Avid Brakes 2012

As expected, 2012 Avid levers are Match Maker-compatible. Except for the budget Elixir 1 lever of course. Photo by Zach White

Avid is replacing the G3 rotor with a lighter HS1 rotor, which is also said to run cooler with added surface area. Photo by Zach White

The all new two-piece caliper features an adjustable banjo to help ease installation. Photo by Zach White

Elixir 7's are essentially the same as the Elixir 9, short of the missing Contact Adjust feature. Photo by Zach White

Installing the Elixir 1 levers may cost a little more time in the shop, but it seems a small price to pay for the relatively small price tag they come with. Photo by Zach White

Another way Avid is able to offer the Elixir 1 at an MSRP of $89 is by using an inexpensive cotter pin to hold in the brake pads. Photo by Zach White

Negating a tool-free Reach adjustment in the name of cost savings, the Elixir 1 still offers reach adjustment via a 4mm allen key. Photo by Zach White

The Elixir 1 may be budget, but should offer the same braking performance of Elixers twice it's price. Photo by Zach White

Elixir 9 levers are the only new Avid brake that features Contact Adjust. Photo by Zach White

The Elixir 9 features tool-free adjustment of both Contact and Reach. Photo by Zach White

Replacing the G3 disc is the HS1 which replaces the old slots with holes in order to increase surface area for cooling. Photo by Zach White

A cut-away shot of an Elixir 9 lever shows the new low-pressure air trap, located adjacent to the bleed port. Photo by Zach White

Avid's new bleed kit will make many mechanics happy. Photo by Zach White

SRAM's own "Purveyor of Dreams" was on hand at this year's '12 launch to make sure everything was rolling smoothly. Photo by Zach White

In case you were wondering, Kyle Straight is recovering quite nicely from his broken pod last fall. Photo by Zach White

Santa Cruz trails seemed as good a place as any to get familiar with Avid's '12 offerings. Photo by Zach White