[Closed] Avid BB7 - opinions?

Avid BB7's tend to be the choice of brake for pretty much all fat bikers that I know and ride with; for the simplicity, the fact that they can be stripped and rebuilt, and also the fact that the pads can be wound back when riding on beach and sand gets in. I've actually got the BB5's on my Mukluk and have been very happy with them. I'd certainly consider them for touring.

Very valid point on the simplicity when being in remote locations!

Absolutely bloody faultless.

Got them on SS Inbred, 160 rear 180 front.

It's on or off but see that dime over there>?

I just stopped on it.

No fuss, no faff, excellent pad modulation. I won't be changing any time soon.

Edit- I do things I don't think the Inbred's made for and even in the peaty filth of Highland moory downhills, nae bother.

BB7s on singlespeed and cx, they're brilliant for mechanicals. Not as powerful as my hydraulics but not far off. Easy to adjust (each pad independently). On my Fisher they're over 6 years old and still perfect.
Buy some!

They work very well.

Great brake in my experience. Robust, powerful and easy to maintain with minimum effort and tools. From what you say - should suit you down to the ground! Fit cable oilers to cables and flush through regularly to speedily remove negative impact of dirt ingress.

About £70 and end in the UK, about half that from a few sellers in HK on eBay... I considered 'upgrading' from my BB5's to BB7's a few months ago but couldn't justify it!

Used them for ages, very reliable and as you say, simple.
Particularly like the fact that when the going gets gritty/claggy you can back the pads off a bit to give a bit more clearance and use the speed dial to compensate for the extra pull needed to brake.

They are good. In my experience they don't stand up to daily commuting conditions very well, but if you are not exposing them to winter grit, salt and wet, that shouldn't be an issue.

I got mine dirty-cheap off on-one.

Calipers on their own then got LBS to set me up with Deore levers and good Q inners & outers.

Frankly, with 180 up front, they're positively dangerous. Giggle.

Thanks all, still have memories of arriving in Kathmandu with a leaking Hayes cylinder!

I'll be running full length outers. Should I just go for standard cables and outers - I've got stacks in the parts bin - or are the fancy pants gore cables worth the extra?

Have BB5's on my Kona Ute. Even with me & two kids & luggage aboard they have plenty of power. And, as far as I can tell they have plenty of modulation also. I'd certainly consider them for my Niner should the Elixir's ever die. Plus its so nice to have wheels that spin without a hint of brake rub. 🙂

Gore not worth it IMO. Go with cable oilers and no need for them and like-for-like replacements are easier to find for standard cables.

Sie sind sehr gut

The BB-7s share brake pads with the Juicy brakes so are 'easier' to find. BB-5s have unique pads.

I got a complete set (front, rear, rotors and SD-7 levers) from HK ebay seller for £70.

Yes, not as powerful as hydraulics blah, blah, blah ..... but they do work very well and are head and shoulders above other cable disc brakes.

Great brakes! Got them on 2 of my bikes and the front of another. When my Julies need a service I may just replace them with another set of BB7s.

They're great. I find them as powerful as my Juicy 5s, the only thing I don't like is that they have less moduleation. tbh I'm still considering putting some on my DH bike as hydraulics can be a PITA and are so expensive for a good set.

Tom, can you let me know how it works out if you fix 'em to a DH rig?

Might keep me off hydros forever .

In my experience they don't stand up to daily commuting conditions very well

I've got one on the front of my off road commuter and never had a problem in 3 winters.

I have a brand new set if calipers for sale if interested

Would be interested in just one of them if you find someone who also only needs one!

I used to pick them up for not much on ebay as people rushed to replace them with "proper" disc brakes. Unfortunately, threads like this have woken people up to how good they are and you can't get the bargains you used to. Not had any issues in about 4 years and don't seem to go through pads that quickly either.

for cables I'd recommend going for good quality outers, just makes sense. Feels nice and smooth with Goodridge, better than standard, better feel and life and only £17 😉

I've been using BB7's on my hardtail for 2 years, best upgrade for me was Kevlar pads from Superstar.

Yo [b]DavidB[/b]! How much for one if [b]_tom_ [/b]takes the other?

Pain in the arse, two postages and that, but still...

While we're all singing the praises, I have Deore levers, which are sound and reliable and all, but a bit plastic.

Recommend me some pimpin' ones I can use.

Everyone says the Avid Speed Dials are best with BB7s. I use deore v-brake levers as well and I think they're fine! Might explain the modulation issue though as I thikn the speed dials have something which helps.

I've got one on the front of my off road commuter and never had a problem in 3 winters.

Fair enough. I've been using them for nine years now on road (on my second set) and found that they tend to corrode (resulting in adjusters seizing and pistons getting a bit sticky). They still work, but not as well as they do when new, and need a bit of attention to keep things moving.

_tom_ you're a genius!

Just bought Mrs. C her first proper bike off an associate (it's better than mine, frames Reynolds 853 ffs) but that's another thread.

It's got trials V-Brakes on the back and lo-behold... an avid lever with a little red dial.

Are these the fabled "speed dials"?

If so, it's getting swapped. Right now.

I'm half tempted to get rid of my hydraulic brakes for some BB7s.

tbh I don't see why a cable brake can't be as good as a hydraulic one if designed with care to avoid the usual cable related problems. Hydraulics on the scale used on bikes have compromises too before you add in a tiny bit of air.

PS if anyone has any old mechanical calpers (shimano or Avid preferable so easy to get pads) then give me a shout as I need one for a machine I am building to act as an emergency drag brake.

Paul levers are great with BB7's pretty much my favourite set up...

I'm being told if I take them to the Alps I'll die is this the case....

Surely only if you snap a cable? So put some new inners on before you go and you should be fine..

I'm pretty happy with my BB7's.

I've just fitted a bigger 203 front disc.. (just because) ...and they have been great.

Not that I would know any better coming from canties.. 😀

DJ

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Both, £30 posted each (note this is caliper only as I used the rotor)

Im out DavidB, just had to spend that spare cash on some emergency Hope skewers.

My apologies sir!