I Need Your .02: Avid BB7 Disc Brakes

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by RED5

What levers did you use?? I find the BB7's work best with the Speed Dial levers, really helps to set the up with MUCH better modulation.

To the OP. I have 07 BB7's and I think they're great brakes. Simple to setup and maintain. For XC/AM applications I don't see any advantage in using hydros.

My 2 biggest pieces of advice if you decide to go this route...

1) Get speed dial levers
2) run full length housing. It goes along way to help maintenance and keep them running optimally.

Yeah, Speed Dial levers are a must. Same with full housing.

I still like the feel of hydros better. But the BB7's definitely are solid and have their strengths. (I just bought some from Jordan).

[faded1004]

i love my bb7! i never had to mess with them... just set and i have always been able to rely on them. i didn't have that problem i heard that you have to keep adjusting them when you take the wheel off? not sure if that was true. but i love mine. they are usually being sold used for 50-60 bucks for a whole set with levers... i think great bang for the buck...

[Schecky]

I've been using them for years and love them. Plenty of stopping power.
Agree with Red5 - Full housing and SpeedDial levers.
I just replaced my 2002 165mm brakes with 160mm ones and have had no problems. GREAT modulation.

[stormyClouds]

i will second using full length housing.
for contrast, i have bb7s and a set of formula oro puros. pretty much both ends of the spectrum pricewise.
regarding their performance, i would save the extra dough and get bb7's for my next build. the avids are good enough to forgo the extra loot for high bling brakes.

[blanka98]

The BB7's are great! I previously used the BB5's and the BB7's has better stopping power due to bigger pads. For the price that they are going for now, you can't go wrong!

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by xhuskr

from the weight weenies site;

2004 2005
BB7 front 344g Juicy 7 front 424g
BB7 rear 353g rear 445g

Avid site has the BB7s at 329g
Juicy 7s (front with with 160mm rotor) at 395g

either way..the BB7 is a solid brake!

Throw a set of XTR v-brake levers in that mix and the weight is very similar.

Solid brakes, easy to work on, user friendly, lots of power. Can't go wrong with them.

[KonaDupee]

I have BB7's on my 29er and love them. Great stopping power and super simple to adjust. I see absolutely no reason to ever upgrade to hydros; my style of XC riding simply doesn't require them.

I also have BB5's on my full squish. Again, super stopping power, but they require more adjustment than the BB7's. Luckily, the adjustment takes all of 2 minutes every couple of rides. The BB5's were half the price of the BB7's and work just as well, albeit with more frequent--yet simple--adjusting.

I have Speed Dial levers on each brake. That makes for a great combo. Also, heed BrewMaster's advice on tires; they are just as important when considering overall braking performance.

The BB7's have been "set em & forget em" brakes. Can't ask much more than that.

[autoduel]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Throw a set of XTR v-brake levers in that mix and the weight is very similar.

Solid brakes, easy to work on, user friendly, lots of power. Can't go wrong with them.

Everyone says speed dial levers are the best, but have you tried them with XTR's? They too have leverage adjustment dials.

[el_d00der1n0]

I've got two sets of bb7s. One with LX levers and one with XT. They're both working very well IMHO.

I also run the Flak Jacket cables and they are money.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by autoduel

Everyone says speed dial levers are the best, but have you tried them with XTR's? They too have leverage adjustment dials.

I like the feel of the XTR lever vs. the Avid levers.

[gennydv]

Thanks for all your input!