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what they like compared to xt brakes?
better than old avids?
I went with Zee over guide's. prefer the mineral oil and the levers compared to the guides. They should have better modulation than the XT's do and more power (you would hope).
I've been on the Guide RSCs for the past 2 months. Great brakes. Like a combination between an XT and an X0 Trail. They've got the solid bite point of the XTs, but with far more modulation, like the X0 Trails.
Guide & Trail are infinitely better than old Avid... except for Code. Which is because they are basically a redesign of Code brakes made lightweight for general trail use.
Isn't the key question how well they last? My Avid's were always good out of the box but required a lot of "help" to stay good when compared to XT or similar. Which, while less sensitive, required less week to week tlc.
Anyone got a longer term view on the Guide's yet?
Had an initial ride on a set yesterday, and was very impressed indeed! I've been a confirmed Avid hater for years, but if they're significantly easier to bleed and a lot more reliable now, then I might be tempted to stick some on my main bike as the performance and control was fantastic.
A mate got one of the first sets, his verdict is essentially "fantastic, when they work, and they work most of the time so you can [i]almost[/i] forgive them when they don't."
Early days yet for me (Guide RS came with my new Spesh Enduro) but modulation out of the box is excellent, which for me is the most important thing. Power seems fine too, but not tested yet on long descents for consistency / fade. No problems with rubbing or squealing - but as I said early days (1 month light use). Lever reach adjustment is quick to use on the fly. Too early to say much about reliability, but would have preferred mineral oil for bleed friendliness.
If they stay like they are now, I'll be very happy. For reference my previous brakes were Formula Oros, which were pretty good and well regarded. The Guides are better in all respects so far.
If I was buying them to put on a bike (rather than coming with one as mine did) I would go for the RSC version with the additional bite point adjuster, which strikes me as being very useful.