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All new SRAM Code brakes follow the Guides to more power and better braking

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Sometimes, you just need more power. That statement can have any number of meanings, but apply it to mountain biking and the need to slow yourself down and you get the picture. Mountain bikes continue to get faster – whether under human power or electric, which means under certain conditions more powerful braking is welcomed.

That all adds up to the new Code RSC and R brake sets. SRAM’s brakes have been through quite a bit since the Code was last on the scene, but thanks to DNA borrowed form the Guides, the Codes are back and better than ever…

On the surface, the Code lever bodies don’t look all that different from the Guides, but as they say, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Thanks to a 30% bigger fluid reservoir, the Code levers are able to push more fluid and bigger pistons for more powerful braking. SRAM puts that increase in power at 15%, which combined with larger rotors should be plenty of stopping power.

The Code RSC lever gains SRAM’s SwingLink lever pivot system with sealed bearings for smooth actuation,  as well as tool free reach adjust and contact point adjustment. Benefitting from advancements to the Guides, the Codes also use an expandable bladder with Dot 5.1 fluid and their Bleeding Edge bleed process. Of course, the levers are Matchmaker and MMX compatible.

The Guide RSC calipers use a four piston design with a pair of 15mm and 16mm phenolic plastic pistons. Brake pads are still one per side with two pistons acting on each pad.

The Code Rs are very similar, though they lack the contact point adjustment at the lever. They also make use of a DirectLink lever blade without the sealed bearings of the RSC.

With the same 443g weight claimed for each brake, it’s safe to assume there isn’t much difference at the caliper end with the same 15/16mm quad piston design.

CODE RSC CODE R
Weights 443g 443g
Technologies SwingLink, Expandable Bladder, Timing Port Closure, Lever Pivot Bearings, Bleeding Edge, Heat Shield DirectLink, Expandable Bladder, Timing Port Closure, Bleeding Edge, Heat Shield
Lever Material Forged aluminum Forged aluminum
Rotor 1-piece CenterLine rotor 1-piece CenterLine rotor
Caliper 4-piston caliper 4-piston caliper
Piston material Phenolic plastic Phenolic plastic
Key Features Reach Adjust, Contact Point Adjustment, SwingLink,
Bleeding Edge, MatchMaker X
Reach Adjust, Bleeding Edge, MatchMaker X
Pad Steel-backed metal sintered Steel-backed metal sintered
Fluid DOT 5.1 DOT 5.1
Colors Black Anodized Diffusion Black

Each brake ships with the one piece Centerline rotor with pricing set at $244 or $154 per brake for the RSC and R, respectively. Look for these to hit stores this May.

SRAM.com

 

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Papi
Papi
6 years ago

Cool video, but did those guys even touch their brakes? “SRAM Coide: The best brakes for people who don’t use their brakes”.

rideifbikes
rideifbikes
6 years ago

do the have a release date for the recall yet? trying to plan out my season

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
6 years ago
Reply to  rideifbikes

HAHAHA! You win the internet for today

colin m
colin m
6 years ago

I think I saw an e-bike in that video. Subliminal marketing 😉

Droober
Droober
6 years ago

No cooling fins on the pads? C’mon guys!

ascarlarkinyar
6 years ago

Since when are disk brakes under powered?
I can lock up any of my cheap or expensive disk brakes on any bike, on any surface, any speed, using any tire….

Formula brakes have the best modulation.

EXODUX
6 years ago

It’s funny how, and I knew there would be a comment or two in regards, of how some people can’t forget the problems SRAM/Avid had with earlier brake models. I had a couple of those brakes, which failed causing me to have a couple of bad crashes and I was pissed at SRAM. Sram owned up to its mistakes and rectified the problem and now their brakes are just as good or better than any brake on the market.

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