Tomik Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Hey guys. My 4 year old Avid Elixir 9's (rears) started fading recently with the lever going close to the bar and generally working crap. My LBS suggested chucking them and buying Shimano (which a lot of international sites also suggest). Their reasoning is that the Avid internals like seals, pistons etc wear out prematurely. Has anyone had experience of this? Will a quick bleed not help? It's a nasty job apparently so I'd rather not bother if the long term solution is a replacement set. Any advice is appreciated.
Baracuda Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 After years of battling with avids, I bought a stock standard set of Deore s from CWCs on special. Delivered the next day on to my desk. Easy to install. No more worries with brakes. Apparently the slx and xt's have better modulation or adjustment or something, but the Deore's work just fine for me.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 When last were they bled? If never, then bleed them!! It's not difficult at all. Yes, some Avids wore seals prematurely, but that was afaik confined to the XX versions where they used magnesium or some other material in the calipers. You can also get replacement bits for them, and have them serviced. Go to a proper bike shop and get them bled, properly. In CT I'd suggest Stoke Suspension Works (Droo on the Hub) or Chris Nixon Cycling Academy (Clint is a legend mech) or Bike Mob / Epic Bike Shop in Wynberg Main Road. No need to get a new set of brakes if all they need is a bleed.
Odinson Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 That your LBS didn't even recommend a bleed is suspicious. If the brake action is inconsistent, it could be indicative that there is air in the system, which a good bleed should sort out. As Myles mentioned, if there is something that needs replacing, Avid parts are freely available.
Tomik Posted December 17, 2015 Author Posted December 17, 2015 I'll try the bleed. If I mess it up, will take to Droo. The shop I took it to (a reputable MTB specialist) didn't bother bleeding them - quickly saying they are renowned for failing. They quoted something like R1500 to service them - full service, replacing seals etc. and therefore said is better to buy a new set of Shimano or something else.
JXV Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 4 years on the same brake fluid?Eeek! Probably more water and rust than DOT fluid by now. Start with a complete flush and bleed. Not too difficult with the correct procedure ( many videos online - use SRAM's one for the full story). If the bleed doesn't fix it then it may be time for a rebuild or new brakes. I recently overhauled a set of Elixir CR. The Avid seal kit was R365 per lever and did not include new pivots (which wear). So the brakes are working perfectly again but still feel worn due to freeplay in the pivots. By the time you overhaul the levers (another kit) and calipers (another kit) and fit new pads I reckon a new set of brakes would cost the same or less. If you have to pay labour as well for the LBS to do it then new brakes almost certainly cheaper. People say an advantage of SRAM brakes is the availability of spares but when you look at the actual costs of the kits and work then yes they are maintainable but not necessarily cost effective to do so.
Tomik Posted December 17, 2015 Author Posted December 17, 2015 4 years on the same brake fluid?Eeek! Probably more water and rust than DOT fluid by now. Start with a complete flush and bleed. Not too difficult with the correct procedure ( many videos online - use SRAM's one for the full story). If the bleed doesn't fix it then it may be time for a rebuild or new brakes. I recently overhauled a set of Elixir CR. The Avid seal kit was R365 per lever and did not include new pivots (which wear). So the brakes are working perfectly again but still feel worn due to freeplay in the pivots. By the time you overhaul the levers (another kit) and calipers (another kit) and fit new pads I reckon a new set of brakes would cost the same or less. If you have to pay labour as well for the LBS to do it then new brakes almost certainly cheaper. People say an advantage of SRAM brakes is the availability of spares but when you look at the actual costs of the kits and work then yes they are maintainable but not necessarily cost effective to do so. Nah, they were bled about two years ago - probably why the LBS suggested a rebuild. Going to see what Droo @ Stoke says and take it from there. I'd like to rebuild them if possible but it seems like pain in the butt (or expensive if outsourced). Might be better to keep an eye on the classifieds for a good set of Shimano (or even another Elizir) instead.
henningvr Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Tomik, get yourself a pair of Avid BB7s (MTN). No bleeding, oodles of modulation and great adjustability. <hat, coat, door...........>
JXV Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Nah, they were bled about two years ago - probably why the LBS suggested a rebuild. Going to see what Droo @ Stoke says and take it from there. I'd like to rebuild them if possible but it seems like pain in the butt (or expensive if outsourced). Might be better to keep an eye on the classifieds for a good set of Shimano (or even another Elizir) instead.The rebuilding is quite easy if you follow the SRAM manual. In the 4 year old CRs I did the rubber bits were deteriorating and had gotten all sticky. So for R365 each side they are useable again but the calipers will go next and the levers are still a bit wonky. Shimano brakes are really quite good but they feel a bit more direct (less modulation) It will take a few rides to adjust if you change. I went from Juicy 7 to XT with Icetec. Stronger, quieter, fit and forget reliable, easy to bleed ( but I havent yet needed to) and I prefer they use oil to brake fluid.
JXV Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Tomik, get yourself a pair of Avid BB7s (MTN). No bleeding, oodles of modulation and great adjustability. <hat, coat, door...........>Ja if you must go with cable disc brakes there is nothing better. Fully field maintainable.....
David Marshall Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 They are not that difficult to bleed or rebuild - it is just a horrible messy job! You need the proper bleed tools and the rebuild kits (Calliper kit about R200 and the lever a bit more). Add in the labour and it is not cheap. Do it yourself and its not too bad.
nonky Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 After years of battling with avids, I bought a stock standard set of Deore s from CWCs on special. Delivered the next day on to my desk. Easy to install. No more worries with brakes. Apparently the slx and xt's have better modulation or adjustment or something, but the Deore's work just fine for me. AGREE with this ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 100%Deore brakes are cheap and FANTASTIC
V12man Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Shimano brakes lack modulation - try a set of Avid/SRAM guides and you will never look back.... Not cheap, but worth every cent.
koukie Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Shimano brakes lack modulation - try a set of Avid/SRAM guides and you will never look back.... Not cheap, but worth every cent.I did just that, the Guides are really awesome. Got them on special from CWC.
porqui Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Nothing wrong with Avid Elixir 9's New fluid - bleed - and maybe a service kit and you're off again. Al least you can service Avids - break Shimano's and gooi weg. Mine have never let me down. See plenty Shimano's on 2nd hand market - why?
Paul Ruinaard Posted December 18, 2015 Posted December 18, 2015 Shimano brakes lack modulation - try a set of Avid/SRAM guides and you will never look back.... Not cheap, but worth every cent.By modulation do you mean squishiness and sponginess? (Heading for the door. Remember its Friday and I am bored and talking about Shimano vs Avid on the Hub is like Catholics vs Protestants in Scotland at a soccer match.)
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