At the SRAM Trail House in Queenstown SRAM chose not to introduce us to the new Guide brake (saving it for last week’s Trail House in Moab), pretty much because we were at a DH launch and this was an all mountain brake. That’s not to say we at Spoke didn’t catch a glimpse of this new direction in braking for SRAM (no more Taperbore); we did some sleuthing and even managed to sneak a photo of Swiss Trek rider Rene Wildhaber shredding the brakes in action on the Remarkables DH track (sorry Duncan). Well this morning the PDF is in and the brakes are out. Read the press release, watch the video and let us know what you think about this new brake from SRAM. Will you be lining up to buy one?
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.
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
http://youtu.be/ddGfPO7bGxU
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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SRAM GUIDE BRAKES
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
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. Go faster
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
• 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
sweet, now they look like shimanos, hopefully they will preform like them too
sooooo no more Avid ?
are they still running DOT 4? I hope not.