Avid Shorty Ultimate Running Wide or Narrow?

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bigskyTi
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by bigskyTi

just got a set of the ultimates in for the end of the season and wondered if everybody is running the 'wide' arms out stance or 'narrow' arms up stance?

they come set up with the rear in narrow and the front in wide so that is how they are for the moment. any opinions on which works better?

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grover
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Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2004 1:06 pm

by grover

that's how i run them.

rear narrow so i don't catch my leg during dismount/remounts. i'd change the rear to narrow if it was terribly muddy but it'd have to be very bad to risk the leg catch...PAIN

front wide because it has better modulation that way. i'd change the front to narrow if i needed more absolute power for a course and could get away with less modulation...but i don't see that ever happening

Briscoelab
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Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:01 pm

by Briscoelab

Narrow both ends.

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ms6073
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Location: Houston, Texas

by ms6073

When I first got them last season, I initially ran them stock (wide/narrow) but later changed them to narrow/narrow (FYI - requires Torx not hex wrench :D). I use Easton EC90 SLs and from my perspective, brake pads - Zipp Cork in this case - seems to make more difference than the stance of the canti's but YMMV.
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"

dlight
Posts: 417
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:37 am
Location: Colorado

by dlight

narrow/narrow. With the two muddy race I've done, it was hopeless even if I had been in the wide position.

Privateer
Posts: 360
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:28 pm

by Privateer

I run mine narrow/narrow.

According to Avid "The Shorty Ultimate is available in a pre-set wide or narrow stance which allows for greater power (narrow) or increased mud clearance (wide)." Apparently the narrow stance is 20% more powerful.

Lennard Zinn has a good review of them here:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/10/ ... kes_147049" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And an interesting more general discussion about canti geometry here:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/10/ ... der_147730" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

welcomdmat
Posts: 354
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:17 am

by welcomdmat

I've got mine narrow/ narrow, but they still feel a bit soft with 7900 levers. I am going to switch out pads, but the Swiss Stop blacks are usually pretty good with alu rims. May try greens.

jmh
Posts: 362
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:57 am

by jmh

Narrow/Narrow with Shimano 6700 levers. Changed the pads to Dura Ace R55C3. Much better than the SRAM pads.

simonj
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Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:27 pm

by simonj

Narrow/Narrow for me with 5700 levers.

Stock pads on aluminum rims and they've been fantastic

MileHighMark
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Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:50 pm

by MileHighMark

Anyone compared the Ultimate's power to the Shorty 6's?

I'm building up a 650B-wheeled bike, and will be running canti's with Tektro R200/Cane Creek SCR-5 levers. I'm not concerned about pad/rim clearance, but power/modulation is important.

Thanks.
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booyah
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Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:26 pm

by booyah

I recently flipped mine from stock, wide/narrow, to narrow/narrow and am completely happy with them now. I get a bit more braking power and still have good modulation with Campy Chorus levers.

Just make sure you setup the cable lengths correctly, otherwise the brakes will be soft.

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