Review By Seth Burke
My test of the 2012 Avid XO Hydraulic Disc Brakes began auspiciously enough. I was enjoying my new Demo 8, touring around BC, and life was good. Then I took a rib rattling OTB at Whistler and my stock brake lever was splintered like a green stick. With the clock ticking I hastily made my way back to the van and installed the next victims. Avid still uses the same washer stack for centering the caliper, deemed the Tri-Align™ Caliper Positioning System™. They have abandoned their tool-less lever reach adjuster, which was a red knob on Elixir’s, in favor of an allen key. Unless you’re running a rental center you will likely “set and forget” the reach anyways. They retained their industry-leading Contact Point Adjustment™ feature, which allows you to customize the throw as well as keep the contact point consistent between front and back brakes. If you’ve ever ridden a bike that has one brake all the way to the bar and the other all the way out, you will really appreciate this feature.
Deep Stroke Modulation - Although modulation is a popular buzz word among brake manufacturers, the difference between creeping out a rock face and skidding off can lead to vastly different outcomes.
Dot 5.1- Avid claims the DOT 5.1 fluid takes 3x longer to boil than the DOT 4. This is extremely helpful since I like to do “top to bottom” runs at Whistler.
Integrated reservoir - Taperbore Technology refers to the integration between the reservoir and master cylinder. Real world translation: less clutter and less to break.
Power Reserve Geometry - Avid claims to have their pivot point closer to the handlebar than any of their competitors. This results in less inward lever movement, and a more natural motion that allows your fingers to stay in the “sweet spot” and not slip off the brake. Just add mud, roots, and a good dose of fatigue and you’ll appreciate it!!
Top Loading Pads - I have owned nearly every incarnation of Avid disc brakes, and the top loading pad feature is one of my favorites. Who wants to have an epic with their pads before the ride even begins? No needle nosed pliers or frustration needed!!
I rode repeated top to bottom runs and very little “brake pump” crept in. If it did, one release and re-application of the brakes returned the contact point to the sweet spot. It was only noticeable on steep trails that required consistently hard braking (in the mud). Although they are not considered downhill specific brakes, I was very impressed by their power and modulation, all at a svelte 333 grams each. I rode every move I could find, including “off piste” sections like Shalemaster, and they never behaved inappropriately or locked up. Occasionally they would give off the squawk inherent with hard braking in less than ideal conditions, but never anything beyond that.
Final verdict: I would run these brakes on any bike in my quiver. They are light enough for all day adventures on an all mountain bike, or burly enough to go spin top to bottom laps at Whistler until you’re more burnt than your pads. Great modulation, ergonomics, and aesthetics come standard. Thanks to Avid, you will no longer be able to blame your brakes for chickening out on a stunt or section of trail. Sometimes less really is more.
Happy Trails - Seth
