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Avid BB7 Mountain Disc Brake - 160mm rotor

$81.00

(5)

Item # 808780

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With gobs of beautifully modulated power and intuitive easy-to-use adjustability, the Avid BB7 Mountain disc brake sets the standard in the realm of mechanical disc brakes.

With easily accessible adjustment knobs and an attractive finish, the Avid BB7 disc brake provides epic stopping power and versatile pressure settings
Tri-Align Caliper Positioning System™ aligns caliper perfectly without shims
Features inboard and outboard pad adjustment knobs, rigid 2-piece forged body and tool-free pad replacement
Integrated cable stop prevents routing cable and housing from entering the brake at odd angles, reducing the possibility of cable drag
Adjustable pad retraction
Spring tension can be modified with an Allen wrench, sold separately
Includes 160mm rotor and 2 caliper adapters; can be mounted front or rear
Please note: the Avid BB7 Mountain disc brake does not include brake lever; brake is compatible with most mountain-style cable levers

Imported.

Item 808780

$16.20

with coupon code ANNV13
May 17-27 Details

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Avid BB7 Mountain Disc Brake - 160mm rotor Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Avid BB7 Disc Brake - 160mm rotor

4.2

(based on 5 reviews)

80%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Great stopping power (4)
Handles elements well (4)
Sturdy design (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Mountain biking (4)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)

Reviewed by 5 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-5

Mar

2012

5.0

Powerful, quite, and super reliable!

By 1Mark

from Southern California

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Stopping Power
Handles Elements Well

Cons

Best Uses

Mountain Biking
Road Biking

Comments about Avid BB7 Disc Brake - 160mm rotor:

I bought these from the Manhattan Beach REI to replace the Tektro mechanical disc brakes that were on my rigid mountain bike that I use for commuting and light singletrack. My old disc brakes were loud and underwhelming in the power department, but these are silent and powerful. They have great feel so I'm not always locking up my tires in wet or dirty conditions. Unless you want to spend the extra money for hydraulic brakes, these are definitely your best option for mechanicals. I didn't opt for hydraulics because of the initial cost and maintenance requirements (i.e., bleeding the lines, etc.). The BB7s have plenty of power for anything short of doing extended downhilling and Whistler Bike Park. If you ride singletrack, fire roads, or cross country, these will work fine. If you ride super steep downhill trails that are long, these will work but obviously don't have the power and feel of hydraulics.

I have never had the squeeking issue that the other reviewer mentioned, but I know that my local REI has never treated me that way. In fact, the guys in the bike shop always go out of their way to fix/adjust bikes for free or for a nominal charge (depending on the problem). Plus, they are great about giving instructions so that I can take care of minor repairs, adjustments, and fixes myself.

Comment on this review

Oct

2011

(0 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Loud, louder than my old rim brakes

By czardastx

from Round Rock, TX

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Avid BB7 Disc Brake - 160mm rotor:

I bought these at the Round Rock REI and had them install them. After about 2 weeks (and 80 miles) they started to squeak (LOUDLY) when the brake lever was engaged. I took the bike back to the REI store where I had them installed and the technicians response for fixing the brakes was to suggest that I needed new pads. After 80 miles. Shameful. I would have reinstalled my old brakes, but those were never offered to me and I never got documentation on the adjustment, care or maintenance of the new brakes. I'm really disappointed and will never (NEVER) use REI for bike repair in the future.

Comment on this review

Jun

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best Mechanical Disc Brakes Money Buys!

By littlefelt

from Cottonwood Heights, UT

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Install
Fade- Free
Great Stopping Power
Handles Elements Well
Lightweight
Looks Tough
Sturdy Design

Cons

G2 Rotors squeal
Included pads are bad
Noisy When Wet

Best Uses

DH AM XC FR
Mountain Biking

Comments about Avid BB7 Disc Brake - 160mm rotor:

Avid has used the exact same mechanical design for 6 years now for the BB7 Caliper. The only difference is an added graphite color which I prefer over the older silver models.

This brake is the absolute best mechanical disc brake that money can buy. There is so much adjustment that is available on this caliper. Inboard and outboard pad adjustment is a huge advantage to other Mechanical Disc Brakes.

Aligning this caliper is a blessing! I am no bike technician and it was so simple for me. The CPS bolts and circular fitting washers are an amazing innovation! SRAM has a set-up tutorial on YouTube. Check it out for perfect installation if you want to install these brakes yourself.

I run aftermarket organic pads (EBC Green and Clark Organic) and they are much better for my riding than the Avid Sintered pads that come with this brake. There are manufacturers that make SOS (Sintered-Organic-Sintered) pads which have the best of both worlds. I am going to give those a try once my current pads wear out. Organic allow for more modulation at the brake lever, are softer on rotors, and don't squeal unless wet (dries off in seconds under braking)

I purchased an Avid G3 Clean Sweep Rotor for the front and rear of my bike because the G2 Rotor that comes with the caliper screams like a banshee monkey. This is not because I adjusted anything wrong. I tried several configurations and even switched the rotors around. Glazing the stock pads on the stock rotors after long rides really sets up for a noise concert of screams down the mountain. If this is your style then by all means go ahead and rock the squeals! It scares the bears/lions/moose and lets other riders know you are coming FAST in control down the mountain :)

I highly recommend changing out brake pads and rotors! You won't be disappointed!

Comment on this review

May

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best Mechanical Brakes Money Can Buy

By littlefelt

from Cottonwood Heights, UT

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Install
Great Stopping Power
Handles Elements Well
Low Price
Simple to Adjust
Sturdy Design

Cons

Noisy When Wet

Best Uses

Mountain Biking

Comments about Avid BB7 Disc Brake - 160mm rotor:

These are the best mechanical disc brakes available on the market, and they don't get that title easily. Paired with Gore Brake Cable Lining and the Avid Speed Dial 7 Levers; this system is more reliable than most hydraulic brakes. If you are deciding between a lower end hydraulic brake and this caliper... Buy this one! The CPS Aligning system is absolute genius and makes rotor alignment perfect. There is no way that anyone should consider a different mechanical disc brake system. This is as good as it gets. I purchased a 185mm G3 Clean Sweep Rotor with a 185mm adapter post. You can't go wrong with a set-up like this! Amazing product, Avid!

Comment on this review

Feb

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great mechanical discs

By Straz85

from Ashland, MA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Fade- Free
Great adjustibility
Great Stopping Power
Handles Elements Well
Sturdy Design

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Mountain Biking
Wet Conditions

Comments about Avid BB7 Disc Brake - 160mm rotor:

I have these on my single speed 29er, I typically use hydraulic discs but decided to try these to replace the Tektros that came on the bike. I am using them with Avid SD7 levers. My favorite part about them is the great adjustibility, stopping power is impressive for mechanical discs, very little brake fade. Only downside is that they are on the heavy side. Since these ones come with Clean Sweep G2 rotors, they are a bit lighter though.