Anyone use Avid Mechanicals? How do you like them?
Im looking at a new bike that is equipped with these...
Thanks
Dave
Im looking at a new bike that is equipped with these...
Thanks
Dave
The Avid instructions that come with the brake are garbage.Originally posted by ghostrider
I was thinking I should go align them again, but really, it's much easier just to bitch about them on RM.
Huh??? I ride my avid in the muddy wet conditions all the time... the wear from week to week is barely noticable. I have no squeel and excellent modulation - far superior to my previous XT v-brakes, especially when wet.Originally posted by ghostrider
Well, I hate to burst the bubble, but I ain't none too pleased with my Avids so far. I'm not fully trained on installation, but I followed the directions, and the fact is, it would be hard to go wrong. Here's my issues:
1. Noise. I get squealing, 'singing', and a lot of plain old rubbing noises in use. More than other disc brake users I ride with.
2. Lever throw. I have to pull the lever to the bar to get anything solid going. If I turn the little red knobs until the rotors just start rubbing, it's better, but then I hear my rotors rubbing, which bugs me. I like my levers to bite right at the start.
3. Power. I don't think these things are any better than a good v-brake set up. In fact, I rode my wife's bike the other day and was pissed to find her XT v-brakes working better than my Avid discs.
4. Pad wear. Yes, they are easy to adjust, but good thing, because I find I have to do it all the time. Like, halfway down a blazing downhill, my levers are hitting the bar again. I got in a downpour in the AZ desert, and being the first time in the rain, I was looking forward to the superiority of discs in the wet. Nope, after a few stops (with much grinding) the pads wore away to the point I had nothing at the lever. I was pissed to stop in the pouring rain to adjust the damn things again.
So, unless I'm a dolt, and somebody can give me some setup advice, I can't say they are the cat's pjs. FYI, I'm using Avid levers and FMJ cables on a Bullit.
I'm surprised you haven't gotten one already via a mail-order purchase. They were coming free (limited-use version) from Jenson, Performance, and a few other places as of last quarter, '02. I can hook you up a couple ways: Get an unlocked version from CJ next time I see him and mail it to ya, send you a limited use copy I have on me now, then pay for your unlock (Merry Xmas, late) when you're ready to unlock it. PM and lemme know.Originally posted by ghostrider
Hey Tweek, I don't have the BFR - are you sayin you can hook a brutha up??
I promise to spend some more time adjusting and update my rant if I get them working well.
Care to explain how you "totally destroyed" them?Originally posted by FlipSide
They're the best mechanical brakes money can buy...for a XC/trail bike.
I totally destroyed mine with one season of DH on them.
Sounds like you have a loose cable clamp bolt... it's happened to me before, but after I did the clamp up real tight, it stopped happening. The cable can slooowly slip, ie half a mm at a time, when you're braking hard if the bolt isn't done up tight enough.Originally posted by ghostrider
Well, I hate to burst the bubble, but I ain't none too pleased with my Avids so far. I'm not fully trained on installation, but I followed the directions, and the fact is, it would be hard to go wrong. Here's my issues:
1. Noise. I get squealing, 'singing', and a lot of plain old rubbing noises in use. More than other disc brake users I ride with.
2. Lever throw. I have to pull the lever to the bar to get anything solid going. If I turn the little red knobs until the rotors just start rubbing, it's better, but then I hear my rotors rubbing, which bugs me. I like my levers to bite right at the start.
3. Power. I don't think these things are any better than a good v-brake set up. In fact, I rode my wife's bike the other day and was pissed to find her XT v-brakes working better than my Avid discs.
4. Pad wear. Yes, they are easy to adjust, but good thing, because I find I have to do it all the time. Like, halfway down a blazing downhill, my levers are hitting the bar again. I got in a downpour in the AZ desert, and being the first time in the rain, I was looking forward to the superiority of discs in the wet. Nope, after a few stops (with much grinding) the pads wore away to the point I had nothing at the lever. I was pissed to stop in the pouring rain to adjust the damn things again.
So, unless I'm a dolt, and somebody can give me some setup advice, I can't say they are the cat's pjs. FYI, I'm using Avid levers and FMJ cables on a Bullit.
Originally posted by ghostrider
Well, I hate to burst the bubble, but I ain't none too pleased with my Avids so far. I'm not fully trained on installation, but I followed the directions, and the fact is, it would be hard to go wrong. Here's my issues:
1. Noise. I get squealing, 'singing', and a lot of plain old rubbing noises in use. More than other disc brake users I ride with.
2. Lever throw. I have to pull the lever to the bar to get anything solid going. If I turn the little red knobs until the rotors just start rubbing, it's better, but then I hear my rotors rubbing, which bugs me. I like my levers to bite right at the start.
3. Power. I don't think these things are any better than a good v-brake set up. In fact, I rode my wife's bike the other day and was pissed to find her XT v-brakes working better than my Avid discs.
4. Pad wear. Yes, they are easy to adjust, but good thing, because I find I have to do it all the time. Like, halfway down a blazing downhill, my levers are hitting the bar again. I got in a downpour in the AZ desert, and being the first time in the rain, I was looking forward to the superiority of discs in the wet. Nope, after a few stops (with much grinding) the pads wore away to the point I had nothing at the lever. I was pissed to stop in the pouring rain to adjust the damn things again.
So, unless I'm a dolt, and somebody can give me some setup advice, I can't say they are the cat's pjs. FYI, I'm using Avid levers and FMJ cables on a Bullit.