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Submitted by
Carlos Mena
a Cross Country Rider
from Mexico city
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Virgen | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Looks, White color sets them apart form shimano or avid, light, adjustments, strong braking power | | Weaknesses: | A bit flexy, white color gets dirty easily but you just wipe the dirt off, not all of the adjustments are tool free, not sure about strenght. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano xt levers, avid 1.9 | | Bike Setup: | Mountain cycle moho cxs, manitou mars 1 fork, sram 9.0 sl drivetrain, race face turbine lp cranks( big ass 48 t chainring)thomson seatpost, easton carbon bar. | | Bottom Line: | I was somehpw afraid that these levers were not going to be a big difference, they did, they are longer than my old avids so I don´t have to move my hands , they´re a bit flexy but braking power is incredible and they looook COOOOOOOOL, I love sram product´s and i wont go back to a shimano drivetrain, kudos to sram | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Cross Country Rider
from tahoe
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | long, alpine singletracks anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | rei | | Strengths: | lightness and modulation | | Weaknesses: | reach adjust | | Similar Products Used: | xt/xtr, real, avid, coda (total crap) | | Bike Setup: | Ti hardtail, sid sl, full sram/sachs running gear and brakes. | | Bottom Line: | these levers work well for the price. If they were beefier they'd be too bulky. why whine about not getting warranty action on some relatively inexpensive part that you snapped when you ate it on the bike path. Try getting warranty action out of shimano. What ever happened to reasons 7 and 5 in the reasons reviews are removed anyway. Rid the banter | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pawel Szafruga
a Racer
from Pullman
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Skookam Flats | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | B&L Bicycles | | Strengths: | Adjustability
Lever Shape | | Weaknesses: | umm...color doesn't match with Rocket Shifters? | | Similar Products Used: | LX Levers, no names | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Sugar 3, bontrager race handlebar and stem, SRAM Rocket shifters, Avid 1.0 calipers | | Bottom Line: | For me these levers are great. They work perfectly with Rocket half pipe shifters. The power adjustment and reach adjustment let you customise the shifters anyway you like.
Some people complain about a "plasticy feel." At first this was noticable, but then I asked my bike shop and they recomended switching brake pads. So I got some Kool Stop pads and now they work great and are very precise.
I recomend these levers to any one looking for a performance lever, without spending 100's of dollars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wyatt LeCade
a
from Brooklyn
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything fast | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Toga Bike Shop | | Strengths: | looks, design, easy setup & adjustable | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y-22, RockShox Judy SL, RaceFace Next LP Crankset & SYStem, Easton CT2 Monkeylite & Race Seatpost, SRAM ESP 9.0SL shifters & derailluer, ONZA H.O. brakes | | Bottom Line: | These brakes work. A slight bit of flex but stopping on a dime is not a problem. These combined with the ONZA H.O.s is a great mix. After numerous crashes and spills (not due to braking) the brakes have never broken or became less effective. Adjusting pull leverage is easy just move or remove the orange tab. Never had a problem with them so I think they're a great buy. But like everything else it's all a matter of preference. If you need a set of levers that are easy to use, work great, and won't break your wallet, these are the ones to buy. If SRAM would reduce the flex in this design I would give it a perfect score. So until then it falls short by one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
woe
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | UCSC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light, nice feel, quiet, good modulation | | Weaknesses: | Can't buy replacement arms. 2000 model looks kinda funny. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid 1.0 | | Bike Setup: | Dean Duke | | Bottom Line: | I got a pair of the '99 levers & really liked them. They were a major improvement over the Avid 1.0. I snapped a lever arm in a tumble & came to find you can't buy replacement arms. That sux. Soooo, bit the bullet & bought a pair of 2000's (no one has the 99's anymore). They are noticably superior to the 99s which I already really liked. Did I say quiet? I loooove quiet parts. Value rating of 4 cuz you can't get replacement parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Highlands Ranch, CO
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light weight and very effective brake modulation | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | XTR rapidfire brake/shift combo | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Tellico with all kinds of different parts (only the fr der. and cassette are japanese) | | Bottom Line: | These break levers in combination with the Avid 2.0s were a very nice improvement for me over the XTR/XTR combo I originally built the bike with. The XTR's just didn't give me the modulation needed to keep from skidding my Wildgripper Sprints on the somewhat loose downhills. Went to the new combo mostly for weight purposes but lucked into a big step up in performance also. Great product with great weight, I would reccomend it to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross-Country Rider
from Portage Ind.
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Out back trail- portage | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
These levers rock .They stop me just fine remember were trying not to skid up the trail.just stop and they can do a good job of that.Nice size handel flex is just a little bit . | | Weaknesses: |
none so far dont run them tight enough to break on a crash just turn same a my other levers they break to if to tight . | | Similar Products Used: |
stx cants
xt to small levers | | Bike Setup: |
Trek y super light 300 .
esp 9 shifters esp brake set | | Bottom Line: | Good levers nice set with esp9 brake's .
U S A all that needs to be said ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hanuman
a Weekend Warrior
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | nice levers, although they aren't super stiff. just personal preference but i really like aluminum levers. anyways, these are really nicely designed. w/XTR v brakes the stopping power is really tight. the key is to remove the 'pie' in the lever... it comes stock in position 1. there's also a position 2 you can place it. remove for max leverage. 5 flaming lava drops for now, we'll see how they hold up to abuse. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.A.
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
ALL | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
light | | Weaknesses: |
the blade will snap off @ the Slightest hit(HARD OR SOFT) | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano | | Bike Setup: |
95 Mongoose Rockadile,Answer/Manitou SX-R,SRAM:SHIFTERS,DERAILLER,
BRAKES AND WEAK LEVERS. NYTEX CRANK ,RACE FACE RINGS,SLT-99 CHAIN, WTB MOMENTUM /LASERBEAM WHEELS,HEADSET.XT COG. | | Bottom Line: | ONE SMALL HIT AND MY LEFT LEVER SNAPPED IN TWO AND I GOT THE SAME RESPONSE FROM SRAM CUSTOMER SUCKVICE THAT THE PERSON A FEW POSTINGS DOWN GOT YOUR ASSED OUT(SO TO SPEAK).ALL I WANTED WAS FOR THEM TO FIX THE PIECE THAT BROKE OFF, NOT TO HEAR GO BUY ANOTHER PAIR .DONT BUY THE HYPE ABOUT SUPER TUFF GRILON ITS JUST THE OPPOSITE.
AFTER HEARING SO MANY GREAT THINGS ABOUT THERE CUST.SERV. I AM NOW VERY PISSED THAT I HAVE TO WASTE MORE MONEY ON NEW LEVERS BECAUSE OF THERE POORLY CONSTRUCTED LEVER AND EVEN WORSE CUST,SERV.. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
P.D. Nick
a Downhiller
from Englewood, CO
Date Reviewed: September 7, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Keystone DH | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very light, easy to adjust | | Weaknesses: |
has way too much flex, fells like it's going to brake, and very expensive | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid Ultimate L, Shimano XT SL | | Bike Setup: |
K2 4000, Manitou X-Vert R front, Noleen NR-4 rear, full XT | | Bottom Line: | This lever is way too over priced. It is not smooth and has a lot of flex. When ever I used I thought it was going to brake into two. It was impossible to make this lever a one finger brake. I finally sold them to a retard and bought XT SL's. I really think Grip Shift is horrible. They have only one good set-up, XTR rear derailleur and GS Plasma. The 9.0's are not good escpecially the 9.0 rear derailleur | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Galen Bowen
a Cross-Country Rider
from Quincy, CA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Keddie Cascade Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Very light and inexpensive
Very little pivot slop
Look pretty good | | Weaknesses: |
Leverage adjustment is kind of a pain
Not crazy about the plastic lever feel | | Similar Products Used: |
DiaCompe PC7EXA
Avid SD 2.0
Avid SD 1.9
Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: |
DBR Aluminum Frame, Gripshift/XT Setup, Hyena brakes (manufactured locally) | | Bottom Line: | Very good, solid lever. Prefer the feel of a aluminum lever blade, but that's just personal opinion. One of the lightest levers out there, and such a deal! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
markus
a Weekend Warrior
from vt
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light, inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: |
Break in a fall WAY too easy. | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid 1.9L and ultimate, XT, XTR, | | Bike Setup: |
Rocky Mountain Element TO, 9.0 SRAM levers and brakes, 9.0SL shifters , XTR front. Avid cables. RF stem, post, rings, crank, BB. WWB 98 saddle. XTR/517 wheels. Easton CF bar. Superfly fork. | | Bottom Line: | Had my new bike built with all SRAM stuff. 9.0SL shifters, derailliuer, brake
levers and brakes. Why? I liked their stuff and their past support has been
excellent.Yesterday took a trip over the bars on my 3 week old bike and bang, left lever
snapped off. Seemed odd, old Avid levers been down hard dozens of times, never
broke.Called SRAM, ( a little challenge, they moved, new bigger company after
aquiring SACHS, number changed, not listed on their web site). I explained
that I broke the lever,( most likly 100% my fault ), and want to buy just the
mounting clamp, ( keeping the lever, pie parts, adjuster and all bolts off the
old one ). They said nope, no can do. I would have to buy a complete lever
from a local bike shop, ( order, wait a lifetime and pay a million ), Not the
answer I wanted. Maybe the original has a defect causing it to break, how did
he know? Didn't care.USA company, pride thamselves on being to get every little part for the
shifters, but brakes it's all or nothing. I don't like that, same as the big S
stuff IMHO. He could have gave me other options.Why would I buy another whole lever, knowing If, ( when ) I have any trouble I
will have to replace the complete unit.Over reacting, maybe, but SRAM has gotten their last $$$$ from me.....
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian S.
a Cross-Country Rider
from East Wenatchee
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
chicamin trail | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light
$30 is and asome deal.
Power full
Good looks
Durable | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid 2.0
tekno | | Bike Setup: |
XL Gary Fisher Ziggurat with plasma shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Cheapest price componet made of carbon fiber you can put on your bike. Extremly light and looks really cool with Sram shifters. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross-Country Rider
from N. Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 2, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
too sweet to let the secret out... | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
-Light
-Good looks
-Verrrry durable, tough
-Ease of adjustment | | Weaknesses: |
-Fairly 'slippery' lever, it's hard to get a good feel for it sometimes, and fingers tend to slip around | | Similar Products Used: |
-Avid sd1.9L (another great lever)
-Dia compe DP 7
-LX
-Curve (bar none, the WORST lever ever made) | | Bike Setup: |
Blizzard | | Bottom Line: | So far I'm very pleased with these levers, they've taken hard hits and are no worse for the wear, you can't even tell that they've been abused in the first place. Again the only complaint I have is that the lever itself if kind of slippery and it's hard to get a positive feel sometimes. Otherwise an excellent product! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TC
a Weekend Warrior
from Hawley, TX
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Porcupine Rim, Moab | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
light, good looking, durable even on impact | | Weaknesses: |
could be stiffer | | Similar Products Used: |
Sram 7.0, Diacompe PC7EXA, Avid | | Bike Setup: |
Trek Y-33, Specialized FSR | | Bottom Line: | Great looking and very light. I did a header over the bars and the handlebar drove into some rocks. It put a small gouge in the lever it hit so hard--no effect on the lever though--been working fine ever since. I have some 7.0 levers on my other bike and they work just as good--just don't have the 3rd optional cable pull position--and don't look quite as cool. The 9.0 could be a little stiffer, but really they modulate well with V-brakes. Very good, light levers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sweet Jimmy
a Racer
from Miami
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Hard Rock Ocala FL | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light Weight
Solid Feel
Good Looks
Low Price | | Weaknesses: |
None Noticed | | Similar Products Used: |
Shamano XTR | | Bike Setup: |
Trek Carbon Hardtail
RockShox SID | | Bottom Line: | Great solid feel, Light Weight, Good Looks, Good return Spring, Low Cost, nothing more is needed to be said. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross-Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: April 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
-Light
-Don't get cold
-Very adjustable
-Powerful
-Look great | | Weaknesses: |
-Small pie is easy to lose
-Feel cheap at first | | Similar Products Used: |
STX-RC
Dia-Compe | | Bottom Line: | These are powerful in standard setting. Remove the pie and prepare to be amazed. If you use ESP or Grip Shift, these are a must-have. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ridgefield, CT
Date Reviewed: April 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
These are inexpensive, lightweight, and offer one finger braking with V-brakes. | | Weaknesses: |
No slotted body for cable replacement. Adjusting with red plastic pieces requires removal of the cable. A bit flexy. | | Similar Products Used: |
Avids with V chip (horrible), XTR | | Bike Setup: |
C'Dale Raven, XTR V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | At less than half the price of XTR's, these levers are quite a bargain. One finger wheel lockup is no problem. They feel a little blocky and flex compared to the XTR's, but work similarly. That faux fiber look actually matches my Raven well.
Recommended by a bike shop owning buddy; didn't steer me wrong. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carlos Gonzalez
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso, Tx
Date Reviewed: April 9, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
the huapoca in the sierra of chihuahua | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light very light | | Weaknesses: |
none so far | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid 2.0 | | Bike Setup: |
Kona Pahoehoe, marzochi z2 | | Bottom Line: | You can barely tell if you're using the levers yet they fill strong | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
driver 8
a Weekend Warrior
from columbus, oh
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
weight, ingredients | | Weaknesses: |
so far, none | | Similar Products Used: |
lx | | Bike Setup: |
s series schwinn, manitou efc | | Bottom Line: | I bought these levers because I was switching over from canti's to avid sd 20s. These things are light, comfortable and do not get cold (something wonderful for biking jan-march in ohio). Last week, the built in nut holding the bolt for the handlebar started to malfunction (wouldn't tighten or loosen). I took it to a few bike shops and they also tried the same tricks to no avail. I called SRAM. They told me to take it to another bike shop (just to justify what was going on and to make sure I hadn't wrecked). Within two or three days, the bike shop had the new part. Moral of the story is that this lever is light, works really well, and is backed up by prompt and pleasant company service. It doesn't get five flames b/c, afterall, it did break the first time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Racer
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: March 26, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
trial #409 in Crested Butte | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
weight, price. | | Weaknesses: |
they look kinda cheap, and they feel like crappy huffy levers | | Similar Products Used: |
Dia compie PC-7, XT, Avid 2.0 | | Bike Setup: |
stumpjumper, sxti | | Bottom Line: | these levers are alright. They're pretty cheap, light, and they work fine. Personally i would rather have XT's, because they feel a lot better. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a Weekend Warrior
from Jacksonville, FL
Date Reviewed: March 21, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
hardrock | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Good feel, strong, the best I've ever used. | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Bottom Line: | If by some strange reason I ever did break my levers. I would run out and buy some more. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Cross
a Cross-Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: March 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light, Inexpensive, Looks Good, Doesn't get cold, Excellent Modulation, Stiff, | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
Used with 97 XT V's | | Bottom Line: | These are the coolest levers that I have ever owned. 5 chili's!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vojky
a cross-country rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: February 23, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
How about we ONLY review products that we use and not based on someone elses hear say? Michael Nehring is rating a product based on one ride. I hope that he is one of those lucky people that make a GREAT first impression otherwise he'd be stuffed if judged by his own standards!SRAM 9.0 levers rule! Great looking and a perfect match with my XTR V's! Big 5.0! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a weekend warrior
from Mass
Date Reviewed: February 12, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've owned these, the XT and XTR levers, and used dia-comp and various levers. Here's the hi-lites:
9.0's- they're light, look cool, have adjustable reach and seem pretty tough. They also don't get cold, which seems minor but is a big plus here in New England. They modulate extremely well, but they are somewhat mushy compared to the XT or XTR's. Because they cost the same and look better than the XT's, I'd go w/the 9.0's. XTR's feel better, and are more adjustable, but not really worth the extra cost. Overall, they're an excellent product, but not THE best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darko Andreevski - okraD
a cross-country rider
from Skopje, Macedonia
Date Reviewed: February 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I replaced my LX levers with ESP 9.0 10 days ago.. I use them with XT V-Brakes, '98 Model, and KoolStop Pads.. I really like the way of they react.. When i compare with LX, they are 10 times better (in every moment, i know what is happeneing with my braking). Before ordering this one, i think about XT levers.. But becouse i use ESP 9.0 shifters as well, i decide at the end for this ones.. My friend have XT, and in performance i can compare it.. They have similar feeling, but somehow different.. I think they offer same breaking quality.. It just a question of personal taste, what u gonna put.. Personaly i prefer ESP 9.0 levers, instead of XT's, i like becouse they are cheaper, and i like their shape (perfect fit's with GripShift). 5 starts for ESP 9.0 levers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a cross-country rider
from cal
Date Reviewed: January 30, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have 3 bikes. 2 have 9.0 levers. I love these things. Buy a pair for $30 and ride. If you crash and they hit your top tube, they'll just bounce off. I switched to these from my Avid's and Shimano Xt levers. My third bike still has Shimano XT levers but that will soon change. After almost 15 months of dirt, snow, mud, feces, blood they're still stopping me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Nehring
a cross-country rider
from CT
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
While I don't one, I did have an event that will make me NEVER buy one. I was in a bike shop and one broke in a test ride. The owner told me not to worry because it happens all the time! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Krueger
a cross-country rider
from Green Bay WI
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been riding these levers for almost a year now and
I am convinced they are the best. I work at a shop, so
I have my choice of anything I want, I chose these because
they spring back so well and are not sharp like CNC levers
I crashed hard a Lutsen Mountains, and broke by bar, crank,
and even my skewers, but they just got a tiny scratch. Amazing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a weekend warrior
from Jacksonville, FL
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I love these levers! The feel is great and loads of stopping power with room to spare. Of course, dont expect them to feel like XTRs, but you also wont expect to pay 1/2 of what XTRs cost. They look ultra cool with the Grilon composite bodies. I've been riding on them for about 6 months and have biffed quite a few times and they are as good as new! SRAM rocks! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobdog
a weekend warrior
from central IL
Date Reviewed: January 12, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Dont buy these if flexing levers arent your kind of thing.Needless to say I was very disapointed with this product after being used to XTR levers.They were soon replaced with Avid speed dials which I like but the XTR's are the best levers I have found.They do look very cool but thats it.Hey I will sell you my levers cheap if I cant talk you out of buying these. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a weekend warrior
from Algonquin, IL
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These levers are cheep, durable, and powerful. Comparable to any Shimano or other top brand. Made of Sram composite, beat the bodies with a hammer, nothing will happen. You dont need to buy the $100 levers, these aim to please. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noah
a cross-country rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: November 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had these on for around 6 months now. I'm really suprised at how durable they've been. When my handlebars swing around, the end of the lever hits the top tube, and I've crashed and had this happen countless times. Each time I figure I'll be looking at a shattered lever when I get up, but they've not even flinched. They feel solid, though you can tell they are plastic in some extreme situations, just a hint of flex. Especially when they were only $10. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luv Thang
a racer
from Fred Vegas, VA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Got 'em at the Philly show LAST year.
They are light, inexpensive, super easy to setup, adjust.
Easy to adjust the feel to your pref via the toast.
Super easy cable changes.
Large aluminum barrel adjusters make on the fly tuning a breaze.
Did I say Inexpensive yet?
The levers flex a little but I like it.
I've mashed & crashed as much as the next guy & no breakeage.
(course I don't have 'em clamped super tight to the bars, so they tend to rotate when forced rather than snap, duh dudes.)All around great performance at a low price = VALUE !My next pair of levers will be ANOTHER pair of 9.0s | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duncan
a
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These are a great lever. There is actually carbon or at least glass fiber in the lever itself (not sure about the knuckle bit) but seeing as it's made with black resin you can't see it. So they paint fake carbon weave on so's folks'll know how flash your levers are. You can also thread your cables without undoing your brakes, just reach around behind the lever.
Anyhow, they're light, cheap and work really well. What more do you want? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash
a cross-country rider
from Radford
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I gotta say these were a big improvement over the shimano levers they replaced. I liked the feel of the levers over the Avids, the SRAMS feel a bit longer, and give your fingers a little more room on the lever. They do feel a little flexy, but no worries abount durability. 6 months and 4 crashes later they still work fine, look great. One complaint, in order to adjust the modulation, you gotta take out the brake cable, and then re adjust the cable at the brake itself. Kinda annoying. Also, the placement can be kinda off with RapidFires, since the length was origionally designed with GripShifts in mind. Still, I like 'em. They get 4 chilis for the modulation annoyances | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: October 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These levers are great. I replaced my Avid SD 1.9SLs with these, and I love them. They feel great, have great modulation and kick ass in the cold. No more chunks of flesh left on my levers. Oh yeah! I use Avid SD 2.0 brakes with them. The only complaint I have is the installation. There is no cable slot the bottom, so you have to undo the cable from the brake to put them on. Other than that, they're great. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jai
a weekend warrior
from Essex-England
Date Reviewed: August 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I replaced my LX's with these levers when I bought them for more or less half price. Wow! They are light, great looking and feel great. I use them with LX V-Brake cantis and Tektro machined boosters which provides loads of modulation and the length means I can get lots of power. They DO flex a tiny bit so when you first get them you're scared of breaking them - dont worry for a second. I ride around town and have dropped the bike on the lever god knows how many time onto tarmac. They aren't even chipped! The warm feel of the composite is great with bare fingers in winter - which is nice....
I do think they could feel a bit less mushy but only 'cause I'm fussy about my brakes. Worthy! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a cross-country rider
from montana
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
these levers arnt very good they feel week like plastik levers on a huffy and dont look that great. the best part about them is they are i admit encredibly light. if i had the chose i would recamend xt or xtr they dont flex like these will. not that great | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kwun
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I too got a pair of these levers. They are cheap, light, looks good (fake carbon, yeah), stiff, and feels better than the XTs. I just don't see any reasons not buying them.Before I bought the levers, I was a bit worried that the XT shifters may not fit under them. Turns out that the shifters works fine, there are at least 3mm of clearance between the thumb lever and the brake levers.also, I don't understand why people keep calling that piece of red plastic toast, the manual says pie. :) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ALacritas
a weekend warrior
from Alabama
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, what's not to like? It's cheap, light, and has a lot of power. It doesn't flex much, and it doesn't have much pivot slop. Okay, so it looks like cheap plastic, but (outside of the appearance) it's totally worth the money. Five stars for great lightweight performance that fits into everyone's budget. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Fisher
a cross-country rider
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I love my leavers. I mean, they have really taken a beating and have held up perfectly. I haven't tried taking out the toast (the red pieces of plastic you put inside to adjust the strength) but I will soon. This is suppose to increase the braking power incredibly. Anyway, I dissagree with people that say that these look cheaper that the Avid 1.0 or the XTR, my friends who have these always have though my 9.0 levers look much better. Buy these levers.
monkey. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Q-Boy
a cross-country rider
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I finally upgraded my '96 Trek 970 to direct pull. These levers are the bomb. They're easy to install, strong even after a trip over the bar, light, and look sweet. I combined them with Avid 30 SD and Gore Ride-Ons (I wanted Flak Jackets for the cool braided look). I use the toast, but I forgot what I had it set at. I think I'll take it out. I got mine from Nashbar, but BikeWorld has a better price if they have them.If you're looking to get some levers, don't be one of the masses; get these. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Llew
a
from racer
Date Reviewed: July 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have to agree with the majority of the reviews posted so far. Ive run these beauties with XT, LX and currently MachineTech brakes.
I've only used them with the toast removed, so I cant say how they feel in the std. configuration.
They feel really solid at the bar, no flex, and give plenty of feedback as to what the front wheel is doing. So far (6 months and too many miles to mention) they show no sign of pivot wear. And another thing being plastic your fingers wount stick to then when it gets cold!!
and you have to admit they look so cool. Top Marks! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a cross-country rider
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: July 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Purchased them recently and i have no problems whatsoever. Really like the appeareance of these things, carbon or not.. amazing litttle thing. i would ramble on about other iddy biddy things but i can't be bothered right now. hmmmm... one other thing... i thought toast was bread that was..toasted.. ?! Oh yeah, they (in my view) are real light and are really durable. hmm, i need 50 words. i'l draw fish. < ... have a nice day everyone... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Green Giant
a cross-country rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, for the 30 bucks or so you can get these for - not bad. I didn't deal with the toast just took them out right away - love lot's o leverage, and I run my brakes off the rims quite a ways. the levers themselves look nice, personally I'm finding I don't love the feel of plastic, but I'm spoiled with Alteks on my good bike. As far as braking goes, they work great, nice leverage, nice modulation. The length of the levers also work great, as expected, with twist shifters. The only problem I have is that it is tough to get them tight enough on the bars, this is due to the plastic on aluminum contact though, I've had the problem before. Overall a decent lever for the money, light, brakes well, good leverage, and SRAM is a great company to work with from what I've found. 4- chili's taking into account the price, -1 on the difficulties getting them tight enough. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a downhiller
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just can't believe these levers! The only problem is the toast, it's kind of tricky if you are in a hurry, but other wise these kick! I'd take em over any other brake lever any day, even altek's! I've ridden almost every lever out there, and these are the absolute best hands down! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash
a cross-country rider
from Radford, VA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These levers really take the cake. I've crashed them twice, not even a scratch. The toast could be a little easier to deal with, but modulation is definately a plus. I tried leaving the toast out, only to find that the wheels locked up too easily without it! Found the second position works well for most x-country rides. The arms are a little awkward lenghtwise for my STX shifters, but it's adaptable, and it's nice to have enough room to put three fingers on the lever if need be. Lighter, cheaper, and better looking than the xt's, look out shimano; match these with avid arms and you've got more stopping power than the xt group. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MoeFoe
a racer
from Va
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Picked 'em up at the Philly show last year & they have been nothing but a pleasure. Light, cheap, easy to install. Took a try or two to get the toast dialed to my pref. Great feel. Easy to adjust cable on the fly.
I heard some one say they'll break easy. Mine haven't and all 200+ pounds of me crashes almost daily.
Unless something better comes along (like levers that can read my mind!) I'll be bbuyin' these again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sweet Jimmy
a racer
from Miami
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
For a wholesale price of $28 their value is unmatched by any other companys lever. Even though they are made of a plastic material they flex less than my XT's, and they also save a little more than an ounce in weight over the Shamano levers. Even though the carbon fiber look is nothing more than a fake covering it still looks extremely neat. An otyher great product by SRAM Corp. | | Overall Rating: |
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