that other than wishing the caliper were a little lighter (yeah and that would double the price), I wouldn't mess with it. Ratings are for intermediate/advanced XC use. If you want to spend more time riding and less time maintaining/adjusting, this is the one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zakarina
a Racer
from Quebec city,Quebec,Canada
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Best mechanical brake on the market. Very powerfull and adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | Rondagons rotors are not the best out there. A bit heavy. Pad replacement is a bit hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid elixir R-CR, Hayes MX2-MX4,Hayes sole, Avid juicy 3-5-ultimate, Shimano XTR | | Bottom Line: | One of the best brakes on the market, I have used a lot of brakes in my riding time and only my Avid Elixirs can deliver more power than my trusty BB7. I own 2 sets and use them regularly. Yesterday i opened one just to see how it was made and what I saw is a very simple but reliable system that sould keep working for many years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adept
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest, Hungary
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Online shoppe | | Strengths: | Very powerful, easy to adjust, big pads. I installed it myself, it was a piece of cake. Good modulation. | | Weaknesses: | The roundagon disk are poor according to a G2 or a G3 disk. This brake would deserve a better default disc... | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes Stroker, Hayes MX4 | | Bike Setup: | Haro Shift R3 | | Bottom Line: | It was a good change from Hayes MX4 (it was the default brake). It was a good one, but a little weak for me. So I decided to change to BB7. Unfortunately I kept the Hayes discs, they was a little worn out (I will get a G3 later maybe). I lasted a little bit longer to reach the maximum effect. But now it is perfect. I'm a happy man... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
taletotell
a Weekend Warrior
from candor, ny
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Shortbus, shindagin hollow | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle-cny.com | | Strengths: | Easy to adjust. Good stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | Always late to dinner. Forgot our anniversary. Kinda loud. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes mx2. Hayes 9 Hydraulic. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4300 frame. Fox Vanilla RLC 130. Truvative Hollzifeller cranks. Sun Rhyno light wheels. XT derailuers. X-7 Shifters. | | Bottom Line: | I have no complaints. They are fairly sensitive. I have them on a 203 front and 160 rear and can lock up when I want and not when I don't want. Plus I endo'ed and smashed my cable on a rock and no harm done! the housing was broken but a hydralic would have been dead until I got a new hose. I honestly prefer these to my hayes 9s. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
picur220
a Weekend Warrior
from Szolnok, Hungary, Central Europe
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Strengths: | Very good braking power, silent braking, modulation | | Weaknesses: | I haven't xperienced any. Except for the heavy crashes over the handlebar...:) | | Similar Products Used: | Promax mechanical disc brakes | | Bike Setup: | Wheeler Pro 901 disc, with BBB FreeBar and Avid BB7 front | | Bottom Line: | I recommend it to people, who want to an easy-installable, good disc brake, and don't want to get in truble with bleeding and any hidraulic problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pokz
a Cross Country Rider
from philippines
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | south | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | westgate | | Strengths: | in mech category: superb braking power,excellent modulation,hassle free maintenance and tuning, price | | Weaknesses: | for weight weenies...they still quite heavy compare to hydros | | Similar Products Used: | shimanos | | Bike Setup: | marin ht | | Bottom Line: | you can go wrong with bb7 if you are asking superb brake performance...when you want to stop...bb7!
simple mechanism with great performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jski
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Buffer Zone | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | So much better than the brake that came on my bike. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Only the stock brakes that came on my Specialized FSR XC | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR XC...only change is these brakes | | Bottom Line: | I hated brakes that came stock on my bike. They were forever getting all sorts of stretched out, and then I would be pulling back my brake lever all the way to the handlebars. This resulted in a least one bad endo for me. With these brakes you stop when you want to stop, which is great for me. They are great for the cross country riding that I do. Oh, and I paid 150.00 for the brakes and installation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doom
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Jubs Garden | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | CRC | | Strengths: | Looks the dogs. light. easy to use | | Weaknesses: | Nothing | | Similar Products Used: | My foot | | Bike Setup: | Subway frame, halo freedoms, saint cranks | | Bottom Line: | Lush, get them now with speed dial levers and hope rotors. 5 flaming rectums | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
2Tall2Bike
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bikes | | Strengths: | Great stopping power, really easy to set-up, adjust and change pads. Overall just amazing, especially for $100 for front & rear! | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB-5, Juicy-3, and V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2+ - full XT, upgraded from V-brakes to BB-7. Used them for 2 seasons. Very impressed. | | Bottom Line: | I BB-5's on a commuter bike, and they don't compare to the BB-7's. I wish I spent the extra few buck's and bought BB-7's for my commuter also. I just recently got a 29'er hardtail with Avid Juicy 3's, 185 front, 160 rear, I hate these brakes, no adjustment, constantly rub, not much power. The 160 f and r BB-7 have way more power and are very, very easy to adjust the pads at any time. I am a 200lb rider, so there is some weight behind the brakes. I am ordering a set of BB-7s for my new 29'er and selling the Juicy-3's on ebay (anybody want them?) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sops
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price
Good stopping power
Does not require much strength on the levers (when used with the speed dial 7)
The 2 red dials makes it easy for on the go adjustments of the pads. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't fully tested it for hardiness, but it's holding up well on the trails. I'm a clydesdale and I ride pretty hard at times. | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro Iox
Deore hydros (tested only) | | Bottom Line: | Simply love the brakes. Good stopping power like hydros without the hassle of bleeding, pads seizing when you take out the wheels, etc. With the Speed Dial 7 levers, you just need a bit more pressure as compared to hydros to stop your bike. One finger operation is possible. Stoppies can be performed with ease.
All these is possible if you set it up correctly in the first place and it took me 5 rides to bed the pads in (and never touch the rotors!). Prior to that, you may feel dissapointed. But hey, like they say, good things come to those who wait.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RobXC
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Great stopping power and great modulation. | | Weaknesses: | Dialing them in to the T is a #*$&ing hassle. But once they are, they are golden | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes MX-4 | | Bike Setup: | Full X-9, BB-7's (185 Front, 160 Rear) Reba | | Bottom Line: | Great stopping power. Don't understand the fuse about weight...not all of us are pro racers. Great product and glad I bought them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andythebear
a Weekend Warrior
from Northshore, MA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | Great stopping power, easy to install. | | Weaknesses: | None that I'm aware of. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes Mechanical | | Bike Setup: | Kona Bear | | Bottom Line: | Yep, love 'em. I just went through a big round of upgrades on my 2003 Kona Bear, and the BB7's were part of it. I am blown away by the difference in power, AND being mechanical. My wife has Juicy's on her FSR and the power is undeniable, but I don't notice much difference. They were cheap, easy to install, and have provided me the much needed braking power for those steep rock face drop ins where I need to control my speed carefully. No worries about bleeding the brakes, or bleeding from crashes where I lost control on a steepy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikeparts24
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Excellent stopping power, easy to install and adjust. | | Weaknesses: | They squeak when beeing broken in. (I don't know of any brake that doesn't do this) | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap Tektro disk brakes | | Bike Setup: | '08 Redline Monocog SS 29er | | Bottom Line: | A great brake. I bought them with my Monocog and they work very well. When the cables strech, just turn the dials a few clicks and they're good to go. The adjustment features really help with my singlespeed because I have track drop-outs. When I put my rear wheel back on, it is really hard to get the rotor back to the exact position it was in before. With the BB7's this is no issue, because I can just turn the dials to move the pads in and out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtnbici
a Cross Country Rider
from
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bluesky Cycles | | Strengths: | It works, it's simple, and it is very easy to install and setup. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR-XC | | Bottom Line: | Avid's BB7 brakes are great. It took about an hour for me to install the rotors and calipers, then another hour or so to fine tune the installation. They are very easy to adjust on the trail and stop very well. I weigh in at around 250# and they hold me back very well. I am very happy I chose this brake set-up over more expensive hydraulic models. Bomb proof in my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
somervilles4@comcast.net
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | several | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Mailorder-don't reme | | Strengths: | Very simple design, easy to maintain, reliable, inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | First time using a disc system. | | Bike Setup: | 2004 GF Sugar Race. Fox F100, Cane Creek Cloud Nine | | Bottom Line: | I have used these for over three years and just replaced the pads. Pad replacement took about 10 minutes for both ends, and another 15 minutes to get both ends adjusted perfectly. I have never had a problem with these disc brakes. Compared to V-brakes the advantages are: Easier to remove the wheels because you don't have to mess with the brakes. Instant stopping power, no brake/rim rub when you tweak a rim. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pedrotyler
a Weekend Warrior
from wilson
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | these breaks are super strong they have plenty of breaking power for even the fastest down hill parts | | Weaknesses: | none yet , but they do add a little weight | | Similar Products Used: | spram | | Bike Setup: | leader frame , rockshox, avid bb7, rhino lite rims, ti tech | | Bottom Line: | the best breaks for the price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
papanoel
a Weekend Warrior
from France
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | bike-mailorder.de | | Strengths: | Better than my old XT v-brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Not so powerful... | | Similar Products Used: | HFX9, stroker trail, code 5 | | Bottom Line: | Bought them because I wanted to check out if they were really this powerful. Well, compared to my crappy HFX 9 it's way better. But even with a 203mm disc front and a 160mm disc rear it's not so impressive. By reading other reviews it seems that the clean sweep discs are better than the roundagon discs that came with the brakes. I'll try with other discs (hayes) and write another review.
Almost forgot: tried them with Avid SD1.9L levers. Will try with shimano LX levers to see if there is any difference. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cackalacky
a Cross Country Rider
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Work well, relatively cheap, look great | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore hydraulic | | Bike Setup: | Salsa Dos Niner 1x9, Avid Full Metal Jacket brake lines & Speed Dial 7 levers | | Bottom Line: | Love these so far. These are pretty close to my old Deore hydraulics in terms of stopping power. Not quite as solid feeling through the lever, but modulation is as good or better. With Avid full metal jackets they are almost friction free. Finally have the "1 finger braking" dialed in with these and can lock up the tires if I'm not careful.
Excellent for such an inexpensive system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AndrewDrummond
a Weekend Warrior
from Woking, England
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | ChainReaction | | Strengths: | Simplicity, adjustability, power, ease of setup... | | Weaknesses: | bling factor? | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes HFX 9, Avid Juicy Ultimate, Magura HS33, Avid Single Digit | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo Wanga, Reba Team, 717s on Hopes, XTR/Middleburn, Look 4x4, Avid BB7/Gore Ridon/Avid Sped Dial Ultimate levers/160mm G2 Clean Sweep rotors | | Bottom Line: | These are excellent - after two sets of hydros and getting sick of sticky pistons (you need a compressed air line to replace the pistons on the ultimates!) - I have upgraded to these. Very powerful, only squeals have ater going through a muddy puddle and then it only lasts for two brakes.
The ability to increase the clearance in muddy conditions is great, where any other set of discs will rub all the time. With good cables and levers these are as smooth as Hydros, the speed dial adjustment on the levers works very well to get the feel/modulation/power you want.
After the frustration of the Hydros these are as satisfyingly good as the HS33s.
Believe the hype... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dubdryver
a Cross Country Rider
from Pembroke Pines, FL. USA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham Park Alligator Alley | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Bulletproof!! Smooth stopping power, very adjustable, very reliable,very low maintenance, very inexpensive, probably the best mechanical alternative to hydralic. Very superior to V-Brakes or canti-lever. | | Weaknesses: | slightly less linear stopping feel than hydralic brake systems. | | Similar Products Used: | XT/XTR V-Brakes | | Bike Setup: | 05 K2 Razorback Team: 07 REBA SL Air U-TURN, XT CRANK, X.9 drivetrain, Mavic Crossland UST; 03 Santa Cruz Blur Classic: Fox F100 RLC, Truvativ Stylo OCT, X.9 drivetrain, Mavic 819/Pure XCR, | | Bottom Line: | The only brakes I have used previous to these were V-Brakes. I have dried the hydralic system before in test riding a bike, yes the hydralics are probably slightly better with a more linear feel, but the BB7s can be fine tuned to nearly mirror the feel. I have been riding on the same pair on my K2 for 3 years. I bought another set to go on my santa cruz. The best part about these brakes is you put them on, very easy to set up and you are riding and you dont even have to think about them again. Maintenance is nearly non-existant, once in a great while a a brake pad will misalign when pulling the wheel off but it literally takes only a few seconds to put it back in! They are the best brakes you can buy if you dont want to deal with the maintenance of bleeding hydralics or replace pads of v-brakes. They work and work beautifully! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EsHan13
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Monica and Palos Verdes | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | Simple to setup, maintain and adjust, awesome braking power once broken in, less effort/forearm strength required to brake which makes for much better overall control and much more speed and fun on the rides. So far, they have also been very quiet (no squeal whatsoever, unlike my past v-brakes).
Avid BB7s by themselves are relatively cheap, but a whole disc conversion (i.e. new wheels/hubs + the BB7s) can still be rather costly. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes need to "break" in/bed in the first couple of tries. When new, the brakes do not really "grab" well and feel weak. But after only a short while (2 days worth of rides) the brakes reach their potential. Strong, effortless, silent braking.
They are also much heavier than other disc brakes out there (and my previous v-brakes setup) but this can be mitigated to some extent with lighter cables, levers, and discs. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first venture into disc brakes so I am really impressed with the vast improvement over my past v-brakes. Before, I ran Shimano XT v-brakes with Shimano XT levers and then Avid Ti levers with Avid SL brakes on Mavic Ceramic rims. The latter brakes were decent/good, but they do seem noticeably inferior in terms of stopping power to my new disc setup. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Litespeed Owl Hollow, Chris King ISO disc hubs laced to Mavic XC717 disc rims, DT Comp Spokes, Avid Ti levers, Jagwire Ripcords brake cables/housing. Shimano XTR drivetrain, 2006 Rockshox Sid Team. | | Bottom Line: | Why did I hold out so long to convert from v-brakes to discs? The BB7's benefits in terms of stopping power, control, and even maintenance seem far superior to v-brakes.
I decided to make the switch after my Mavic Crossmax XLs ceramic braking service began to chip in its 3rd year of use. I frequently heard that the chipped ceramic braking surface would have no effect on braking performance but it does! Sure, the level of braking power feels the same, but the brake pads get eaten up/wear out in literally one ride. The chips in the ceramic surface makes it very uneven and much too abrasive leaving your $10/set ceramic (green) compound brake pads worthless after just one hill.
Hence, the jump to the BB7s and so far I couldn't be happier. They are very easy to setup (if you have difficulty do a web search and find helpful videos and more detailed instructions)and give effortless, smooth, quiet, and controlled braking. I couldn't be happier with this upgrade! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dontheclysdale
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Lots of braking power! | | Weaknesses: | Stupid inside adjuster knob.... | | Similar Products Used: | BB5, Shimano Mechanical, Other Manual Disc, XT and Hayes hydraulic | | Bike Setup: | Haro Mary SS - lots of upgrades
Brakes: 09 BB7 185mm, SD7 Levers, Flak Jacket Cables | | Bottom Line: | These brakes have all the stopping power I'll ever need. I would have gone with the 160's but they were out of stock and needed brakes. The BB7's were easy to install and setup. I don't think there is a better disc brake for this price. With the SD7 levers, the brakes modulate very well.
The bad, one of the rotors was slightly warped. A roll of the wheel and you could see the rotor was slightly warped. That wasn't too big of a deal, after a little use it seems to have straightened out. May have been something to do with my setup??? The other thing, the little red adjuster knob on my front break is VERY difficult to turn. It makes fine tuning the brake difficult with the wheel on. Luckily I don't have to adjust them very often.
Overall I'm VERY pleased with these brakes. But only going to give them 4chillis for the knob problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
g.s.
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | See below. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. They feel excellent and there is not much to go wrong with them. | | Similar Products Used: | Old style Avid BB7,Hope Mini, Shimano XTR and XT, Hayes Mag. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 2008+ BB7s.
I was a die hard mechanical disc hater until I tried these. I had at least two different bikes with the older (silver) BB7s, and could not for the life of me get them to feel even halfway decent. This is not for a lack of experience, I worked at a shop and set up plenty of these brakes- I was taught proper set up by the Avid distributer.
I needed brakes on a new build, and thought I'd give BB7s one last chance. Something changed with the 2008 model year. Now these brakes actually give hydros a run for their money. All the feel and stopping power with none of the disadvantages of hydros (initial cost, maintenance in the form of seals, bleeding, leaking banjos/lines, etc). I am sold.
Again, this review applies only to the 2008 model year and later, with the dark gray colored calipers. My experience with the older model is completely opposite of this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Singletrack! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stops on a dime. No shortage of power. No problems. Easily adjustable. Best disk breaks I have ever had. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Coda, Avid Juicy 5 | | Bike Setup: | 98' Hard tail, Canonndale CAAD 4 | | Bottom Line: | I just upgraded to a sweet Santa Cruz Super light FS from my old Canondalle HT. I love my new bike except for one thing: the breaks. I am constanly fighiting with my Juicy 5s to keep them from rubbing and they are not adjustable. I miss the Avid mechanicals that I installed a couple years ago on my HT. They have more than enough stopping power for DH or any trail conditions and are easily adjustable. I have had no problems with them whatsoever. I will probably switch to mechanicals on my Superlight and sell the Juicy 5s on ebay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
camazu
a Downhiller
from Medellin, Colombia
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Tres Cruces | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$98.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Great brakes for the money! a piece of cake to install and setup.
Excelentes frenos por el precio. Facilisimo de instalar y cuadrar | | Weaknesses: | None so far
Ninguna hasta ahora | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Mechanical disc brakes | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Trek 4300 Disc | | Bottom Line: | Just Great. great improvement over Shimano disc brakes. i use 203 rotors for doing downhill and they work great for me.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Moodrid
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft Worth
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Great looking easy to work on and work very well | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Single digit 3,Hayes MX2 | | Bike Setup: | 07 Jamis Komodo,Fox Vanilla R,SLX crank,BB7,x9 drive,Duel Duty wheelset | | Bottom Line: | All the good things you hear about these are true.If you want simple reliable great working brakes get you some. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tgauger
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Illinois
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Three Ravines-Palos | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Solid braking power. Going from a ProMax V-brake system to these disks was amazing. I'm not a skinny guy so I got the 185mm discs and I couldnt be happier. I work in a bike shop and I am really impressed with the ease at which these brakes can be adjusted. Mulitiple adjustments, unlike the BB5's, is really nice. Worth it if you can spare the dough. | | Weaknesses: | None.......well done Avid. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB5's | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Trek Alpha 4500. Shimano Deore Crankset, DMR pedals, Rock Shox Judy TT fork, Bontragger Race Light Lux seat, Avid FR5 Brake Levers, Alivio shifters and deraillures, Oury Grips, Weinnman DM30 Rims with KHS hubs, Avid BB7 185mm Disc Brakes, Lizard Skins chainstay protector, soon to be Shimano XT Derallures and WTB Vilociraptor Tires. | | Bottom Line: | Buy them. Just don't touch the pads or rotors with your hands while installing, the oil will seriously decrease the braking power. Don't be afraid to get a rotor bigger than 160mm. Just make sure it fits your frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
speedchaser
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Various | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great Stopping Power. Feel and Modulation. | | Weaknesses: | It needs to be setup just right for it to work properly. The stock rotors (Roundagons) overheat on long descent. | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro Mechs. | | Bike Setup: | EPX Terrashark Carbon Frame, MVR Pro Hubs, Alexrims, XT groupset. Carbon front ends and saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I weighed 76kg and I've own and used Shimano hydros (M485, XT and SLX) and Tektro mechs on other bikes. They do have great stopping power. Yet, I grew to love the '08 BB7 with the Speed Dial levers for its ease of use and no nonsense awesome stopping power. I've set it up for single finger braking that can send me flying over the bars. I could easily lock the wheels with one finger braking.
Once when half of my front wheel was stuck in gooey mud along with my BB7, got it back up and it still works awesome with no loss of braking power.
The Roundagons that came with the BB7 was a real piece of junk IMHO. Braking was good but it was squealing everywhere. I could use it for a horn when wet! With the Roundagons, on a long and very steep descent of about 3.5 miles, it overheated and turn purplish and braking power was quickly diminished. I ditched it for a pair of Avid Clean Sweep G2 (185mm F/ 160mm R). Night and day difference!
I would recommend the BB7 to anyone who wants a no hassle mech disc brake but please, not the Roundagons that comes with it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ChrisMIA
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami, Fl USA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta River State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Everything, from price to adjustability. I have the 185mm rotors. | | Weaknesses: | Noisy sometimes. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes MX4, Avid BB5 | | Bike Setup: | Giant Yukon FX, full XT | | Bottom Line: | The best brakes for the money period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cvanliere
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Various | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Bulletproof, easy to adjust, high stopping power without fade | | Weaknesses: | Stock brake disc not as good as others | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes Sole (junk), Shimano XTR hydraulic | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Enduro, 2005 Enduro | | Bottom Line: | Thou shall not use hydraulics unless you are downhilling at 50 mph on a 60lb rig, else you are wasting money. To get a hydraulic set close to this, you'd need to drop around $300-500. I am not using the stock discs- they work very well with Hayes. I cannot imagine using hydralic anymore for XC and freeride unless you want to name drop and debate if DOT 3 oil is better than DOT 4 for hours on end. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dustyduke22
a Downhiller
from St. George, Utah
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Fluffy Bunny | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | used from a buddy | | Strengths: | Super easy to adjust. Great stopping power from a mechanical system. Also, with the price of hydro brakes these days, these are a great alternative to shelling out hundreds of dollars. Oh, and you never have to bleed these | | Weaknesses: | must be set up correctly or the stopping power feels weak | | Similar Products Used: | everything from shimano's to avid's | | Bike Setup: | Freeride hard tail with a Marzocchi AM1SL up front. Mango Chris King hubs laced to camo SOS rims. Its pretty sick | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are just what my bike needs. For some reason, i have never had good luck with brakes. I was tired of blown up master cylinders and problematic hydro's. These are the first mechanical disc brakes that i have owned, and i like them. They have different feel than hydro's do, but its a feel that i can get used to. Especially because they dont need bleeding. If these brakes are set up properly, they will stop super good and offer reliable and consistent braking on the downhills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fivebyfive
a Cross Country Rider
from Cayucos, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Planet Earth | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Easy to set up and maintain. Stops well in almost all conditions. New ones are cheap compared to hydros. | | Weaknesses: | If wet they will squeel. On epic rides you might have to get off and ajust. | | Similar Products Used: | Stroker on my wifes kona | | Bike Setup: | 05 Stumpjumper, King every where, Thompson. | | Bottom Line: | These were the brakes that came on my bike that I bought 3 years ago. I ride up to 4 days a week and have never had any problems other that having to change the pads 2x in 3 years. They have excellent stopping power for me. Not as easy to modulate as hydros but if you keep up on your cables not bad ether. I have considered going to hydros several times but have not found any reason to yet. I will ride these until failure and then write another review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, California USA
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hurkey Creek Park(24Hrs/Adrenalin Course) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Ease of install; adjustability; low maintenance; decent modulation | | Weaknesses: | Heavy; not very powerful; noisy when wet; expensive pads | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB5; Avid Juicy 7/Ultimate; Magura Marta SL | | Bike Setup: | 19-pound Cannondale XC race hardtail | | Bottom Line: | At 937 grams total(incl. levers, rotors, cables)....these brakes should stop much better, given their hefty weight. Don't get me wrong- the Avid BB7 is by far the BEST mechanical brake system......period. The key getting these to offer smooth, one-finger braking action- is the right full length, shielded cable(Avid Flak Jacket/Full Metal Jacket, Gore Ride-On, Nokon), and the correct initial installation. When properly dialed-in, these brakes BLOW AWAY any comparable mechanical system made by Shimano, Tektro, Hayes, etc. The lever action is noticeably firmer than feather-light hydraulic brakes, but the modulation
can be made almost the same. If you have strong hands/fingers, one-finger braking is easily done with BB7s. Whatever you do, ditch the Avid Roundagon and Avid Clean Sweep Serpentine(lighter, drilled-out Roundagons)rotors- they are nothing but noisy, heavy, low-end JUNK. Invest in a set of Avid Clean Sweep G2 or G3 vented rotors. The difference is like night and day. The CS G2/G3 rotors are professional race equipment; zero noise, 100% reliability, and a HUGE power improvement over the craptastic Roundagons. You will be srprised and GLAD you did!!!
These brakes have served me extremely well for the past year, but I think I am finally ready for the superlight realm, of high-end hydraulic brakes. After having test-ridden the Avid Juicy Ultimate and Magura Marta SL hyrdo brakes- I am absolutely smitten by the German-made Magura brakes, and has ordered a set- further dropping the bike weight another 3/4 pound, for this hopeless weight weenie.
If this is your first foray into disc brakes- you cannot get any better than Avid BB7. Nobody comes close....
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barkleyfan
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedar rapids
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Modulation, power, ease of setup, the list goes on. These brakes take the effort of braking out of bike control, leaving traction your only limitation for that technical descent. No worries about air in the lines, boiled fluid, or any of that, plus reliable in inclement weather. These things sell themselves. | | Weaknesses: | Pads cost the same for my bike as they cost for my car. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes and Magura hydro | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant Rainier | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are great. Setup is easy, adjustment is easy, cleaning is easy. These brakes are phenomenal. My biggest issue is that my other bike has cantis, and after being used to them, a panic stop will send me over the bars with the BB7's. I weigh 220, and was originally going to replace the stock 160 front with 203's. But I find no need to do so. In fact, I'm worried I would have a hard time modulating such big rotors.
Proper setup and adjustment is key with these brakes. Once setup nice and centered, adjust inboard pad until it drags, then back off one click. Do the same with outboard next. Check before each ride, and you should never have an issue with these brakes.
If the pads weren't so expensive, I'd give 6 chillis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FrancoisTX
a Cross Country Rider
from Spring, TX
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Cypresswood | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Easy to install, very good price and good power.
| | Weaknesses: | Not so easy to adjust perfectly | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bottom Line: | Before I had V-brake shimano XT but when it's muddy .....so I choose BB7 to keep my lever/shifter.
I am a little bit heavy (230 lbs) so I start with rotor of 160mm and after 185 and to finish at 203mm.
Now I have brake like I love...Crazy.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff_trials
a Cross Country Rider
from seattle, wa, usa
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Great braking power, easy set up, good brake pad life | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes one of the pad adjustment knobs is difficult to turn, but since I rarely have to touch them it doesn't bug me. | | Similar Products Used: | Magura clara hydrolic brake | | Bike Setup: | I use the avid bb7 160 mm rotor for my full suspension bike, my dirt jump bike and now as the front brake for my trials bike. | | Bottom Line: | *Way* better than a rim brake (unless you're using a hydrolic rim brake like magura hs-33s) and a lot better than even some hydraulic disc brakes. If you're on the fence about it, just get it, it's a great brake. Oh... and it's very easy to install with the included instructions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
770nbp
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Pinhotti | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | EBay | | Strengths: | cheap, light, great braking power for XC, stupid easy to set up, no fluid, no bleeding, no thinking about them after you install | | Weaknesses: | not free? | | Similar Products Used: | BB5 | | Bike Setup: | Pivot Mach 4, Titus Racer X, Moto Lite, Saltamontes | | Bottom Line: | I've put these brakes on every bike I've owned over the past 5 years. They are easy to install and keep adjusted. They have plenty of stoping power for my 180lbs, even with 160MM rotors. If I'm decending and on the brakes alot, they will get hot but they perform well for general XC use. I really can not justify moving away from this braking system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miffyandfrends
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Bottle Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Top quality braking power, still work well with contaminated pads, easy adjusment and easy pad repalcement | | Weaknesses: | Little modulation,
Front caliper exploded(fiddly fix),
| | Similar Products Used: | Hayes(ugh)
Grimeca
Diatech
Shimano (ugh)
Tektro (ugh) | | Bike Setup: | SS khs Alite 500 no original components. | | Bottom Line: | Overall these are a good brake, especially if you have little know-how of hydraulics and want something easier to maintain.
When used with Speed Dial 7 levers, expect an excellent result. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
odjr
a Weekend Warrior
from Kenwood, CA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Shultz | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Simplicity, reliability and ease of adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have found in 475 miles. | | Bike Setup: | Motobecane Fantom 29 Pro. Avid Speed Dial Ti levers and Jagwire Ripcord cables. | | Bottom Line: | These are very smooth and controllable. I was a little apprehensive at first having read where some people were having difficulties with them but once broken in and adjusted they have performed flawlessly for me. I was thinking of getting hydraulics but then my senses kick in and I ask myself; "WHY? These work great!"
I may find upgraded pads when the time comes to replace them but for now I am quite pleased. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Island Style
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle,Wa
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiger Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | great stopping power.easy to make adjustment and no need to worry about bleeding. | | Weaknesses: | squeaks when wet.. | | Bottom Line: | great for the budget type.easy to work with.works wonders... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Viets
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Bottom Line: | I had a BB5's for front and rear brakes with Avid 8" rotors. I had a problem with only the rear brake so I upgraded the rear to a BB7. I must say that I like the BB7 much more. It has better stopping power and is very smooth - almost better than a hydraulic brake system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rickkane
a Cross Country Rider
from edinburgh, uk
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | traquair xc | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | stops the bike good. ride it on my monocog w/ 185 up front and 160 in the back. For scottish non-DH descents, plenty of power. Easy to maintain trailside and a doddle to set up. Once bedded in and w/ the regular sintered pads, i get very little noise (if any) even in wet scottish conditions. | | Weaknesses: | none i can really think of....i gotta use two fingers instead of one? | | Similar Products Used: | first discs ever..... | | Bike Setup: | ss monocog w/ a 100 mmm reba. | | Bottom Line: | if ya ain't downhilling or doing really long descents where you wanna be conserving hand strength, i can't see why you 'd need more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mlhooper
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Cameron Park, Waco, TX | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | stock / OEM | | Strengths: | they don't require hydro-headach setup. they work better than rim brakes. | | Weaknesses: | they could work better... before every ride i am consistently tweaking them (i like my brakes very tight and responsive). | | Bike Setup: | 2006 stumpy HT | | Bottom Line: | I wrecked once and bent the hanger, which bent my rotor. i had to ride back to the trailhead with a very lose (almost non-existent) rear brake. the LBS trued it, but it came out of true very quickly. I'm purchasing another rotor.
The pads are still in good condition.
I wish they would not require me to tweak them before every ride; i'd like to just set it and forget it.
overall value = not going back to rim brakes, so well worth the price tag
overall rating = i just wish they would stay tight and not rub the rotor | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mrgone1@msn.com
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anything long | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria | | Strengths: | Easy setup and adjustment, great instructions, good power and modulation, great price | | Weaknesses: | heavier than V-brakes but there's no way around that | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Epic | | Bottom Line: | I finally bit the bullet and switched my bike over to discs. I went with the BB7 (mechanical) because I could still use my existing XTR brake/ shifter combo without having to buy new levers. They were easy to install and work great. I've ridden friends bikes with hydraulic brakes and I like the way these modulate better, they feel more like a rim brake and that's what I've been riding for 20 years so it's something that is comfortable and predictable. They have more than enough stopping power for actual off road riding as you need to keep in mind that on the dirt you can only brake as fast as the surface will let you (i.e. before the tires start to lock up and skid). Overall, I think that disc brakes are over-hyped and unnecessary for most XC riders but If you have trails that descend for miles (as we do in Colorado) then these will keep your hands from cramping and your rims from overheating. Bueno! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KH1
a Weekend Warrior
from Mt Martha, Vic, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Lysterfield | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Once adjusted properly - these brakes are just amazing. They may not have the overall stopping power of say a stroker or similar quality hydraulics but they have incredible feedback. This gives you much better control in most situations. They clean out real quick in the mud and they are super easy to adjust with caliper adjusters on both sides of the caliper. | | Weaknesses: | Stopping power could be better. But really 99% of riders would never use what they have to offer anyway. Pads a little tricky to change. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes Mechanical crap. Stroker (Great brakes). Shimano Hydros | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Yukon
2008 LX Shifters & Derailleurs
2008 Xt Cassette
BB7 Brakes & Discs
LX Cranks
525 Pedals
Selle Royal Viper Saddle
Maxxis Ignitor Tyres
Avid Adjustable Levers
2008 Tora 302 Lockouts 100mm
| | Bottom Line: | Great value brakes that will offer more stopping power and definately more feel than just about anything this side of a decent hydro.
Unless you are a hellboy on wheels or a pro these brakes are the sh$t. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mountain biker 41
a Weekend Warrior
from
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Awesome stopping power, easy to setup | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | hayes mechanicals, tekreos, juicy 3 | | Bike Setup: | KHS FR2000 | | Bottom Line: | These will stop you for sure,awesome brake, stay in adjustment longer than any other mechanical I have had | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
natestar
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, NE
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Platte River SP | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$87.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Low maintence and hassle free | | Weaknesses: | disc rust and brake squeek | | Similar Products Used: | na | | Bike Setup: | Turner 5 spot, Fox Talas RLC | | Bottom Line: | I really enjoy using these brakes because low maintence. Only problems I had is I have had trouble getting the brakes to stop squeeking. On a cosmetic note, the inside of the disc began to show signs of rust after about 6 months. It is a small amount, but enough where you can see if you glance at the disc, this is obviouly only cosmetic.
It is extremely easy to adjust the brakes because of the pad knobs on both sides of the clamp.
Overall very satified. They have not failed me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GUNNEREDWARDS
a Downhiller
from CORPUS CHRISTI
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | BANDERAS | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | AUSTIN BIKE SHOP | | Strengths: | EASY SETUP, ADJUSTMENT AND STOPPING POWER LIKE NONE OTHER I HAVE HAD. | | Weaknesses: | STILL MANUFACTURED WITH SOME PLASTIC... BUT THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS HAVE NOT FAILED. | | Similar Products Used: | PROMAX, MX2, MXR, CAMINO HYDROLIC. | | Bike Setup: | DIAMONDBACK RESPONSE | | Bottom Line: | GREAT PRODUCT. REPLACED THE ORIGINAL BRAKES WITH HAYES HYDROLIC EL COMINO AND HAD THAT BRAKE SYSTEM FAIL AND GO THROUGH THE SPOKES. REPLACED THAT WITH THE BB7 AND IT IS BETTER THAN THE OTHERS THAT I TRIED. DEFINITLY UP FOR PUTTING THE BB7'S ON MY OTHER 3 BIKES. WON'T DO WITHOUT THEM AGAIN. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joogoosen'
a Weekend Warrior
from VA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Freedom Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Super stoppers, no squealing, just plain brakepower | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | BB5 | | Bike Setup: | GF 29erCobia, ergon GX-2 carbon barends, BB7's, upgraded saddle | | Bottom Line: | Awsome!!!!!!! Unlike the bb5's these bad larry's stop very well, barely squeal during break in. As soon as my LBS swapped them out, after I bought them from them (free install too!) I could immediately feel the difference. This was prior to them fine tuning them to my liking! After they were dialed in I'm in heaven! Worth the upgrade and $$. Plus the LBS had them for $1 less than I could find them online...didn't have to pay shipping or install fee, plus adjustments are free with LBS for lifetime!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
techbike_108
a Weekend Warrior
from Palm Bay, FL
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | Came with Jekyll 600 | | Strengths: | Strengths? Well it stops you like no ones business! I have used BB5's on my Giant DS1 and when I bought my Jekyll 600 it came with Avid BB7's and the jump in stoping power and controll is amazing. When tuned correctly they stop you on a dime. I went over the handlebars on a steep dip just learning the power of these brakes. I'm sure there are nicer ones out there but I can't see why anyone would have anthing bad to say about the stopping power and control of these brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Not to many. Can be hard to get tuned the first time. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB5's, Cheap Tektros, Shamano V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Jekyll 600 with FOX float RL shock. | | Bottom Line: | Don't think that you can go wrong with these. Not to expensive either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
VHN
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Gatineau Hills; Point Pelee | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$96.00 | | Purchased At: | http://stores.channe | | Strengths: | - Easy to install and adjust
- Precise braking, great modulation, not noisy at all, works well in all conditions
| | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB5 | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Jamis Coda Elite, Avid FR5 brake levers, Avid 160 mm rotors, 2008 Avid BB7 Mountain
| | Bottom Line: | When I went shopping for a new bike last year, one of the criteria for selection was that the bike had to come equipped with mechanical disk brakes. I had a road bike for 25 years previously and was looking for a replacement to take me the next 25, and chose a 2007 Jamis Coda Elite hybrid. In previous years, that model came standard with the Avid BB7, but I guess as a means of shaving the cost to make it more price competitive, the brakes were downgraded to the Avid BB5 (for 2008, they again come equipped with the BB7s). Having had no previous experience with disk brakes, I didn't think too much of it. Initially the brakes were okay, but not remarkable. With time, though, I came to feel that I actually had the same or more control with the rim brakes on my road bike. It was not very satisfactory.
So this Spring I purchased the 2008 Avid BB7 Mountains and what a difference! I also purchased a torque wrench so the brakes would be installed exactly as specified in the instruction manual:
http://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/2006_BB5and7_English.pdf
http://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/bbdb-mtn-160-install.pdf
a video of which can also be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1kezXQVnLY
And now do I ever have precise control! I have not experienced any modulation problems whatsoever that some have reported. Nor do I have any noticeable squeaking, again reported by others, even when the brakes are wet. In my initial installation, I misinterpreted the instructions and did not align the brakes properly; in hindsight I don't know what I was thinking: I centred the rotor between the calipers then backed off the inboard and outboard pads so that the GAPS were 2/3 and 1/3, respectively (ie. inboard gap was twice as wide as the outboard). With that setup, there was both extreme squeaking and vibration -- the bike shuddered every time I applied the brakes. Recognizing that there was something definitely wrong, I reread the instructions and saw that the 2/3 - 1/3 spacing was supposed to be for placement of the rotor between the calipers. Once I did that, tightening the inboard and outboard pads to hold the brakes in that position until all of the bolts were tightened to the specified torque, then backed off each pad a couple of turns, the brakes worked beautifully. Stops on a dime when I need to (saved me from a getting up close and very personal with a car), precise speed adjustment when rounding tight hairpin turns, gradual stopping otherwise.
I note that others suggest that the larger rotors should be used. My bike came equipped with 160 mm rotors and Avid FR5 brake levers and I didn't particularly want to swap those out. For my type bike -- hybrid -- and riding which consists mostly of commuting and urban bike paths (some of which are in hilly terrain with decent grades and tight turns), the 160 mm rotors are perfectly fine and have performed well.
Bottom line: Best brakes I've ever used, I LOVE them.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
icemonkey
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Its always the next one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Easy to setup, easy to install, good modulation, can use your old brake levers... | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, or to be more accurate- heavier than the XT V brake I was using.
| | Similar Products Used: | This is my 1st disk brake... | | Bike Setup: | Very old steel lavadome, xt xtr Marzocchi xc 600 forks whatever wheels I have that are remotely straight. | | Bottom Line: | Very premature review, however over the past month Ive been riding with the BB7 I can say its a lot easier to maintain. Ive done nothing - its that easy. Not affected by mud or water like V's and has a great feel. I had a full XT set up with and did not want to spend a small fortune on new levers, pods etc so I just bought this brake. For what it does its excellent, but you do pay a weight penalty and really well set up Vs can rival stopping power (without the mud). All in all very very good. So, if you have xt levers they work well. Only 4 chilis for overall, could be lighter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frs1661
a Cross Country Rider
from The Roch, NY
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Harriet Hollister | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Great stopping power in all conditions. | | Weaknesses: | A bit difficult to get set up initially. | | Similar Products Used: | SD-7 V brakes | | Bottom Line: | Great brake power for the money, and not even all that heavy. I initially had some trouble adjusting the calipers correctly. The brakes feel like crap if they are not properly adjusted. Avid's instructions are bare-bones at best; I recommend the instructions on parktool's website. They are very explicit and gave me excellent results. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from hayden, ID, USa
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 28 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | good quality to some extent. | | Weaknesses: | weak braking power causing forearm pump on the trails I ride weekly. not easy to install break pads, required constant tweaking to keep it from squelling. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes original, SRAM Juicey 7 and Carbon | | Bike Setup: | Freaking fast! | | Bottom Line: | This may have been a pair of cr*p brakes from the get go but I hated them. After a summer of riding with them I put them on craig's list and replaced them with the SRAM Juicey Carbons. I personally would not use them again but if you buget is tight and you need brakes now and can't save for the juiceys then this maybe a good brake choice for you. BE Ready for forearm pump though or spend the extra $$ and get a nice set of brake levers. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck
a Weekend Warrior
from Fitchburg Ma.
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Townsend Sate Forest (for now) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Gearworks Cycelry | | Strengths: | Great stopping power | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | bb5 with cheapo avid levers | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Rockhopper comp disc | | Bottom Line: | What a difference from the stock brakes, with the old bb5s it always felt like I was going to break the levers on steep descents, indeed the back lever was developing a lot of play.
These calipers with the Avid Ultimate levers (160 mm rotors) make the steepest descents a one finger affair, awesome modulation with the speed dial set in the middle the pressure exerted to the caliper from the lever is very smooth and progressive.
I had this setup installed three days ago, took it out yesterday on the local rail trail to dial it in and hit the woods today for four hours.
At 250 pounds I know I'm asking a lot of any brake, these just say give me more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trelgne
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bike-components. | | Strengths: | - manual pad adjustment - preventing of rubbing pads
- low-cost-product compared to what you get
- unbeleivable top performance if you use the right levers, cables and rotors
- no trouble with brake fluid, bleeding, pressure point issues, overheating, sticky pistons
| | Weaknesses: | heavier than hydros (because you have to add the weight for levers and housing)
| | Similar Products Used: | hydraulic brakes: Magura Louise, Julie, Avid Juicy 7, Formula Oro, Shimano LX, XT, XTR, Giant MPH3 | | Bike Setup: | Avid BB7 (2008)with 160mm front/rear, Avid Speed Dial SL levers, Full Metal Jacket, Alligator serrated rotors (Windcutter), Avid sintered pads | | Bottom Line: | If you want the maximum performance out of the BB7 you must use:
- compressionless uninterrupted housing (Avid Full Metal Jacket recommended)
- Avid Speed Dial levers
- better rotors than the roundagons (that you get with the BB7 2008)
This setup, properly installed and betted in, is more powerful than the above listed hydros (with same rotor size) for the front brake. Comparable power with the rear brake (more cable stretch to the rear causes minimal loss). Same top modulation and lever feel as with hydraulics. The 160 mm Alligator serrated rotors are a good choice to increase power and reduce some weight. With the Speed Dial lever knob you can adjust the power and pressure point. With the Full Metal Jacket you prevent any friction within the brake housing, it's fully sealed so you don't have any performance decrease - no reason to change cables from time to time. And the whole thing is cheaper than the overpriced top hydraulics.
The BB7 with this setup is nearly perfect - highly recommended for every kind of riding stuff with the exception for weight wheenies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jules Evans
a Cross Country Rider
from hobart, tas
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Wellington | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | great braking power for a cable system. Much better than V-brakes, even with high grade pads.
lighter than hydros when you include cables etc.
adjustment is very simple, easier than any other cable system that I have seen.
Cheaper than hydros. | | Weaknesses: | not quite as strong as hydros( you need 2 fingers)
Heavier than V-brakes | | Similar Products Used: | cheaper shimano disks, V-brakes. Magura hydros | | Bike Setup: | Trek | | Bottom Line: | Perfect upgrade from V-brakes! They are stronger, work better in poor conditions and are more progressive once worn in. They also don't wear your rims.
If you want to change to disc brakes, this is the perfect way to go for value for money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sylvain Gravel
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | - Amazing braking power
- Easily installed
- Great adjustability
- Simplicity
- Easy as it gets maintenance | | Weaknesses: | - Modulation could be improved (Speed Dial levers are a must)
- Pretty noisy when wet
- Heavier than hydros | | Similar Products Used: | - Hayes HFX-9
- OEM V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Custom built, part by part... | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are amazing. I've been using these for a year on my hardtail and they just seem to get better with time. Surprisingly I have found that they gripped a lot more initially and when the pads got worn a bit they modulated better. Still these brakes tend to lack modulation and I strongly reccomend adjustable levers to get the best out of these.
I'm starting to love these brakes more than my hydros. Yes I have to adjust pads every so often but it takes about a second or two with the easily reachable knobs and, as opposed to hydros, the maintenance is pretty limited to replacing pads and cables. No messing around with those stupid bubbles caught in the hydro lines spilling DOT fluid all over the place. It's quick and easy which leaves you with more time riding.
One thing I really love about these as well is that you can easily adjust the initial lever pull to your liking. With hydros this can be a pain in the ass if not plain impossible. It seems to me that you get all the advantages of the best high-end hydros in these brakes for a fraction of the price.
So unless you're into big time DH, I'd get these brakes with good levers and keep the extra money for other parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sylvain Gravel
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | - Amazing braking power
- Easily installed
- Great adjustability
- Simplicity
- Easy as it gets maintenance | | Weaknesses: | - Modulation could be improved (Speed Dial levers are a must)
- Pretty noisy when wet
- Heavier than hydros | | Similar Products Used: | - Hayes HFX-9
- OEM V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Custom built, part by part... | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are amazing. I've been using these for a year on my hardtail and they just seem to get better with time. Surprisingly I have found that they gripped a lot more initially and when the pads got worn a bit they modulated better. Still these brakes tend to lack modulation and I strongly reccomend adjustable levers to get the best out of these.
I'm starting to love these brakes more than my hydros. Yes I have to adjust pads every so often but it takes about a second or two with the easily reachable knobs and, as opposed to hydros, the maintenance is pretty limited to replacing pads and cables. No messing around with those stupid bubbles caught in the hydro lines spilling DOT fluid all over the place. It's quick and easy which leaves you with more time riding.
One thing I really love about these as well is that you can easily adjust the initial lever pull to your liking. With hydros this can be a pain in the ass if not plain impossible. It seems to me that you get all the advantages of the best high-end hydros in these brakes for a fraction of the price. So really, unless you're into big time DH, I'd get these brakes with good levers and keep the extra money for other parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach
a Cross Country Rider
from Loganville, GA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | 96 Olympic Course, Conyers GA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Much better than v brakes, which is what i switched from, wet braking power and easy pull for lots of power, easy install | | Weaknesses: | some noise, weight | | Similar Products Used: | 08 xt v brakes | | Bike Setup: | full xt minus the bb7s, easton bar and seatpost | | Bottom Line: | great for the money, i didnt want to mess with buying hydro levers and spening all that money and the mess, read up on these, after i broke them in i love them and feel like they have made me a quicker rider even with the weight gain, anyone can install altough the directions are a little shaky, avid has a video that does it step by step | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach
a Cross Country Rider
from Loganville, GA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | 96 Olympic Course, Conyers GA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Much better than v brakes, which is what i switched from, wet braking power and easy pull for lots of power, easy install | | Weaknesses: | some noise, weight | | Similar Products Used: | 08 xt v brakes | | Bike Setup: | full xt minus the bb7s, easton bar and seatpost | | Bottom Line: | great for the money, i didnt want to mess with buying hydro levers and spening all that money and the mess, read up on these, after i broke them in i love them and feel like they have made me a quicker rider even with the weight gain, anyone can install altough the directions are a little shaky, avid has a video that does it step by step | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Earl Teigrob
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Minnewanka | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Solid braking, crisp, easy to adjust | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes MX4 (Not very good, IMHO) | | Bike Setup: | Avid SD7 Levers, XTR Cables | | Bottom Line: | The 08's are the best yet. I can get these to feel almost like hydros (but not quite). The XTR cables minimize any give in the cable system so I end up with very tight braking. I only have to move the levers about 15-20mm for full braking power. I have another bike with 06 BB7s and I can not accomplish the same tightness with them. All in all a great brake without the headaches of hydros. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominique
a Cross Country Rider
from Le Mans, France
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Adjustable like no hydro will ever be (even more adjustable when matched with Speed Dial levers), no fluid hassle, virtually maintenance free ... | | Weaknesses: | I don't like the look (before 2008) | | Similar Products Used: | Deore mech, Hayes MX-1, MX-2, Juicy five, Marta | | Bike Setup: | Scott Scale carbon, Xmax SL, Manitou R7 100mm | | Bottom Line: | some reviews complain about modulation, but it's just a matter of getting used to a new product whatever it is (this brake is far more progressive than a Magura Marta !)
It lacks a bit of power in long and steep downhills but if you go over any 180 mm disk on the front you'll be safe enough for XC/all mountain use | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominique
a Cross Country Rider
from Le Mans, France
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | adjustable like no hydro will ever be if matched with Speed Dial levers, no fluid hassle, virtually maintenance free | | Weaknesses: | don't like the look (before 2008), stopping power | | Similar Products Used: | Deore mech, Hayes MX-2, MX-1, juicy five, marta | | Bike Setup: | Scott Scale carbon, Xmax SL, Manitou R7 100mm | | Bottom Line: | some reviews complain about modulation, but it's just a matter of getting used to a new product whatever it is ( this brake is far more progressive than a Magura Marta !!)
Despite i weight only 155, it lacks power in steep and long downhills: it has to be used with a 180 mm front disk minimum
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominique
a Cross Country Rider
from Le Mans, France
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | adjustable like no hydro will ever be if matched with Speed Dial levers, no fluid hassle, virtually maintenance free | | Weaknesses: | don't like the look (before 2008), stopping power | | Similar Products Used: | Deore mech, Hayes MX-2, MX-1, juicy five, marta | | Bike Setup: | Scott Scale carbon, Xmax SL, Manitou R7 100mm | | Bottom Line: | some reviews complain about modulation, but it's just a matter of getting used to a new product whatever it is ( this brake is far more progressive than a Magura Marta !!)
Despite i weight only 155, it lacks power in steep and long downhills: it has to be used with a 180 mm front disk minimum
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from White Plains, NY
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Easy to install and adjust | | Weaknesses: | not the lightest? | | Similar Products Used: | HFX 9, HFX Mag, Juicy 3 | | Bike Setup: | Planet X Alibongo, DMR trailblade fork, XTR brake Levers, 1x5 gearing, 24" rhyno lite rear, 26" rhyno lite front | | Bottom Line: | I have a bunch of bikes. Every year I try to have one that is kind of slow for riding with my girlfriend. This is a trials bike that I have tried to rake out a bit and lower the BB with a small rear wheel and a fork that is a little long for trials so I can ride it on trails without going over the handlebars.
I have the BB7's with eight inch rotors and XTR levers. I was riding this bike today thinking "These HFX-9's are pretty nice with the big rotors..." when I realized that they were BB7's. If you are going to use cable discs, you MUST invest in decent levers. I had these brakes on another bike with six inch rotors and Avid Ultimate levers, and I thought they were pretty good, but with the eight inch rotors and XTR levers, they seem just as good as hydraulic brakes. The modulation is superior to HFX 9's with this set up.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbridge, VA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | I paid $110 for both the front and rear brake systems. I think normally just the front or the rear is $60 alone. Anyway they are extremely easy to install and set up. They stop really well. | | Weaknesses: | They are LOUD during break in. Once broken in they are quiet, strong and smooth. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid single digits | | Bike Setup: | Specialize FSR, Rockshox Reba Race, Crankbothers Cobolt headset, Crankbothers Acid 1 clipless pedals, and Avid BB7's | | Bottom Line: | Good mech disc breaks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derick
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, Or USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | skyliner | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | These were incredably easy to set up and adjust, they have more than enough stopping power and were way cheaper than any other reasonably performing disc brake set up. | | Weaknesses: | Have not found any so far. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Sette Riddik, Sram x.9 derailer and triggers, Avid BB7, MTB Velocoraptors, Thompson Elite, Rock Shox Revelation. | | Bottom Line: | These things are inexpensive, super easy to set up and have all the power i could ask for. Highly recomended for anyone looking for a disc brake set that won't break the bank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Wolff
a Cross Country Rider
from Lyons, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Kokopelli | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | QBP | | Strengths: | Simple to tune, simple to maintain, light weight. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can find. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Juicy 3, 5, 7 | | Bike Setup: | Salsa El Santo; SRAM X-9; Rock Shox; Avid | | Bottom Line: | Why screw with DOT fluid, bleeding, and all the other headaches of hydrolics? All you need is an extra brake cable and a new set of pads in the toolbox and you are set. I frequently solo long (100+ mile) rides into the middle of nowhere. I trust these brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Morrell
a Cross Country Rider
from Sault ste. Marie
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | velorution | | Strengths: | Good stopping power. short breakin period. inexpensive. easy to install. eay to ajust | | Weaknesses: | overheat easily. squeal loudly wen wet. | | Similar Products Used: | first disc break | | Bike Setup: | stock 2008 devinci hucker | | Bottom Line: | great breaks. pretty good stopping power after breakin. I dont suggest these for downhillers because they overheat quickley and there is excessive break fade, otherwise they are great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bismarck, ND
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Maah Daah Hey | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Easily adjustable and installable. | | Weaknesses: | none found so far. | | Similar Products Used: | hayes crappy mechanical???????? | | Bottom Line: | These brakes have been excellent so far. Adjusting was alittle strange at first, but I got them right and now we just need to wait out the break in and they should be smooth. Of course I am just guessing this from how good they have been so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Low Cost
Ease of Installation | | Weaknesses: | Initial testing revealed less braking power than my stock v-brakes | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4500, mostly stock except for new brakes and SPD pedals | | Bottom Line: | I was pleased with the installation process. The instructions were good enough. Doing mechanical things can intimidate me, but this install went pretty well. My first test ride was somewhat disappointing. I was expecting much better braking force. I'm hoping that's all because the pads need to "bed in" as some others have stated. Here's hoping that after a couple miles, my initial impressions will be proven wrong! My rating is based on my first night of having them installed. I will update this after I get a few miles under my belt if this system will let me revise my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quintin
a Weekend Warrior
from Loma Linda, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hulda Crooks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Easy set-up. Can use with V levers. Easy to avoid dragging pad when you don't want them to. | | Weaknesses: | Very little modulation. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes nine and other | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Element full XTR... | | Bottom Line: | These are the best disc brakes I have used yet. I got rid of my hydros because I finally got pissed off that I could never get them to stop rubbing all the time. All the people on here who can't figure out how to get them to stop robbing your pedal power need to either get new rotors that aren't warped or else take your bike to a respectable bike shop and have them dial your brakes in! If your rotors are true you should never have to put up with unwanted brake drag!
The only thing I miss from hydros is the modulation. At first with these brakes it does seem like they are either off or locked up - no middle ground. But after you ride on them for a while you should be able to get used to that. And the trade off you get with the adjustability of these calipers totally makes it worth the loss of modulation.
Bottom Line - Buy These Brakes! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lord Paolo
a
from Mandaluyong City
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Off-Urban | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | Awesome stopping power (203mm; too awesome for me in fact), excellent adjustability, ease of installation and alignment, decent modulation. | | Weaknesses: | Squeals LOUD when used wet. | | Similar Products Used: | Promax LZ-160 (Trek OEM)
Avid BB5 (Demo'ed)
Hayes MX-? (Demo'ed)
Avid BB7-160mm (Demo'ed and returned for upgrade) | | Bike Setup: | Trek 3900-Disc with up'd Xero Element XSD-1 Wheelset, FSA OS-140 stem, Truvativ Hussefelt Bar, 2.35 Dirt Reapers, Exustar Peds. | | Bottom Line: | Take heed on rotor sizing! Take caution when the packaging reads "DOWNHILL". Returned the 160mm and purchased the downhill-specific 203mm front/rear set mainly for thinking, hey, I believe this will stop a 95kg man. It did and man, now I know how it feels to "textbook-fly over your bars". Off to buy my second helmet.
Sure, it looks and feels good but I'm not really sure if my Xero'es with 24 spokes, Dirt Reapers and disc mounts feel the same way. I'm looking forward to install 160mm rotors on them. Excellent product in all aspects, even with crappy levers.
Lesson I've learned on 203mm brakes systems; Go fast, brake hard, lean back. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Romano V
a Cross Country Rider
from Parker, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Sycamore Canyon, Riverside | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Excellent stopping power, low maintenance, very reliable, no messy hydraulic fluids/mineral oil, no air bubles, no leaks, no bleeding, just ride. | | Weaknesses: | Some say the weight of the brakes & steel cables and havier then hydraulics. | | Similar Products Used: | Converted from V-Brakes kicking & screaming by Wayne at Jenson USA. | | Bike Setup: | Yeti 575, Titus Racer X, Kona the King, working on a Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper. | | Bottom Line: | I keep hearing hydaulic brakes have more modulation?.. and that hydaulics might weigh less. Other then these possible reasons, these mechanical brakes are excellent. Be sure and use good levers, cable housings & cables. I've always used these with Avid FR-5 brake levers & Shimano XTR brake cable housing & cables. I have them on two MTB with no problems, I'll take them anywere. No worries about mineral oil leaks, air bubbles or bleeding. I'm trained as an auto mechanic so I understand brake systems, but why bother with the mess, these work great! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cliff kiracofe
a Cross Country Rider
from Hayden, ID USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | ckiracofe@yahoo.com | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Mechanical design, quality parts | | Weaknesses: | caused forearm pump, not as good as my 99 hayes hydraulic disc brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes and Avid Juicey Carbon | | Bike Setup: | 06 stumpjumper fsr pro,stock with following changes: king head set and hubs, xtr drive train, avid juicey carbon disc brakes, swiss 4.1d rims | | Bottom Line: | after reading the reviews on the site, I decided to go with the bb7, after using the product for 6 months I craigslisted them and went with the Juicey Carbon disc brakes. I'm not sure if the rotar was too small 160mm front and back or the brake levers were the problem but I would get forearm pump on the down hill sections of my normal trail rides. Since switching the brake system over the the Juicey Carbons the forearm pump has ceased and riding is great again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a
from CT
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Mianus | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$64.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Great, strong brakes. Lots of power, good modulation. No heat problems with 185mm rotors. | | Weaknesses: | Rear is a little easy to lock. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes MX-2 | | Bike Setup: | 06 Giant Yukon, stock with BB7s and Speed Dial 7 levers. | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes, highly recommended. Much better than the stock Hayes MX-2s. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Cross Country Rider
from PJ, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | Light, disc dials on both pads, simple, aesthetic, Price | | Similar Products Used: | Juicy 3, Shimano XT 07 hydr, V brakes all | | Bike Setup: | Chameleon 07, Thomson Stem/seatpost, FSA K-Force handlebar, all XT incl wheelset, speed dial 7, BB7, Panaracer XCpro 2.1 | | Bottom Line: | This is the best setup for my brakes so far. I have used Speed Dial 7, BB7 and Jagwire combination on my bike.
The feel is, if not similar can still be felt like hydro brakes - soft and very responsive. The BB7 comes with 185mm rotors on both front and rear, which gives me confidence during a steep climb and going down hill. No problem at all with roots, rocks, dusty or muddy trails.
Excellent mechanical brake and should add Jagwire to actually 'abuse' this brake. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Brechfa (Wales) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Cycles | | Strengths: | Power, setup ease, precision of adjustment, ease of on-the-trail adjustment, ease of finding spare parts, ease of servicing. | | Weaknesses: | Modulation | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore Hydraulic, Shimano Deore Cable discs, Shimano Saint Hydraulic, Avid Juicy 5, Hayes HFX 9, tektro IO, tektro hydraulic, various non-branded cable disc brakes. | | Bike Setup: | Orange Msisle, Rockshox Pikes, FSA Pig, Hope DH Stem, Hope Pro II (SS-trials), Mavic rims, Shimano hone cranks. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes initially dissappointed me with a lack of power, but once they bedded in ... !!!! Easily as powerful as a hydraulic costing alot less with greater ease of use. Only downside is lack of modulation which shouldn't be a problem if your not a numpty and can actually modulate brakes effectively yourself.
Recomended for almost any application using discs! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Tx USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Ease of use, adjustability, strength, stopping ability, feel, they're not the BB5 | | Weaknesses: | Can't find any. | | Similar Products Used: | BB5 | | Bike Setup: | XC Specialized Disc w/Kenda Navagal, Manitou Minute 3 fork, XTR pedals, stock everything else. | | Bottom Line: | These are much better brakes than the BB5s. Those things are a complete joke and I'd be embarrassed to work at Avid and have name associated with them. The 7s are a huge step up, it's not even comparable. The 7s are reliable, easily adjustable to within a fraction of an inch, and most importantly work. I have not had any major issues with these brakes and I don't treat them that well. Also, I like the ability to adjust the lever tension so there is some give on the brake lever. These are smooth and great and everything the BB5 is not. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ISAAC MIZRAHI
a Cross Country Rider
from MEXICO
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Iceland | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Strengths: | The braking power and the easy way to adjust them | | Weaknesses: | Not Hidraulic | | Bike Setup: | Scott Yekora All XT, Disc brakes Avid BB7 160mm, Mavic wheels, IRC Marathon tires in both of them | | Bottom Line: | They are great for traveling as I do, Very easy to adjust them only turning colckwise the dial and you are done.
No tools required to change the pads. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skee
a Downhiller
from Bukowina, Romania
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Local trails. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSport Cluj | | Strengths: | Very good mechanical brake, easy to adjust, good stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | Well, like all the usual disc brakes, the pads wear pretty fast in wet conditions, but still does a good job on wet conditions also. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes HFX-9 HD | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback DB8 w/ Marzocchi Dirt Jam Pro 120mm | | Bottom Line: | If I have to choose between my previous HFX-Nines and BB7 I would go with BB7, just because its mecanical and it does the same job as the HFX and in some conditions they act even better than Hayes. The small parts are cheaper for the BB7 only the pads have the same price as hfx pads.
For me the BB7 works perfectly with Avid FR5 levers, which are pretty cheap for what they do.
Also I combined the BB7 caliper with discs from HFX and works just great. I don't like the Roundagon disc provided by Avid :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CJ Gandia
a Weekend Warrior
from Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Maarat | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | King's | | Strengths: | Avid quality, reliable, good looking, very light. | | Weaknesses: | Price is a little expensive for a mechanical disc brake. You can get a shimano deore hydro for the same price. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano non-series mechanical disc brake | | Bike Setup: | vision cruizer frame, fox fork, sram and truvativ parts | | Bottom Line: | I bought the 2008 model in graphite finish. I wanted to go hydro coming from v-brakes. I didn't like my friends' shimano mechanicals. The levers were very hard to press and had little stopping power. But after reading other reviews I was convinced to go the BB7 way. After breaking them in for a few hours, I was amazed on how soft the levers were and how strong the stopping power was. I can skid the tires on the pavement. That was even before I set it up. After I followed the instructions on installing and setting them up, the power had increased even more. I even watched a video on youtube on how to install BB7s. Amazing mech brake. Hassle free maintenance, almost hydraulic quality. No kidding!
4 chilis - the price is a bit high for a mechanical brake
5 chilis - the performance, it's amazing! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
corey
a
from se us
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | one with dirt and rock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | online superstore | | Bottom Line: | love em, much better than rim brakes.
I've not used hydraulic ones before so I can't compare to those.
Be sure to follow the instructions to the T when setting them up or they won't work as well.
One word of caution to those new to disc brakes, the first few rides are needed to seat or break in the pads. Your braking power is much less than even rim brakes until you break in the new pads. But once they are broke in they are great.
overall, great brakes, especially for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a Racer
from Murfreesboro, Tn, US
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tnasi Trails, Ocoee Tn | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Great stopping power, easy to install. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Avid bb5, XT hydro | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Liberator w/ ss conversion kit, I-9 wheels | | Bottom Line: | After using these brakes I decided that I'm not going to bother with hydrolic brakes anymore. Using good levers is vital. I'm using XT levers and they work fine. It seems that the bb7s have a better spring than the 5s. I would spend the extra cash for the 7s. They are easy to install (with proper attachments) and easy to maintain. If you are upgrading to disc this is the way to go. The only reason I wouldn't go with these brakes is if you are adamant on hydro brakes. If so go with the Avid Juicy 7s. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jakethehick
a Weekend Warrior
from Pawcatuck, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | e.p. | | Strengths: | I bought the 08 BB7 "down hills" (the ones with the 203mm rotors) They have gobs of stopping power and are inexpensive. Contrary to many people's reviews, they can be set up to acheive great modulation. And set up is a breeze (if you know what you are doing!) | | Weaknesses: | none...they do what they should and they do it well for 1/4 the cost of comparable hydros | | Similar Products Used: | EVERYTHING but hopes...I work at a shop | | Bike Setup: | trek session 77, 888RC, race face evolve DH cranks | | Bottom Line: | I "upgraded" my session 77 from hays hfx-whatevers to BB7's. I dont care what anyone says, properly set up BB7's are surperior to many hydro's (and ALL hayes!) However, in order to acheive this level of performance you MUST:
BUY GOOD LEVERS
INSTALL QUALITY CABLES/HOUSING
TAKE YOUR TIME INSTALLING THE CALIPERS
PROPERLY ADJUST THE PADS USING THE DIALS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Haven
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Great stoppers... easy setup... very adjustable... don't "scream" in pain!!! | | Weaknesses: | Don't get anything on the pads... (goes for all disc brakes) | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro POS's that came on my hardrock :-( | | Bike Setup: | '05 Spesh Hardrock... Marzocchi DJ3, Avid BB7 160mm, Lizard Skins Lock-on grips, replaced wheels and rubber. | | Bottom Line: | great stopping power... One of the best upgrades you can do yourself for little $$$. Get your brake cables fully housed!!!!! YOu do not want a bunch of mud gunking up your lines (lesson learned)!!!!
5 chili's cuz they do what I want 'em to and they've lasted without needing repair. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel
a
from australia
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | super cycles | | Strengths: | simple, easy to adjust brake | | Weaknesses: | nope | | Similar Products Used: | hayes sole | | Bike Setup: | 06 p2, chrome mtx's, vandero race front hub, bb7, 08 red trailblades | | Bottom Line: | great park/ street brake, simple and great for most riding | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Petri
a Weekend Warrior
from Vantaa, Finland, Europe
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything goes | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | online @ a german webshop | | Strengths: | A lightweight system, easy to set up, easy to fix in the forest if sumthing breaks, both pads are adjustable, centering the caliper is a piece of cake, toolless pad change, no messing with the flued, can be completely dismantled on your kitchen table... | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes MX-2, Avid BB-5 | | Bike Setup: | Avid SL Brake Levers, YPK cable housings and teflon coated cables on Ellsworth Moment. Magura Louise Vented rotors(203mm front and 160mm rear). Never mind the rest... | | Bottom Line: | BB-7 kicks *ss both off-road and on - I got these beauties both on my full-susser and my cyclo-cross and they have saved my *ss at least a hundred times during the last year. Not to mention my dear life.
No problems with air bubbles or leaks - go for these, especially now that the prices sank.
Get the black (organic) pads if U need to stop x-fast - no squeal, an easy modulation and a fast slowdown (an oxymoron...?)even when wet and muddy. Really - the Avid black pads rock even if they wear down a little faster than the sintered ones but the stopping power is jaw-dropping. I got friends who were astonished after taking a test-ride on my bike - they could not believe that this stopping power comes from a brake on a wire, not a brake on fluid. However, none of them went Over-the-bar as the modulation and the feel is so goooood, U feel on the fingers when the brake starts to bite.
Get these if U want to stop, otherwise... hmm. :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob valderrama
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose ca
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Quicksilver | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Stopping power, lack of fade, easy installation. Good modulation. Price. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to come up with a weakness for the price. The directions are kinda hard to read. | | Similar Products Used: | V brakes. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude | | Bottom Line: | Great for any convert from V brakes. If you want to go disc and not ready for the cost and maintenance of hydros, then this is the brake for you. I'm 6'2" 240 lb. I set up with a 185mm in the front and 160mm in the back. It the most powerful brake I've ever used. Very good feel. Easy maintenance. Incredible value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a
from Dripping Springs, TX
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | home | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Ease of set up, good stopping and control. | | Weaknesses: | Some squeal | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes El Camino | | Bottom Line: | Available at a good price, easy to use, dependable, no juice | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington Beach
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Price - Performance - Ease of set up | | Weaknesses: | can't think of any, no chi chi factor, no bling if that's important to you | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes and AVID hydros | | Bike Setup: | Turner Burner - TALAS - Easton Havocs - Kenda Nevegals | | Bottom Line: | Not sure what to say what the other guys haven't mentioned. The AVID juicy's I rode with for a day were great, but had that On/Off feel. With a pair of Altek levers these things are as close as I think I'm going to get to perfect brakes. I put Aztec Powerline housing/cables when I made the switch, wish I'd tried regular stuff so I knew if there was a difference. NOTE: I had XTR levers, brakes and Bontager Mustang ceramic rims. You can't get better rim braking than that. These are a whole other world. Thirty minute downhills and no aching forearms, worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAVE
a Weekend Warrior
from Buellton
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Las crusas adobe | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Very controllable braking. Kinda' bumbed initially, Riding around the block. Then, Out on the trail.....woe. Very controlled, anti lock front. The rear will lock, so go light. The front just slows you down, perfectly. I'm presently a 210 plus porker, with 160 mm front disc. It's plenty good. | | Weaknesses: | Not enough warning to just give it a ride or two , to break in. | | Similar Products Used: | none. V-brake | | Bike Setup: | Steel hardtail. Rock shox dart 3. Avid bb7. Mavic 117 rims. Sunrace thumb shifters(friction no less). randon cranks. eight speed 11-30 cas. 22/32/42. 2.2-2.3 tires. | | Bottom Line: | So easy to set up. Work great. Got these because I could see the writing on the wall. V-brakes are on the way out. Switched components from fs bike to ht that had disc mount. Coulde'nt resist. I'm building the fs back up, And will put these brakes on the new fork. And finally, The idea of hydro fluid is to tech . These work great. Later. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay ($120 includes postage) | | Strengths: | Tool free pad changing, dual pad adjustment - means less fidling with cables to get good feel/modulation, easy to set up, easy to maintain. | | Weaknesses: | Rotors that come with these appear to contribute to LOTS of squeaking, changed pads and minimised squeaking but only a little, changed discs and disappeared altogether. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Shimano offering on my bike, and HAYES hydros on a friends bike I rode for about 300kms over a 3 week period. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Giant Boulder Disc, SRAM Attack Shifters, Avid Speed Dial TI levers, Titec Knock Post, Avid Rollamajig, Syncros Race 80mm/12* rise stem, Specialized Bars, Giant Lock-on Grips, Crank Brothers Candy SL pedals, XTR front & rear derailleurs & AVID Flakjackets all round | | Bottom Line: | Had shimano's on my bike, wasn't happy with them. LBS claimed they were fine just to upgrade levers, jumped on ebay got some Speed Dial TI's...improved marginally but that was due to their superior adjustability when compared to stock. Still wasn't happy, upgraded to flakjackets, again slight improvement but not quite there, bought these, waited 2 weeks for them to ship, and I HAVE NOT looked back. These brakes, with complimenting components (yes all avid as well) IMHO can be setup to outperform hydro's at a fraction of the cost, and require less maintence.
As is said over and over, these are the benchmark to which all mechanical discs are compared to, & with the right levers,cables, pads & setup can be just as good (braking wise) as hydros but require less maintence. (Always a bonus) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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