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Submitted by
bikemuscle
a Downhiller
from Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | A Line Whistler | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | stopping power | | Weaknesses: | they heat up, I burn through pads in about a month in the summer when I'm doing a lot of DH trips.
Pads ware unevenly, and they are noisy. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 V10 888 RC3WC, Sunline direct mount stem, Dirty 30 bars, DT440/EX729, Nevegal 2.7 front 2.5 rear. Sram XO OCT, LG1 taco, DHX 5.0, Pure V seat/cromo rails. Thomson seat post, pd-m647 pedals 43lbs | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 07 model.
I'm buying the 09 saints as soon as I get the cash. I already sent these in for warranty and Sram simply sent me a new set but I had to go through my bike shop. If you send something to them next day they will return it to you the same way. My new set is doing the same thing, and I'm still going through pads too quickly. I guess my weight of 230lbs and my bikes weight of 43lbs is too much for these. Also I tried calling Sram for a small pin the other day and they said I must go through my shop. Get these if your a little guy or for cross country. High maintenance for a heavier DH rider. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kjahn
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawrence, KS
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Moab-Fruita | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | all the stopping power you need | | Weaknesses: | must be bled and aligned perfectly | | Similar Products Used: | avid juicy | | Bike Setup: | '05 Santa Cruz VP-Free | | Bottom Line: | These are great brakes but you must bleed them (even if new) and align them perfectly. I had the same squeal and lever to the bar probelms until I did this. Watch the vid on youtube for the bleed process. Put your bike in a stand for caliper alignment so you can spin the wheels really fast. No problems now for the last 10 months. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
willi droppants
a Downhiller
from montreal
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | bromont | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | local hustler | | Strengths: | galiper lever looks | | Weaknesses: | the copany itself the hose is is the cheapest on the market | | Similar Products Used: | grimeca basano system 16 | | Bike Setup: | none of your bizz | | Bottom Line: | top perfomanc top price if money is not an issue then this should doo just fine olthought organic pads use up much quicker they provide a sticky feel as of the metal pads gives more of a glide feeling they also last longer and cost more but they can also bee noisi all in all very good braks only the hose is the disapointement i guesse it represents the company values | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lojack13
a Weekend Warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Alum Creek P1 & P2 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor | | Strengths: | Extremely easy set up, awesome stopping power, no squealing, great through the muddy stuff. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes HFX 9, Avid BB7, Hayes El Camino | | Bike Setup: | 07 Mongoose Black Diamond Triple, Fox DHX 5.0, Totem Solo Air, Avid Codes, Azonic Outlaw wheels, super sick, do everything, bike. | | Bottom Line: | I have tried several other hydro brakes and they all have been O.K. But the Codes are bar none the best damn brakes I have ever put on my bike. I keep seeing people writing about the crappy brake pads, I have put about 100 miles of all-mountain and downhill on these and they are still fine. I also read that people are whining about the hoses, again I don't see any problems with them. The contact pad adjustment and lever reach is awesome, and they DO work and stay in place unlike the hayes el caminos adjustments. These brakes never squeal, when you go through soupy stuff the make tad bit of noise and then they're right back to normal in seconds. Easy set up as mentioned above, Hayes brakes suck on set up, they always rub in one spot no matter what you do. The Codes are a little pricey, but well worth every penny. I would recommend these brakes to anyone, from the XC biker to the Downhiller. If you're getting any brakes set, I would recommend sticking with Avid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Auryn Zimmer
a Weekend Warrior
from bay area, california
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | most of them | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson | | Strengths: | when they are working, they are great.
good modulation, big range of adjustability, good power.
super easy to install | | Weaknesses: | bad seals. weak looking hoses. fragile organic pads.
avid's customer service policies suck! | | Similar Products Used: | Hope Mono Minis | | Bike Setup: | ventana el saltamontes with vanilla fork and dhx 5 coil shock. | | Bottom Line: | I had to return both front and rear on different occasions. The brakes are very sensitive to change: either atmospheric, temperature or something. They will feel fine one day on the trail and the next day the lever will go right to the bar, requiring reach/pad contact point adjustment and/or lots of bleeds.
I had to return the rear brake when I could no longer bleed it.
apparently it got some obstruction somewhere in the system between the caliper and the lever, and fluid could not be pushed up to the lever from the caliper.
If your brake is all spongy AND you can't bleed it to fix that, you're SOL - waited 3 weeks for Avid to send me a new one.
additionally once they get up to heat they change again. once they are at normal running temperature they seem to work consistently.
recently I went to test out bike pre-ride and the front lever went all the way to the bar - when I messed with the pad contact adjustment, my hand came away all wet with brake fluid. To test my theory that the seals had failed, I started to bleed it. The fluid coming out of the caliper was black and and endless stream of air came out - no longer a closed system... since I have noticed some degree of black stuff in the fluid coming out of the system on all bleeds I have to conclude that the seals in the brakes are crap and they have been slowly degrading into the fluid the whole time until the front one finally totally failed.
So now I have to send that back to Avid and wait around to ride off road.
furthermore, Avid's policies concerning customer relations are very dissatisfying.
They refuse to deal directly with the end-user, only with the retailer. And they badmouth the consumers - making comments about my supposed lack of mechanical skills or understanding. How can you say something like that to someone you don't even know?
For a set of top of the line brakes that cost over $500, I am very disappointed. bad seals are probably due to some manufacturing error from cutting costs in some chinese factory.
perhaps this is just my bad luck and I happened to get 2 of a batch of brakes that got the wrong seals.
cheap, thin plastic hoses that don't look like they could withstand more than 1 crash - for $500 I'd like to see some braided stainless lines or at least kevlar reinforced.
I have to say, that while the Hope brakes I rode in the past suffered from their own set of problems (way too little power for my riding style, tendency to overheat and fade, incredibly frustrating to install with no concave/convex self centering washers), as far as quality goes - they were top notch. and they came with some really nice stuff like braided stainless lines, floating disc rotors, etc.
hopefully Avid can do something to improve my opinion of them, especially since they are part of the whole SRAM/rockshox/Truvativ group. When they look bad, they make all of those other products look suspect to me.
who should buy this product?
I'm not sure. Maybe I just had bad luck? If so, people who should buy this brake are people that need a lot of brake power and resistance to fade. ie: if you are riding a lot of long sustained descents. otherwise they are overkill.
I think the reason I got them was because my Hopes suffered so much from fade/overheat problems (which also lead to very noisy squealing) that I wanted to make sure that never happened again. Which admittedly is my fault for riding cross-country brakes on trails that require something bigger.
I don't care how much the brakes weigh as long as they work quietly and consistently.
So far this has not been the case.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad M
a Weekend Warrior
from Durban - South africa
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The Whiffles | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$525.00 | | Purchased At: | Melville | | Strengths: | 4 piston calipers without a doubt. The stopping power is incredible, and modulation is excellent. Dot 5.1 fluid changes all this for the better, over the 4 standard.
The lever bearing setup is a winner. Grab any good brakeset levers after a year and see how much play there is in the lever pivot pin, with codes you can change bearings and adjust the tension, no sloppy levers, sure it makes them a bit heavy, but worth the precision.
Levers are a bomb proof design and shape for resisting impacts. | | Weaknesses: | The 'generic'pads supplied with the initial purchase literally disintegrated in the first few rides. while replacing them i noticed that the rear of the pads were not marked as per the aftermarket Avid pads. The hoses supplied with the initial kit were skinny ass junk, you could literally see them expanding when pressurised. I changed to Hayes hoses (with a few compression nut, hose barb and comp fitting experiments) and the difference was immediate. I dont know whether this was just a product cost cutting exercise on SRAMs part, but either way a crappy addition to a good product. The replacement pads are still good months down the line, with even wear! This system DOES NOT LIKE AIR - any air! If present the brakes pump or fade as they see fit, modulation is impossible to dial continously making consistent riding impossible. If you can't invest in the proper bleed kit then get your LBS to do it,only if the guys are familiar with Avid. I re-bleed at least once every 2 months to maintain consistent braking.
Fussy system that work WELL only if maintained.
The levers and internals need to be cleaned too, carefully, as there are still no service downloads available for Codes yet, only component exploded views.
My rear caliper seized 2 pistons on opposite sides, which had to be drilled and chipped out before replacement, took hours so as not to damage the chambers. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano - although no similar 4 piston caliper systems have been available of late. | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose Teocalli- 06 Boxxer U-turn. X-Fusin glyde RPV. Hone shifters. Raceface crank. Mavic 823's with Maxxis Bling-Blings. e-Thirteen DRS. | | Bottom Line: | When these are cared for they WORK. No doubts! you will outride your mates because of the awsome quick stopping power and adjustability.
If you dont like fussing with your bike, or aren't mechanical, these aren't for you. Go SAINT rather.
4 Hot ones for the system. the fifth was lost because of SRAMS cheap add ins which cost me moolah to sort!
Expensive brakes here, but you get what you pay for (or you SHOULD get what you pay for - SRAM!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Meyer
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Oxford Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay store | | Bottom Line: | This is just an update of my previous review. Bike setup hasn't changed much except for some bling parts.
I have still to change the pads from my original pads. I have done a bit of downhill on some seriously steep hills and a lot of riding at my local freeride track. The freeride track doesn't require nearly as much braking as the downhill runs, but I do get out there very often (twice a week at least).
I haven't re-bled it yet either, but my friend did his. He rides a bit less and after a period of not riding for a month his brakes seemed very snappy. The bleed fixed it and all is good, but it could be some effect of the fluid they use that doesn't like to stand for too long without use.
All in all, I am still 100% happy with this purchase a year on and will buy them again if something went wrong. As far as noise goes, I do occasionally get it to be noisy, but it's always because of excessive dust and a couple of brake taps sort it out quickly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominik
a
from Port coquitlam
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | triple crown,galloway,flywheel | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Will stop you really fast and hard to overheat | | Weaknesses: | You need to buy a syringe set to change the oil. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes 9,avidd bb7, | | Bike Setup: | shore 2 | | Bottom Line: | If you put a little bit of copper compound they are the best brakes out there.It stops the squeeling if you dont like them so strong put a little more then usual just dont put to much.I really recommend it it also stops them from overheating and slows down pad wear. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gavin
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | very strong and precise | | Weaknesses: | weight | | Bike Setup: | 2008 sx trail, custom | | Bottom Line: | These are amazing brakes. These were my first pair of hydros I've had and they blew me out of the water. When you sqeeze the lever, you are stopping for sure. They are a little on the heavy side, but the new ones look like they shaved off those pounds a bit. Definitly get these brakes! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake
a
from pawcatuck, ct, usa
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light weight, powerful as anything, modulation modulation modulation! | | Weaknesses: | none that i can see! | | Similar Products Used: | avid bb7's and juicy ultimates, everthing hayes | | Bike Setup: | 2004 enduro, completely rebuilt with 2008 components..one mean slopestly/urban bomber! | | Bottom Line: | these are my first pair of hydros. I have always run BB7's on my DH bikes (i'm a light guy!) with no issues, but i wanted to try em. These brakes are awesome. Not only could they stop a tank, but they feel great. The modulation owns! I only faceplant if I want to :D And did i mention they are less expensive then comprable brakes? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh E
a Downhiller
from portland, OR
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | stub stewert | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | amazon.com | | Strengths: | everything, lighter than i expected. | | Weaknesses: | the reach adjust is hard to get to, the avid code 5s do not have a pad adjust which means ur reach adjust is the only bet. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2007 mongoose firebal, SRAM x.7 drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | if you get used to it theese brakes rule. no problems what so ever! it takes forever to learn how to not skid on them. its tricky. but it can be done. theese are my first hydros and i love em, they stop me so fast! i can barely scweez the lever and have a friend try to spin the back tire as hard as he can and he cannot make it budge, theese are beasts. but be warnd. when purchosing. make sure it says "avid code" instead of "avid code 5" very easy to miss. 5/5 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Koplin
a Cross Country Rider
from COLORADO
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Commando loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Excellent feel, totally adjustable, wide range of adjustments, very powerful, very easy to set up, well thought out and easy line alteration, excellent bleed system( I would buy again just for the bleed kit), quiet, | | Weaknesses: | Wish they were around sooner | | Similar Products Used: | Hates, I mean Hayes | | Bike Setup: | Turner Six Pack, Zoke AM1, Raceface/XTR, DT Hugi Wheels, Avid Codes, Syncros pedals, | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes, as I listed before, all the good stuff you would want in a brake none of the bad. I must say, the bleed kit is a thing of beauty. not a drip, no bubbles, excellent system. I will recommend Juicy's and Codes just for the bleed kit. No hoses popping, fluid on the floor/frame, no missed bubbles, no doing it over. These brakes are great quiet, powerful, excellent modulation, no lever play at all yet very smooth due to the bearings. I am quite pleased. I bought a front set to replace my busted Hayes, thinking I would get the rear when my rear hayes died. Once installed, I quickly ordered a rear Code. It was such a drastic difference. Anyway, by 'um, you will be happy, get the bleed kit too.
Happy trails | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | * Power
* Power
* Modulation
* Adjustment
* Nice bleed system
* Power | | Weaknesses: | * Setup/alignment of rear caliper can be a pain.
* Organic pads wear fairly fast. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes, Magura, Hope | | Bike Setup: | Intense Uzzi VPX - DHX5, Totem, Hadley's, etc. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes have more modulation and stopping power than any non-motorized bike will ever need. I'm 250+ with gear and these things consistently stop with ease through a long day of running the lifts.
My only gripe is alignment. The tri-alignment system gives you plenty of flexibility, but can make it easy to have things just a little "off" on the rear. I thought I had mine dialed but was still having issues with vibration and brake howl. I tried new pads, a new rotor, cleaning and sanding but still couldn't get the thing to quiet down. After quite a bit of tinkering it all came down to caliper alignment.. Once I got it _perfectly_ aligned then it started working like a dream. Overall I'm still firmly convinced they are the best brake on the market right now. True one-finger braking even on the steepest rollers.
I'm not sure how anyone has had issues with adjustments?? The dial adjustment is great for fine tuning and there is still an allen head adjustment in the lever for the initial reach setup. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Bothell
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | 911 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Incredibly powerful with modulation. Sweet looking. I have the 2007 codes which are black. | | Weaknesses: | None if you use them for what they are intended. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB7 | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Santa Cruz Nomad. Fox DHX shock with ti spring. Saint/XTR components. Fox Van RC2 36 fork. Deemax. | | Bottom Line: | If you like to go fast these are the brakes for you. Up at Whistler you can wait until the absolute last moment to brake for the corner and these bad boys will slow you in a second. Not only are they powerful but you can dial in how firm they feel at the lever. I like to ride moto style with the front brake on the right and these levers are ambidextrous. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Downhiller
from Munich
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Evil Eye | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Strengths: | Modulation is perfect
Strength
Weight is good for the power on mine (2008 model) | | Weaknesses: | i hate bleeding the rear ;) | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Juicy, Hayes Nine | | Bike Setup: | Specialized SX Trail, Deemax, Codes, Lo-Pro Mag, 66's, Minions 2,5. | | Bottom Line: | Probably the best out there
I definitely recommend them to anyone freeriding or downhilling | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Downhiller
from Vancouver BC
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | privately | | Strengths: | build quality, finish, overall feel and design. | | Weaknesses: | Although I know how to do it, no instructions on how to shorten brake hoses or accessory tools to do it.
No instructions on how to bleed the system.
I hate using D.O.T fluid, would prefer a mineral oil, open bath system | | Similar Products Used: | Magura Louise FR, Hayes Mag, Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | 07 SC Bullit, DH setup. | | Bottom Line: | These are the new 2008 codes with stock organic pads
Because I weigh 200lbs and ride alot of steeps I was looking for a more powerful 4 piston brake and these deliver. First ride in the wet and muck and overall very pleased. No brake squealing like everyone else seems to harp on about.
I really like their positioning system of concave washers, really smart and they are easy to setup.
Think of your Saints with more power and the same modulation.
Nice lever feel and adjustability and they look just killer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lindsay MacQueen
a Downhiller
from Orange, New South Wales, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Canobolas - all of 'em! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | Torpedo7.com | | Strengths: | As I have only recieved the brakes and set them up today, I haven't had much time with them. However, from the short ride around the block I had, they had awesome power and modulation, and they aren't even broken in yet! Everything is easy to set up and get running also. | | Weaknesses: | None yet, but I may find some when I have ridden and used them a little more.
Price possibly? | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes HFX-9, Avid Juicy 5 | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Norco Shore 3, Mag 30s laced to Axiom hubs, X-7 shifter and derailleur, Oury lock-ons, Kenda Nevagals, good bike overall...I like it | | Bottom Line: | As already stated, I have only received these brakes this arvo. therefore have not had enough time to test them in depth, overall so far they are tops, no problems yet.
My only problem so far is the price maybe, but I got mine for a stupidly low price on special, so no worries...
I will write a more in depth review in a couple of months after a few shuttle weekends and races hopefully. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | National | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Slippery Pig | | Strengths: | Great modulation, and stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | None if you break in the rotors properly | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes 9, Shimano XT, Saint, XTR, Magura Julies, | | Bike Setup: | Turner Sultan 29er built for all mountain use | | Bottom Line: | The brakes are great, anyone who complains about the vibration, did not take the time to brake them in properly. they are vibrating because there is not a consistant amount of material left on the rotors (usally from overheating durring brake in period). If you ride them around your neighborhood streets for a few miles, and feather the brakes, instead of stopping hard, they will not overheat, and the surface will receive a consistant amount of residue from the pads. They are vibrating because when the pads hit a part of the rotor with proper pad residue, they grab, and when it hits a part of the rotor with no residue, it slips (like when you run your finger on top of a crystal wine glass and it hums). Avid will send you a new rotor if you ask for one.
I will give 5 chilies for value (you get what you pay for), and 5 chilies overall because they are great brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Kuhl
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | San Diego anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Brute stopping power, FANTASTIC modulation | | Weaknesses: | We'll see if they are maybe TOO much out on the very dry trails in San Diego | | Similar Products Used: | Avid BB5, BB7, Juicy7 | | Bike Setup: | 2006 TREK Remedy 66
XT drivetrain
Fox 36 Talas RC2 fork
Manitou Swinger 4-way shock
Avid Code brakes (203mm/F, 185mm/R)
TruVativ Holzfeller pedals
Cane Creek SOLOS headset
Bontrager carbon stem/bars/seatpost
Mavic EX729 hoops with Hadley hubs; Kenda Nevegal 2.35" | | Bottom Line: | I think these could stop my motorcycle in a respectable distance. I swapped the stock Juicy7's from my Remedy onto my 3900 and was amazed at the difference from mechanical to hydraulic and then I got these on my Remedy and I almost went over the handlebars on my first stoppy. I haven't done a "real" test on my fave downhill rides yet, but I am glad I tested these on the street first! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Downhiller
from Oceano, CA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike | | Strengths: | Adjustability, Color, Break away levers | | Weaknesses: | Not very strong, The rear brake squeals like a dying animal, and vibrates my entire bike | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes | | Bike Setup: | Trek Session 10, Stock except for I-Beam seat, and hayes brakes, and firm spring for the Travis | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding mountain bikes for 17 years, and really love it. I'm a big guy(240), so I put equipment to a test. I could not belive how loud these brakes were, along with the vibration. I thought they would break in, or that I had installed them wrong. I took them to the shop I purchased them at, and they were cool enough to look at them, and give me a free brake bleed. Still could not stand to use the rear brake. The front did not have as much power as my Hayes. I called Avid and spoke to a tech there, he had a good point, it may just be a certain harmonic that is set up with my bike. I just can't stand it and have read similar stories. If you wiegh less, or have a different bike set-up they may be great. Expensive to try out though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kaya
a Downhiller
from Lakewood, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Flow | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | The Path | | Strengths: | Adjustable Pad Contact & no brake fade. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Saints & SRAM Juicy 7's | | Bike Setup: | Iron Horse Sunday, Code Brakes, 888's, Fox Coil ( about to get rid of them ), etc... | | Bottom Line: | It works and you'll stop when you want to. Good brakes for gravity assisted riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
travis westerkamp
a Downhiller
from hamburg nj
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | diablo freeride park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | cycleworks | | Strengths: | strong! NO plastic! easy to find parts for them. affordable | | Weaknesses: | COLOR! | | Similar Products Used: | hayes,shimano,magura,hope | | Bike Setup: | giant faith 2 | | Bottom Line: | nice brake! nice desighn. strong and reliable.
i definitly recomend them to dh/fr bikers and maby enen trials
if you can find them get them!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Meyer
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Oxford Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay store | | Strengths: | Plenty of braking power, unbelievable adjustability and modulation. Rock solid feel and super consistant. | | Weaknesses: | For me... none | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes 9, Hayes 9 Mag, Avid juicy 5, El camino (friends bike) | | Bike Setup: | Giant Faith 1, 888RC, 2.7 minion front, 2.5 minion rear with X9 and of course Codes! | | Bottom Line: | If you want a brake that will perform every time you use it, then get these babies. Honestly the best brake I have ever felt by far. I look at people riding with other brakes (excluding hope or magura) and I feel pity. It is consistant, very, very adjustable so you can tune it the way you like to ride and it has enough braking power to stop even the biggest riders out there solid. From all the upgrades my bike has undergone this will have to be my favorite and most dramatic change. I really cannot say enough how happy I am with them. They are stock with organic pads and plastic hoses. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Bellingham, WA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Retarded Awesome | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Powerful | | Weaknesses: | Organic pads do not last very long
Rear brake is noisy
Pad contact adjustment dial bottoms out adjustment before it reaches the point I want it to, and only gets worse as the pads wear. | | Similar Products Used: | Formula Oro Bianco, Hayes Mag, Juicy | | Bike Setup: | Bottlerocket | | Bottom Line: | This brake is spec'ed with an organic brake pad that only lasted me 3 weeks before both front and rear were worn to the metal. This is total BS, as I had not even done any shuttle runs yet. Upon contacting SRAM, they said it was to make them grippier, and that the organic pad worked well for "most" users. The guy then insulted my braking technique. Maybe you guys over there at Avid should get out of Chicago for awhile and come and ride some steep trails. I bought these because I thought they were the best for freeride. Why do 4-piston brakes need grippier pads? I complained enough to where they sent me new brake pads, but they sent organic ones again. Lame. I bought some metallic ones, the feel of the brake is the same, they are now just noisier.
The technique to changing pads is to pry the old pads apart (to push the pistons back) which cracked one my piston heads. This is totally lame.
The rear brake changes feel often. I have bled, rebled, rebled, new pads, new rotors, it's inconsistent just like the Juicy 5's.
The pad contact adjustment is pretty much useless. It's maxed out and I still want it to contact closer.
SRAM tech support is garbage, the guy I spoke to knew very little about the product.
Dear Avid, you innovation is great, but try using some hacks to test your new products instead of pro dh'ers that never use their brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Jones
a Downhiller
from red deer, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | C.O.P. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | sport chek | | Strengths: | great stopping power, i love the feel and the pad contact ajuster dial, easy to set up. | | Weaknesses: |
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