Disc Brakes

[frank9755]

Thanks, Phil - I've just ordered it!

 

[Phil the drill]

Brake pics.

Hi

For those interested, I've posted a few pics to show

1) The installed Avid BB7.
2) The small bracket to anchor the SKS commuter mudguards seperately
3) One of my (very muddy, sorry) bike, as I use it!

Phil

 

[BrizzleBoy]

Phil did you buy the brake lever as well or does the existing lever do the job?

Also have you had any problems with the rear brakes and if so any advice will be gratefully received.

Cheers

 

[frank9755]

Also have you had any problems with the rear brakes and if so any advice will be gratefully received.

Cheers

My rear brakes broke before I'd got them set up. They're an easy replacement though. Any standard set of V-brakes will do. I got some basic shimano ones from Evans for £10 which came in black to match the bike and have been fine.

 

[the_killjoy]

Phil

What makes the AVID a better brake; design, materials or ease of adjustment ?

 

[Phil the drill]

Phil

What makes the AVID a better brake; design, materials or ease of adjustment ?

All of them, but chiefly the design. They just work! Don't take my word for it, if you google for reviews of them, and look on any of the other cycling forums you generally find that the Avid's are the just about the only cable operated disc brakes to be given any credence at all!
Phil

 

[Phil the drill]

Phil did you buy the brake lever as well or does the existing lever do the job?

Also have you had any problems with the rear brakes and if so any advice will be gratefully received.

Cheers

Hi
The existing levers are OK. I haven't changed mine yet because that would mean losing the motor cut out switch. Ideally the levers could do with more travel, but the Avid brake is good enough to be set up to brake well even with the reduced travel. The chaps at Wisper are aware of the problem of lever travel and are trying to source different levers with longer travel.
I did change my rear brake to an Avid single digit V brake model, but to be honest you don't really need to as the rear Promax is OK - lever travel is the problem, combined with stretchy brake cables. I reckon a change of brake cable will probably give as much advantage - if you feel you need it.
I am a bit obsessional about braking performance, having a very bad experience on a previous bike (wasn't a Wisper) on my way home from my daily commute. I travel on very steep narrow lanes with sharp bends, where traffic, although very light, is unpredictable, tending to just 'appear' round blind bends without any warning, often leaving you no where to go. To be honest, I expect most people do not really require the sort of braking performance that I tend to look for - but it's nice to have it in reserve though...
Phil

 

[BrizzleBoy]

Thanks Frank and Phil for the advice.

As my wife and son ride the wisper as well I owe it to them, if not myself, that the brakes work

I think I will go for a replacement cable for the rear brake and the avid front disk and wait for a new lever when wisper source one .

Final question - are Avid a well known name in braking terms and therefore easy to get replacement pads?

Cheers

 

[flecc]

Final question - are Avid a well known name in braking terms and therefore easy to get replacement pads?

Cheers

Yes. Fisher Leisure are a major supplier to the cycle trade and the page below from their site has a number of links to see all the different types of Avid's brakes.

Avid at Fisher Leisure
.

 

[ElephantsGerald]

This is the one you need: Avid BB7 08 MTB Disc Brake with 160mm Rotor | Brakes Disc - Avid | Cycle - Cycle Sports UK

If you can't beat them, join them! I've just ordered one of these too.

You're not on a commision from Cycle Sports UK are you Phil?

Regards,

Elephants

 

[moon]

I'm having one fitted tomorrow

 

[Phil the drill]

If you can't beat them, join them! I've just ordered one of these too.

You're not on a commision from Cycle Sports UK are you Phil?

Regards,

Elephants

Hi
Nope, I'm nothing whatsoever to do with the cycle industry or accessories, but I'm beginning to wish I was......
Cheers, Phil

 

[BrizzleBoy]

we appear to have cleared out cycle sports uk stock

 

[BrizzleBoy]

poo , spoke too soon

The Avid BB7 08 MTB Disc Brake with 160mm Rotor would normally be available from suppliers in 2-3 days, but has now been discontinued, there will be a new 2009 version available in approximately 2 weeks which will be universal and will work with either a front or rear set up. We have therefore cancelled your order. No charges have been made to your payment card and we apologise for not being able to assist you on this occasion.

 

[moon]

I had my Avid fitted today and the bike rides like a dream, no more wobbly front wheel and shuddery ineffective brakes....hurrahh!!!

I want to open a bike accessories shop too, but one for fashionable cycling clothes...

 

[Phil the drill]

I had my Avid fitted today and the bike rides like a dream, no more wobbly front wheel and shuddery ineffective brakes....hurrahh!!!

I want to open a bike accessories shop too, but one for fashionable cycling clothes...

Hi
Glad it seems to be working out for you, they make a helluva difference don't they?!
Cheers, Phil.

 

[ElephantsGerald]

poo , spoke too soon

The Avid BB7 08 MTB Disc Brake with 160mm Rotor would normally be available from suppliers in 2-3 days, but has now been discontinued, there will be a new 2009 version available in approximately 2 weeks which will be universal and will work with either a front or rear set up. We have therefore cancelled your order. No charges have been made to your payment card and we apologise for not being able to assist you on this occasion.

Bum! Having happily taken my order on Monday, Cycle Sports UK have just sent me an email saying they've removed the disc brake from my order because they haven't actually got any!!!

Thats customer service for you!!!

Regards,

Elephants

 

[BrizzleBoy]

Elephants

I am still trying elsewhere - if I get any luck will let you know the details

 

[Mussels]

Bum! Having happily taken my order on Monday, Cycle Sports UK have just sent me an email saying they've removed the disc brake from my order because they haven't actually got any!!!

Thats customer service for you!!!

Regards,

Elephants

I've had the same problem with Chain Reaction, order says pending for a week and when I chase it up they refund me because it's not in stock.

 

[BrizzleBoy]

I have managed to find one of these avid BB7 08 disc brakes at swinnerton cycles and it is winging its way to me.

However it was the last one they had in stock but if any one is after one there may be other on line shops that still have one knocking around - probably worth phoning before going through the account set up rigmarole.