Publication-Mountain Bicycling

Date-October 2000

Title-BEST DISC BRAKE

Findings:

  • "I like the Shimano XT disc, but my impression of it was tarnished when the price suddenly jumped $90. Even so, it works with a smooth, progressive action, and a nice, light lever feel"
  • "However, there's no doubt that the biggest news in disc brakes this year is the Avid Mechanical. It takes the currently available mechanical disc brakes, slaps them silly, gives them a wedgie, pulls their pants down and gives them a whirly for good measure before kicking sand in their face and taking their girlfriend."
  • "It stops powerfully (Avid Mechanical), it has a good lever feel, it doesn't squeal, it's consistent, it doesn't fade"
  • "It has the best mounting system available (Avid Mechanical), you can choose your own levers, and you don't have to bleed them."

Publication-Bicycling

Date-December 2001

Title-DISC BRAKE BUYER'S GUIDE

Findings:

  • "Disc brakes are clearly superior. Even Shimano's excellent XTR V- brake can't get close to matching discs..Throw some mud or water into the mix and the V-brake won't fare as well. Unless your low on cash or a rabid gram-counter, the V-brake comes up short."
  • "You can't gauge performance based on design alone. Hydraulic brakes enjoy a more sophisticated aura than mechanicals, but that doesn't translate into better performance-some hydraulic brakes fared worse than mechanicals"
    • B&K Bicycle Insight: Tweny three brakes were evaluated for modulation, useable power, stopping power, lever effort, consistency, ergonnomics and installation. The top rated brake overall was the Avid Mechanical Disc brake. Significantly, the Avid was less than half the price of comparably ranked hydraulic brakes.

Publication-Bicycling

Date-May 2002

Title-AVID CPS BALL BEARING DISC BRAKES

Findings:

  • "Avid's CPS Ball Bearing brakes are the standard for mechanical disc brake performance-and they beat out most of the hydraulic stoppers, too."
  • "Well-engineered details such as finger-adjustable pad-positioning knobs and the angle-compensating Caliper Positioning System make these brakes the simplest to install and easiest to keep adjusted out on the trail."
  • Light enough for XC riders, yet powerful enough for downhillers, these discs boast raw stopping power and smooth modulation rivaling hydraulic units that cost twice as much."

Publication-Bicycling

Date-February 2004

Title-Gimme a Brake

Findings:

  • "BUY 'EM IF-You want great disc brakes without hydraulic fluid"
  • "THINK TWICE IF-You crave the smooth feel and self-adjusting ability of hydraulics."
  • "ON THE TRAIL-The mounting system allows side-to-side adjustment for easy centering and rotates to compensate for disc-tab alignment problems. Two knobs let you adjust the engagement point and compensate for pad wear without taking up cable. This brake is super-powerful and modulates reasonably well. It has a bit of a numb, wooden feel compared to a good hydraulic. Pad durability is excellent; you'll wear out several sets of tires before it's time for a new set of pads."
  • "OUR VERDICT-One of the best disc brakes, and at a great price."