The new SRAM - not Avid - Guide brakes are aimed squarely at trail riders and replace the Avid XO Trail, Elixir 7 Trail and Elixir 9 Trail. There are three models to choose from -the Guide RSC. RS and R.
To improve consistency, the new lever has a piggyback reservoir that
gives it triple the fluid volume of the XO Trail, the bladder is made from a
more compliant butyl material and there's an improved connect on between the
reservoir and master cylinder bore.
The Swinglink - a small cam that pivots on a Teflon coated bearing - has
been introdjced to reduce 'deadband' (the amount of lever travel before the
pads hit the rotor) and tailor the power and modulation of the brake. Tool-free
reach adjustment (featured on the RSC and RS) gets moved to the outside of the
lever so it integrates better with GripShift shifters.
If the Guide calliper looks familiar, that's because it's basically the
same four-piston block that was used on the XO Trail. To top the new brakes
off, there's an all-new rotor called the Centerline that's designed to reduce
noise and heat build-up under heavy braking.
The top RSC model gets contact point
adjustment, weighs a claimed 375g
and will set you back 220$. while the RS and R are 160$ and 140$ respectively.
They're due to hit the shops in June. Rotors will be sold separately, costing
from 45$.
