Pros: Cheap, i guess

Cons: Really finicky and hard to adjust. They make you wish you just had v-brakes. They also squeal a lot, and I'm a light rider.

Recommendation: Don't get them. Save up for better ones.

Pros: Budget brakes that wont break the budget.

Cons: Basically these are for looks only. They stop marginally better than well tuned V brakes and they aren't as adjustable.

Recommendation: As was mentioned before, if you are looking for a cheap fork mount brake option, this is your bet. Don't expect much in the way of performance though.

Model/Year: 2010 BB5 160mm rotors

Pros: -none

Cons: -Cheaply made
-Only one side of the rotor modulates and is adjustable
-Constantly require adjustments

Recommendation: The previous reviews of these brakes blew my mind. If these come stock on your bike, throw them away and upgrade to either BB7s or Hydraulics immediately. These came stock on my hardtail 29er and I had nothing but issues with them. They only adjust and modulate on one side of the rotor while the other side sits and waits for the rotor to be bent into it to stop the bike. HORRIBLE brakes.

Pros: Good overall stopping power for mechanical disk brakes.
much better option than cantilever brakes

Cons: Brakes squeal when locking out.
Not enough braking power in extreme conditions.

Recommendation: These are great mechanical disk brakes for the money. For most applications these brakes work really well however, they are lacking, as far as stopping power, on extreme downhill situations. They are not as sensitive as hydraulic brakes so transitioning from one to the other will take some getting used to. The Avid BB5's came with my bike and if I had a choice I would personally have gone with a hydraulic brake set up but the BB5's are a great set for the amount of money you would spend to purchase them.
If you don't have the money for a set of hydraulic brakes I would definitely recommend these to anyone.

Pros: came stock on bike easy to adjust but hard to get right

Cons: somtimes squeel touchy to get right

Recommendation: do the job but hard to get set right over long periods of time!

Pros: Great brake for the price

Cons: Adjustments can be finnicky

Recommendation: Once these are set up correctly they are bulletproof for the minimal investment on mech. disc brakes. MSRP is much lower than stated as well. A set (front and back) is even much less than stated.

Pros: Affordable. Great upgrade from rim brakes

Cons: Nothing so far

Recommendation: These are the only disc brakes that I have experiences. I know there are better products out, however these have worked great for me so far. I had them installed by my local bike shop tech and I have had no problems thus far.

Pros: Affordable. I think the MSRP listed is incorrect

Cons: Not as powerful as the BB7

Recommendation: This is a solid-performing mechanical break, and definitely worth a look if you're shopping on a budget. If you've got the money, I'd recommend going with the BB7 though.

Pros: great stopping power,easy upgrade, easy to adjust

Recommendation: hard to beat these for the money, upgraded old rim brakes and used old levers works great may even better than my juicy's?

Pros: Long-lasting, easily adjustable.

Cons: Had to remove the front rotor due to constant rubbing, after backing off the pad entirely and having it adjusted by a pro.

Recommendation: They're okay if you need limited stopping power.

Pros: Consistant, cheap, fairly durable

Cons: hard to adjust, not enough bite, and not very smooth

Recommendation: they're fine for trail riding, I upgraded rotors and they do quite well.

Pros: Very similar stopping power to the BB7s, despite what some people may lead you to believe. Same rotors as the BB7s. Nice and cheap! Step up to a larger rotor and you'll really feel the difference.

Cons: Missing the adjustment of the BB7s and smaller shaped pads. The roundagon rotors are pretty bulky but you can always switch them out.

Recommendation: An acceptable mechanical brake set that performs well given its price. Not the top of the line, but not priced or marketed that way either. A great way to get started in disc brakes with decent performing mechanicals.

Pros: Not too bad with descent stopping power. Great price.

Cons: Only one side adjusts, and do not work great with clydesdale riders.

Recommendation: Not bad set of brakes, but could do better with the BB7's

Pros: Cheap, decent braking power.

Cons: CHEAP, yes that's a con too. They don't have the knobs to adjust like the BB7.

Recommendation: You can what you pay for, in some people's eyes they compare to BB7, but they DON'T.

Pros: Cheap, OK stopping power when riding in a strait line or uphill.

Cons: Not good for emergency stopping, small pad, pain in the a#% to get set up to my liking.

Recommendation: Buy BB7's or juicy's instead

Pros: They have OK modulation and are cheap. You can use your old V-Brake linear pull levers. You will eventually stop.

Cons: "CHEAP" with a small brake pad footprint and contact area. Pads glaze very easily.

Recommendation: These blow!! Anything other than an upright cruise on a paved trail will overload these and they will squeal like a stuck pig. AVID has great products and this is the lowest of the low mechanicals they make. Go with a BB7..you get big boy power with the same pads as the Juicy series.

Pros: These brakes are the best mechanicals around. They are in equal in quality and braking to the BB7's - once you set them up right.

Cons: Hard to set up but once done they Are The Best Mech's Around

Pros: Cheap, stop well

Cons: Hard to adjust

Recommendation: Pass on them, unless your a cheap wanker