Avid Shorty Ultimate Brakes: The Ultimate Cyclocross Stop

In the demanding world of cyclocross, where every second and every ounce of control counts, the performance of your braking system can genuinely make or break your race or even your ride experience. For years, cantilever brakes have been the standard, evolving slowly but surely. However, rarely has a product truly redefined expectations within this category, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Enter the Avid Shorty Ultimate – a brake that, in our extensive experience, isn't just another option; it's a genuine game-changer, setting a new benchmark for cantilever performance.

Understanding the Investment: How Much Do Avid Shorty Ultimate Brakes Cost?

So, let's address one of the most pressing questions for many riders considering an upgrade: what's the financial outlay for this cyclocross marvel? At the time of its review, the Avid Shorty Ultimate, renowned for its exceptional performance, was priced at US$98 per wheel. This means that for a complete braking system for your bicycle – covering both the front and rear wheels – you would naturally be looking at the cost of two units. While pricing can, of course, fluctuate over time and vary between different retailers and regions, this figure provides a clear and reliable benchmark for what to expect for such a high-calibre component. When you consider the unparalleled stopping power, the precise modulation, and the host of advanced, user-friendly features it brings to your cyclocross machine, many riders find this investment not just justifiable, but indeed a worthwhile and strategic upgrade.

The Game-Changing Performance: Power, Modulation, and Profile Options

The true essence of the Avid Shorty Ultimate lies in its transformative performance. It's so remarkably effective that it immediately makes competing products, especially those with wide-profile designs, seem distinctly sub-par. This isn't merely an incremental improvement; it's a fundamental shift in how a cantilever brake can perform.

Unrivalled Stopping Power and Modulation

Having more brake than you strictly need is almost always a positive attribute, especially when conditions are dry. In such scenarios, the new Shorty Ultimates, particularly when configured in their narrow profile position, seem to offer an abundance of power – more than enough to inspire confidence on fast descents or during critical race moments. However, power alone is often insufficient without accompanying control. Equally, if not more, important is excellent modulation. Without it, raw power can be detrimental, leading to skidding and loss of control rather than precise speed management. Here, the Ultimate truly excels, providing a nuanced feel at the lever that allows riders to feather their brakes with incredible accuracy, avoiding lock-ups and maintaining traction.

Optimising Performance: Narrow vs. Wide Profile

A key feature of the Shorty Ultimate is its versatility in setup, offering both a wide and a narrow arm profile. While both options are available, our extensive testing consistently led us to settle on the narrow stance for both front and rear applications. SRAM, the parent company of Avid, claims that this narrow configuration delivers upwards of 20 percent more power compared to the wide stance. The benefits of this increased power were undeniable in real-world riding conditions.

The wide stance, while offering a marginal increase in rim clearance, proved to be largely impractical, especially for the rear brake. The wider arms frequently interfered with leg movement during pedalling and, more critically, during the rapid remounting manoeuvres that are integral to cyclocross racing. At the front, the small gain in rim clearance offered by the wide mode simply wasn't worth the noticeable detuning of the brake's power. After a couple of weeks of experimenting with both options, the narrow profile emerged as the clear winner, becoming our default setup for its superior performance and unhindered rider interaction.

Lever Compatibility: Finding the Perfect Pairing

While the Avid Shorty Ultimate demonstrates admirable functionality across various brake levers, it truly shines when paired with specific setups. We found that it delivers its absolute best performance when used in conjunction with SRAM levers or older Shimano units. While it will still work effectively with Shimano’s newer brake levers, which feature a longer cable throw, the synergistic relationship with SRAM levers is particularly noticeable, providing an even more refined and powerful braking experience.

Effortless Setup and Robust Design

One of the most universally appreciated aspects of the Shorty Ultimate is its remarkably simple setup process. Gone are the days of tedious post-bending or frustrating fiddling with open-ended wrenches (save for the minor spring tension adjustments). The setup is only marginally more complex than that of a linear-pull style brake, primarily due to the need to correctly set the straddle cable height – a minor task that quickly becomes intuitive.

Avid has clearly paid attention to detail in the design. A prime example is the use of 3mm Allen bolts for all adjustments, including the crucial cable pinch bolt. This larger size significantly reduces the common issue of rounding out bolts, a problem frequently encountered with smaller, less robust hardware. Furthermore, the straddle cable pinch bolt is ingeniously captured within the brake arm itself, preventing it from being dropped or lost during installation or maintenance – a small detail that contributes significantly to a hassle-free experience and increases the overall lifespan of the component.

The Subtlety of Superiority: How Performance Sneaks Up On You

Interestingly, the profound performance of the Shorty Ultimate didn't immediately reveal itself with a dramatic 'wow' factor. Instead, its prowess quietly and consistently impressed us. It was only after reverting to a competitor's wide-profile product for a comparison that the true genius of Avid's development became glaringly apparent. In short, braking with the new Ultimate is not just more powerful; it’s also remarkably more consistent, and provides a significantly improved lever feel than almost anything else currently available on the market. This consistent, reliable performance builds confidence and allows riders to push their limits knowing their brakes will respond predictably.

Weight, Clearance, and Premium Features

Despite its robust performance, the Avid Shorty Ultimate maintains an acceptable weight of 129g per wheel, including all accompanying hardware. While it may not be the absolute lightest 'cross brake on the market, the slight weight penalty is widely considered a worthwhile sacrifice for the incredible performance it delivers. Rim clearance is also entirely adequate for typical cyclocross conditions, ensuring mud and debris don't hinder braking effectiveness.

The Ultimate's feature set keeps pace with any other high-end brake. Beyond its unique ability to convert between wide and narrow profiles, it comes equipped with an in-line straddle cable adjuster for on-the-fly fine-tuning, benchmark pad adjustability that allows for precise pad-to-rim alignment, and the inclusion of acclaimed SwissStop brake pads specifically designed for alloy rims. These premium pads contribute significantly to the brake's exceptional stopping power and modulation, ensuring consistent performance in various conditions.

Pro Endorsement: A True Testament to Quality

While what professional riders use isn't always a direct indicator of a product's real-world worth for the average rider, the endorsement of the Shorty Ultimate by top-tier athletes is incredibly compelling. Zednek Stybar, for instance, famously won the 2010 World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic, using Shorty Ultimates even while they were still in their pre-production prototype phase. This speaks volumes about their inherent capability and reliability.

Even more remarkably, the "godfather of 'cross," Sven Nys – a rider famously sponsored by Shimano and TRP, direct competitors to Avid – was seen riding the Shorty Ultimates during the opening events of that season. If you're wondering, Nys too settled on the low-profile (narrow) position, further validating its superior performance. Such an endorsement, from a rider contractually bound to rival brands, is perhaps the strongest testament to the Shorty Ultimate's undeniable quality and performance advantage.

Addressing Compatibility: The Brake Post Standard Fix

Throughout our testing across multiple bikes equipped with both SRAM and Shimano components, we encountered no negative experiences with the Shorty Ultimate’s setup or performance. However, it's worth noting that early in its production life, there were reports circulating about the brakes being highly dependent on brake post length tolerances. Avid product manager Paul Kantor confirmed that the Ultimate was not initially equipped to handle the new 1mm shorter brake post standard introduced by Shimano a few few years prior.

Crucially, Avid swiftly addressed this. The Shorty Ultimate brakes now ship with an extra spacer. This simple addition ensures that they work perfectly fine with all current brake post mounts, resolving any potential compatibility issues and guaranteeing seamless integration with a wide range of cyclocross frames.

Why the Avid Shorty Ultimate Remains a Top Contender

The Avid Shorty Ultimate didn't just meet expectations; it fundamentally changed them. Its blend of immense power, refined modulation, and straightforward setup elevates the cantilever brake experience to a level previously thought unattainable. It's so effective, in fact, that it might even make you re-evaluate the necessity of disc brakes for cyclocross, at least in some conditions. While disc brakes are undeniably gaining traction, the Shorty Ultimate proves that a well-engineered cantilever can still deliver truly exceptional stopping performance and control.

Comparative Look: Narrow vs. Wide Profile

To summarise the key differences and benefits of the two setup options for the Avid Shorty Ultimate, consider the following table:

Frequently Asked Questions About Avid Shorty Ultimate Brakes

Q: How do Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes compare to traditional cantilever brakes?

A: The Shorty Ultimate represents a significant leap forward. They offer notably more powerful and consistent braking, coupled with superior modulation compared to most traditional cantilever designs. Their setup is also considerably more straightforward and user-friendly, thanks to thoughtful design choices like 3mm Allen bolts and captured pinch bolts.

Q: Are these brakes suitable for all types of cycling?

A: While they are incredibly effective, the Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes are primarily designed and optimised for cyclocross. Their specific features, such as the adjustable profile and robust construction, are tailored to the unique demands of 'cross racing and riding, where their advantages truly shine.

Q: What type of brake levers are best paired with the Shorty Ultimate?

A: For optimal performance, the Shorty Ultimate works best when paired with SRAM levers or older Shimano units. While they are compatible with newer Shimano levers that feature a longer cable throw, the refined feel and maximum power are achieved with the recommended pairings.

Q: Do the Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes come with brake pads?

A: Yes, they do. The Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes are supplied with acclaimed SwissStop brake pads, which are specifically designed for alloy rims. This ensures excellent stopping performance and modulation right out of the box, reflecting the premium quality of the entire package.

Q: Is installation complicated for these brakes?

A: Not at all. One of the standout features of the Shorty Ultimate is its very simple setup. Avid has designed them to minimise fuss, making the installation process only marginally more involved than that of a linear-pull brake, mainly due to setting the straddle cable height. The use of 3mm Allen bolts also contributes to an easier and more durable setup.

Q: I heard there were issues with brake post compatibility; has this been resolved?

A: Yes, absolutely. Initially, there were some compatibility concerns with newer, slightly shorter Shimano brake post standards. However, Avid promptly addressed this by including an extra spacer with every Shorty Ultimate brake set. This ensures they now work seamlessly and reliably with all standard brake post mounts, resolving any previous issues.

Q: Are disc brakes now superior for cyclocross, or do cantilevers still have a place?

A: While disc brakes are undeniably gaining significant traction in cyclocross, the Avid Shorty Ultimate demonstrates that high-performance cantilevers can still offer exceptional power and modulation. Their performance might even make you question the absolute necessity of disc brakes for certain conditions, proving that top-tier cantilevers still hold a very relevant and competitive place in the sport.

Final Thoughts

The Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilever brake is more than just a component; it's a testament to refined engineering and a clear benchmark for what's possible within its category. Its blend of formidable power, nuanced modulation, and user-friendly design makes it a top-tier choice for any serious cyclocross rider. While its price point reflects its premium status, the performance, confidence, and control it instils on the course make it a truly worthwhile investment for those seeking the ultimate edge in cyclocross braking.

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