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I Have a set of guide REs on my bike which I like a lot. I also have a set of Guide RS levers going spare. My understanding is that the RS lever is a bit nicer than the R lever and has some sort of servo mechanism, is that correct? Is the swap something worthwhile? Or will I just be messing about with levers for no real benefit?
I know the levers a few years old so before I put them on my bike I think I would like to sort out the internals for the upgraded lever kit to hopefully stop the sticky piston issues that happen occasionally. So where are people getting their kits from? I have seen prices range from about £20-40! If anyone can point me in the direction of bargains then that would be great!
The RS lever is a bearing rather than a bush, also has the swing link 'servo'.
I think the lever blades are a little different as well, the R's are just pressed steel. I know the R's have reputation for being a bit spongy because of the lever, but the RS/RSC/Ultimate's have all been great.
There was someone on Ebay selling internals, but actually made of metal, the issue is the piston plastic swells and fouls the wall, so being made of metal should hopefully resolve that permanently.
That said I have a set that's coming up 4 years old & have mostly been faultless. Got a sticky piston once in the Alps, but I left the bike out in 30+ sunshine whilst having lunch & it was stuck on. Popped it in the shade and poured a bit of cold water on it & no issues since.
I'm a real fan of the higher end Guides as a brake. They are the best i've ever used, simple to look after, easy to bleed, light, powerful & easy to integrate with other components.
I have the sticky piston on my DB5's too - where can you get the metal piston and how do i go about changing it?
What Hob Nob said... To the letter!
I'd do the swap, my understanding the REs are just Guide levers with code style calipers, swapping the lever shouldnt be an issue. I went from Guide R's to Guide RS's and could tell the difference, it was easier to get them to feel firm instead of spongy.
I have just upgraded to Code RSC's though and they feel friggin excellent! Cant wait to see how they feel on the trail!
On a side note, GMBN Tech have a new presenter called Henry who has done two good videos which contains a couple of tricks to make Guides feel better, well worth a check for Guide users Id say. One is called Henry's Disc Brake Hacks the other is the video called Mountain Bike Tool Hacks.
Just rebuilt my levers with aluminium pistons from China. £13 for a pair of pistons via ebay. Easy to do apart from needing a decent set of circlip pliers.
Not often I post on bike thread but I'll make an exception for these levers:
I didn't choose the Guides, they came with the bike, they worked so I used them. Expensive at pad change and within a year the return was a little sluggish compared with Shimano and Formula.
First day in Ainsa and on the first descent the front brake bite point slowly moved towards the bars while the return got more and more sluggish until the lever just remained in place. Maenwhile the rear brake lever return also became sluggish and then the rear brake started to bind.
Second descent and the front lever was permanently on the bars = no more front brake (pads fine, no fluid loss). The rear brake lever started to move to the bars with no return and the brake was dragging badly.
Intersport Ainsa comfirmed my diagnosis of failed master cyclinders and fitted a complete set of Shimano SLX for just over 200e. I know it's a matter of taste but by the end of the second day on the SLXes I prefered them - just as much bite with better modulation.
Only problem now is that I can't decide which recycling bin to put the Guides in so I'll have to ride to the tip to put them in the metals skip.