Mountain Biking - Are Avid levers good quality?

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Help! I'm on Brand Name Overload. Too much information. Please, someone tell me where, on the quality scale of 1 thru 10 (10 is best) does Avid stand. I hope,they are OK since I just bought a set of brake levers for 39.99.
Thanks
The Selector
02-20-06, 09:56 PM
which ones? the juicy 7's are the bomb... 10 out of 10
leonardotmnt
02-20-06, 09:56 PM
Just a suggestion but it might be better to ask about things before you buy them.
which ones? the juicy 7's are the bomb... 10 out of 10
I'll run out to my shop and find out.....
Says on the box: SPEED DIAL 7
mtb-chop
02-20-06, 10:04 PM
Says on the box: SPEED DIAL 7
Good set of levers.
No, GREAT set of levers - enjoy them!
Just a suggestion but it might be better to ask about things before you buy them.
You're right, and I did. It's just that I ditched some drop bars on my Trek 520 for some North Roads because of arthritis. I needed to change from Cane Creek SCR-5's to MTB type levers. In the process, it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the different products, grades, prices, etc. I haven't bought a MTB since '88. I finally just pointed and said, "make it so."
The Selector
02-20-06, 10:05 PM
they look very nice... i say good deal... as long as they are all metal.
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11076-035_AVD2L1-3-Parts-159-Brakes/V-Brakes/Avid-Speed-Dial-7-Levers.htm
Good set of levers.
No, GREAT set of levers - enjoy them!
Thanks! I have to be careful not lock 'em up or I'll blow out a skinnie! My old 1988 Trek 830, now morphed into a City Battlebike, still has the original Shimano levers and that's all I have any experience with. Things have changed on them trails!
MadMan2k
02-20-06, 10:15 PM
The SD7 levers are quite nice. I have mine on a crappy set of Tektro V-brakes though, which I should really replace with discs.
they look very nice... i say good deal... as long as they are all metal.
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11076-035_AVD2L1-3-Parts-159-Brakes/V-Brakes/Avid-Speed-Dial-7-Levers.htm
Them's the ones. All metal and very compact. The spool out feature is the kick. Both front and rear feel identical. I'll be doing light to medium touring with this set-up. Thanks for the feedback.
The Selector
02-20-06, 10:23 PM
Them's the ones. All metal and very compact. The spool out feature is the kick. Both front and rear feel identical. I'll be doing light to medium touring with this set-up. Thanks for the feedback.
yeah those look nice... maybe i'll get em for my icebike
The SD7 levers are quite nice. I have mine on a crappy set of Tektro V-brakes though, which I should really replace with discs.
These are now on my Trek 520 touring bike. It's a first class Gran Tour Sedan, if you're into such machines. I gave the Modolo drops 600 miles over the past two weeks trying to get used to them. But, arthritis and carpal tunnel won out. So, they are mounted on North Road bars, like yer granny rode.
I figured you guys in here would steer me right. Thanks.
The Selector
02-20-06, 10:27 PM
I've heard great things about the trek 520 as a touring bike... how do you like it? I think they look great, especially with silver fenders
blue_neon
02-20-06, 10:37 PM
I just won some SD7's off eBay for about $50AUD! So they better be good! :D. I know have the choice of putting them on my bike with the SD7 brakes or keeping them spare for the Avid BB7's that I intend to purchase in the near futur.
gmoneyhobbit
02-20-06, 10:42 PM
whats the diff between those and ti's
I've heard great things about the trek 520 as a touring bike... how do you like it? I think they look great, especially with silver fenders
This one's a 1998, Dark blue metallic, very close to mint condition, with several upgrades by the previous owner. What I have heard about them is exactly what I have found to be true: They are a true touring bike and one of few still made by hand in the USA. They are steel and mine weighs about 24lbs. The new ones cost about $1,100 off the shelf, completely bare except for a rear rack - which everyone seems to ditch in favor of a more rugged one.
I paid $550 for a fully dressed and outfitted bike - Blackburn front pannier hangers, hardly used honey Brooks B-17(I sold it), Rivendell Nitto stem, Modolo 'Brevetatto' touring drops, Cane Creek SCR-5 levers (very nice touch), upgraded Trek Interchange rear rack, Planet fenders (black), two bottle cages, KoolStop pads, red blinkie.
The ride:
It is a long, steel bike. Very forgiving but surprisingly, it handles crisply. You can stay on for hours with the right saddle. I'm ordering a Brooks B-67. The tires are 28mm which I thought would deliver a harsh ride because I'm 230lbs. No way - the ride is like a large sedan. I'm going to go to 32mm Nimbus Armadillos soon so it should get even better. The bike is as quiet running as anything I've ever ridden or been around. Shimano 105 up front and LX in back - MTB stuff I guess.
Currently, I'm ramping up for the Seattle to Portland thing in July so I'm putting on alot of varied terrain miles with dummy loads to build strength. Starting in March, I'll be laying on a century (no dummy load, except for the pilot) every week-end til the end of June. This is a bike to ride to hell and gone.
Some might gag at my replacing the expensive drops with North Road bars, but that's a consideration for arthritis. Besides, I like 'em. Got a set on my 830, too.
John in Everett,WA
I have the Ti, they are great...if you want the best ...i think its call AVid Ulitrama or sth...those are good but I can't afford them
Chumley360
03-06-06, 03:58 AM
I like most of the Avid brake line. Their lower end stuff is usually passable for what it's put on and the high end stuff works great. I've got a set of SD7 levers on my 4500 and SD1.9s on my city bike and my girlfriend's 4500. You'll like them and they'll last you a long time.
I have the Ti, they are great...if you want the best ...i think its call AVid Ulitrama or sth...those are good but I can't afford them
Avid Ultimate and I have them on my BMX...they are hand machined and very light... and you can match them up with Avid ultimate single digit V brakes. I'm not sure whats better the avids or XTR's but i vote for AVID because I use them. Although I do have XTR's on one of my other BMX's... but the avid lever and brake combination is really good.
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=10322
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=12845
gmoneyhobbit
03-06-06, 12:30 PM
Avid Ultimate and I have them on my BMX...they are hand machined and very light... and you can match them up with Avid ultimate single digit V brakes. I'm not sure whats better the avids or XTR's but i vote for AVID because I use them. Although I do have XTR's on one of my other BMX's... but the avid lever and brake combination is really good.
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=10322
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=12845
i have the ti levers with the ultimate v's .. i think both ultimate would be hawtz0rz
and i bet those brakes stop you like madd on a bmx
ghettocruiser
03-06-06, 12:35 PM
I'll testify for their longevity. I bought a set of SD7s in '97 that I'm still using.
What do the ti ones look like do you have a link too them?
And ya I can stop pretty fast with the ultimates on my BMX
gmoneyhobbit
03-09-06, 11:43 AM
What do the ti ones look like do you have a link too them?
And ya I can stop pretty fast with the ultimates on my BMX
theyre usu. grey with a black lever.. but u can get them in an orangish color with a black lever
http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/acatalog/Speed_dial_ti_Grey2.JPG
http://www.hastingscycles.co.uk/acatalog/spdti.jpg
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