All Arround MTB

We’re used to top-end technology trickling down slowly, but barely a year after launching their 12-speed XX1 and X01 Eagle transmissions, SRAM have brought the concept down to GX level, at less than half the price. The cassette is pinned, not machined, to cut costs (though it’s still expensive, at $255) but offers the same massive 10-50t range. Depending on what size chainring you run, that means super-low crawler gears or a higher top-end speed without missing out on easier climbing gears. We’ve yet to find ourselves struggling, whether winching up or riding downhill flat out. The open design of the cassette means it doesn’t hold too much mud. Shifting is good, even during those mistimed crunches across the sprockets on nadgery climbs. The shifter is wellpriced ($45), but maintains that crisp, direct feel we’re used to from SRAM. As you head to the lower gears, it becomes a little heavier in feel, but the cheaper construction – it uses a plastic body, alloy main paddle and a b...

SRAM’s high-powered Code brakes used to be aimed exclusively at downhillers, but with enduro riders tackling mega-steep descents and 20kg+ e-mtbs needing to be slowed down, we can see the new version transcending multiple disciplines. The all-new lever is based on their popular Guide brake but bigger (with a 30 per cent higher positive fluid volume), while the once chunky calliper is more refined and bears a striking resemblance to the ‘S4’ unit used on the Guide Ultimate. The main difference is that the Code has a larger pair of leading pistons (they’re 15mm, while the second pair remain 16mm). It also gets SRAM’s nifty ‘Bleeding Edge’ port, which limits faff when bleeding. All of these changes boost power by 15 per cent over the Guide RSC. The top-end Code RSC brakes gets reach and contact point adjust, the Swinglink, lighter hardware and phenolic pistons. Price $345 (per end, including rotor)

SRAM’S RAIL 40 wheels have handled a shedload of punishment and – for the most part – survived unscathed.

Follow these 16 simple steps to get your SRAM Guide R, RS, RSC or DB5 disc brakes working at their best.

WHILE SOME BRANDS just add a carbon lever and some Ti bolts to create their flagship brakes, the Guide Ultimate also gets subtle but significant internal changes to create a performance and control difference when riding at full gas.

THE CHEAPEST BRAKE in SRAM’s Guide family gets a simplified design that’s not quite as rich in feel but it’s still a consistent, user friendly performer with great syncing options.

SRAM’S GX-LABELLED cranks offer great all-round performance at an affordable price.

SRAM DESERVE A ton of credit for freeing the MTB world from front shifters, mechs and chain guides. Unfortunately their carbon crank arms are off-pace compared to the best in the category.

People say that you know something's good when you don’t notice it–that is, whatever it is works so well that it doesn’t distract from the riding experience or bring attention to itself. This wasn’t the case on my first ride testing the Guide RSC brakes in March 2014, when they made themselves known on my very first descent down the Captain Ahab trail in Moab, Utah. No brake since the first time I slapped a pair of discs on a bike in 2001 has made such a massive improvement in braking performance.

The release of the new Guide brakes could not have come at a better time for SRAM. Although products like the PIKE fork and XO-1 drivetrain have been killing it lately, the brand has been in desperate need of a high performing brake system to compete with the likes of Shimano's popular Ice Tech models.

SRAM has led the way in drivetrain innovation for allmountain riding ever since they introduced their radical 1x11 XX1 group in 2013. since then, 1x11 has almost taken over the market, although the wider gear range of a 2x system still has lots of appeal to certain riders, usually depending on local geography. This year, SRAM is releasing a completely new group called GX that trickles down 1x11 to lower price points and also adds flexibility by giving the riders the option to run 2x11 or 2x10 shifting setups.

When I look for a pair of wheels, I want something that will setup tubeless easily, be pretty light for the intended use, with easy to service hubs and spokes/nipples, a fast engagement in the freehub, with easy changes for different axle configurations. Why all those things? That’s easy – you end up with a wheel you don’t even think about. You end up just riding your bike.

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.

SRAM'S CHEAPEST GUIDE brake is enduro ready but not as subtly controlled as its more expensive brothers. The main difference is the simpler DirectLink rather than SwingLink lever cam.

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.

X1 DELIVERS ALL the wide range single-ring simplicity, bad weather durability (compared to SRAM 2x10), decreased bike clutter and weight advantages of SRAM's 1x11 system in its most affordable - though still expensive - form.

SRAM'S RADICAL RESTRICTED range DH set-up is a rock solid close-ratio race specialist with super-positive shifting but a punishing price.

X7 IS THE cheapest way to get most of SRAM's latest 10-speed mech and shifter updates and it's a positive, secure set-up for fans of double or triple chainrings.

Bike technician to the stars, Evan Warner is SRAM's man on the road, travelling the world and tirelessly keeping some of the fastest bikes on the planet ready tor that next podium challenge.

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.