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Submitted by
MTBng4fun
a Weekend Warrior
from orange couty, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Old emerald | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Great adjustability. Can adjust the reach and pull force. Lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | The "bend zone" is a bad design concept. I took a spill and found the lever was bent up. It is light weight, but the thin-walled body is not durable enough. While riding through the trails in the San Gabriel mtns., the rear brake started acting up. After the ride, examined the brake lever and found that it had smacked into something. The body split open where cable slit was. The barrel adjuster fell out. It is lightweight, but not durable at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Various other levers | | Bike Setup: | Turner Burner w/ Fox vanilla forks, Manitou Swinger rear shock, XTR derailleurs, Avid BB7 F&R. | | Bottom Line: | The product did not last one month. All it took was one ride through some demanding singletrack to bend one lever and bust the housing on the other. I received some Cane Creek levers and upon examination, the housing wall is almost double the thickness. Awesome! It is heavier and doesn't have the "Speed dial" feature, but after using the Cane Creeks, who cares. 4 chillis for value. $25 for levers with features (beneficial or not) not found on other levers. 1 chilli for durability. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BigK
a Racer
from Philly, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint and LBS | | Strengths: | -Great Feel
-"Tunable" modulation
-Improves stopping
-Last year, hit a tree hard enough to spin the bar, crack the shifter, and crack a rib. The lever didn't break. | | Weaknesses: | -none that I can see | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, Other Avids, Cane Creek (dc), Tektro | | Bike Setup: | I have 4 bikes with these levers- 2 with BB7's, 1 with Avid SD SL, 1 with XT | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line: I had one of my bikes at the shop about a year ago. When handing the bike back to me, the mechanic said, "These are the best feeling disc brakes EVER. Not just the best feeling mechanical discs but, the best feeling discs, period! Everyone in the shop tried them and said the same thing." I think that says it all.
I let someone borrow one of my BB7 equipped bikes yesterday. When he returned the bike he said, "I have BB7's on my bike but they don't feel as good and stop as well as yours. Those levers are the best I've ever used. I'm getting rid of my Paul's."
Lastly, I put these on my kid's xc bike (she's 8). She can stop the bike with one finger.
This is a cheap way to improve an important part of your setup. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Frances, Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Sandilands | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Light, easy to adjust reach, compatible with both V-brakes and mechanical disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro, Avid SD5 | | Bike Setup: | Salsa El Santo, Reba Race, XT shifters/deraileurs, Race Face bars/FSA stem, Race Face Evolve crank w/ X-type BB, Avatar saddle/Thomson post, Avid BB7s, XT hubs/717 rims. | | Bottom Line: | I used these with V-brakes all last season and they were noticeable stiffer than the SD5s on my commuter MTB. The modulation is smoother, the response is more crisp and I just felt more in control with them.
This year they're on my new El Santo and paired up with BB7s, and so far they're just as nice. Definitely money well spent and a worthy upgrade over SD5s (which are already really good themselves). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Haven
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | easy install, fairly light, very adjustable, solid feel | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | stock shimano shifter pods | | Bike Setup: | hardrock w/ ongoing upgrades | | Bottom Line: | great value, looks great in the darker color version, adjustability is super! shop around online and you're sure to find 'em for under $25... great, cheap upgrade to mech brakes!
*some people still don't think they work w/ disc brakes... where they got this from I don't know???? I'm running them w/ BB7's and the work fantastic! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry Leigh
a Weekend Warrior
from South Orange, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Commuting; paved park trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$13.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Sturdy. Feels well-built. The "one finger action" sales pitch is true. Works great with mechanical disc as well as V-Brakes. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock levers that came with the bike. Boy, were they clunky and definitely low end! | | Bike Setup: | Kawasaki KDX2 Full suspension. Promax front disc brake. Avid Single Digit 7 Rear V-Brake. Rock Shox Dart 2 Fork with Cane Creek headset, SRAM trigger shifters, derailleur and 7-Speed cassette. Tried and true Shimano square taper BB and crankset. | | Bottom Line: | The 2008 models have a great feel (easy clerance between the shifters and the brake levers) and great looking in charcoal grey. Have the LBS install and adjust. No problem to adjust to achieve great touch without flying head-over-heels over your handlebar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Collin Papke
a Cross Country Rider
from SC
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable, good feel and power | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT, LX, Deore. Tektro cheap OEM levers | | Bottom Line: | Great levers, I have had them 5+ years...lots of miles on them with no complaints. Pivots are now worn to the point that I am ready to replace them.
I liked the feel of the XT levers better but they are hard to find as levers only. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Victor
a
from Tampa, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Awesome feel and power transfer. I endo'd when testing them out. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Generics, Shimano, older SDs and older Avid levers. | | Bike Setup: | SD7s with SD SL vees and Straight Jacket cable/housing. | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely the best levers as they doubled my stopping power from the generics I had. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Hagen, NRW, Germany
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | actionsports | | Strengths: | relatively lightweight, look, feel, speed dial to even up my brakes | | Weaknesses: | they easily bend (have seen 'em bent on other bikes after contact with trees or crashes) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano ALTUS to LX | | Bike Setup: | Self-made CC bike with Avid BB5s | | Bottom Line: | They are great levers in look, feel and cost - better than all the Shimano levers I had by now.
Speed Dial is a GREAT thing to have.
If you got mechanical brakes (VBrake or disc) get 'em! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ST
a
from Australia
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light
Great power transfer to Avid SL V brakes
Speed dial allows you to even up front and back brake feel | | Weaknesses: | None yet - will review again in a year | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano V-brake | | Bike Setup: | XC hardtail with Rock Shox Recon 351 solo air and Avid SL single digit V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | Very effective - works great with Avid SL V-brakes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | light, looks good, works good. | | Bike Setup: | Steel hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I like the adjustability and they are light | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel Braun
a Cross Country Rider
from winnipeg manitoba canada
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | a good one | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | natural cycle | | Strengths: | -Nice shape
-light enough
-good adjustment | | Weaknesses: | snaped when I tightend it a little too much
| | Similar Products Used: | shimano, hayes | | Bike Setup: | rockhopper comp 2005 | | Bottom Line: | They are sweet untill you have strong hands and then they snap...lame. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Coram
a Weekend Warrior
from Lynnwood, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Tolt-McDonald | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$37.00 | | Purchased At: | Clearance Shelf--REI | | Strengths: | Tunability, Lightweight, Not O.E.M. | | Weaknesses: | didn't come in black. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano O.E.M. lever/shifter combo | | Bike Setup: | 24" Specialized Hardtail Hardrock--O.E.M. content remaining-20% | | Bottom Line: | I was lucky enough to find these 2005 Speed Dial SL's for just two dollars more than what the 2006 FR 5s were going for. I didn't anticipate the speed dial adjustability to work so well. I've played around the last two rides with adjusting the brake modulation front and rear. Good stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lachlan
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | eBAY (the place of cheapness) | | Strengths: | Good design, tension knob (increase the feel strenght of the brakes WITHOUT tensioning the lever). Ease of use...increased performence. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Levers | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail running w/Avid SD7 Levers. | | Bottom Line: | These levers will increase the feel, power, modulation and adjustment to your braking experience. They are not essential, but i stronly recommend them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tigger
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Lysterfield Lake Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Strengths: | Powerful, reasonably light, easy to use and adjust on the fly. awesome. | | Weaknesses: | old styling. price (compared to overseas) and availabilty in Australia | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro, shimano deore, lx and xt levers | | Bike Setup: | 04 I-Drive 3.0 with SRAM X-9 setup.
Rockshox Reba's Team.
Avid BB5 Mech disc brakes.
Fox FLoat rear shock
XT cassette and chain | | Bottom Line: | I installed the SD-7's about a month after installing the BB5 brakes and it made a huge difference compared to the BB5's performance with shimano xt levers. I race mainly cross country but i do ride some of the less insane downhills around my area and they work well under all conditions. Couldnt be happier with my brake/lever setup. My only gripe is the availability of the product in Australia. Other than that i would recommend to anybody with Mech Disc brakes who is looking to get great performance at a lower price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rex
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Amazing power, adjustable, relatively light. | | Weaknesses: | I broke it :-( DON'T OVER-TIGHTEN THE SCREW, it will break... that's what happen on mine. | | Bike Setup: | 80mm travel Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Buy it, it's overall a good product and worth the buck, only do not overtighten the screw, you'll feel sorry by the time you hear the crack. Gonna give it 4 chilis on overall coz I broke it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael pocrnich
a
from minnetonka,MN,USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Strengths: | it has an amazing feel super nice lever execpt for the breaking part. | | Weaknesses: | has a major weak point on the lever | | Similar Products Used: | i also like the deores im running now | | Bike Setup: | 02 rainier with avid mechanicals maxxis hookworms, a thompson stem(i love it its bombproof), truvitiv XR bars and deore levers | | Bottom Line: | i really liked this lever. my brother works at a bike shop so he got a pair and told me he could get a really good deal. im mostly an urban freerider be i was up at my cabin riding our skinnys. i went over the bars looked back and my front brake lever had been snapped clean off. great cross-country lever.even though it broke its still a great lever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rex Tse
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Marin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Cool looking, works well, strong, adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | non so few | | Similar Products Used: | other cheaper stuffs | | Bottom Line: | I think the price is good. Also it's very easy to adjustable. I got the bronze/black version and I love it.
*Bottom line: If you don't want to spend a lot than get this lever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Feel; Adjustability; Power | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, Deore | | Bike Setup: | G.T. Avalanche; Avid mechs (185mm); Avid Flack Jack cables; SRAM 9.0; Sun Singletrack wheels. | | Bottom Line: | After purchasing my Avid mechs (185mm), I hooked them up directly to the Shimano Deore shifter/lever cluster that came stock with the bike, added some Flack Jack cables, and the brakes worked well. Last week I put the Speed Dial 7’s on…what an absolute incredible difference in brake feel and power from the brakes. Not sure how they works, but they truly explore the full potential the Avid mechs have to offer. Seriously, it felt like I purchased new brakes… As a bonus, they also offer easily adjustable lever reach (great for the winter/thick glove riding). These are excellent levers and highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail of Tears | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | On line | | Strengths: | Positive feel, easy to set up, range of adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Not the greatest looking | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT/XTR, SRam 9.0 SL | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC hard tail w/Rock Shox fork | | Bottom Line: | Awesome freakin' levers- 'cause Stone Cold said so. Seriously, though, these levers are awesome. Reach adjustable, on-the-fly leverage pull adjustable, with a positive feel that really does only require 1 finger to brake hard. These were a snap to set up and dial in, and they just work great. Performance is better than any lever I've used. My one minor, minor gripe is that they don't look as sleek and sexy as the XT or XTR levers, but thats it. If you need new levers- get these. They're worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn Vernes
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point in a brake/lever package | | Strengths: | Great shape, well made, speed dial makes adjuting feel a snap. | | Weaknesses: | They bend real easy. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT and XTR, Paul's, pos Tektro | | Bike Setup: | Sugar frame, Bomber fork, CC Cloud Nine Shock, Arch Rival brakes. | | Bottom Line: | They're well made, have a great shape (easy to find but never in the way), and the speed dial makes adjustment a snap (or a turn, really). It's for adjusting the FEEL of the brakes, not for taking up cable slack. They remind me of my old Paul's Component levers, only better, and for one fifth the price. But I find them REALLY easy to bend (other people comment on it on their reviews too). I bent mine on the first crash (a slow speed endo). The good news is you can bend them back by hand, and they're cheap to replace if they break. Five stars stars for value, four overall. They'd get five and five if they didn't bend so easily. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gaz Edmunds
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | All ova' NoVa! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint (Where, apparantly, Price is the point.) | | Strengths: | Relatively light. That tasty little red wheel that makes all the difference. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano stuff, Hayes. | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth ISIS, Fox Vanilla RLC, Avid BB7s with Speed Dial 7s, full SRAM X9, XT hubs with Mavic X321 rims, Race Face Turbine LP cranks, and other stuff I can't remember... | | Bottom Line: | If you have mechanical disc brakes, and don't want to shell the $100+ for SD Ultimates, then these are for you. They're light, they're strong (for me, anyways), and the adjustability of the speed dial uhh.. dial... is outstanding. An inexpensive upgrade that makes a lot of difference. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andro Galero
a Weekend Warrior
from Butuan City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Malalag Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$17.00 | | Purchased At: | GT Bicycles, Davao City | | Strengths: | -color
-price
-looks
-good power | | Weaknesses: | -weight | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT, XTR, Deore & Sram 9.O | | Bike Setup: | Avid Arch Rivals brakes, Avid Flak Jacket cables & Mavic X517 rims | | Bottom Line: | I set up the lever adjuster farthest from the pivot. The color of this lever (bronze/black) goes well with my Raven's frame color, it has black-tinted gloss clearcoat with titanium decals. It is also very cheap, bought my set for $17, its performance is better than XT and XTR but not as good as Sram 9.O... This is the heaviest brake levers i have tested, it weighed in at 198 grams a pair. My XT weighed 164 grams while the Sram 9.O weighed 154 grams per pair.
Buy this lever... its price to performance ratio is very very good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johann Gonzales
a Weekend Warrior
from Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Maarat | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | King's Bikes Quiapo | | Strengths: | very very light and responsive | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | shimano intergrated rapid fire deore | | Bike Setup: | yukon, firex, deore hubs and der. | | Bottom Line: | i am very satisfied with this set of levers. for me, it is the best compromise of lightness and price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Llloyd
a Weekend Warrior
from Cebu, The Philippines
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Strengths: | I like the modulation... its easy to adjust. I also like the weight of the levers (at an amazing 195 grams)... it's a sure winner... Performance wise when paired to an Avid Ball Bearing Disc Brake System you'll get close to hydraulics but more cheaper money wise...
Here in the Philippines, I only spent $18usd (peso equivalent) for the brand new pair... newest SD 7 with an embossed Avid logo. WHAT A PRICE! | | Weaknesses: | None so far... | | Similar Products Used: | None... used the Shimano Deore LX lever prior to these but the performance is way below these Avid SD 7s. | | Bike Setup: | Mozo R120 fork, Mosso slalon-M1 frame, Shimano Deore LX FD, Shimano Deore XT RD, Shimano Deore LX shifter, Avid Speed Dial 7 lever, Ameoba Borla control set and stem, Mavic DeeMax wheels, Maxxis Kraken tires, Shimano Deore XT hub, Avid Ball Bearing 7 disc brake (203mm rotor), Shimano Deore Hollowtech crankset, Shimano pedal PD515, Amoeba seat post (carbon fiber), Amoeba saddle | | Bottom Line: | These babys will exceed your expectations. I highly recommend to anyone who'll purchase a new set of levers as a new set up or upgrade to buy these. You can save some cash but if you want to purchase those next in line (above models) then go to the more superior SD Ultimate. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Puckhead
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | 123 Bikes | | Strengths: | This review is for the Avid SL brake lever. The levers are really light weight and look great. They adjustments are really easy and the levers have a firm feel. | | Weaknesses: | The handles have the strenght of a wet noodle. I had a minor crash the other day and both of the break handles were bent. Avid's web site said you can bend the handles back but I'm not that crazy about riding with brake handles than I can bend back in place. Avid needs to ditch this "bend zone" feature and just make the blades stronger. | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain ETSX, SRAM X9, Avid Mechanicals, Talas, AVA RL etc. | | Bottom Line: | Nice levers but you might as well buy two pairs in case you crash. And they will bend if you crash. You can use one pair while you're waiting for replacement parts from Avid. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D T
a Weekend Warrior
from Lowell
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Works flawlessly. Easy to adjust. Very strong. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy compare to others. ugly color. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, Tektro | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD4/Fatty Ultra, Rolf wheels, XTR drive train, Avid ArchRival 50. | | Bottom Line: | Love the speed dial feature. This makes Avid outstanding from the rest. This is one of the best levers you can get for the money. The only thing better is its big brother, the Ultimates. But that cost tripple (or more) and wont give you tripple performance. These levers are strong and held up well. Highly recommend | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kelso | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Excellent feel, speed dial is a handy feature. | | Weaknesses: | The bend zone bends perhaps a little too easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro, Deore LX and XT, Alivio, | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Kona Blast, Avid SD7 Brakes and Levers | | Bottom Line: | Great set of levers, the shape fits amazingly to my fingers, good for 1 or 2 fingers on. I don't use the speed dial a whole lot, I find them to be just great when set on least modulation. The bend zone part bent on a somewhat light hit, though I managed to bend mine back into shape pretty easily. They feel more solid than the Deore LX and Alivios, and a more comfortable than the XTs. WWWAAAYYY better than the Tektros... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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