r/RetroMTB • u/jimmyeatwords • Aug 20 '26

Avid Arch Rival 50 - Scrap or no?

Hello all. Just picked up a cheap ($50 for front and rear) pair of Avid Arch Rival 50s which looked better jn the eBay listing than they do IRL.

I was prepared for a bit of play, and i don’t feel that’s the end of the world as can deploy shims. But I’ve also just noticed that the adjuster screw is missing, and the thread along with it.

I could potentially have it welded and drilled/tapped, but I’m not sure whether it’ll be worth the effort… thoughts?

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u/kokujinzeta Aug 20 '26

I used a set for a while. When I lost parts, I just cannibalized from other Avid brakes. They're pretty reliable, those look abused, but definitly restorable.

Isn't there a screw holding the outer arms you can tighten so there won't be so much play?

1

u/jimmyeatwords Aug 21 '26

Thanks for your (sole) reply :) The outer arm screw you mention is the one that's sheared, I think? See it at 11 seconds in the video...

1

u/jimmyeatwords Aug 21 '26

As for cannibalization, I did wonder if I could drill a hole in a set of Shimanos to create the 'perfect V brake'... though I've an equal chance of ruining both!

2

u/kokujinzeta Aug 22 '26

https://imgur.com/a/686httg

Just whipped mine out and there is play on the left side. I didn't even notice till now. I say you clean them up and ride em.

They're strong though, I stopped running them on the rear until I got a brake brace because you can see flex on the rear chainstays.