[ElRey]

I searched but found no thread on this: anybody care to offer their experience with these units? I've got teh Single Digit 7s and was thinking the XTR would be an improvement?????

[The BikeForums Team]

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)

Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net

[DocF]

This is a matter of opinion, but I think most people would think the XTR's would be somewhat less effective.

Doc

[stapfam]

This is a matter of opinion, but I think most people would think the XTR's would be somewhat less effective.

Doc
I have not used the XTR V's but my impression of XTR is that it is good gear- But far too expensive for what it is. Within the shimano range it is about the best in the mountain bike range- but XT is only a little way behind it- at half the price.
Not on brakes- but I bought an XTR rear mech about 18months ago- but at a very sensible price. I stripped and rebuilt the Tandem last weekend and that Rear mech is still as good as new. Doesn't look it with all the scratches there are on it, but it still changes crisply- no wear on the jockey wheels whatsoever and no play in the bearings or pins. Perhaps XTR is worth it for length of life and effectivity but it is expensive.

[Eatadonut]

I searched but found no thread on this: anybody care to offer their experience with these units? I've got teh Single Digit 7s and was thinking the XTR would be an improvement?????

Hmm, not much of one if there is one. I've got the SD7s, and tried my friend's XTR, I felt more comfortable in mine, not really any sloppiness in either.

EDIT: I didn't even realize what forum this was in - you might try asking this same question in the MTB forum, I know there are some people over there that probably have extensive experience with both.

[ElRey]

Bought a pair of XTs as an intermediate testbed. ON sale, way cheap.... I'll see how it goes.

[woog]

The XTRs are parallel push. There's a linkage that allows the pads to move straight into the rim rather than approaching at an arc. That gives a more consistent contact patch (better wear) as well as better power and modulation.

That said, I run SD7s on my mtb because they work and they're cheap. :)

[jyossarian]

XTR's are 1000x better than SD 7's. Send your Avid SD 7's to me and I'll put them on my backup beater bike. ;)

Having said that, SD 7's are better than XTRs. Avid started out only making brakes so they pretty much got it down to a science now and are usually better than Shimano and Hayes.

[stapfam]

Bought a pair of XTs as an intermediate testbed. ON sale, way cheap.... I'll see how it goes.
XT is not far behind XTR in quality but far cheaper. Only thing I would point out is that Shimano blocks are hard, They give a bit of squeal but they work. I am also not a lover of the replacable Brake material. I prefer to use a "Solid" block, and not the replacable braking material. I also prefer to use a softer brake compound that does not wear out the rims quite so fast, something like the Koolstop.

[ElRey]

As it turns out, the shop I was supposed to get teh XTs from for cheap just told me they were "discontinued"... went to my local shop to see what he had. A good guy: told me to stay with teh Avids and try some Koolstops. Am doing so.