Skip to main content

SRAM DB5 brakes

SRAM DB5 brakes

SRAM'S NEW AFFORDABLE DB5 is actually a mix of the DirectLink lever and body of their entry-level Guide R brake and the twin-piston calliper of the old Avid Elixir.

The hinged clamp gives all the usual Matchmaker (SRAM's integrated control mounting system) shifter and fork/ shock/seatpost remote syncing potential. There's no tool-free reach adjuster knob on the lever though and modulation is adequate rather than amazing. The twin-piston calliper drops power significantly lower than the four-piston Elixir Trail and Guide brakes. The unique power-boosting lever swing geometry compensates slightly but a 180mm rotor is still recommended for aggressive riding. The fixed hose exit means an awkward fit on some bikes and it's relatively heavy too.

WEIGHT 485g
POWER 95m/s-2

PRICE 190$






Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.