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Avid Juicy Ultimate Brake
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Avid Juicy Ultimate

BikeRadar verdict

35 out of 5 stars

"Great feel and XC power, but expensive and not that light either"

By Guy Kesteven

The ultra-pimped version of Avid’s Juicy has a lovely powerful feel, but it’s not as light as it looks.

To create its Ultimate XC brake, Avid recast the entire brake lever body and single piece calliper in magnesium, with titanium fittings, a carbon lever blade and even a shortened hose to save weight. The ‘mole nose’ bite point adjuster is replaced by an Allen key adjuster.

The result is a bling brake with all the sublime feel, impressive power and control we’re used to from the Juicy family. The Tri Align cup and cone washer system makes it simple to set up, too.

The extra washers and plain metal rotor make it relatively heavy for a very expensive race brake, though, and the short hose means you’ll be running it very tight with wide bars and a fork with more than 120mm of travel.

Manufacturers description

A few grams here, a few grams there...not a huge change in itself. But when you shave off almost 50 grams and you maintain the best performance and the most advanced features on the market now you're talking about a big difference. A difference that helps you ride faster and with more control. It's a hands-down essential for the discriminating XC brake-o-phile.

User Reviews

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  • User review of Avid Juicy Ultimate Brake

    Despite the 'Ultimate' tag these are not actually the lightest brake available but they feel to have the right compromise between weight and quality construction.

    What they really have is power. After a shortish bed-in time they are a fair bit sharper in the dry, and far better in the wet, than the Hope Minis they have replaced-despite being smaller rotors. Set-up was easy and the lever design neat and comfy.

    Pad wear seems fair-certainly not worse than the Hopes and they don't squeal either. I've had no heat issues but then I ride XC and it is usually wet too!

    A powerful, neat and beautifully made XC brake.

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
Juicy Ultimate Brake
Built by:
Avid
Price:
n/a

Diameter:
160 mm
Front And Rear Brakes Sold Separately:
Yes
Weight (g):
378 g
Available Colours:
Stealth Black
Front/Rear Caliper:
Front, Rear
Braking System Includes:
Levers
Brake Body Material:
Carbon lever/reservoir cover; Ti hardware

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