Avid BB5\7 vs Avid BBDB

[avinash]

I have the BB5s on my Woodstock right now and I don't like them. I was very annoyed that I couldn't adjust the inboard caliper. Most of what I hear is usually..."Get the BB7, they're better than BB5". I found a set of 2002 Avid BBDB F&R for 100 bucks. I bought those and I'm putting them on now.. did I do the right thing?

Also, what is the difference between them all except for the inboard adjustments on the BB7 and BBDB.

-Avinash

[Chris130]

BBDB = BB7 for all practical purposes. I have had both, and must say I definitely liked the BBDB better (never squealed once) than my newer set of BB7s. I think you done good.

The adjustment pads are the big diff between the BB7/BBDB vs the BB5, and also, the BB5 uses a different brake pad design. The BB7/BBDB (02 & later BBDB, I think?), and the Juicys all use the more widely available "regular" Avid pad design.

Cheers, Chris

[Speedub.Nate]

Avid introduced the "Type F" BBDB in '99 or early 2000. Main differences between it and today's offering is it uses 165mm rotors, and used magnets to connect the pads to the pad adjustment device (no spring clips).

The only downside to the 165mm rotors is they weren't standard, and the magnets tended to rot out after time. No major issues with either of these. 165mm rotors are still available, and the newer Avid replacement pads with spring clips work just fine in the original brakes.

In spring of '02, the brake was redesigned to work natively with 160mm rotors, and eliminated the magnets. The "Type N" was still referred to as the BBDB, but is the same caliper sold today as the BB7 (check that... not sure if the black '08 is the same caliper design).

In any event (if I recall correctly), the BBDB designation didn't change to "BB7" until around the time SRAM acquired Avid, around spring of '04.

In any case, being 2002 vintage, it's not really clear to me what you've got. If it's got a plastic Avid logo on the arm extending to the cable stop, it's the earlier type F. If it's got an Avid decal on the caliper body, you've got the newer type N. In either case, you've got a great set of calipers, and a good step above the BB5s you're retiring.

[sk8dad]

I know this is an older thread, but I thought it might be useful/informative since there are still plenty of vintage BB7/BBDB's out there. I have both the type F and N versions myself.

I found the service manual on the Avid website in a cryptic location--since they really want you to buy their new stuff and not to maintain the your perfectly working older models.

Avid BB7 (BBDB) Overhaul Guide.

[Dirt Bringer]

edit.