The new Elixir 9 hydraulic disc brakes from Avid feature a completely re-worked TaperBore design and other refinements that make for a smooth, solid package for your MTB stopping pleasure. I've been running the Elixir 9s on my Santa Cruz Tallboy for more than than three months now and I accept to say I really love these brakes.

Design

One of the first things you'll notice looking at these brakes is the sleek, simple profile of the levers and calipers. Conspicuously Avid/SRAM has been designing MTB braking systems for a long time and that refinement really shows in the Elixir 9s. The levers are MatchMaker compatible then you lot can tuck them in with uniform SRAM shifters and fifty-fifty RockShox lockouts for a neat bar set-up, especially on narrow bars where real estate is at a premium.

In terms of appearance, the Elixir 9s look like to the X0 brakes I'k running on my hardtail, which isn't a surprise since the X-line of SRAM brakes are descendents of the Elixirs. Weighing in at 358 grams (with optional carbon levers), this is a lightweight brake arrangement, though not quite as lightweight as the X0 brakes.

Like other brakes in the Avid/SRAM line, the Elixir 9s feature the tri-marshal caliper positioning system (CPS) which works cracking in my experience. To marshal the calipers, just spin the cycle, clamp down on the levers, and tighten the commodities stack. Installing these brakes was one of the easiest and most enjoyable parts of my unabridged cycle build.

The Elixir 9s also feature top-loading sintered pads like most modern MTB brake systems, though they're not quite tool-costless similar some on the market. I recently replaced the pads on my X0 brakes which utilize the same pattern and pads and the process was pretty uncomplicated. The nearly difficult matter is getting the pistons back in identify – this is not something I'd want to try to practise out on the trail.

Role

Don't let the simple exterior on the Elixir 9s fool you into thinking these aren't full-featured brakes. The Elixir 9s offer tool-free reach and contact point adjustment correct at the levers, making it easy to dial in to your preferences chop-chop. Reach adjustment moves the levers closer or further away from your bars so you get the right position whether you take short or long fingers.

I've heard some riders mutter about the modulation on Avid/SRAM brakes in the by – to some they felt on or off with no play in betwixt. That's not an effect with the Elixir 9s – contact point aligning lets yous dial in the degree of modulation available. If y'all want instant ability, just set the levers for a short throw. A longer throw produces deep modulation.To be articulate, contact signal adjustment doesn't modify the position of the pads relative to the rotors (much to the frustration of anyone who has tried replacing their brake pads).

Earthworks deeper into the applied science inside the Elixir 9s, these brakes feature updated TaperBore Technology with an improved bladder that promises to reduce air entrapment inside the main cylinder. The consequence is easier and less frequent bleeds (I haven't needed to do this yet just will proceed yous posted if/when I exercise).

The included HS1 cantankerous-drilled rotors are lightweight and whisper tranquillity on the trail, especially compared to the previous-generation rotors included with my X0 brakes. For my tests I've been running a 180mm rotor up forepart, 160mm in the dorsum.

Functioning

All that technical stuff is great (when I tin understand it) just I love these brakes because they just feel good starting at the levers. Avid features what they call "Power Reserve Geometry" in their lever design which is actually but a marketing term for "comfortable, natural-feeling levers that provide a ton of force." These brakes also have a dainty, positive spring-back when you release the levers and unmarried-finger operation worked flawlessly for me.

On the trail, the Elixir 9s are crisp and provide consistent modulation right out of the box. I didn't experience like I needed any fourth dimension to get a experience for these brakes – they were dialed in just right for aggressive Xc-riding. With the 180mm rotor upward front, the Elixir 9s provided more than than enough stopping ability for my large 29er wheels, even on steep slopes.

Despite trying to baby my new bicycle in the offset few months, I've been riding in some pretty cruddy conditions training for the Cohutta 100 – mud, rain, sand – and for many hours at a time. The Elixir pads have held up well, even after last week'southward approximate re-enactment of the 2010 Fool's Aureate grade where riders reported blowing through multiple sets of brake pads due to the wet and gritty trail conditions.

Complaints? Honestly I don't take any – just a couple ideas for ways SRAM could brand MY life easier (though not anybody may agree). First, the hydraulic cables are ridiculously long out of the box. Yes, I know it'due south possible (anddesirable) to shorten the cables but the hassle of bleeding, re-connecting, etc. just doesn't seem worth it. My bike is an XL 29er and while I know there are longer bikes out in that location (i.e. those with more travel, tandems?) I'chiliad pretty sure shortening the rear brake cable 3 inches or then will still work for the vast bulk of the bikes on the market place.

2d, I'd love to run across an piece of cake method for retracting the pistons that doesn't involve jamming a flathead screwdriver into the calipers. I alluded to this before when I talked about replacing the pads but this also comes into play when someone accidentally squeezes the levers when there's no wheel fastened. Mechanically speaking I don't know if this is possible but it would be a great feature to see.

Oh, and one concluding nitpick: the Elixir levers utilise a Torx bolt on the bar clamp instead of an allen caput. Not that it matters anymore – Torx is showing up everywhere on the wheel these days (much to my personal frustration).

The Avid Elixir 9 hydraulic disc brakes are a great addition to the SRAM/Avid line with features and technology anyone can capeesh. Looking for hydraulic disc brakes that are reliable, adjustable, and like shooting fish in a barrel to install and use? Avid has the Elixir.

Cheers to the folks at SRAM for providing these brakes for review.