We’re barely out of March and the first snippets of 2012 products are starting to come our way, with news of Avid’s updated Elixir 9 and Elixir 7 hydraulic disc brakes reaching us today.

The two new brakes will replace the existing Elixir CR and R models; with new features including a new TaperBore system (first seen on SRAM’s XX groupset) improved bleeding and new rotors.

First is the Elixir 9, and one of the most interesting changes is the promise of simplified bleeding, with a new bleed port and air trap feature making setting the brakes up a whole deal easier. Reach and contact adjustment is now tool-free with a revised barrel adjuster that looks to be a vast improvement on the previous design, and the caliper is a new two-piece item. Weight per end is 358g.

For the Elixir 7 many of the features found on the more expensive 9 are noticeable, such as the two-piece caliper, tool-free reach adjustment and the new TaperBore lever design.

Rotor size options have been revised, with the choice now extending to 140mm, 160mm, 180mm and 200mm. They all utilise cross-drilled technology to stay cooler during long runs and promise better wet-weather performance too.

More at www.sram.com and available from www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk