SRAM are set to release the latest evolution of their trail brake line; the Guide series of brakes.
Starting at the lever, where most change has occurred, Guide’s now have a larger reservoir than previous Avid brakes; think three times more capacity than X0 Trail brakes. This has been introduced to allow more room for fluid expansion under braking to improve consistency, the larger positive capacity also accommodates more air giving a better margin of error when users bleed the brakes. Once air is trapped in the reservoir a perch prevents it getting back into the hydraulic system, effectively isolating it, a step forward for the performance of the brakes over time and which should reduce bleed intervals. A butyl rubber Pure Bladder also contributes to this air and fluid management improving consistency and helping prevent inconsistent rollback.
The Guide will be available with three different lever options. The top level RSC getting reach and contact point adjust in addition to SRAM’s new Swinglink. Swinglink uses a cam in the pivot to reduce the deadband, effectively reducing the length of travel the lever passes through until the pads contact the rotor; to improve brake feel, modulation and control.
The Guide RS has reach adjust and Swinglink. Whilst the Guide R has just reach adjust. All three lever options will come with alloy lever blades.
The caliper is essentially the same 4 piston version, as seen on current Avid Trail brakes; SRAM being happy enough with performance to move it forward onto Guide. The rotor however also sees a change in design in order to maintain a constant level of friction, reducing vibration and noise. The new rotor ‘blooms’ under high temperatures reducing the chance of warping on long sustained descents. No more brake warble? We won’t be sad to see it go.
And here’s SRAM’s take on it…
SRAM GUIDE BRAKES – THE ART OF BRAKING
SRAM was founded on progressive thinking and incredible innovation. The technologies we have developed give the ordinary rider and the World Cup Champion alike the tools and confidence to make every ride extraordinary— to know they can. We’re the company that changed the way you thought about shifting. We’re the ones who perfected ergonomics and cockpit customization. We made you reexamine the need for a front derailleur. Entering the braking world allows us the opportunity to explore revolutionary new ideas for the way brakes function and feel—and to give every rider perfect, precise control and unmatched braking authority. We all know that braking is an art form, and now with SRAM brakes on your bike, it’s an art form you can totally appreciate.
New SRAM GUIDE RSC
PARADIGM SHIFT
The new SRAM Guide RSC is packed with ride-enhancing performance that makes every new trail a trusted old friend. We started from scratch, to create the perfect combination of braking reliability and control. Brand-new SwingLink™ technology provides more power, silky-smooth modulation, less deadband and better lever-feel than you’ve ever experienced. Steep-line confidence. Deep-corner dominance. Ride every trail like you own it. KNOW YOU CAN.
R – Reach Adjust
S – SwingLink
C – Contact Point Adjust
GUIDE RSC SPECS
Weight: 375 Grams
Contact Point Adjust
Tool-free Reach Adjust
MatchMaker X Compatible
Lever Pivot Bearings
Guide caliper
Colors: Polished Silver Ano or Black Ano
MSRP: $199 / € 177
TECHNOLOGIES
SwingLink™
Pure Bladder™
TPC Plus™
New SRAM GUIDE RS
R – Reach Adjust
S – SwingLink
GUIDE RS SPECS
Weight: 380 Grams
Tool-free Reach Adjust
MatchMaker X Compatible
Guide caliper
Colors: Black
MSRP: $149 / € 132
TECHNOLOGIES
SwingLink™
Pure Bladder™
TPC Plus™
New SRAM GUIDE R
R – Reach Adjust
GUIDE R SPECS
Weight: 375 Grams
Tool-free Reach Adjust
MatchMaker X Compatible
Guide caliper
Colors: Black
MSRP: $129 / € 115
TECHNOLOGIES
DirectLink™
Pure Bladder™
TPC Plus™
New SRAM GUIDE CALIPER
The Guide four-piston dual-diameter mountain bike caliper provides confidence in a lightweight package with more usable power. And it’s a mere four grams of weight difference over our two-piston XC specific caliper models.
FEATURES/BENEFITS
Dual-diameter four-piston caliper
14 and 16mm pistons
All mountain power and control
New CENTERLINE ROTOR
The new Centerline Rotor was designed to keep the center of friction consistent throughout rotation thereby minimizing vibration.
THIS RESULTS IN
Quiet running
Smooth engagement
Consistent performance
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
One-piece
140, 160, 170, 180, 200mm sizes
6 bolt
GUIDE TECHNOLOGIES
SWINGLINK™
Squeeze a new SRAM brake lever and you notice it immediately. Less deadband. More positive pad engagement. A new cam system requires less lever throw to push the pads toward the rotor. That’s great, but there’s more to perfect braking performance than just power. You need control. Many brake systems minimize deadband—but at the cost of modulation. SwingLink solves that with its special cam shape. When the pads contact the rotor, power is modulated, avoiding that “on/off” brake feel. It’s the perfect balance of power and precision.
TPC PLUS™
A hydraulic brake’s timing port is the connection between the reservoir and the master cylinder bore. When the lever is squeezed, a cup seal passes this area and closes the port, which pressurizes the system. SRAM’s new timing port closure system, called TPC Plus, features durable seals and an ultra-smooth cylinder bore finish producing dependable braking power and consistency.
PIGGYBACK RESERVOIR
The brake fluid reservoir on SRAM’s latest lever design is optimized for both performance and ease of use. The PiggyBack Reservoir offers a simple, failsafe way to manage brake fluid, and also allows for ambidextrous lever placement—so you can switch your levers on the handlebar and run them moto without hassle.
CONTACT POINT ADJUST
Some people like the instantaneous power of a short lever throw. Others prefer the feel of a longer throw. With Contact Point Adjust, you can pick the position you want your fingers to be in when your brakes are engaged. It’s a quick and easy way to customize the feel of your brakes without having to move the pads. It’s also a way to balance both brake levers to feel exactly the same.
REACH ADJUST
Brake lever fit and feel is a personal thing. Riders have individual positioning preferences, as well as unique hand sizes and finger lengths. Reach Adjust makes it easy to adjust your lever for maximum one-finger control for everyone.
DEADBAND
This refers to the time between the moment you engage the lever and when the pads contact the rotor. SRAM technologies such as SwingLink balance the dual demands of minimizing deadband and optimizing modulation for braking finesse and control.
PURE BLADDER™
SRAM’s new brake lever design includes a reshaped bladder, called Pure, that helps regulate and reduce air bubbles. The bladder is specifically shaped to evacuate air from the lever and push the fluid exactly where it’s needed. The result is improved back-pressure relief, which produces dependable braking power and consistency.
DIRECTLINK™
SRAM’s DirectLink lever design produces a solid, positive feel the second you squeeze the lever to engage the brake It offers a no-nonsense solution to give you precise control.
Comments (7)
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No mention of Avid? Tainted by tales of woeful Elixirs?
That *is* interesting; have they retired the Avid brand?
Centrelock rotors?
lovechild of the juicy and elixir.
ugliest lever I’ve seen in a while.
“SRAM was founded on progressive thinking and incredible innovation.”
Trouble is, we’ve got Avid in our basket of brands.
“SRAM was founded on progressive thinking and incredible innovation.” Trouble with statements like that is Shimano has had cams in the levers, and big resevoirs for easy bleeding for how long now?
Wonder how those rotors will deal with mud?
**** me that lever’s ugly.
I think Avid’s hydro history will have tainted SRAM for some time to come and don’t think i’ll be risking them again for a while.
My Avid 7s have given me no grief so far, I am very happy with them and these look better, I would fit them like a shot given the chance!