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Hi
I just got a new bike (ragley blue pig) that came with elixir 5 brakes. I don't seem to be able to get the pistons to retract sufficiently on the front brake and the internet seems to think this a common problem with these. So 2qs::
Has anyone else had this problem and has an ingenious solution?
Is it worth just replacing them with a different set, and if so, what?
Get rid. Replace with Shimano Deore. Thank me later.
If they've arrived well bled and working they will serve you fine until -
a) you try to change the pads
b) you need to bleed them
which is when they will never work properly again.
If they've arrived not working properly (which in my experience is more often than not) you may as well give up straight away and get something reliable, probably from Shimano.
Let some fluid out, replace pads, bleed.
We've got 3 pairs of these and love them. Have to do the above procedure about once every 3 or 4 sets of pads, otherwise faultless progressive braking.
I'll have them off you if you want to flog for the right price.
If you enjoy tinkering / maintainence then keep them.
If you enjoy getting out and riding then buy Shimano.
Sorry, should have made it clear - they arrived not working. Will probably shell out for some deores.
Get rid. Replace with Shimano Deore. Thank me later.
+1
Sorry, should have made it clear - they arrived not working.
Well at least they started as they mean to go on
Excuse my ignorance - is this what people were suggesting?
Yep, that looks like 'em.
I got the ones for my son's bike here:
http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-deore-m615-disc-brakes-front-rear-set-62194.html
[i]Let some fluid out, replace pads, bleed.
We've got 3 pairs of these and love them. Have to do the above procedure about once every 3 or 4 sets of pads, otherwise faultless progressive braking.
I'll have them off you if you want to flog for the right price. [/i]
At least you don't have to bin them, this bloke will actually buy them off you.
At least you don't have to bin them, this [s]bloke[/s]lady will actually buy them off you.
Depends on what condition they are in and how much he wants.
Get rid. Replace with Shimano Deore. Thank me later.
This.
I did, should have done it sooner and have never had to think about it since.
Crack open the bleed screw on the lever a quarter turn, push back pads, a glob of fluid will come out, nip it back up, job done.
Although if funds permit, a set of Deore/Slx to replace them would be what I'd do
If they've arrived well bled and working they will serve you fine until -
a) you try to change the pads
b) [s]you need to bleed them[/s] the ambient temperature changes by +/- 5 degrees
which is when they will never work properly again.
I've got two sets of them.
They are shite. I hate them.
I have a set of 3's and a set of 5's both equally crap, just on/off is the best I can hope for them.
Have Shimano XT's on the best bike and the difference is amazing.
If it's a brand new bike, complain profusely to the SRAM/Avid people, intimating "not fit for purpose" which they're not!!!....quote numerous magazine/forum reviews and experiences, and they may just send you a brand new set of the current SRAM breed, and pay your LBS to fit them.....did all of the above, and all of the above (latter) happened.
had same issue on older set. Umdid bleed screw, let some oil out. Still never worked. Utter crap, ask for a replacement, then sell for 50 quid and buy a new set of deore's from merlin
Just went out for the first proper spin. Rest of the bike feels amazing, but gears need tuning and brakes need binning, apparently. I've ordered some Deores. Avids will get bayed (or similar)
Got to respond to this following my damning post above. I had the bike in for a general look over at the LBS and they've transformed the wretched things. Apparently as standard they need a little fluid letting out to give a tiny bit more play in the lever and wiggle-room at the other end.
Frankly, they now feel just like my Shimanos...
they've transformed the wretched things. Apparently as standard they need a little fluid letting out to give a tiny bit more play in the lever and wiggle-room at the other end.
I only have one bike with discs, I bought some Elix 5s that looked new;
I am not usre if they were new or not. The only problem was they had
almost no lever travel. I didn't try them as they felt crap, I let a drop
of fluid out and have been using them over 2 years without any problem[they feel fine].
You need to beat the devil out of them every 2-3 rides. Then they work nearly as well as proper brakes, but with occasional, unpredictable moments when they shit the bed.
Yep unless you like endless maintenance and part replacements and spurting brake fluid all over the place, replace with Shimano.
I've got elixir 5s, I like them.
Had then 2 years, needed a bleed after shortening and then the rear had another bleed 18 months after. Plenty of pad changes too.
I'm sure some Avid brake hate is just because the internet says so!
which is the worst thing about them. I could live with consistently crap brakes. You plan ahead.but with occasional, unpredictable moments when they shit the bed.
But brakes with a one in five hundred chance of pulling to the bars with no notice or warning. And no chance to recover. Even if they were fantastic breaks the other 499 times i'd still get rid.
I sent SRAM quite a terse email, mentioning all of the awful mag reviews that these hideous pieces of crap have had. For a magazine to say "great bike ditch the stoppers" on so many reviews just annoyed me to the point of raising it with there customer services dept. Use "sold, not fit for purpose" etc phrases and don't be afraid to get a bit angry.
Result:
Very apologetic email from SRAM C/S, a new set of latest model 9's ( with the upgraded innards)...and my LBS was paid to fit em.....worth it I think??
Oops, posted twice!!.....
Bloody auto correct. Brakes. 😳
of course there will be some haters getting on the Avid brandwagon
my own experience as the workshop manager of a number of specialist and chain retail stores is too many warranty claims on Avid brakes, often when fresh out of the box.
we are not talking about bad bleeds or bad setup (neither of which are very difficult) but design, manufacturing and QC problems. I can easily strip and rebuild an Avid Master Cylinder and Caliper, and you get to know how things should be.
This is warranty for easily 200+ customers, plus 6 different pairs of my own Elixir brakes, some of which never worked from new, some of which quickly developed issues.
You know the problems are real when SRAM Tech can't even cure the issue, and send you brand new replacement brakes 😉