You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / Should I get some Elixirs?

Should I get some Elixirs?


unclebullbar's picture

By unclebullbar - Posted on 17 September 2008

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

I'm interested in upgrading my brakes from Juicy 3s to possibly the new Avid Elixir R. Not being the biggest tech head I was wondering if i could get some advice first.
- Will this be a worthwhile upgrade or should I save my pennies for something better?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem...

I have spotted this set on e-bay for what I consider a decent price ($300AUD inc postage) but am a bit concerned about a few things:
- Coming from the US, am I going to be able to set these up with a Left Lever/Back, Right Lever/Front Format, or will they only suit the American standard? If it is a good enough deal, will it be a major issue to be stuck with the US standard?
- How easy is it to install these things yourself?
- Will I need a PM or IS mount to suit my Trek Fuel ex7? I'm assuming PM means Post Mount, and I've heard that somewhere before, so I think that's what I need.

Would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Buck's picture

The Elixir's are meant to be more powerful than the Juicy's but less powerful than the Codes.

As for levers, I believe you can mount Avid levers either way up so the left/right issue should be fine.

If they are bled already, installation is a piece of cake and only requires allen keys. If they are not bled or the hose needs to be shortened then bleeding will be required with the Avid bleed kit.

Avid calipers fit straight onto either post mount of IS mounts with the correct adapters. What forks does the bike come with?

Rob's picture

Spadout is your friend:

http://www.spadout.com/p/avid-elixir-cr-disc-brake/

Masherz have them for $190US and end, and will probably have cheaper shipping. You could give that Elite lot a punt though?

As Buck says, left/right, post/IS shouldn't be an issue. I bought some Juicy from Masherz a while back, and if the Elixir are the same they come with the IS adapter. You simply remove the IS adapter to use post mount on your fork.

Buck's picture

Just note that if your fork is post mount you can mount the caliper straight onto the fork as Rob says but thats only for 160mm rotors.

If you get 185mm rotors you will need an adapter for that too.

ADRIAN B's picture

buy local for 250.00pr end shipped to your door, with full warranty, http://northernbeachescycles.com.au/shop/product...

Rob's picture

Yeah - the front I ordered was 185mm - came with this adapter Buck mentions.

Andy Bloot's picture

It seems there's 2 types of Elixer brake
The CR and the R

The CR Elixer at CRC is $275 per end (Aussie $ -del. not incl)
I think this is the model that Rob and Adrian are pricing.

The R is $170 per end at CRC (Aussie $- del not incl)
This is the one on ebay that Uncle is looking at.

I can't work out what the difference between the 2 is (apart from price) but just thought I'd point it out (as if you weren't confused enough)
I think the c might stand for Carbon. So it might be like the diff. between the J7 and the Ultimate.

Buck's picture

CR is the higher end one. This comes with carbon levers, pad contact adjust and a rotatable banjo at the caliper.

The R version just has lever reach adjust and a alloy lever.

I've seen a pair of CR's at Tien's place and I can say they look very nice Smiling

unclebullbar's picture

Another impulse purchase detroys the Bullbar's bank balance yet again! I got the Carbon CRs for $490. Thanks to everyone for their advice.
Would a review be worthwhile on these?
BWOAR!

Alex's picture

id love to hear how you get on, i finally bit the bullet and went for a code 5 up front over an elixer r in a tough decision.. apparently the elixer has great modulation and ok power, the code 5/code has great power ok modulation..we shall see! ill let you know how these go too was a tough decision i tell you there are soooo many brakes around now, will be a laugh to compare the rear hayes mag to the front code 5 too no doubt!

scottm8's picture

I am in the market for some new brakes too! bully you will have to give me a go once you get your new brakes on!

Alex's picture

first test ride today, after a bit of breaking in down some steep ass hills, these brakes are sooo powerful, fantastic so far, very happy..ill see on the trails but i can "so far" highly reccomend them, and comparing to the hayes mags on the rear times power by about 5 already and they arnt fully broken in and overall feel is much nicer with the juicy 5 lever than the mag..but i was biased anyway! seriously you could pop a v-brake on there and i probably would have been happier

Little-Ditty's picture

I was thinking of getting some Saint brakes f and b on my rig. The '09 sort. Besides the excellent reviews these are getting on the net, has anyone here actually ridden with them? Are they any good? With 4 spot callipers these were supposed to be both really hard biting and also tough as nails.

Alex's picture

i would have got them if i had the $ but they were just too pricey for me cheapest locally was about 350-400 an end all up (rotors/adapters) assuming you had the hubs to support centre lock, which from what i gather are part of why they work so well, but im sure the 6 bolt are ok too..but yeh i def would have picked them if money wasnt an object..either that or hope m4/m6's/formula oros Smiling but thats getting into silly money!

Alex's picture

fwiw i got the code 5's fully installed up front with 8" rotor for $215..

Flynny's picture

Had a little play on my mates bike with saints...

The 4 pot take a bit of getting use to. Awesome power but you loss a bit in modulation.

The shimano brake levers have a much better lever feel then the avids.

unclebullbar's picture

Got the new Elixirs and getting ready to install them. Is it imperative that I use a Torque Wrench to install the rotors?
Does anyone have any advice for brake installation?
Thanks in advance.
BWOAR!

Harry's picture

is not imperitive, you just need to make sure an even tightening of the bolts in sequence that sees opposite bolts tightened rather than going around the hub - also bolts being so small only need to be "nipped" up as they can thread pretty easy if too much effort is applied.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Best Mountain Bike