Originally Posted by
sstorkel
...It seems likely they bought a truckload of them, at a discount price, and decided to use them everywhere they needed a disc brake caliper. All of their complete bikes are built to a price-point, so they probably can't afford to spec the ideal components on every bike...
I agree, it was most likely price. I bet Avid has 50 MTB BB7s manufactured for every 1 ROAD BB7, it's bound to affect wholesale price, even though it doesn't seem to affect retail price.
Also, there is a small chance they chose the BB7 M to keep the component color scheme all-black (BB7 R are silver).
Performance-wise these calipers are essentially identical.
I agree with the OP, the MTB-compatible long pull levers are a little harder to work and don't feel as good in the hand as the std road lever. If you compare them side-by-side, the LP levers are ~1cm longer reach-wise than the SP levers.
OP, you just need to buy a couple BB7 R calipers - about $50 last time I bought some (
jensonusa). Perhaps you can sell the BB7 M calipers. Or get used to it the way it is.