Skip to main content

Avid Elixir 3 brakes


AVID’S ELIXIR 3 is low on features but high on control for its cost. It uses the most basic ‘humpback’ Elixir lever body and a fixed-hose calliper that has to be aligned using pain-in-the-arse cup and cone washers. It runs on less heat tolerant DOT 4 fluid too, though you can upgrade to DOT 5 easily enough.

You do get a two-bolt clamp for easy bar fitting though, along with the latest, quieter, pulse-free HS1 rotor to keep weight reasonable. Avid’s unique close-in lever pivot gives a natural sweep that boosts adequate power and improves already decent feedback levels.

Bleeding is OK if not brilliant, and the basic Elixir lever has always been the most reliable. It’s a decent high control, low price XC/trail option. There’s no brake-only option though.

WEIGHT 442g
POWER 100Nm

PRICE: 148$




Popular posts from this blog

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

DRC X-Monitor SP1 lap timer

While smartphone apps such as Strava can be a useful way to keep tabs on your mountain bike rides, sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity and instant feedback that a good old-fashioned stopwatch style lap timer provides.

Scott Scale 950

The Scale 950 uses the now traditional-for-cross-country 29er wheels to excellent effect, with a fast but fun character that's happy racing or railing.

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

Formula CR3 brakes

The CR3 features a cartridge-type master, which improves power and modulation, plus it is super simple to service: The self-enclosed unit threads directly into the lever body. I took apart our test set and had it back together and bled in 10 minutes with no special tools. Like Formula’s RO brakes, the caliper pistons are actually oval, making more surface area–and thus, more power–than round pistons, but simpler than a four-piston system. The CR3 is best suited for aggressive trail riding.