Avid Centerline 180mm

Mikie

Mikie

Admin/iMTB Hooligan
First Impression: These are Junk:thumbsdown:
Avid.Centerline 180mm.jpg


After 3 rides (Granted, pretty brake burning events on OEM Metallic Brakes) these brake rotors are unraveling. They make this horrid wallowing slobbering noise that is pretty much indescribable. I have the confirmation of a fellow imtbtrailer that I need to immediately change them both out front and rear and the problem will go away, and I will most likely like Guide Brakes.

I hope so as these are a real disappointment and came OEM on my 2018 Santa Cruz Hightower. At this point I can honestly suggest not using them.

Your Mileage May Vary...
 
In the end, you may not like the SRAM brakes more than your Shimanos. But with those Lucifer rotors, there's no way to really tell... Throw on some cheapish Shimanos and give them another try.

After swapping the rotors, I really appreciate the Levels (XC version of SRAM brakes) and would not want to go back full time to the Deores I have on the other bike. There is simply more stopping power...
 
Do you guys run resin pads on other rotors, such as XT ICE, that don’t have the death gobblewobble? I’ve always used metallic and never felt like braking is lacking but maybe I’m missing out on even better braking with resin. I run XTR race with metallic finned pads.
 
Cornholio said:
Do you guys run resin pads on other rotors, such as XT ICE, that don’t have the death gobblewobble? I’ve always used metallic and never felt like braking is lacking but maybe I’m missing out on even better braking with resin. I run XTR race with metallic finned pads.
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I’m not fond of metallic. They eat rotors faster and... on XT Ice Tech (my most favorite brakes in the southern universe), I find less brake modulation with metallic (more all on or off braking) so I use Resin on the Ice Tech Rotors.

To be honest, the Guides do have a nice gradual brake increase which is kinda nice, but the warble these rotors put out sounds like gravel flung constantly at the brake system echoing like a cheap symbol in a empty metal warehouse has got to go!
 
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Mikie said:
I’m not fond of metallic. They eat rotors faster and... on XT Ice Tech (my most favorite brakes in the southern universe), I find less brake modulation with metallic (more all on or off braking) so I use Resin on the Ice Tech Rotors.

To be honest, the Guides do have a nice gradual brake increase which is kinda nice, but the warble these rotors put out sounds like gravel flung constantly at the brake system echoing like a cheap symbol in a empty metal warehouse has got to go!
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Yup....I'd rather run the Resin/Organic pads and replace them in shorter cycles...pads are cheaper than rotors.

I have X.0 Trails on the TB.....I don't like the way they feel at the lever, but I can't deny the overall amount of power the 4 piston calipers have.
 
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UPSed said:
Ditto. I've had three bikes with SRAM brakes and every one of them started making that dreaded sound within a few rides. A switch to resin pads cured the noise. They all ultimately failed though and were replaced with Shimano XTs.
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Not what I want to hear, Ed! I'm hoping that their quality control has gotten better with the new Level/Guide product lines. I really want to like them...
 
Hmmm, my metallic pads have hardly ever squeaked other than when getting wet and that’s usually just a short while. I should probably measure my rotors too, I’ve been running with the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” attitude with my brakes but also don’t want to have that bite me out on the trail.

Dammit, now I’m gonna go buy stuff. Already spent $25 this week on a little k-edge stem cap mount.
 
Faust29 said:
Not what I want to hear, Ed! I'm hoping that their quality control has gotten better with the new Level/Guide product lines. I really want to like them...
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Mine were all Elixirs. I don't believe their newer brakes are as prone to failure though still plenty of reports of the turkey warble. My buddy Dennis has Guides on his bike and has had no problems in 2 years. Of course he doesn't use his brakes much. :gag:
 
Cornholio said:
Hmmm, my metallic pads have hardly ever squeaked other than when getting wet and that’s usually just a short while. I should probably measure my rotors too, I’ve been running with the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” attitude with my brakes but also don’t want to have that bite me out on the trail.

Dammit, now I’m gonna go buy stuff. Already spent $25 this week on a little k-edge stem cap mount.
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K-Edge makes way cool stuff! I wish I owned that company...:(
 
I have been unfortunate enough to run Juicy 3, 5 ,7, Code and Ultimate. All suffered from some type of mechanical woes compounded with the ever present "turkey warble".
After a love affair with Magura that ended ugly with some wonky MT-8s, I went Shimano.
XT 785, JO2A resin pads, and Magura rotors 180F/160R-quieter than a shoe cam shutter in a library!
 
Mikie said:
TURKEY WARBLE! That is an excellent description of that hideous sound!
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It's more than a noise. I swear I could feel it in my fillings when it happened. It vibrated the whole bike!
And it's now gone since I've switched to the 66 rotors from Shimano...

Edit: I've also been playing with metallic vs. resin... Not sure which I prefer yet. I will say that the Deores on the Highball are a lot less finicky, but I like the extra stopping power enough that I'm willing to experiment and figure out what works best.
 
Mikie said:
First Impression: These are Junk:thumbsdown:
View attachment 32417

After 3 rides (Granted, pretty brake burning events on OEM Metallic Brakes) these brake rotors are unraveling. They make this horrid wallowing slobbering noise that is pretty much indescribable. I have the confirmation of a fellow imtbtrailer that I need to immediately change them both out front and rear and the problem will go away, and I will most likely like Guide Brakes.

I hope so as these are a real disappointment and came OEM on my 2018 Santa Cruz Hightower. At this point I can honestly suggest not using them.

Your Mileage May Vary...
Click to expand...
I got them as OE on the Smash.

How to make Shimano brakes not awesome: Use SRAM rotors. :unsure:
 
My theory, based on minutes of internet searching on wikipedia, is that manufacturers know that the product is not up to actual, real-world use by dedicated mtbers. We all know that a large percentage of bikes end up being ridden a few times and then they are relegated to a sunny spot in the backyard, or a hook in the garage. The noise is brushed off at first by desperate bike techs as "it needs to be broken in..." Most customers are only going to bring that pos into the shop once or twice before they decide it is much easier to watch Survivor than to be one.
I have warranteed more SRAM brakes than all the other brands combined-and the replacements tend to be just as bad.
Won't buy their products, won't recommend their products.

I did send a brand new pair of Juicy Ultimates to my brother-in-law in China and a few weeks later he asked in an email how to stop the noise!
 
Although @Mikie mainly posted about SRAM Centerline rotors, it appears as though this thread has morphed a bit to include SRAM brakes. I feel compelled to share my experience in case it helps out another rider. I have had Guide RSC brakes and Centerline rotors since picking up my bike from @AKAKTM back in the Spring of '16. Unfortunately, I have had front and rear brakes replaced under warranty for the sticky lever issue and just had my front brake replaced under warranty because of sticky pistons. When they work, I enjoy the lever feel, modulation and power. However, this is the last set of SRAM brakes I will ever use. Reliability is king for me. I will be going back to Hope brakes if/when these current set fails me.
 
Makoto said:
Although @Mikie mainly posted about SRAM Centerline rotors, it appears as though this thread has morphed a bit to include SRAM brakes. I feel compelled to share my experience in case it helps out another rider. I have had Guide RSC brakes and Centerline rotors since picking up my bike from @AKAKTM back in the Spring of '16. Unfortunately, I have had front and rear brakes replaced under warranty for the sticky lever issue and just had my front brake replaced under warranty because of sticky pistons. When they work, I enjoy the lever feel, modulation and power. However, this is the last set of SRAM brakes I will ever use. Reliability is king for me. I will be going back to Hope brakes if/when these current set fails me.
Click to expand...

Welcome, my friend, to the Derailment.
 
Makoto said:
Although @Mikie mainly posted about SRAM Centerline rotors, it appears as though this thread has morphed a bit to include SRAM brakes. I feel compelled to share my experience in case it helps out another rider. I have had Guide RSC brakes and Centerline rotors since picking up my bike from @AKAKTM back in the Spring of '16. Unfortunately, I have had front and rear brakes replaced under warranty for the sticky lever issue and just had my front brake replaced under warranty because of sticky pistons. When they work, I enjoy the lever feel, modulation and power. However, this is the last set of SRAM brakes I will ever use. Reliability is king for me. I will be going back to Hope brakes if/when these current set fails me.
Click to expand...
Agree here. They work great when they work. Brakes are just something I'm not willing to take a chance with.
 
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