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

Poor reliability. Needs bleed several times/year.

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

Similar Products Used:

Avid Juicy 7s- NEVER needed bleeding!

Light weight. The carbon lever feels better than metal.

Expensive. Rear is noisy and barely works.

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

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

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

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

Similar Products Used:

magura, shimano, formula

Weight

Everthing else

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

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

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

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

Light

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

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

Similar Products Used:

Avid Juicy 7, Shimano XTR

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

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

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

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

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

Similar Products Used:

Shimano XT/XTR

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

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

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

Similar Products Used:

Avid XO, Avid Juicy 3, Avid Elixir R

Good modulation when they are working

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

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

Similar Products Used:

Shimano XTR

lightweight

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

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

Similar Products Used:

Avid Elixir CR, Formula R1, Magura Marta SL