Avid's Elixir 3 is very common on complete bikes, and well worth a look as a complete aftermarket brakeset. The big step up over the £75 Elixir 1 is a twin-bolt clamp on the master cylinder. This makes bar fitting a lot simpler and syncs with SRAM’s tidy MatchMaker combined brake and shifter/remote lever mounts.
The latest HS1 lightweight rotor also helps towards a combined weight saving of 30g and reduced noise. DOT 5.1 (rather than DOT 4) fluid gives better heat resistance, while fewer cup-and-cone washers on the calliper mount mean faster setup. Avid’s unique lever sweep means the Elixir 3 feels stronger on the trail than it looks on the dyno, and fine control and feel are excellent. Cheaper Elixirs have always been the most reliable family members too.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
