All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I was running guide RSC's on my bronson, then I ran into the dreaded piston stick on one ride when they were in the sun. I had to take them off to warranty them, so I ordered a pair of zee's to try out.

In terms of feel, I prefer the modulation of the guides, but I will probably sell them as I had both levers warrantied and the calipers only had a single season of riding on them. The stopping power of the zee's is really nice, even if it is an on/off thing.

 

So what’s the issue on the guides that people have had?

 

Ahhh what? DOT fluid is so much easier to clean up than mineral oil, water will completely neutralize DOT fluid. The fear and disinformation surrounding DOT fluid is ridicules, people make it out to be some super harmful and deadly product.

 

I think the majority of hate is leftover from when older Sram brakes (Elixir/Codes) were around. They were fucking terrible brakes.
In my experience on both Shimano and newer 2013ish+ Sram brakes they are fairly comparable. Just a matter of how the lever feels but both stop really well

 

I have guides now and have no complaints so far.

 

I’ve had my Guide RSCs for 2+ seasons without problems. I haven’t had to bleed or or mess with them. I have cleaned the caliper pistons a handful of times. I know people that have had issues with them. Seems to be standard SRAM some of their stuff feels dialed some of it sucks. I think their manufacturing tolerances are too loose. Shimano stuff in my experience is more dialed and reliable. This comes from years of experience as a professional bike mechanic and recreational rider. I’ve prolly owned 30 different bikes over the years. That said I have Sram on one bike and Shimano on the other. I don’t change stuff as often as I did when I worked in the industry but if I were to buy a set of brakes right now I would prolly go shimano.

 

they fits!!!!

 

Do you like this set up? I have a over cab topper and was thinking about doing the same thing. Sometimes the bike rack i have is just a pain. Waiting for the quick rack mach 2 to come out. I assume that the bungies are to keep the topper window down?

 

correct to keep it down, and a cut pool noodle on the handles. Had to load the bikes gradually with an extra set of hands with the tailgate partially down because the rest of the bed was all packed up tight but it worked out really good!! you might be surprised to know that i have a sleeping platform in the bed there too so we slept in the bed that night.

 

While I admit to being a clumsy mechanic, I have been clumsy for 45 years dealing with DOT brake fluid in cars and motorcycles. I’ll take mineral oil any day.

 

1Up 3rd Gen day at the trailhead today. No riding though ... it was a Rogue hoe and McLeod kind of day, trail building.

 

No dig, no ride!

 

Man, there have been a ton of 1up rack pics on this forum lately! I had a chance to test mine out the other day and I’m definitely drinking the koolaid! Solid racks!

 

The silver truck is mine. If you look close, you’ll see the strap I added to make it easier to release the tilt latch. 5 minute mod (OK, probably 15). Two years old and holding up well just needs more room for stickers

 

Nice work on the Helena sticker

 

Brakes I've used:
Shimano XT, Saint, Zee, XTR
SRAM older Guide RSC, newer caliper Guide R
Hope Tech 3E4

Shimano wins in the "stop NOW" front. They actually have a good bit of modulation as well, but it's a lot finer than others. I like using mineral oil, but prefer DOT for consistency and longevity.
SRAM Guides have good modulation, but have that old lever issue (heat from sitting in the sun expands seals in lever, causing lock-up). All is now fixed, as they ship with the new seals. If you have an older set, SRAM warranties them with the new seals in the lever, and no more issues.
Hope, well, that's where it's at. Modulation, power, and the looks. But they are spendy.

I'm running newest Guides on the plus bike, Saints on the DH, and Hopes on the everyday AM bike.

BTW: I'm selling my Guide RSCs as a kit (brakes, pads, rotors). They've had the seals replaced under warranty through SRAM. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2415245/

 

Nice morning out at Reimers. 10am and it’s still 88 degrees. Took advantage of that.

 

Great looking set up all around!

 

Rode there two years ago. One of my favorite rides and a cool town too.

 

Let's ride sometime. Moto or mtn bike. I'm about 35 minutes from Walker but haven't been in a while