Avid Elixir 9 Disc Brake
Part of the 2012 Avid disc brakes range, the new Elixir 9 replaces the previous Elixir CR brake with a number of updates to further reduce weight whilst improving performance and reliability. Sitting below the XX and X0 disc brakes, the Elixir 9 will appeal to a wide range of riders from XC through to DH who are after a powerful brake with plenty of control, though aren't concerned about exotic materials and a few extra grams. The most noticeable of the 2012 changes is the new lever body that incorporates updated TaperBore internals to reduce internal friction and allow for easier bleeding to remove any pesky air bubbles. The result is a smoother action with a more solid lever feel when pulling hard on the stops.
Using a forged alloy lever body and 2-piece alloy calliper, the Elixir 9 brake is designed to be stiff, stout and ready for any abuse you can dish out. The lever gets the neat U-Clamp design that means swapping brakes left-to-right is much easier and is also compatible with MatchMaker SRAM shifters so that you can mount both units onto the one clamp for a neater cockpit setup. Tucked behind the Carbon fiber lever is a reach adjuster dial for fine-tuning the lever position for your hands. The sleeker shape for the 2012 Elixir brake is courtesy of the new TaperBore design that moves the bleed point further up the lever body to make bleeding more intuitive and easier to remove air from the system. Internal seal friction has dropped for better long term durability, while a smoother and more solid feel to the brake lever is evident when comparing the 9's to the previous Elixir CR brakes. While you still get that classic Avid raw braking power, the biggest difference with the new brakes is the control of that power and the ability to modulate the brake pads when riding steep and loose trails. You'll have more confidence knowing that you can feather the brakes and tread the fine line between scrubbing off speed and locking up the tyres - perfect for technical trail riding.
Pad Contact Adjust
Adding to the Elixir 9 brakes adjustability is the Pad Contact Adjuster that controls the bite point of the pads. This allows the rider to fine tune the point during the levers throw at when the pads contact the rotor, so you can have a long lever throw or a shorter lever throw. This simple adjustment will appeal to the fussiest of riders and combined with the tools-free reach adjuster allows you to achieve the perfect cockpit setup so you can concentrate more on the trail ahead.
HS1 Rotor
Redesigned for 2012 to reduce weight and improve heat dissipation, the latest Avid rotor replaces the G3 though is still compatible with older Elixir brakes. With a new brake track that features a drilled pattern, the HS1 reduces the amount of heat buildup from brake pad friction and keeps your brakes running cooler even on long descents. The result is less brake fade and will be particularly noticeable for gravity riders and heavier folks that run their brakes hard. Available sizes include the previous 140mm and 160mm diameters, though the larger sizes have been revised to 180mm and 200mm instead of the older 185 and 203 diameters.
From SRAM:
"An updated TaperBore design incorporates a new air-trap feature, resulting in ridiculously smooth control you can count on. Combining a two-piece caliper and HS1 cross-drilled rotors make Elixir 9 simultaneously smooth and powerful. The introduction of tool-free reach and contact adjust turns our brakes into your brakes, letting you dial in the perfect feel in under a minute".