You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Morning peeps. In the process of building up a tallboy and I'm swaying on what brakes to fit. Everybody I talk to seem to rate the xt's.. I've never used them before so can't comment. On the other side are the Sram guide RS. . I've had elixir Cr's on my bike for the last 5 years, and they've been fine,apart from the squeal every now and then. Anybody had both that could comment on there experiences or have the guides that could tell me what they think?
Thanks
I've got both, cannot fault either.
I can't fault my CR's or SLX's but I wasn't sold on the Elixir 7's so replaced them with M8000 XT's and they are ok, better than the others...probably not. They give you a couple of options that the SLX doesn't have but braking performance is similar.
Value for money I'd go SLX, appearance XT 🙂
Never tried the Guides but they get very good write ups although they seem very expensive.
It's a personal thing. They behave differently. The XT's are very on/off, the SRAMs a little easier to temper. I was always over braking with the XTs, so I far prefer the Guides.
I don't think you can go wrong with either. If I were buying it would come down to whether I wanted matchmaker style compatibility and which lever felt nicest in terms of throw.
zee/saint would be the equivalent of guide RS really. would have saint
XT every time, good weight, DH power, currently cheap at £50 an end.....probably on balance better than the Saints I have.
Assuming you go with M8000 brakes, then I would say I personally think its even. If you're planning on using the M785, then there's no good reason not to go SLX, then its a load cheaper, and so SLX win.
I'm with Wrecker, XT & XTR can be very On Off you find your over braking not the best modulation, picked up a brand new set of carbon Guides on here this week to pop on a shiny (very Pink) Bronson to try out for a change, that said I've never had a single issue with the XT or XTR's I've owned.
As above. I'd go with Guides, far superior performance IMHO.I also have a spare set for sale unused 🙂 But opinion is still valid.
Yeh had a shot of a bike with guides.. like them. @jimmy.. can you drop me a mail.. its in my profile. I might be interested!
Guides are awesome. The RS is better than the R, as they have a roller Pivot, so feel snappier, the RSC are better than the RS as they have a bearing, instead of bush on the lever Pivot, so feel smoother.
I'd go for the XT over the RS, but it does depend on what you ride mostly. For UK sized descents then the RS will be fine and many folk prefer the modulation (I prefer the feel of shimano and canny see what everyone finds so on/off about them). For long alpine descents they can get a little inconsistent over time, but not too bad. The biggest factor if you're pairing them with other bits from the SRAM stable is how nice and uncluttered you can get the handlebar to be thanks to the matchmaker!
Completely unconnected, I also have a pair of 5 month old Guide RS brakes for sale....
Neither. I switched from XT to Zee and wouldn't go back. Cheap, tiny bit heavier but more powerful and the twin pot design means you gain the modulation that the XTs lack.
Guides have been far more reliable for me I used to hate avids swapped to xt but guides much better. I've only used the rsc though I'd pay the extra if poss mainly for the contact adjust. Bleed easily work really well loads of power and modulation use decent size discs. Can't comment on new xt but I'd be hard pushed to convert back especially as the tart in me likes the reverb/sram 1x brake clamp 🙂
Just bit the bullet and got a set of rsc's for £110. Well happy!
I have XT's and have ridden RCS for a few hours in the past. I much preferd my XT's, plus they are so nice and easy to service!
Both have similar power, guides have far superior modulation.
Have ditched my XT's on my bikes now 🙂
Just reviving this thread - I'm torn between XT M8000 and the Guide RS on my new build.
Both sets have their supporters, but at the same time initial reviews of the XT were underwhelming, and I've read that the Guides aren't brilliant in the wet.
I'm going for XT M8000 groupset, so the I-Spec compatibility appeals.
I've got the Guide R's and M785 XT. I specifically swapped out SLX for guides on my 'enduro' bike as I much prefer dot based brakes for long descents. I find guides are far more consistent on 5 minute + descents. The pads sit nearer the rotors so they do drag more in wet conditions, which is why I prefer XT's on my trail bike as I don't need the extra performance and it gets used in bad conditions more often.
I found the guide's performed badly until I gave them a good bleed myself.
They will be going on what will become my only MTB so wet conditions are inevitable!
Both are excellent, I have a bike with each on. I would go for XTs because they are cheaper, just as good, use mineral oil rather than brake fluid, and are much easier to bleed well
Big reliability issues with the current generation of XT (8000) and XTR brakes (see the thread on inconsistent lever pull). If you go with Shimano fit the previous model as I don't believe they had the issue...
Last year I would have said get the XTs but we've got a few sets of Guides (RSC & R) and they're both bloody brilliant, reliable and much better than the XTs on my bike. Also I've found the XTs and Zees I've been running are a little more inconsistent than the Guides.
Tom KP
Ps Guides are a massive leap forward than Elixers were.
I've not used the RS but have used the R version. I prefer XTs myself as I like the modulation, the cheapness, and the ease of bleeding. I use a Mityvac vaccuum pump so the XTs bleed in literally 5 minutes.
I had some XTRs too but they were rubbish. No servowave and not enough power. I swapped out the levers for XT.
After a few months wit hthe Guide RSC's I took them of did a deal with a mate & took his new XTR's in place & love them, proper bite.
Also building a Hightower & popping 2016 XT's on it but that's because I bought them ages ago & kept them of a stripped frame.
One thing I did notice was how much squeeeeeeeellllll the RSC's gave of like little piggys attached to my wheels.
Love my m785 XTs. Modulation isn't difficult, just don't squeeze the lever quite so hard.
I have XT, but my experience of SRAM brakes started and ended with Avid Juicys.
I read that SRAM has got a grip on reliability and bleeding issues with the Guide, so I guess it comes down to which lever shape you prefer.
I like the one finger braking feel of XT, they're confidence inspiring and you never run out of bike. My Hope Tech brakes definitely have two finger levers, the initial bite isn't as strong as XT but ultimately, they'll stop you just as well. Some conscious readjustment is required when swapping from bike to bike.