SRAM Introduces All-New GUIDE Brakes 8

iceman2058

3/25/2014 7:59am

There is little doubt that Avid brakes have come a long way over the past few years, addressing most early reliability concerns. But SRAM obviously feels that they can do better, and have decided to "enter the brake market" with a whole new line of brakes dubbed "GUIDE" under the SRAM name.

Guide will replace the X0 Trail line. They feature a rebranded X0 Trail caliper but have a new lever design and new rotors.

Some of the highlights for us include:

SRAM Guide brakes have three times more fluid volume than Avid X0 Trail.
Improvements to the design of the timing port, clearly intended to help improve reliability of the brakes.
TaperBore is no more. In is a fresh TPC Plus design.
Simplification of the tool-free adjustments on offer, intended to make these easier to operate.
A brand new rotor design, explicitly intended to help minimize vibration and the dreaded turkey garble and squealing.
A new design for the flexible bladder in the expansion chamber intended to help minimize the formation of air bubbles and allow room for the expansion of fluid.

This almost completes the move to SRAM branding of the company's entire brake line - only the Code DH brake and the DB entry level hydro brakes still remain under the Avid brand.

While we don't really have much in the way of complaints regarding the lever feel of the current crop of Avid Trail brakes, we are nevertheless also intrigued by the introduction of new "Swinglink" technology by SRAM. This special cam shape promises more precise feedback around the pad engagement point, more power and modulation deeper in the stroke, and less lever throw - these can only be good things. Unfortunately upgrading current X0 Trail brakes is not possible as SRAM will only be selling complete brake kits.

In terms of weight, 375 grams is not particularly light, but acceptable for a 4-pot brake that is supposed to be able to handle pretty much any kind of riding. They've gained a total of 30-40 grams compared to their predecessors. Pricing wise, they are competitive. Stay tuned for our ride impressions. In the meantime, get your product geek on over the specs and pictures below.

Press Release:

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 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.

Available: June, 2014

Why SRAM MTB brakes?

There’s more to a SRAM brake than a simple change in graphics and naming. A change in design philosophy: rather than focusing on one key attribute we considered the whole brake package as a goal. We can start with a clean slate, but we can also use proven designs and technologies when it makes sense. SRAM innovates products by looking at the final goal rather than the sum of the parts. Rather than focusing on a single technology or design, we handpicked the best possible solutions to make a powerful, durable and lightweight brake.

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.

SRAM GUIDE BRAKES

New SRAM GUIDE RSC
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
Fast isn’t about pure speed, it’s about perfect speed. It’s about knowing the right line and having the confidence to ride it. Flawlessly. The new SRAM Guide RS is precision at your fingertips, with a proven 4-piston caliper and innovative SwingLink lever technology that gives you more positive pad contact and increased braking authority. Light, crisp, clean and now compliments your SRAM drivetrain.

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
What’s it going to take to ride that line? It’s steep. It’s rocky. You’ve passed it a hundred times. But not this time. With the all-new SRAM Guide R, you have the power. Proven 4-piston calipers give you smooth, one-finger control. Features like Reach Adjust let you dial it in just right. And Guide perfectly complements other SRAM components and gives you flawless performance on every ride.

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