SRAM introduce Guide brakes

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.

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