Avid’s last brake, the Elixir, was so unreliable that the brand’s reputation to make quality brakes slid downhill like a runaway truck without, um … brakes. The Elixir’s Achilles heel was that it required a perfect bleed.
There was no safe
place for the air that is bound to fnd its way into any braking system to hang
out. Guide brakes–SRAM’s latest innovation–use a timing port system, which
employs a reservoir to accommodate fluid expansion and air bubbles. As you pull
the lever, a seal closes a hole (or port) that joins the reservoir to the
system. While the lever is not engaged, air bubbles can float up into the
reservoir where they are safely cut off from the system during braking.
The top-end Guide RSC
features the most fine-tuning ability, with tool-free reach and pad contact
adjustments–perfect for picky fingers. A cam mechanism at the lever blade
advances the pads very quickly at first to initially contact the rotor. The
curvature of the cam is shaped so that after the pads make contact with the
rotor they begin to advance more slowly. This makes them less sensitive and
grabby, allowing for much better power modulation.
We’ve been testing
Guide brakes since last May and they have quickly become our favorite brake.
The insane amount of power that the four-piston calipers deliver is more
controllable than on any other brake we’ve ridden. This incredible modulation
allows later braking into corners without skidding–which improves traction,
resulting in faster, more-controlled riding. For years we’ve favored Shimano brakes
for their easy setup, consistent feel and reliability, but so far the Guides
have proven to be a worthy competitor in these categories, and absolutely blow
Shimano away at power delivery.
PRICE 200$ (per side, without rotor)
