Avid

Who or what is Avid?

Avid is an American manufacturer of bicycle components, founded in 1991. The brand is known almost exclusively for braking systems and was acquired by SRAM in 2004. It is now a primary brake division within the SRAM corporation.

What does the Avid brand stand for?

Avid stands for reliable and innovative brake technology. They became famous for their mechanical disc brakes (like the legendary BB7), considered the best of their kind, as well as their hydraulic MTB brakes (e.g., Elixir, Code).

What makes Avid products special (in BMX)?

While Avid primarily focuses on MTB, their main relevance to BMX lies in the Race sector. Their "Single Digit" series (e.g., Single Digit 7) V-Brakes and "Speed Dial" brake levers were the industry standard in BMX Race for years before disc brakes became common. They were known for their excellent stopping power, adjustability (Speed Dial lever), and reliability.

What does Avid primarily manufacture?

Avid manufactures almost exclusively bicycle brakes and accessories, mainly for mountain bikes.

• Hydraulic Disc Brakes (e.g., Code, G2 - often branded as SRAM now)
• Mechanical Disc Brakes (e.g., BB7, BB5)
• Brake Levers (e.g., Speed Dial 7)
• Historically: High-End V-Brakes (e.g., Single Digit 7)

Who are Avid products suitable for?

In the BMX context, Avid products (especially V-Brakes and levers) are ideal for BMX Race riders looking for a reliable and high-performance rim brake system. Their mechanical disc brakes are also popular with commuters and tourers.

What is the connection between Avid and SRAM?

Avid is a subsidiary brand of SRAM. Many newer hydraulic brake technologies are now sold under the SRAM name (e.g., SRAM Code, SRAM G2), while the Avid name is often still used for mechanical brakes and older, proven designs. They are part of the same corporation as RockShox and Truvativ.