Fibrax Diatech Mechanical Spiral Stop

Advantages: Easy to fit and maintain plus great price
Disadvantages: Will need adjusting from time to time

...Overall: The Avid BB7 mechanical disc brake is a good option if you're looking for an aftermarket mechanical disc brake that's both affordable and adjustable. By most accounts (including mine), the Tri-Align Caliper Positioning System is the easiest way to mount a disc brake on a mountain bike, and it allows you to spend less time cursing tiny shims and stomping around your shop or garage. While I wouldn't argue that the long-term performance of the Avid mechanical brakes trumps that of most hydraulic brake systems on the market, they're far and above the best mechanical disc brakes that I've tried. If you have the choice between a set of Avid mechanicals and pretty much any other mechanical disc brake available today, go with the Avid and save yourself a bunch of headaches and many days of sore hands. If you're considering a set... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to fit
Disadvantages: Tricky to adjust ,at least if it's your first time

...the cable so that it is neither slack nor pulling on the mechanism. The indexation of the lever at the control end should take care of each down-shift from there. If it doesn’t, some fine tuning may be needed, either of the cable length, using the screw adjuster at either end of the cable, or your two ‘end stop’ (Hi/Lo) screws may also need a tweak. Having somewhere to hang the bike while you pedal it is very useful. I’ve made a sort of gallows that fits in my B&D Workmate, but you can get proper bike stands with a clamp, if you’re really serious about bike maintenance. These are the cycling equivalent of being able to put the car up ramps, and they make working alone on a bike so much easier.. You also need to make sure that the chain runs without snagging or rubbing on something in all permutations of your gear settings (21 in my case... Read review

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Advantages: Last for ages and easy to fit
Disadvantages: None

...I've used the Avid BB7 mechanical for over three years now & have been satisfied using these sintered (Gold) pads. The setup was both the stock 160mm rotor & 185mm rotor. Even in pouring rain the 160mm plus these Avid pads stop the bike with great modulation. Now I have one installed for the front for my XC bike which stops like a dream. Occasionally dirt and oil may require you to clean them by either soaking the pads in alcohol & sanding a thin layer. In either case, the pads last a long time and the break-in period is fast! (Just pour water on the rotor, go down the hill and brake hard couple times) These brake pads can vary from dealer to dealer but mainly the retail for around £15, there are various online stores that they can pe purchased from including "Evanscycles.com" and "chainreactioncycles.com"... Read review

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