Avid Mechanical Disc Brake Review - Stronger than Dirt

By Vernon Felton

WHAT: Avid BB7 Mechanical Disc Brakes WHERE: www.sram.com/en/avid HOW MUCH: $120 (suggested retail price per wheel)

I distinctly remember testing the first generation of cable-actuated disc brakes—back in 1998. We had a set that came spec’d aboard a Giant full suspension bike we were testing at BIKE and, man, they were nothing short of terrifying. My publisher at the time came across a draft of the review we were giving the Giant and read our flaming review of the disc brakes, which soured an otherwise glowing review of the bike. “Come on,” he pleaded, “these things can’t really be that bad! Isn’t there a way you can soften this up?”

I then put him on the bike—in our flat parking lot—and had him pedal to about 15 miles per hour. I then told him to try and come to stop. The brakes did almost nothing to halt his momentum and he wound up hitting the chain link fence at the other end of the parking lot. Shaken, he handed the bike back and wobbled away.

I think the final version of the review stated that the Giant was great, but that safety and common sense required that you actually remove the brakes from the bike and slap on a pair of Hayes before you ever brought the bike home.

That experience with the Giant further confirmed my belief that all mechanical disc brakes were crap. If you wanted reliable, powerful disc brakes, you needed to go hydraulic.

Then Avid came out with their mechanical disc brake in the Fall of 1999 (if memory serves me right…hell, maybe it was 2000…dates get blurry, you know) and completely changed that paradigm. The brakes boasted incredible stopping power (even though they only came with 160-mm rotors at the time), easy installation and damn-near trouble free performance. Other brands tried to follow suit—Hayes and Shimano both introduced mechanical competitors, but neither came close to matching the Avids.

With technology advancing by leaps and bounds each year, it’s hard to believe that the mechanical disc brake market hasn’t also changed dramatically in the past five or so years, and yet, that’s about where we stand (as of the summer of 2005, anyway). Avid’s Ball Bearing 7 disc brake still beats the snot out of the competition.

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Reader Comments

Posted Sat Sep27, 2008, 10:36 PM — By Jim

Thanks for such an extensive review of this product. I replaced my "v" brakes with a set of the BB7's and I have not been disappointed. Thanks agian!

Posted Fri Feb27, 2009, 11:35 PM — By Bill

My first good mountain bike was a Specialized Hardrock (I got to the point where I destroyed 2 wal-mart specials in 3 months); came with Avid BB7s, I was very impressed with the performance of the disk brakes over linear brakes. Long story short I just upgraded to a Giant Reign X2 with Hays Stroker Ryde hydraulics. I was disappointed with the braking power of them in comparison with my old cable BB7s. The BB7s have about 2200 hard miles on them. I have ridden them in Moab 3 times and up on the Seven Summits trail in B.C. They have never failed me in any regards.. One other thing, they will finally break in and the noise will fade after about 1900 miles and countless vertical feet...... All in all EXCELLENT product

Posted Thu Apr 2, 2009, 2:10 PM — By Soren

I just got a pair of these brakes and I cant wait to put them on my new bike I'm building, ('05 Kona Dawg). To top that off, I also ordered a great Marzocchi Z1 to slap to the front. Thanks for the great mag.

Posted Fri Jun19, 2009, 5:48 AM — By Ana

My mountain bike has this sort of disc brakes. It is better than old wire brakes. colors combination of brakes are also fantastic Being a interior designer it is very difficult for me to suggest colors & places in home for Fire Places & other things.

Posted Thu Sep24, 2009, 1:04 PM — By SCOTT

I HAVE A PAIR OF BB7. FRONT BRAKES WONT LOCK UP. CLEANED THE ROTOR AND PADS. ALCOHOL SAND PAPER ECT. STILL NO LOCK UP. IT WAS SUGJESTED I RIDE DOWN HILL WITH BRAKE ON TO WEAR THEM IN. WHAT DO YOU SUGJEST. SM

Posted Sat Oct10, 2009, 3:45 AM — By Gashman

why on earth would anybody pay this much for cable disc breaks, when you can go to cambria and get last years hydraulics for similar price. cable defeats the main purpose of a disc brake - hydraulic power.

Posted Sat Oct10, 2009, 6:54 AM — By belhocine ali

Hello, I have in trein to make a thermomechanical modeling of the discs of automobile brake (full and ventilated) by using software ANSYS v 11.0 I ask you to transmit to me by Email of documentations relating to braking to make this modeling

Posted Wed Nov11, 2009, 2:52 PM — By Gord G

I have just replaced the OEM low-end mechanical disk brakes (circa 2004) with new Avid BB7s on my KONA. Easy to install, easy to set up, and amazing stopping power... all without having to deal with fluids and bleeding lines and ... Scott (above) needs to keep trying to align the caliper correctly while keeping fingers off the rotor. Gashman (above) should check out the cost of BB7s at Cambria vs hydraulic disks...less than half the cost, near equivalent intalled weight, no fluids to fuss with or overhead and bubble with use, and amazing performance. As the reviewer ended the article.... a damn fine break.

Posted Sun Dec 6, 2009, 7:46 PM — By Garry

My bike has 51mm IS (International standard) mounts front and back. AVIDS DO NOT FIT !! Hey,maybe someone makes An adaptor.Sad...But I'm joking. Everyone. Everyone makes 10 adaptors. THis still doesn't explain why anyone would install a 74mm post mount caliper on their 51mm International Standard Disc mount. THEY DO NOT FIT! IRD makes both. There will be no cheap/cheesy adaptor on my bike.

Posted Mon May24, 2010, 12:38 PM — By Kim Smith

I worked with http://www.cmacable.com through the entire process of modifying my ATV. They have A+ customer service and an excellent line of cable and restraints. If you are looking for Mechanical Cables cma is the way to go!

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