SRAM Guide Brakes for the Trail

Confused by what a “trail brake” is compared to another brake, I asked SRAM’s Duncan Riffle and he said

When we use the term “trail” brake or any other specified discipline it has to do with intended use for that product. IE. A Trail brake would be suitable for a wide range of short to mid travel bikes that require a light-weight, robust and powerful package to get the job done in many scenarios. Where as a “Downhill” specific brake would be less concerned about weight and more about power, modulation and durability in extreme conditions…

Ok! Still unclear if you ride trails on bikes in spandex or baggies or spandex INSIDE baggies? Will figure that out later this year when we get on the dirt. As I understand and it was explained to me by Sean Estes, technically trail braking is a technique where you use your rear brake to set the attitude of the bike going into a corner. However trail brakes are brakes designed specifically for Trail riding as opposed to say XC or DH-specific brakes. The “Trail” experience sits between XC and All-Mtn, meaning roughly 110-140 mm travel, relative light weight, all-around geometry and equally good at going up or down.

Yep and I rode a sweet bike for the trail last year up to Searle Pass on the Colorado Trail. It was a Camber S-Works with a 1 X.

Camber

A Camber for the trail

Searle Pass

Up to Searle Pass

sweet singletrack

On Singletrack

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