Review: SRAM Guide RSC brakes
The new SRAM Guide RSC is a worthy competitor to Shimano XT and XTR systems.
The Lowdown: SRAM Guide RSC Brakes
SRAM Guide RSC brakes feature an all-new design, alleviating the bleeding and consistency woes of the predecessor Elixir product line. Featuring fully adjustable lever position and pad actuation, Guide RSC offers on-the-fly settings for even the most particular rider. A new SwingLink cam design delivers quicker lever take up with improved power modulation before rotor lockup. The new Centerline rotor is stronger with better heat resistance, also eliminating the dreaded warble noise associated with Avid brakes of old. And the integrated MatchMaker system enables all SRAM and RockShox cockpit controls to be mounted with just two clamps. Shimano should be nervous — SRAM Guide RSC brakes are every bit as good, and in some ways better, than the beloved XT and XTR brake lines.
For more back story, see the Guide RSC First Ride feature from May 2014.
| Material: Forged aluminum | Mount: Ambidextrous |
| Fluid: DOT 5.1 | Weight: 375 grams per side (includes 160mm rotor) |
| Rotor Sizes (mm): 140, 160, 170, 180, 200 | MSRP: $199 per side (with rotor) |
| Bolt Pattern: Six bolt |
Rating:  5 Chilies-out-of-5 |
| Pads: Metallic or organic |
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Full Review: SRAM Guide RSC Brakes
My biggest concern when bolting on a new set of SRAM Guide RSC (Reach adjust, SwingLink, Contact Point Adjust) brakes was how much of a sacrifice was I making by unbolting my beloved Shimano XTs. The Shimano M-785 XTs have been the best disc brakes I’ve ever owned, boasting incredible power, lever feel and fade resistance. And of course, the prior reputation of Elixir brakes under the SRAM banner didn’t inspire much confidence. I was making over/under bets with myself on how many weeks the Guide RSCs would last on my bike. The number was low.
The new Centerline brake rotor resists warping and eliminates unwanted warble noises under braking.
Five months later, the Guide RSCs are still on my bike, completely by choice. They work. They work damn well in fact, and they don’t suffer from any of the shortcomings that their Elixir predecessors did. No bleed issues, no burnt rotors and no God-awful warbling noises under braking. All thanks to the fact that the Guide RSC lever and master cylinder design shares nothing in common with previous SRAM or Avid designs. What the Guide RSC does share in common though is downstairs, the powerful four-piston caliper design originally introduced on the XO Trail brake a few years ago.
As a testament to their durability, over a 420-mile, seven-day ride with nearly 60,000 feet of descending between Lake Tahoe and San Francisco, the Guide RSC brakes on my bike and the bikes of my two riding mates performed without a single issue or ear-curdling screech. The new Centerline rotor design is durable and stout with double the spokes (12 total) than the previous G3 rotor, for greater resistance to heat warp.
Simple, clean, integrated and great performance, Guide RSC brakes are outstanding performers.
Another reason I am remiss to take the Guide RSCs off my bike is because of the exceptionally clean execution SRAM achieved with the MatchMaker bar clamp design. For me, the fewer mounts on a handlebar, the better. And because my bike is a singlespeed, simple and clean is a priority. SRAM achieves this by having a single clamp that can hold the brake lever, a shifter (if shifting is your thing), and a lockout or dropper post button. Because I was running a RockShox XLoc remote lockout for the RS-1 fork and a stealth Reverb dropper post, both buttons were mounted on the same clamps that the brake levers were. Another benefit of this design is because the master cylinder assembly has no clamp, they can be reversed on the fly if you suddenly get an urge to get all moto — or play a cruel trick on your friend.
Continue to page 2 for more on the SRAM Guide RSC brakes and full photo gallery »
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