Sram XO vs Guide RS

[Jacoo]

A bit of a rookie question, but i cant find direct comparisons online. I want to find out how different the guide rs 4 pot brakes would be to the sram xo 2 pot brakes that im currently running. Do the extra pistons and perhaps the swing arm design make a big difference?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

the lever design makes a slight difference, but not much. Higher volume of fluid being sent through the pipes, essentially. Difference in braking power is not huge, but def noticeable. 

 

What would make a bigger difference is upgrading / sizing up your rotors, if you're currently running 180/160. Go to 200/203mm and you'll receive a far higher benefit than changing from X0 to the Guides. 

 

Those old X0 brakes are actually quite good, if you've got a good set. Used to run em on my old DH bike (granted, I was never really that fast but I am heavy)

[DieselnDust]

Chalk and cheese. The Guide brake is better than the Xo and XX brakes by quite a large margin in every way.

Brake power is more consistent

Brake is overall much more reliable

Brake doesn’t overheat

Brake runs much quieter

Piston return is more consistent across temperature.

 

If you had a trouble free XO or XX brake then you were lucky.

 

Guide had some slow lever return problems but these have worked their way out of the supply chain by now.

 

Guide takes the win. It’s the first SRAM brake I consider to be on par with HOpe and Shimano XTR

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Chalk and cheese. The Guide brake is better than the Xo and XX brakes by quite a large margin in every way.

Brake power is more consistent

Brake is overall much more reliable

Brake doesn’t overheat

Brake runs much quieter

Piston return is more consistent across temperature.

 

If you had a trouble free XO or XX brake then you were lucky.

 

Guide had some slow lever return problems but these have worked their way out of the supply chain by now.

 

Guide takes the win. It’s the first SRAM brake I consider to be on par with HOpe and Shimano XTR

Yeah, this was SRAM's (well, Avid at the time) downfall - their Elixir reliability, except the Elixir 5's. Those (I think) magnesium innards on the XX & X0 just weren't up to scratch, but if you had a good pair, they were fantastic. 

 

I'd say that the difference between a GOOD X0 brakeset and a set of guides is less than one may think. I wouldn't advise replacing them unless you are having issues with them, tbh. 

[Jacoo]

Chalk and cheese. The Guide brake is better than the Xo and XX brakes by quite a large margin in every way.

Brake power is more consistent

Brake is overall much more reliable

Brake doesn’t overheat

Brake runs much quieter

Piston return is more consistent across temperature.

 

If you had a trouble free XO or XX brake then you were lucky.

 

Guide had some slow lever return problems but these have worked their way out of the supply chain by now.

 

Guide takes the win. It’s the first SRAM brake I consider to be on par with HOpe and Shimano XTR

My XOs arent actually giving me any issues, but ive just been itching for an upgrade since ive been looking at a used set of the guides. They look like theyre in great condition (used for 3 months) but not sure which year they were manufactured. Will check the levers to see how they feel, but about the lever return issue - if they are affected by that problem, will it always be apparent or maybe only show up when the brakes get hot? Dont want to buy a pair that has an issue when i start using them. Are there different models or just manufacturing batches?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

My XOs arent actually giving me any issues, but ive just been itching for an upgrade since ive been looking at a used set of the guides. They look like theyre in great condition (used for 3 months) but not sure which year they were manufactured. Will check the levers to see how they feel, but about the lever return issue - if they are affected by that problem, will it always be apparent or maybe only show up when the brakes get hot? Dont want to buy a pair that has an issue when i start using them. Are there different models or just manufacturing batches?

If you want to pull the trigger on an upgrade (itchy finger syndrome) I'd highly recommend the new codes, but you aren't likely to see a pair of em 2nd hand just yet. More power than Guides, none of the issues with expansion of the piston (which you can't really tell by looking at the brake levers themselves, and it doesn't always present itself) and better heat management properties. 

 

If the 2nd hand guides do conk out, there's a simple fix to get them working again, but it requires a bit of mechanical skill and deft hands. 

[Jacoo]

If you want to pull the trigger on an upgrade (itchy finger syndrome) I'd highly recommend the new codes, but you aren't likely to see a pair of em 2nd hand just yet. More power than Guides, none of the issues with expansion of the piston (which you can't really tell by looking at the brake levers themselves, and it doesn't always present itself) and better heat management properties.

 

If the 2nd hand guides do conk out, there's a simple fix to get them working again, but it requires a bit of mechanical skill and deft hands. Or, you can take em to an LBS and they should be swapped out for you as it's a known issue.

They'll swop out brakes that were bought elsewhere, used??

[Meezo]

They'll swop out brakes that were bought elsewhere, used??

afaik no, and not out of warranty.

 

i had promised to do a "fix guide" for the guides as well, hopefully have it up soon.

will take some pics tonight. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

my apologies, gents. removed that bit. 

afaik no, and not out of warranty.

 

i had promised to do a "fix guide" for the guides as well, hopefully have it up soon.

will take some pics tonight. 

 

 

They'll swop out brakes that were bought elsewhere, used??

[popcorn_skollie]

What would make a bigger difference is upgrading / sizing up your rotors, if you're currently running 180/160. Go to 200/203mm and you'll receive a far higher benefit than changing from X0 to the Guides. 

 

Preach! Its a shame more people don't try upping their rotors before swopping out brake sets. Been saying this for years. If you have a decent set of brakes but feel you could use more stopping power. You'd be surprised at just how much of a difference bigger rotors make. Over the years I've swopped out many, many brake sets. Granted most of them are pretty old now but the difference between them were marginal at best. I personally found the change in stopping power between rotor sizes to be a more significant. Its not a rule of thumb, but its an option worth checking out before dropping a couple grand on a new brake set. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Preach! Its a shame more people don't try upping their rotors before swopping out brake sets. Been saying this for years. If you have a decent set of brakes but feel you could use more stopping power. You'd be surprised at just how much of a difference bigger rotors make. Over the years I've swopped out many, many brake sets. Granted most of them are pretty old now but the difference between them were marginal at best. I personally found the change in stopping power between rotor sizes to be a more significant. Its not a rule of thumb, but its an option worth checking out before dropping a couple grand on a new brake set. 

have yourself a chicken dinner, mate. 

[Jacoo]

Im already running 180/203

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Im already running 180/203

okay, cool. Then if you're looking for more braking power, the guides or codes are where it's at. If you want to stay within the SRAM stable. 

[Jacoo]

So if anyone was curious, theres 2 models of guide brakes, and apparently the lever issue is fixed in the newer model. You can tell the difference by looking at the caliper. The one with both bolts the same and recessed is the newer one, and the one with one hex bolt is the older one. Luckily the ones im looking at is the new model.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Rad. Then pull the trigger!

[Jacoo]

Rad. Then pull the trigger!

Yup, tomorrow morning. Unfortunately theyre from an xl frame so the rear hose will probably be a bit too long for my large but who knows. I suppose there's no way around getting them bled again after you shorten the hose?