AVID discs (BB5)

[Sleeper]

I've spent almost all day in here! Interesting stuff :-)
...however, I've not found any references (I could be suffering form forum-blindness here) to disc brake setups?
I'm wondering what the lifespans you experience are for the pads and discs (okay Uncle Sam, 'Rotors' ;-) in daily use???
...this is where I find that DB's are a dirty word and put a size 9 between my teeth...
Many thanks, Ben.

 

[summerdays]

There are a number of disk brake fans on here ... but I don't know how to do BB5 - sorry ... I've got the Avid Juicy 3's I think. Pads seem to need replacing perhaps annually or even slightly longer, and the disks seem to last a long time. But it is probably one of those things that depends on your style of riding and where you ride.

 

[ufkacbln]

Avid BB5s are easy to set up and use.

Get a thin library card (or similar) and an allen key

There are a fixed and a moveable pad on the brake. Dial the moveable pad fully in.

Loosen the allen bolts holding the brake in place, then place the card between the fixed pad and the rotor.

Apply brakes, and tighten bolts, remove card.

Occasional tuning is done by dialing the moveable pad.

Sorted!




The problem is the pads and wear

Sintered pads are fine, but on a heavy braking day, you can wear out a pair of the "organic" pads!

 

[ACW]

my commuter has Avid BB7's 4500 miles and i think it may be time to change the font pads but they are still gong strong, disks look fine.
both caliper's inner adjuster gave up after a winters salt got to them and it seized sold so now i have BB5's.

when i replace them i will grease the adjusters regularly and clean very regularly.

 

[ufkacbln]

[QUOTE 1332594"]
BB7s are better than BB5s as both sides are adjustable.
[/quote]

I have used both in the past, and I would agree the BB7 is better, but not sufficient to bin a set of good BB5s

At present my Catrike uses BB7, but my new HP Velotechnik Gekko is due in May and comes equipped with BB5 and I do not see an immediate upgrade as a priority

 

[Sleeper]

thanks for all the feedback, tips and opinions guys!
Ben

 

[zoxed]

I hated my BB-5's and upgraded to BB-7's. Never looked back :-)

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I hated my BB-5's and upgraded to BB-7's. Never looked back :-)

Ditto. I added full metal jackets and inline adjusters at the same time.

I think though that the plastic of the BB7 inboard adjuster may degrade in UV light. They don't seem to last longer than a year no matter how clean you keep them.

 

[Sleeper]

...so would I be right in thinking that when the time comes, I can just purchase and fit a pair of BB7 calipers & pads?

 

[ufkacbln]

The Avid BB systems vary IIRC

The MTB ones (BB5 and BB7) work with any V brake lever although they are easier t fit and use with the variable Speed Dial Levers. I think the BB7 road brakes are designed to work with less pull and hence road systems.

Having said that, I bought the road version because they were cheaper and used them with V brake levers and have had no problems.

 

[zoxed]

...so would I be right in thinking that when the time comes, I can just purchase and fit a pair of BB7 calipers & pads?

That is exactly what I did as the mount is the same. Unfortunately I had to buy them with the disks, but I guess they may be useful one day (I did not both to fit the new ones) !

 

[Barbelier]

Ditto. I added full metal jackets and inline adjusters at the same time.

I think though that the plastic of the BB7 inboard adjuster may degrade in UV light. They don't seem to last longer than a year no matter how clean you keep them.

+1 Very happy I upgraded from BB5s to BB7s