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Brakes > Avid BB7
Avid BB7 Reviews
Description: (
from sram.com/en/avid/)
If hydraulic isn’t your bag, then you owe it to your ride to try the new BB7. It’s more powerful and is easier to set up than any mechanical disc ever. Details like easy pad replacement, precision ball bearing actuation and infinitely variable spring tension means control like you’ve never felt before. Plus, you can pair it with one of
our Speed Dial® levers for sweet, adjustable modulation. You can’t get that on any hydraulic. Last but not least, this year we gave the BB7 a tasty new finish, new inboard/outboard adjustment knobs and a beefy two-piece, forged body.
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Other Recommendations
Reviews




reviewed by dozzerboy
on January 7, 2012
(updated 01/07/12)
Pros
Braking power, Easy to adjust pads, find new pads anywhere
Cons
Those damn "tri-align" washers... Sorry way to cover up poorly aligned caliper parts. Hard to align with rotor properly.
Review
Great product. Just not the easiest to align the calipers. Love the pad adjust feature on both sides.
Pros
Great stopping power, no fade when they get hot like all of the tektros
tool free setup
Cons
pads tend to make alot noise if not set up perfectly
Review
i definitely reccomend these brakes to anyone looking forward to something mechanical. by far the best non hydraulic brakes on the market.




reviewed by OIIIJEEPIIIO
on October 11, 2011
model: 2010 Hardrock
Pros
Perfect intro to disc brakes, easy to work on compared to hydros
Cons
No real dislikes so far
Review
I would highly recommend this especially to anyone make the jump from rim to disc brakes.




reviewed by WVPedler
on March 14, 2011
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Better stopping power then my original mechanical brakes. Easy maintenance.
Cons
...?
Review
These work great on my hardtail which is my back-up bike, best non-hydraulic brake IMO. I have actually bought these for friends.




reviewed by jbelmont
on December 9, 2010
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
My first disc brake. Very good power and decent modulation for a cable actuated brake.
Cons
Heavy. Also the brake is very sensitive to housing and cable cleanliness.
Review
Great for people looking for a dependable brake without the hassles of a hydraulic system.




reviewed by rodneyhumes
on December 9, 2010
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Great brakes
Cons
None
Review
Great stopping power easy to set up,night and day difference when I upgraded to the BB7




reviewed by mtbgreg1
on November 30, 2010
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Cheap, and great stopping power!
Cons
On/off brake... no modulation
Review
In my opinion, this brake is the standard that all mechanical disc brakes should aspire to! These brakes are inexpensive, not too heavy, and provide absolutely bomber braking!




reviewed by hknutson
on November 29, 2010
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Easy to work on and smooth action.
Cons
A littl bit heavy but cannot complain much for the price.
Review
I would definitely recommend these brakes to someone that is wanting good quality easy to maintain brakes with out breaking the bank.




reviewed by soezgg
on May 4, 2010
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Cheap, very adjustable
Cons
Big and heavy
Review
The BB7 is way better than the BB5 and has proven to be superior to all the Hayes mechanical brakes that I've tried. It's so easy to adjust on the trail and has been reliable in all conditions. Also, you can find it online for a pretty good price. I highly recommend the BB7.




reviewed by mnetz
on April 24, 2010
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Stopping power! Ease of set up. smooth braking!!! Look awesome too!
Cons
None so far!
Review
Upgraded my Trek 4300 from the rim brakes to these, what a difference! Only took a couple good rides to break them in, and then, WOW! Set up properly, they are just fantastic. Good video on youtube.com that walks you right through it. Have not heard a peep out of them since broke in!




reviewed by sevendaysoff
on March 10, 2010
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Stopping power, ease of adjustment, rotor strength
Review
I just replaced the promax disc brakes on my trek with BB7's at the recommendation of a fellow forum member. the stopping power is night and day compared to the promax. easy to adjust too!




reviewed by GoldenGoose
on January 7, 2010
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Simple setup. Easilty adjustable. Easy pad changes. Better stopping power than many hydros on the market.
Cons
As any mechanical brake, may need readjustment as brake cable stretches.
Review
Probably the best mechanical brake out on the market, and it's been that way for a long time. They may require a little tinkering from time to time to keep them in tip top performing shape but it is haradly often enough to make you dislike them.




reviewed by Asfyxiate
on May 29, 2009
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
They work, pads are easily adjustable, Beautiful, Low maintenance is involved once setup.
Cons
Nothing!
Review
Being a big fan of SRAM to begin with, I already knew I was throwing these set of Mechanical brakes on my bikes. They are sooooo easy to mount onto your bike you'd probably think you did something wrong! They are low maintenance, and give some hydro's a run for their money. When you get some pad wear, you can dial in and adjust the reach on it.




reviewed by trek7k
on February 27, 2009
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Simple system that just works. Easily adjustable on the trail. Responsive.
Review
You really can't go wrong with the BB7 for a disc brake system.




reviewed by element22
on February 27, 2009
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
One of the best mechanical brakes out there. Super easy to adjust with both inboard and outboard pad adjusters.
Cons
none
Review
If your going to use mechanical brakes for the money these are the ones to get. If you can get yourself a set of Gore RideOn cables for these and you will be really happy.




reviewed by guest on February 26, 2009
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Great mechanical brakes with exceptional modulation and stopping power.
Cons
None
Review
Exceptional all around mechanical brakes




reviewed by guest on February 26, 2009
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
These are the best mechanical brakes I have ever used. Very easy to mount & adjust, Great stopping power by far!
Cons
None
Review
Exceptional mechanical brakes, even works better than some hydraulic brakes. You cannot beat these!




reviewed by Code_Rage
on November 18, 2008
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Easy to install, adjust, grab a hell of allot better than my tektros, and CHEAP.
Cons
None
Review
Great breaks. For 100 bucks a set you cant beat it.




reviewed by FinsFan
on August 29, 2008
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Review
woops forgot to rate them. 5 stars :D




reviewed by FinsFan
on August 29, 2008
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
stopping power, price (paid $68)
Cons
nothing
Review
awesome brake set up for the money. They perform great




reviewed by guest on July 4, 2008
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
simple mechanical action, easy to adjust / dial in (pads are adjustable on both sides of rotor)
Cons
none
Review
I was hesitant to switch after so long on V-brakes but they're my first set of discs and they're great!




reviewed by raleighman91
on May 20, 2008
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Easy to adjust and great stopping power
Cons
they weigh a lot and they fade a bit when wet
Review
anyone can use them




reviewed by Juan_Gear
on April 9, 2008
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Cheap 180mm with good cables, I used em at Downieville down hill. While hydros boiled fluid
Cons
Lighter would be cool maybe a hopup kit or something
Review
Great value and a smart buy




reviewed by tumbleweed14
on December 30, 2007
model: Avid BB&7's 2008 & 2010 & 2011
Pros
Cheap(er). Effective. Easily adjustable. Nearly no maintenance.
Cons
Not quite the grip of Hydro.
Review
Fantastic brakes. Low Low maintenance. Good stuff here.