Mr Motivator Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 I'd been using an avid BB7 for a year and a half with an XTR lever and XTR cable. The set up was perfect although there were a few problems over the course of this time; - Too much bite for gaps to front wheel - Heating up quickly so there is no bite at all - The adjuster knob falling off - The adjuster knob being so far out that if you fail something you could knock it off - The caliper arm bending.. twice, just under the force of my finger - The caliper arm flexing, so your lever feels all flexy - The internals randomly springing out - Not much modulation - The adjuster knobs no longer clicking Well after this 18 months, THIS happened. I was standing over my bike not even touching the brake and suddenly the internals popped out and were spewed all over the floor like guts. I put it back together that night and found the cause of the problem being a small nut that had worked loose under the outboard pad adjuster after having being turned many times during the set up. This was all prior to the knob no longer clicking when its turned, so if your knobs don't click I strongly advise to flip them off with a screwdriver and tighten those nuts before you have an accident. Anyway, I ordered myself an Avid Juicy Seven DH 185mm at £129.99 from CRC. I got it this morning and after struggling with my grips, managed to have it all set up within about 2 minuets. The power at first was dreadful as expected but as the pads wore in the true power of this brake was reveled. I found that there is just as much bite as the BB7 as they have the same pads but more modulation due to the fact of them being 2 pot (both pads move inwards unlike only one pad on the BB7). Advantages over BB7; - Easyier and quicker to set up - 2 pot - Has a TPA so you can adjust how much you want to pull the lever back - Has a lever reach adjuster - Pimper rotor - A flippable lever that works on either side as you can pop all the gubbins out and put them all back in the other way - Doesn't stick out to the side of the forks so there is nothing to knock off - Loads more modulation - Just as much bite Advantages over other hydro disks; - Megga adjustability in the caliper and lever - Awesome bite - Awesome lock - Nice feeling lever - Power doesn't fade no where near as quickly - No flex at all Gaps to front wheel are much nicer and mainly everything feels a little nicer. The fact that you can adjust the lever so that it'll put back as much as your magura is great and there is no more flex! Some piccys to wet yourself over; Nice and neat, rotor a little grubby but once that washes off it'll be even better. Nothing protrudes from the side of the forks so there is nothing to knock off. Lush lever. So if you happen to have 130 quid for a disk and don't know what to get, I definitely recommend one of these :- Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIX Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 Cool review, thanks very much for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_Porter Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 do you think that the tpa adjuster part of it will be as weak as the tpa's on maggies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Motivator Posted July 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 do you think that the tpa adjuster part of it will be as weak as the tpa's on maggies? ← Nope, I took it out to flip it over. It just a big fat thread in there and its not complitated at all so theres no parts to break :- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_Porter Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 ah sounds good that, i have found thats the problem with hopes is that the little brass grub screw thing allways seemed to screw out. or has the avid still got this and the dial actually does something different all together? would there be any need to go for the 203 over the 185? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Motivator Posted July 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 ah sounds good that, i have found thats the problem with hopes is that the little brass grub screw thing allways seemed to screw out. or has the avid still got this and the dial actually does something different all together? would there be any need to go for the 203 over the 185? ← No, it 'clicks' when you turn it. Every click equals 1mm of lever reach. 185 is fine. Its smaller too so less chance of twatting it and smaller looks better :- Pads dont wobble either :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 (edited) Advantages over BB7 - Has a TPA so you can adjust how much you want to pull the lever back - Has a lever reach adjuster - A flippable lever that works on either side as you can pop all the gubbins out and put them all back in the other way ← Thanks for the review, but the bb7 does sort of have a tpa, the knobs at the bottom. And the two other points are about the leaver, which has nothing to do with the brake itself, and even if you do have the avid SD leavers they have a reach ajuster and work on both sides. Not trying to be a tit, but i just though i'd point it out. Aparently they leaver has a very unique feel to it. What's it like? Edited July 22, 2005 by JT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Motivator Posted July 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Aparently they leaver has a very unique feel to it. What's it like? ← The fact that is has a TPA unlike any other hydro disk out there makes it rather unique. It means you can pull both levers back as far as each other so your back and front brake feel nice and even, and the flip over design is a great idea (bolts and TPA pop out and go on the other side so you can either use it moto style or just normal) The actual leverblade does feel very nice though, its pretty much the same as a CNC magura leverblade but it a weeeeny bit fatter so doesn't cut in as much when you pull it hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Garland Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Thats persuaded me to get one enough anyone, was looking at getting one before but not had the money, now I have a job I have the funds (N) I've already got that rotor but it came with my BB7, hmm must have sent the wrong one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIX Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 You can adjust the hope mono trial to pull into where you want it, so that both your levers pull to the same point. I wouldnt use it if you couldnt. Plus the hope adjusts pad wear automatically so no need for a tpa. I havent had any problem with the screw coming loose or moving like james has. It is a very good point that the lever blade is a very similiar shape to the mag, keeps the feel consistent. Not knocking your review just pointing out some things. (N) (N) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Arnold Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 You can adjust the hope mono trial to pull into where you want it, so that both your levers pull to the same point. I wouldnt use it if you couldnt. Plus the hope adjusts pad wear automatically so no need for a tpa. I havent had any problem with the screw coming loose or moving like james has. It is a very good point that the lever blade is a very similiar shape to the mag, keeps the feel consistent. Not knocking your review just pointing out some things. (N) (N) ← i wonder which of the two brakes you have tried? (N)" nice review sam, you sponsored by avid or something? (N) ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Plus the hope adjusts pad wear automatically so no need for a tpa. ← The avid adjusts as the pads wear aswell, the resevoiur takes care of that dosent it?? Good review sam, i might look into one now dude Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 You can adjust the hope mono trial to pull into where you want it, so that both your levers pull to the same point. I wouldnt use it if you couldnt. ← but that is to adjust lever reach.......the sooner you set the brake to come on the further away the lever is im very tempted by this avid brake, as im now having troubles with my setup (N) ill just see how long it lasts with your abuse (N) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicH_87 Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 you just cost me £110 (N) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nick Riviera Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 although it cant really be a proper review after having it a day , it still sounds good (N) might have to invest in one myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Motivator Posted July 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Plus the hope adjusts pad wear automatically so no need for a tpa. I havent had any problem with the screw coming loose or moving like james has. ← So does the avid. Its an open system so the pads move in with wear. The TPA is for quick adjustment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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