Avid Elixir R Hydraulic Disc Brakes (discontinued)

These are not bad brakes. They get the job done. There are far better brakes for DH (formula & shimano = less fade, more power) and there are far better options for all mountain (xtr, xt, slx). If you don't have $300 a set of shimano brakes don't worry, just buy a bled kit, some high quality brake fluid, and some softer pads. These can feel quite good if you do the work and keep it up.

I don't know why all the hate for Avid Elixir brakes. When setup correctly - they are quiet and stop on a dime. In fact, they stop so good....it is even applicable for DH/Freeride bikes. The real beauty is in the modulation. I come from being a longtime Magura Marta SL user, and there is no off/on lever feel, like the Magura. I went OTB on my first ride with them, disbelieving the power these have.

Keep them clean by wiping both rotors with alcohol and making sure the pads have as little dust as possible. I give them a quick shot of automotive brake cleaner and they behave like Shimano. The rotors MUST be flat as a pancake and straight as an arrow to avoid that Turkey warble. Combine one organic pad with a Sintered one for each side and wear will be great. I like these way better than the dangerous, ultra-light SRAM XX brakes - which compromises safety in the name of weight savings. Otherwise, these stoppers is Avid's best-kept-secret.

I've tried nearly ALL mountain bike brakes, but I keep coming back to Avid Elixir because of price and they simply stop well. The latest Elixir 3/5/7/9 line don't even come close to these!

Been using this brakes for Downhill for almost 2 years now and I don't think I ever bled them.

My setup is 203mm on the front and 180mm on the back and they really have an amazing modulation and stopping power. Of course they are not as powerful as the Codes, but I even ran an 180mm rotor on the back and don't lack power with the Elixir.

On the adjustability side you only get the lever reach adjust, but for me it has been enough and don't really miss any other adjusting option offered in higher models.

Weight wise they are also very good, and also have the carbon lever option wich is the one I use.

Overall conclusion is that they are not expensive and will worth the money, as they will perform great in all conditions and hold up very well, even with little to no maintenance.

After reading the other dude's review I figured I should give these brakes some props. I've been running them for two seasons now and I've bled the rear once, and haven't had to bleed the front yet. I have them on my downhill bike and they're plenty powerful for me, I don't even run a 203 rotor in the rear. They slow you down well with good modulation and unless you're a newbie who brakes really hard or you're a heavy dude, the power is certainly sufficient. The difference between these brakes and the CR's is not power, but only the pad contact adjuster. Additionally, they have very little fade. I just raced Snowmass, which is a brake scorcher, and they worked just as well at the end of the track as the beginning. My buddies with Hayes were bitching about brake fade. Go to a DH race and see how many people run these brakes and you'll be a believer. However, if you want the most powerful brakes out there, get some Codes. They need to bled significantly more, but you'll have all the stopping power you want..