SRAM Releases Stealth Brake Lineup

Mar 20, 2023 at 17:38
by Mike Kazimer  
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As a side dish to the main course that's the new Eagle Transmission, SRAM has released a line of 'Stealth' brakes. The Stealth designation comes from the orientation of the hydraulic line – it exits the lever body at an angle, putting it closer to the handlebars for a cleaner look, reducing the need to have large loops of housing extending in front of the bars.

While the design was likely inspired in part by the unfortunate increase in the number of bikes with thru-headset cable routing, it's compatible with all frames, stems, and handlbars – SRAM say there are no known incompatibilities at this time In addition, the current configuration will still remain in the lineup for the time being.

As an added bonus for the racers out there, the orientation of the Stealth brakes should make it a little easier to get that race plate mounted up. I have found that the new housing orientation can make it a little more likely to rub on a handlebar, especially if a pile of gritty mud gets between the line and the bar. A little strip of electric tape or clear frame protector probably isn't a bad idea to help prevent any potential scuffing.

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Code Ultimate & Silver

For the Code brakes, the only real update is to the look of the lever body, and the addition of an Ultimate version, which receives a carbon lever blade and titanium caliper hardware. The internals and functionality are essentially the same, although there are a few unique parts that will require a specific spare part kit. Bike shops love keeping track of more SKUs, right?

We did see SRAM's DH athletes testing a new caliper on the World Cup circuit last year, but there's no sign of that becoming available to the public any time soon.

The top-tier Code Ultimate Stealth model is accompanied by the Code Silver Stealth brakes, which trade out the carbon lever for an aluminum one, and the titanium hardware for stainless steel. That adds a few grams while also reducing the price – the Code Ultimate brakes retail for $300 per wheel, while the Code Silver brakes are priced at $265 USD. Both versions have a tool free reach adjust and pad contact adjust, and use a bearing at the lever pivot.

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Level 4-Piston & 2-Piston

The Code brakes stick with the same caliper, but a new 4-piston caliper has been added to the Level lineup. According to SRAM, the idea behind the new more powerful option was to deliver trail bike stopping power in an XC weight class. We recently received a pair for review, so look for that later this year, which will include comparisons and actual weights.

There's a two-piston option as well, for riders looking to save weight wherever possible. Like the Codes, the Ultimate versions receive carbon levers and titanium hardware, and the Silver versions get aluminum levers and stainless steel caliper bolts. Both version have a tool-free reach adjust and use a bearing, rather than a bushing, at the lever pivot.

Level 4-Piston Ultimate: $300
Level 2-Piston Ultimate: $285

Level 4-Piston Silver: $195
Level 2-Piston Silver: $185

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Optional 'stem clips' help keep the housing secured and rattle free.




Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

197 Comments
  • 284 2
 Those stem clips actually look like a good idea. Comptible with most normal stems
  • 144 0
 Clean, simple, removable, functional, cheap. The rest of the bike industry is going to have to find a way to discredit this.
  • 3 0
 (double commented)
  • 17 0
 Can confirm we can’t pick these up on radar
  • 7 1
 I done the less pretty version of this with 2 tiny wire ties (one around the stem screw, with the housing routed tie through the screw tie). Works great and when left a tad loose on the housing side, allows for movement as needed during turning. Keeps the flapping and tapping to a minimum and looks cleaner to me.
  • 5 7
 GL barspining ur trailbike.
  • 7 5
 Don't let those stem clips fool you that they were designed for stem or even handlebar routed cables and only that
  • 7 0
 Ya there goes the need for headset routing!
  • 3 0
 secure, rattle free, and easy to service.
  • 2 0
 @Mtmw: All the higher paid engineers should'a listened to the marketing guy (who rides 20 hr/week) around the water cooler.
  • 6 0
 my fav thing from all this new stuff haha
  • 11 0
 I'm gonna 3D print something like that. If they aren't too flimsy (we'll see), I'll post the files up on Thingiverse
  • 1 0
 @mountaincross: they are far far far from rattle free.
  • 4 0
 @Compositepro: maybe they can pick them up on Bikeradar?
  • 2 0
 Stem clips are how I'll be able to tell people cant X-Up
  • 4 0
 Great, now it will only rattle on your handlebars where it obviously is rubbing.
  • 1 0
 Nice idea. Let's get better hoses and make a feature of cables instead of trying to hide them away. Would solve a lot of maintenance hassle.
  • 3 0
 @BrianColes: If you look at the last picture you can even see black tape on the bar right where the cable is rubbing the bar
  • 1 0
 @IanZSmith: good eye. Well back to the headset routing we go then lol
  • 1 0
 @IanZSmith: I know. That’s the point of my comment. It’s just creating more problems. And a layer of tape won’t stop a rattle.
  • 1 0
 @stunnanumma1: Not according to the last sentence in the article.
  • 1 0
 @Mtmw: Will require new seals too soon ?
I hope not .
  • 1 0
 The stem clamps certainly rattle! Unless you have a rubber spacer, or a stem that bottoms out the two bolts you put the plastic cable clamps through, you will get more rattle than no cable clamps at all.
  • 104 1
 New: cable rub on the handle bar.
  • 5 1
 Look at every old Chromag bar off a dirt jumper from 2012. All the cable rub
  • 2 0
 They do, even on journalists bikes set up by SRAM themselves (MTB-News.de review)
  • 2 20
flag colincolin (Mar 21, 2023 at 7:34) (Below Threshold)
 How? There is no relative movement.
  • 4 0
 @colincolin: your fork lowers are moving up and down
  • 19 0
 They definitely went too extreme with the hose exit angle. Parallel with the bar would have been optimum.
  • 4 0
 That's what that little piece of duct tape is for I presume.
  • 5 0
 Old: still can’t access that caliper bolt properly
  • 1 0
 As a side note, the reason obviously dumb design decisions like this happen is because they don’t ask for mechanics to offer feedback until AFTER the industrial design is fully locked down, design engineering is 95% done and they are mostly focused on production engineering processes, as the initial production prototypes are already done.

Just an FYI for all the editors and commenters that are entirely blind to the process of how products get to market but who love to tell us how marketers are always the source of the problems…
  • 87 0
 I think I’m supposed to be angry about this.
  • 30 0
 Yeah this isn’t what I’ve been running for the past 20 years. I’ll get the pitchforks!
  • 14 4
 You are, the stealth brake routing is aimed at making internal headset routing easier lmfao
  • 3 4
 March 21,2023 will forever be known as the day SRAM changed everything forever... I think.
  • 2 3
 @Sscottt: if they're making changes that don't require new standards and replacing frames, forks, hubs, etc to use their new product I'm all for it. That's an accomplishment all by itself. Let's keep it up SRAM!
  • 3 0
 @Warburrito: I was trying to be overly dramatic. Bikepackers are going to be very giddy over this, everyone else, its just style points.
  • 1 0
 @Warburrito: because they already required the frame change for the UDH?
  • 1 0
 @daroob: Before that it was a free for all on how everyone created a hanger. UDH standardizes it across the board.
  • 1 0
 @JSTootell: right. But only from here on out. Before, it didn’t matter which frame you had to find the correct hanger.
  • 72 14
 So, out of all things they should’ve change on these brakes, they focused on look and cable orientation?

It seems like a joke to me honestly
  • 27 23
 Huh? The Codes are highly praised brakes, and they bumped the Leve's to 4 Pistons...what else would you like changed? It also appears even the entry level Code's not have contact point adjustment....
  • 30 5
 @bmied31: Try Dominions
  • 24 23
 Seriously agree. They seem to require significantly more effort to pull the lever to generate braking force than other brakes. I also have significant problems with mine overheating on steep tracks (even with 220 rotors). These look great, but I’ll be looking elsewhere for my next brakes…
  • 32 19
 @idecic: Or Hopes.
Or Shimanos.
Or, well, anything else.
  • 27 6
 @idecic: of course there are other good options...but nothing wrong with Codes...
  • 9 0
 @eblackwell: That might be more a function of how you have them setup on the bar.
I've made a couple changes to friends bikes (both big S bands) and it has made significant improvements for them.
Ive ridden most brakes out there, and with the exception of the Dominions, they all seem to have a similar amount of effort required, so I'm curious to what youre experiencing.

Also, what issues are you having regarding over heating? Do you drag your brakes a bit while riding? Do you brake early and light, rather than late and heavy?
When is the last time you did a complete rebuild on your Code brakes (not just a bleed), I feel like your due.
Buddy was complaining about similar issues, then went on to tell me hes only ever bled the brakes 2 in a 3 year period, no servicing, no seals, no nothing.
  • 28 30
 @bmied31: SRAM does not make highly praised brakes. Try Dominions
  • 11 2
 @bmied31: Code RSC with Discobrakes sintered and ceramic pads have been great for me.
  • 5 22
flag thustlewhumber FL (Mar 21, 2023 at 8:30) (Below Threshold)
 @onawalk: Thats the point. You can drag most other brakes all the way down the hill with no issues, braking however badly you want, with no bleeding required. Im on a set of Zees from 2016 that have the original fluid in them and never had an issue, but tried the same run on my buddys same bike with Codes and had scary brake fade not even a quarter of the way in.
  • 4 0
 I bet it's to support future development, like the UDH supported and prepared the way for direct mount. I bet they wanna route the hoses inside our bars.
  • 2 1
 @bmied31: Yeah, pad contact point adjustment is definitely a feature I like. It really allows you to dial-in both the lever position and bite point, so both brakes feel exactly the same.
  • 6 1
 @thustlewhumber: don’t run cheap resin pads. That fade is your pads overheating. Buy quality metallic pads from a reputable brand and you won’t have that issue with pretty much any brake.
  • 4 2
 @Brianp621: just won a heap of races and often compared to TRP...
  • 3 2
 @thustlewhumber: You do realize that brake fade is pads, right?
  • 15 13
 @roxtar: Shimano brakes are a downgrade compared to Code brakes. Can't change my mind.
  • 7 19
flag ryanandrewrogers (Mar 21, 2023 at 10:14) (Below Threshold)
 @nickfranko: Brake fade is in heat management, not pads. Sounds like your mind is the problem here lol

I own Codes, they're mid. They manage heat poorly despite using DOT fluid and need more frequent bleeds than Shimano because of that dumb DOT fluid.

Shimano's combination of mineral oil and cooling fins on the pads/caliper is absolutely proven to manage heat better than any SRAM brake. It's just better engineering. But I guess I won't change your mind enjoy those crappy codes pal.
  • 2 0
 @ryanandrewrogers: by this reasoning, the SRAM DB8's and swap in some cooling fin brake pads might be a good budget alternative? Mineral oil and all. Yes I still want MT7's but my wallet does not yet agree.
  • 2 3
 @mca896: For about $80 or less a brake, the DB8s are the best brake on the market for the money by a margin of lightyears. I tried a set and they were already grabbier than my Codes, with cooling fins they might genuinely outperform the Codes.
Whatever you don't let SRAM find out what you're experimenting with. If you're right, you and the DB8's could be silently "discontinued" if you catch my drift lol
  • 7 4
 @ryanandrewrogers: dude I last bled my sram brakes in April 2019 they still don’t need it, nice solid feel consistent not matter how hot they and my XT brakes need constant lever bleeds to keep them running nice and too avoid the random bite point issue and after 6 months the fluid looks like Guinness and will need flushing out.
  • 4 6
 @thenotoriousmic: sounds like your XT's are leaky and your SRAM's are about to be. Do y'all know nothing of the corrosive qualities of DOT fluid?

Love that you've had a good experience with them but the fact you haven't bled your brakes in four years tells me everything I need to know about your bike knowledge.
  • 3 1
 @ryanandrewrogers: yes fully aware im very surprised. I’ve not had any brake last this long and I’ve never had brakes that needed so little maintenance. I can’t remember how many shimano callipers myself and my son have been through over the last three years but it’s over 7, same issue as always, piston seals leak, can’t be serviced but a new calliper costs next to nothing.
  • 4 0
 I have Dominions, Code RSC, and Code R. Love the Dominions and Code RSC's for different reasons. The Dominions have the best feel out of any brake on the market and the power is ridiculous. The RSC's also feel great and while not as powerful as the Dominions they have plenty. I actually prefer the Dominions on the trail and RSC's at the park because when I get arm pump the Dominion lever is too easy to pull and I accidentally pull the brakes when I start losing grip finesse, I never get that issue with the RSC's. Code R's... well those feel nothing like RSC and you get what you pay for. They are more comparable to Guide's than Code RSC.
  • 2 1
 @ryanandrewrogers: lolol got it... DB8's are on my new bike now. Will see how they perform.
  • 9 1
 @thenotoriousmic: I just went through that cycle on my 4 piston Shimanos, needed a new caliper after something like 3 or 4 years. And yes, I bleed them every few months. And yes, the bite point does wander a bit. But damn, as long as stay on top of my occasional maintenance, these things grab every time I need them to. I've never ridden a SRAM brake that I felt had anywhere near the amount of power I want. As a Clydesdale, that's sort of a necessary condition. If I were a lightweight, maybe I'd get all excited about all that famed modulation, but at my size, that's not going to happen.

And I hate DOT fluid with a passion.
  • 1 1
 @nickfranko: Probably because you like a good lever feel, consistency, and maximal power without it being on/off?
  • 1 1
 @bmied31: I’ve had good luck with codes too. The only thing I think is “wrong” with them is that better options exist. I was just responding to your question “what else would you like changed?” Cheers!
  • 5 6
 @bmied31: Highly praised by slow riders on flat trails
  • 8 1
 @MoonboyMTB: AKA multiple WC and EWS winners?
  • 3 2
 @g-42: why do you hate DOT fluid? how does that affect your driving habits?
  • 2 2
 @TheRamma Good point.: i hate handling the stuff in my garage - working on bikes is much more relaxing without having to worry about hazmat concerns. The stuff has it's place, but for my preferences, that place is nowhere near my bikes.
  • 3 0
 @g-42: If your sensible... basically no mess and no worries.

be more worried about the stuff you put in the dishwasher... thats nasty stuff
  • 2 0
 @g-42: the downside to mineral fluid brakes is they don’t work when it’s real cold.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: they're running RSC's. Different beast from the Code R's.
  • 2 0
 @g-42: yeah, you gotta be careful with whatever fluid you use. it's not like mineral oil on your rotors is NBD. gloves, rag, wash hands, all good.

just bled a buddy's G2 RSC with him, with bleeding edge it's very clean/easy, spillage requires an epic screw up. no rinky dink open plastic cups to screw into metal threads.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Ah yes I always put a lot of value in praise from sponsored riders whose bikes are worked on by some of the best mechanics in the world
  • 3 0
 @TheRamma: the serviceability of SRAM brakes, bleeding edge specifically, is why I only own SRAM brakes. There are pros and cons with lever feel, but my experience is blindfold me and I can’t tell the difference. I work on my own bikes though, and Shimano’s bleed procedure is hilariously inferior by comparison.
  • 1 0
 @MoonboyMTB: I can hand on heart honestly say I never once worked on any of those guys bikes and it was 100% all them and since I’m being honest it’s really it that hard to align a calliper and give your brake a little bleed.
  • 38 5
 Lame, I thought there would be some improvement of the performance and not just making it easier to route the brake lines through the fu**ing headset
  • 8 18
flag ryanandrewrogers (Mar 21, 2023 at 10:21) (Below Threshold)
 Despite how correct it is, SRAM knob-polishers will still downvote this comment. Rumor has it they were contracted to personally use their mouths to polish the chrome on these entirely unimproved "new" codes.
  • 23 0
 So the "Silver" brakes are black, and the "Ultimate" brakes are silver. That won't confuse anyone at all. Nope.
  • 6 0
 Pretty soon they will release the 'Blackbox' version. Marketing executives are still arguing among themselves whether these will be gold or oil slick in color.
  • 1 0
 @ak-77: It doesn't matter as long as they still ride on time...
  • 1 0
 Any "stealth" product that is not entirely matte black is really not getting it. To call one SILVER (but it is actually mostly black) and the other ULTIMATE but but it has a lot of silver/chrome components seems like an inexcusable error on the part of SRAM. Did they screw up their packaging order or something and then decided to just save money and go with the mistake instead of reboxing?
  • 7 1
 Curious how those new Level 4 Pistons feel? I have Code RSC's on enduro bike and G2 RSC's on the trail bike, and Level's on my fat bike. The G2's were a lot weaker than the Code's before I upgraded to the HS2 rotors and MTX pads, and the Levels are barely strong enough for the fat bike. I think its fair to say, outside of the Code's, SRAM brakes were due for a major overhaul in terms of power.
  • 1 0
 Would you say you no longer feel like swapping your G2 RSC setup for Codes after the HS2 rotors and MTX pads? I've been considering this very thing. Thanks!
  • 1 0
 @dscottycole: For a 138/150 trail bike, yes, for an enduro bike, no.
  • 1 0
 @dmackyaheard: Thanks! I'm thinking about doing it for my 120-120mm trail (downcountry?) bike.
  • 6 0
 Seems like bikes and components have gotten so good I feel like lately the bike industry is struggling to come up with stuff to separate us from our money for very marginal benefit, or none at all.

That being said I love my Code RSC but not sure why anyone would buy these if they already have working ones, also the "new" Level 4 piston caliper just looks like the Guide caliper. I bet the Guides will probably be phased out of the line up to prevent too much overlap.
  • 3 0
 The product name Guide will be phased out (well they already did with the successor named "G2") because they had a bad batch with master cylinders getting stuck when hot and it's all over the internet.

Code RSCs rule and if the silver still has the swing link it might be a good product.
  • 5 0
 @SickEdit: that was a pretty huge batch
  • 10 0
 @Porkybob: The batch was the entire production run haha
  • 4 0
 @SickEdit: You're probably too young to know this but that is SOP for Sram brakes going back to the Avid days. Every failed brake design was followed up by a model name change, promising a new awesome brake. "This time they'll work awesome. We cross our hearts"
At some point Charlie Brown can't blame Lucy when she pulls it away.
  • 1 1
 @SickEdit: I think, by definition, Code RS and RSC will still have Swinglink
  • 1 0
 @SickEdit: wait…I have a G2 front brake that constantly drags a little…it just constantly makes a noise against the rotor—not a lot of drag, but a high-pitched noise. Is that the master cylinder problem?
  • 2 0
 @Steadite: sounds like a sticky piston to me, not master cylinder related.
  • 9 2
 Want to run your shifter or dropper inside the brake clamps? Sorry, but here's some stem clips and we hope you like stem routed cables.
  • 4 1
 the first photo shows the shifter mounted inside of the brake clamp...
  • 1 0
 Yes, I like to run them inside or attached to my brake clamps
  • 1 0
 @crazyotto: I have a shifter that's "normal" height and not super low profile, what then? I know, I know. Just buy more stuff. Razz
  • 1 0
 @noapathy: you could get creative with a bench grinder, but then nobody is forcing you to run these brakes to begin with.
  • 1 0
 @crazyotto: It's just dumb that it's even something that anyone should have to worry about.
  • 5 2
 Somewhat of an improvement over the old design; having crashed and bent two master cylinders at the handlebar mount - the only way to fix that is by purchasing an entirely new master cylinder! But still looks prone to bending and breaking in the same place. Shimano design seems to be better with a block/tab built in that prevents any bending of the master cylinder on impact.
  • 5 0
 yeah, just a shame the Saint lever isn't like that...
www.pinkbike.com/photo/24417577
  • 2 0
 @spudmaster: you need to put less torque into your brake mount screw mate. Let it move on impacts
  • 2 0
 @dkendy1: I do, I can rotate my levers by hand so they move in a crash. Problem I had there was the impact was head on causing the master cylinder to snap towards the bar rather than rotate up or down.
  • 1 0
 @spudmaster: all good lots of peeps over do, like I used to ! Bugger either way
  • 4 1
 @eblackwell: I had overheating as well. Changed my rotors to Shimano Icetech and haven't had an issue since. Compared to their direct competitors, I find SRAM Code and Guide brake to be superior for ergonomics and modulation. if it doesn't feel good in your hand, its not yours, so don't knock someone else's tastes and preferences.
  • 6 0
 No complaints here. I kinda want those stem clips. Seems like a great idea.
  • 4 0
 Not sure how anyone can complain about this, nor why it took this long... No roadie misses the old Shimano levers with the shift cable sticking straight up into the air...
  • 3 0
 I'm just happy the Code brakes haven't changed outside of the cable orientation. I'm happy to pick up any discounted previous-generation Code RSCs at a discount, thank you very much
  • 5 0
 The calipers look gorgeous, but the master cylinder body is uh, not that aesthetically pleasing to put it nicely.
  • 3 0
 100% chance this is to make their brakes compatible with an unreleased integrated bar+stem system that routes the brake lines INSIDE the bar.

They already did the same thing with their road brakes.
  • 3 1
 got stung with Guide R 's both master cylinders sticking, bought repair kits to no avail . now hanging up in the shed , now on shimano no trouble at all . trannys are good , wont touch thier brakes again , and defo not using DOT fluit , time they changed to mineral
  • 2 1
 I'm a diehard shimano brake guy but it is hard to ignore the fact that DOT is leaps and bounds better than mineral, unless you bleed your mineral fluid a few times a season, which I don't really think is a big deal. But yeah.
  • 2 0
 "For the Code brakes, the only real update is to the look of the lever body." So we are updating for looks and I need to throw duct tape or frame protector on my bars so they don't rub off / scuff the paint? Nothing for or against codes, I hear they are solid, but if focused only on look, why is making a piece of duct tape required to not make my bike look worse?
  • 4 0
 Wow damn SRAM is starting to name product lines like they're new Pokemon games...
  • 4 0
 I dig it. It'll make strapping bikepacking bags to the bars easier and less likely to interfere with housing.
  • 4 0
 Mr Kazimer, was there any improvement to the brake performance/stopping power or was it more design/hardware updates?
  • 8 1
 It's more aesthetics / design than anything else - the performance felt identical to the Code RSC's I was on previously.
  • 1 0
 I’d prefer a hose that exited parallel with the bars. And include two sets of boots to go over the hoses… one that keeps the hose straight and another that gently coaxes the hose toward or away from the bar depending on which direction you flip it. And include a little cutout in the underside of the boots so that they can be interchanged without bleeding the brakes.
  • 1 0
 Honestly with the stem clips, the housing is running so close to the bike that either you will have a very limited range of turning for the handlebar, or a "medium" loop with horrible sharp bends.
  • 6 3
 My Shimano brakes are pretty stealth as well; sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.
  • 1 0
 No performance upgrade is a bummer(I’m a Code RSC user on every bike**) but all is good. Maybe I’ll just try the Cascade Caliper for them. Anyone have experience with them?
  • 1 0
 Got them put on my bike, but did not have a chance to test them yet, as am away, back home in a few days. Better be good, they were fucking expensive, lol
  • 1 0
 @gooral: could you give me a holler please in messages when you get back and have ridden them? Would love to hear what your thoughts are on them!
  • 2 0
 @stormracing: sure, no worries. If I forget, please message me, say after 2-3 weeks
  • 3 0
 Maybe an adjustable handlebar mounted cable guide is needed now to prevent rub
  • 4 0
 Stealth adds 20 seconds to identifying where turkey warble is coming from.
  • 1 0
 I like the stem clips, similar to my night riding setup with the Outbound Lighting Evo. Cables bouncing in front of lights isn't aggravating until you experience no cables in front of lights.
  • 3 1
 No reason to improve on the CODE's, they are great in the all-mountain and DH segment, but sounds like SRAM is closing in on having a DH/Freeride specific brake soon!
  • 3 0
 Anyone know if I can just buy those stem cable clips? Or any alternatives?
  • 3 1
 Make your own!
  • 3 1
 This is great n'all but.... Transition are having a sale on almost all their bikes!
  • 1 0
 I know, both heartbreaking (if, like a buddy you bought a Spire just before the snow) and amazing, like if you wanted to pick up a Spur....
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: I’ve got a 2019 patrol? Is the new patrol better? Is the spire better than the patrol?
  • 2 0
 @Rageingdh: longer, slacker, heavier and the front wheel is now too big. So no.
  • 1 0
 @Rageingdh: The Spire is the best bike I've ever ridden, full stop. Its much more playful than the numbers would suggest, not too bad for climbing.
The only issue so far, is the speeds are much higher, so the consequences when you f&*k up get bigger.

I had a Sentinel before it, loved it, its a longer travel version, with no drawbacks
Also have a Fugitive, but like the Spire more for both climbing and decending
  • 1 0
 @kingtut87: Have you ridden a new Patrol?
you can literally raise the fork by 10mm, and put a 275 front wheel on...
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: yup, not the bike I want. I'll keep my 2018. Don't need or want a bigger front wheel nor the extra travel.
  • 1 0
 @kingtut87: but you could literally just swap the front wheel.
IIts cool that you dont want the new bike, but your reasoning is just being argumentative for no reason
  • 2 0
 @onawalk: and then your geo is messed up and you're running a 27.5 wheel in a 29er fork.
I hate the way every brand under the sun took their playful 27.5 bikes and added big front wheels to them. They might be great at what they do, but to me they've all totally missed the point.
  • 1 1
 @kingtut87: Oh jeez,
stop your whinging
  • 2 0
 @onawalk: it's pinkbike, that's what it's for.
  • 1 1
 @kingtut87: Whatever turns yer cranks I guess
  • 2 0
 I actually like this better than the new Eagle release today - it's great for flatbar bikepacking setups!
  • 4 1
 bet it's still a soft squishy feel. NOOOOOOO
  • 2 0
 Looks like sram FINALLY fixed the problem with their brakes- the angle at wich the hose exits the lever.
  • 1 0
 “…it exits the lever body at an angle, putting it closer to the handlebars for a cleaner look…”

But how does it look when going into my headset routing?
  • 3 0
 yo guys new cable rub spot just dropped!
  • 3 0
 At least they rub on ya bars, instead of your frame
  • 2 0
 Does anyone know if they use the same internals? Or do they still use the same plastic piston?
  • 1 1
 Wish they could run the cables put the end of the levers. The route hoses through the thru axle, back up through steerer, and then through headset, and then back out of the dropper. Thats an equally sensible move.
  • 2 0
 Only use close up shots.. dont let them see the whole handlebar..
  • 1 0
 Stem clips?

I know of various small clamps to clamp two cables together, none are stem related.
  • 2 0
 It's just hard to move on after the truama of Guide R brakes.
  • 1 0
 era ora ca....o ,

At last a good idea! can I swap this pump and lever on my Guide brakes?
  • 3 2
 Does anybody actually runs Level brakes or something more challenging than commuting ?
  • 6 1
 Just about every XC racer I know.
  • 25 0
 Commuting is the most life threatening riding I do.
  • 3 1
 I do. They work great!
  • 1 0
 Had them on my fat bike when I got it. They worked fine until I swapped them out for Shimanos. They now live on my NP Scout and continue to do well.
  • 1 0
 XC racer here. I have two sets of Levels, one hasn't been touched for four years and are just the best thing I've used, the other has the stickiest pistons, needs a bleed every couple of months, and seems light on power. I have no idea whether I'm supposed to be angry with them or not!
  • 2 0
 @HankHank: I had an early set with sticky pistons and was warrantied and subsequently no problems. The set I've got now have been without issues but did replace the front caliper to G2 4 piston to get more power out of them now that my bike is setup a bit more DC.
  • 1 0
 @Joecx: thanks, I'll give that a try
  • 1 0
 I like that frame idea with the caliper between the stays. Pretty slick, why not more common? Is that a road frame?
  • 1 0
 do they come with the little bits of tape to stop the cable rub on your bars?
  • 1 0
 Don't need it
  • 2 0
 those shiny levers are tickling my caveman brain
  • 1 0
 any luck on Quinney's prediction that the clamp comes off and the whole thing fits through a 1.5" bearing?
  • 2 0
 Those silver code calipers are SEXY.
  • 2 0
 no way jose me and my loops go waaayyyy back
  • 1 0
 Sram definitely on the roll today!

To whom who over heat codes or any other dh brakes - how are u doing that?
  • 1 0
 so how do you know which has the swinglink (like you could with the rsc moniker)?
  • 1 0
 Many bikes' hose/cable routing suck when you ride with your brakes "moto style", would these levers make that worse?
  • 2 0
 Looks pretty bad, from the images here on the Yeti and SC. Although on the Specialised it doesn’t like like there is enough slack for the bars to rotate.

flowmountainbike.com/tests/sram-code-stealth-level-ultimate-brakes
  • 1 0
 @S3rv3d: The Yeti looks OK, but the Specialized[sic] looks awful
  • 1 0
 Hmmmm they almost look like they could pass through an upper headset bearing
  • 1 0
 Let's hope it is as grippy as the fiveten one
  • 11 11
 Those stem clips are what's really keeping the hoses out of the way and "clean" looking. What a scam sram.
  • 7 3
 They certainly help, but you'd still have a larger visible loop of housing with the previous configuration.
  • 2 3
 Try using those clips with a normal brake line angle….
  • 2 4
 "the design was likely inspired in part by the unfortunate increase in the number of bikes with thru-headset cable routing"
Or perhaps that cable routing is more popular because of these brakes?
  • 1 0
 I'll stick with the code R's at £50 per end thanks anyway
  • 1 0
 This is dumber than their drivetrain I mean “transmission”
  • 1 3
 No mention of rotors…? Thicker? Better heat management? What? SRAMs rotors have always been the weak link, will turn cooked brown within a week
  • 5 0
 That was already taken care of with the HS2 rotors that came out last year. Thicker, better, etc..
  • 1 0
 but why ?
  • 5 4
 No no no no noooo!!!!
  • 1 0
 hmmmm, super lame
  • 1 1
 How does they brake?
  • 5 7
 Another solid change that Pinkbike will bitch about for some reason...
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