What a weird combo...aren't the SD levers all long-pull and meant for V brakes?
yeah, typically they have been used in combination with Avid SD V-Brakes, but those do have an "L" at the logo.
But Avid has introduced levers already in 1995, a slightly before the breakthrough of V-Brakes.
If you look carefully, and sorry my scan is rubbish, the Avid 2.0 levers are mentioned in the Balance brochure for 1996 too.
The nice Ultimate levers came with different internal chips either for short or long pull brakes.
BTW, same Balance AL 750 bike came the year after for 97 season with regular - and very boring - XT cranks and V-Brakes.
I also share your pain because this bike has since sold in the time I spent looking for answers. And it was listed at only $125 US. I should have bought it first and asked questions later!
Uh, that's sad
But as mentioned, we both seem to have missed to buy once a nice equipped Balance bike.
Actually, I'm pretty sure that very likely the Onza HO brakes would have been broken anyhow (like most other old Onza brakes, doesn't matter if used or not)
Did these ac cranks come in top-end cnc us made model and then, later, a Sugino cast item for OE fitting? (Like white industries)
No, I'm not aware.
AC has introduced 97 than more regular looking other aluminum cranks called LoPro, most likely cheaper to produce.
Not too many bikes had AC cranks from the factory.
The very nice 1995 DB Axis TT Pro (titan) bike was another example