A lighter version of the Guide brakes has been announced by SRAM in order to completely take the bad taste out of the mouths of MTB riders who were less than happy with the old Avid line. Although I have not seen much spec yet on OE bikes, all the long term reports from media/testers seems to show that the Guide brakes are a top choice. Now we have Level, a 2 piston line of brakes. Ranging from a cost of $297.00 to $63.00 a wheel, there seems to be a Level choice for about everyone who does not require the grunt of a 4 Pot caliper brake.
From the Press release:
When it comes to braking power and control, we believe in freedom—options. We believe that there should be an absolute best solution for every type of rider and every kind of ride; that there really isn’t a One-Size-Fits-Most when it comes to brakes. That’s the concept that led us to the development of Level, a new brake designed for the needs of modern cross-country and trail riders.
Level Best
Level puts the same proven SRAM brake technology used on the 2015 Downhill World Championship-winning bike into a smaller, lighter-weight package. Braking power and modulation are optimized by matching our DirectLink™ lever design with authoritative 2-piston calipers. Reach adjusters are hidden from outside elements, giving the entire package a clean, confident look. And with five options to choose from, Level makes it easy to find the perfect setup.
Proven SRAM technology, entirely new options: Level
ALL NEW 2-PISTON LINEUP
- SRAM Level Ultimate
Replacing—SRAM XX - SRAM Level TLM
Replacing—SRAM X0 - SRAM Level TL
Replacing—SRAM DB5 - SRAM Level T
Replacing—Avid DB3 - SRAM Level
Replacing—Avid DB1
ACRONYM GUIDE
- Ultimate
Top Tier Offering - T
Tooled Reach Adjustment - L
Lightweight Construction - M
Monoblock Caliper - R
Tool-less Reach Adjustment - S
SwingLink - C
Contact Point Adjustment™
LEVER DESIGN
- New lever design—based on Guide, but more compact and lighter
- Same Timing Port Closure mechanism—solid and predictable braking
- Same seals—stable and durable
- Same Expandable Bladder reservoir—dependable and consistent braking power in all conditions
- DirectLink™—solid, positive feel and engagement
- New detent design for the tooled reach adjust—same pistons, seals, reservoir, bladder
- Smaller lever body with DirectLink™
- New detent design for the tooled reach adjust
CALIPER DESIGN
Incorporates technologies developed on Guide Ultimate’s S4 caliper
- Heat Shield: stainless steel shield reduces heat transfer from the rotor and pads to the caliper’s body
- Consistency, control and feel: optimized gland geometry, seals and piston rollback
- Bleeding Edge: the easiest and cleanest way to bleed your brakes
Two 21mm pistons
Monoblock construction
Level Ultimate
Level Best
As its name implies, this is our Ultimate brake design for cross-country and light trail use. We took the same technology used in the brake that Loic Bruni rode to a Downhill World Championship and packed it into a smaller, sleeker, lighter-weight and XC-optimized package. The carbon-fiber level blade pulls crisp and clean, thanks to pivot bearings and our DirectLink™ design. And it maintains that feel throughout the ride because it is matched to our monoblock, two-piston caliper. This caliper’s superior heat management and smooth piston actuation give you braking power exactly when and how you need it. And the BLEEDING EDGE™ design significantly simplifies fluid maintenance.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Same proven lever technologies as Guide – piston, seals, reservoir and bladder
- Compact lever body with DirectLink™
- New detent design for reach adjust
- New, 21-millimeter, 2-piston monoblock caliper for superior heat management, consistency, control and feel
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- Carbon lever and blade
- Lever pivot bearings
- Ti hardware
- Alloy backed pads
- BLEEDING EDGE™
- MatchMaker™ X
WEIGHT 318g (direct mount, 800mm hose, 160mm CLX rotor, Ti hardware)
MSRP PRICE
$297 | €324 | £249
Level TLM
Championship Contender
It has a championship-winning pedigree, and is ready to take all of the punishment you want to give it. Level TLM puts proven SRAM braking performance and consistency at your fingertips, in a sleek, lightweight design optimized specifically for cross-country and light trail use. Power and modulation are delivered via the Level TLM’s alloy lever blade, DirectLink™ actuation, DOT 5.1 fluid and our new two-piston, monoblock caliper. The design provides superior heat management for consistent, fade-free performance all day long, and BLEEDING EDGE™ technology makes maintenance incredibly simple, so your brakes feel great all day — every day.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Same proven lever technologies as Guide—piston, seals, reservoir and bladder
- Compact lever body with DirectLink™
- New detent design for reach adjust
- New, 21-millimeter, 2-piston monoblock caliper for superior heat management, consistency, control and feel
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- Alloy lever blade
- Lever pivot bushings
- Stainless hardware
- BLEEDING EDGE™
- MatchMaker™ X
WEIGHT 356g (direct mount, 800mm hose, 160mm CL rotor)
MSRP PRICE
$190 | €207 | £159
Level TL
Lightweight Heavyweight
Heavyweight performance in a lightweight package. Level TL packs the same XC and trail-optimized power delivery into a brake set that won’t break the bank. This brake matches an alloy DirectLink™ lever to a lever body that contains the same technology found in the Level TLM, Level Ultimate and Guide series of brakes, for reliability and consistency you can count on.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Same proven lever technologies as Guide—piston, seals, reservoir and bladder
- Compact lever body with DirectLink™
- Same power as Level Ultimate and Level TLM
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- MatchMaker™ X
- Tooled reach adjust
WEIGHT
370g (direct mount, 800mm hose, 160mm CL rotor)
MSRP PRICE
$102 | €111 | £85
Level T
Trail Tamer
Level T capitalizes on the same trail-taming brake technology that conquered the 2015 World Mountain Bike Championships, to deliver a powerful and consistent XC and trail-optimized brake set that keeps your capital in the bank. This budget-minded, MatchMaker™ compatible brake set provides all the power of its siblings, keeping you in complete control.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Same proven lever technologies as Guide—piston, seals, reservoir and bladder
- Compact lever body with DirectLink™
- Same power as Level Ultimate, Level TLM and Level TL
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- MatchMaker™
- Two-bolt clamp
WEIGHT
410g (direct mount, 800mm hose, 160mm CL rotor)
MSRP PRICE
$82 | €89 | £68
Level
New Rules
The SRAM Level brake levels the playing field with power and reliability stuffed into a lightweight package. This is a no-nonsense performer, but don’t let its understated disposition fool you — Level gives you the art of braking in minimalist form.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Same proven lever technologies as Guide—piston, seals, reservoir and bladder
- Compact lever body with DirectLink™
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- Distinct contact point
- Pinch clamp
WEIGHT 430g (direct mount, 800mm hose, 160mm G2 rotor)
MSRP PRICE
$63 | €69 | £53
TECHNOLOGIES
PIGGYBACK RESERVOIR
The brake fluid reservoir on SRAM’s latest lever design is optimized for both performance and ease of use. The PiggyBack Reservoir offers a simple, failsafe way to manage brake fluid, and also allows for ambidextrous lever placement— so you can switch your levers on the handlebar and run them moto without hassle.
TIMING PORT CLOSURE
A hydraulic brake’s timing port is the connection between the reservoir and the master cylinder bore. When the lever is squeezed, a cup seal passes this area and closes the port, which pressurizes the system. SRAM’s new timing port closure system, features durable seals and an ultra-smooth cylinder bore finish producing dependable braking power and consistency.
CONTACT POINT ADJUST
Some people like the instantaneous power of a short lever throw. Others prefer the feel of a longer throw. With Contact Point Adjust, you can pick the position you want your fingers to be in when your brakes are engaged. It’s a quick and easy way to customize the feel of your brakes without having to move the pads. It’s also a way to balance both brake levers to feel exactly the same.
REACH ADJUST
Brake lever fit and feel is a personal thing. Riders have individual positioning preferences, as well as unique hand sizes and finger lengths. Reach Adjust makes it easy to adjust your lever for maximum one-finger control for everyone.
DIRECTLINK™
SRAM’s DirectLink™ lever design produces a solid, positive feel the second you squeeze the lever to engage the brake It offers a nononsense solution to give you precise control.
DEADBAND
This refers to the time between the moment you engage the lever and when the pads contact the rotor. SRAM technologies such as SwingLink balance the dual demands of minimizing deadband and optimizing modulation for braking finesse and control.
EXPANDABLE BLADDER
SRAM’s new brake lever design includes a reshaped bladder, that helps regulate and reduce air bubbles. The bladder is specifically shaped to evacuate air from the lever and push the fluid exactly where it’s needed. The result is improved back-pressure relief, which produces dependable braking power and consistency.
SRAM also released a new wheelset, the ROAM 60, a carbon 30mm internal rim, hookless, etc., on some new hubs, the 900 series. These are only in a 27.5″ size, so we won’t focus on them here (no 29ers), and they are a bit narrow for 27+ as well, those being typically above 35mm’s wide internal.
“The new ROAM 60’s careful combination of shape, width, design, and materials yields a new carbon wheelset that gives bikers the speed-enabling features they want—and the critical reliability they need. Lightweight, high-strength 30-mm carbon rims increase control and confidence in any terrain.
The precision engagement of DOUBLE TIME™ hubs ensure quick, consistent power delivery from the pedals, and a durable, smooth-rolling feel. The new ROAM 60 is the wheel for riders who want everything and don’t like to compromise.”
