Do Avid Elixir 3 problems...

[Craigwt]

Hi All,

 

I recently bought a bike that came with Elixir 3's. The brakes have been bothering me since the first ride I had with them. My problem is that they dont have as good a "feel" as my previous bikes brakes had (Shimano M446). When I start pressing the lever, I can feel where the pads engage, but after that, it goes a bit "mushy". To add to this, I'm unable to feel when the lever is at maximum travel / maximum brake strength. It feels like if I had to pull hard enough, the levers would hit the grips, in fact, they're pretty close at the moment.

 

Yesterday, at my lbs, I tested the brakes I had on my previous bike again, and it was just as I remembered. I can clearly feel when the pads engage, the lever travel get stiffer and stiffer for a shortish travel, until it finally hits a very obvious stopping point.

 

So my question is, do my brakes just need to be bled? do avids just suck and I should buy something else? or is it just the way things are and I should get used to them?

 

Thanks... Craig

[Mojoman]

Sounds like they need bleeding, get ready for the bleeding squeal they produce as well when braking! I hate mine!

[Active Monkey]

Had these and yes they are crap. Got them as standerd on my spark 50

[ChUkKy]

I have the Elixer 5 on my Trance and I never had a days trouble with them for 3 years, they (I thought) were great brakes. Now I have Shimano SLX on my Giant XTC and love them, the difference is very noticable between the 2.

If I were you and had the Randelas to spare, chuck those elixers in the bin and get the SLX brakes, they are fantastic!!!

 

As for the mushy feeling that could be air in the system, they need to be bled properly.

[Smolly]

Have the carbon r version. They love to be bled and I chew through pads, but not as good as my old Xt's.

[Craigwt]

I was hoping for better news... But thanks to everyone for replying...

[FLX1]

Have the carbon r version. They love to be bled and I chew through pads, but not as good as my old Xt's.

If they are bled properly in the first place they won't need touching for years. Been riding my CR's going on two years without a days issues

[Johan Bornman]

They are pretty crappy brakes. Bleeding is seen as the panacea of all things Elixir however, it is a mere placebo that works for some people.

 

You only have to bleed brakes if there is air in the system and this presents not as you describe. Air in the system will initially produce full travel in the lever until it hits the bars, with no feeling whatsoever. Then, after a few pumps, the brakes will harden up and even work. Then, after a few minutes standing, they're soft all over again.

 

This is not what you describe. You describe a general mushiness and ambiguous feel. That's pure Avid for you. I think you can BS yourself a bit by adjusting the reach and bite point a bit.

[Craigwt]

If I had to switch over to shimano brakes, would I be able to keep my Avid rotors for the time being?

 

The current avids are 170 front and 160 rear.

[River Rat]

I dumped my avid 3s and changed to Shimano SLXs I used the avid rotors which were fine. But when I changed to the Shimano rotors the difference was noticeable especially when it came to the squeal.

[CJVDM]

If I had to switch over to shimano brakes, would I be able to keep my Avid rotors for the time being?

 

The current avids are 170 front and 160 rear.

 

Yes, you can.... Do yourself a favour and switch to Shimano (SLX or XT) SLX is perfect, i have both SLX and XT and wouldnt mind riding with either one. Also had Avid 5's and CR's and they are crap.

[Guest]

replace with XO's...

or SLX...

[Craigwt]

Thanks everyone... looks like new brakes it is... now to get around the whole matchmaker problem...

[Guest]

Thanks everyone... looks like new brakes it is... now to get around the whole matchmaker problem...

 

No problem at all - read here...

 

http://www.thehubsa....bicycle-trader/

 

what you'll need: https://cdn.bikehub.co.za/uploads/monthly_12_2012/post-26043-0-06659300-1356468993.jpg

Edited December 27, 2012 by Karma

[Wez-O]

I have the Elixer 7 on my bike and although the braking is really good, they have squeeked/vibrated endlessly from the first time I rode the bike. I would never buy another set of Elixer anything!

[Craigwt]

No problem at all - read here...

 

http://www.thehubsa....bicycle-trader/

 

what you'll need: http://media.thehubs...-1356468993.jpg

 

Karma, any ideas where I can buy those clamps? besides for R150 a pop from CRC. At that price I can almost buy a new set of X7's that include the clamp

 

I read the entire thread, but didn't really find any local options...