Mountain Biking - Avid mechanicals, I was wrong

Well after telling people for a year that mechanical disc brakes weren't worth the effort I finally broke down and put one on the front of a bike I just built. I've been through a set of 8" Hayes and a set of 6" Hayes hydros. I got SOOOO tired of tweaking the dumb things to get them to stop rubbing that I finally decided to quit discs altogether. I've had Hayes hydros on 3 different bikes, all with some degree of "pain-in-the-buttness". But my Z1 fork only has disc mounts, so...

I got an Avid mechanical and put it on for an honest try. After a couple rides I have to report no rubbing, and very good braking action. Not as good modulation as hydros but I would put them overall about halfway between the performance of V's and hydros. These things are so adjustable it's rediculous. Definately worth a look if you want discs and are low on cash.

Bummer. I have run hayes on 2 bikes for 3 years and never had a problem. Avids are great though. What levers did you get since that makes all the difference in the world :)

Have you tried the Avid Juicy Sevens? I understand they've got the same adjustment capabilities as the Avid mechs.

I am hoping hayes will step up and match that. Adjustable levers is the only thing missing from most hydros imo.

And the levers on the juicey's are fragile if I remember someone commenting right.

And the levers on the juicey's are fragile if I remember someone commenting right.

Yeah... I remember reading that too but I thought it was a single case. FWIW, I think any lever can be broken given sufficient forces. I don't recall what the circumstances were for that lever failure.

That was also part of the reason I tried the mech's, I recently bought a set of the XTR brake lever shifters and I got the model for V brakes. They work great with the Avids. Man, we have been playing musical bike parts around here for a couple years now, I think we are about settled for this season finally. I don't know why I had so much trouble keeping the Hayes from rubbing since most of the people I rode with who had them seemed to have way less trouble than I did, either that or maybe I'm too picky about noises.

khuon - I hadn't heard that about the Juicy Seven's, but that's the best adjustments I've seen. You can move them in about any possible angle to fine tune them, plus I like the little knobs on each side that lets you adjust the pad spacing.

Yeah... I remember reading that too but I thought it was a single case. FWIW, I think any lever can be broken given sufficient forces. I don't recall what the circumstances were for that lever failure.

It was either 2 or 3 in a row. And it was under aggressive riding conditions if I remember (I think I remember the rider to but to be honest don't want to name names in case I am wrong)

(me):)

(me):)

HA HA...I knew it but didn't want to say anything :)

HA HA...I knew it but didn't want to say anything :)

Yeah and their replacements got me into a pickle today.

Yeah and their replacements got me into a pickle today.

You're still having a problem with them?

You're still having a problem with them?

The hayes I got to replace the juicy's faded out on me while entering a turn too fast, was not able to make the turn and went right through into a thorn bush. I'm hoping my hopes treat me better if they ever get here.

You really haven't had any luck with brakes in the past year.Hope you get it figured out soon. Its not fun dhilling without brakes :)

I know.

I got an Avid mechanical and put it on for an honest try. After a couple rides I have to report no rubbing, and very good braking action. Not as good modulation as hydros but I would put them overall about halfway between the performance of V's and hydros. These things are so adjustable it's rediculous. Definately worth a look if you want discs and are low on cash.

I must be missing something on the modulation thing. In Ned Overend's book he recommends that one should either be aggressively braking (near lock-up?)
or keeping your hands off the levers. He implies anything in-between is counterproductive to maintain momentum. I find that quite easily done with Avids.

Overend (5 nationals and one world) is speaking to XC racing only and all I do is XC and no racing.

I had a lot less control with rim brakes. Better is the enemy of good enough, especially when there's a lot of maintenance involved.

Al

Al,

Modulation is awesome and helps in a lot of situations. I don't race nor do I do much xc...but modulation in dh helps give superior control in steep situations.

Regarding Hayes and adjustable levers. I've been using Razor Rock Racing levers on mine and just love the heck out of them. Of course, once I adjusted them, I haven't touched them in well over a year.

L8R

Al,

Modulation is awesome and helps in a lot of situations. I don't race nor do I do much xc...but modulation in dh helps give superior control in steep situations.

I can see that in extreem situations that you need the best you can get. I've never tried hydaulics. If they are better than Avids, they must be really good.

Al

Regarding Hayes and adjustable levers. I've been using Razor Rock Racing levers on mine and just love the heck out of them. Of course, once I adjusted them, I haven't touched them in well over a year.

L8R

I love my Hayes hydros, but the weak link is the feel of the levers, IMHO. Can you tell me more about the Razor Rock Racing levers? Why do you like them over the stock Hayes?

ThanX a bunch!!!

Two way adjustability, CNC'd lever, shorter length, more comfortable bend, good for 1 or 2 finger braking.

Stock levers are long and clumsy and non-adjustable!

Like Night and DAY!

Check out a review: http://www.dirtragmag.com/articles/article.php?ID=483&category=stuff_reviews

L8R

Link is dead? hmmmm, see if anyone else has success www.razorrock.com

Hopefully they're still in business, and are just having a problem with their site.

L8R

They went out of business. You might still find the odd one available but I was looking last year and couldn't find any.

Oh Crap! If I'd known that, I would've bought some replacement hardware (brass screws, pivots...etc.

Anyone know where I might find some?

L8R

Bummer!

Has anyone had any luck with other brands of brake levers? I'm looking to replace the stock brake levers on my Hayes hydros.

ThanX!!!

http://www.nsmb.com/gear/grc_danger_review_03_04.php

Theres a review of a couple of good ones.