Heavy riders, long downhills or e-bikes with extra pounds can quickly push an MTB disc brake to the limit. In order to meet these more stringent requirements Sram relaunches its downhill anchor Code. Instead of just small improvements to details, the code brake was redesigned from scratch for 2018.
15 per cent more braking power
In contrast to the current Sram Guide, the new Code has larger pistons in both the master and slave cylinders. In the four-piston caliper of the new Code, the piston diameter is 15 and 16 millimetres (Guide: 13 and 14 millimetres). A combination of Guide lever and Code brake calliper is therefore no longer possible. Thanks to the larger pistons, the system works with more brake fluid, which makes it less sensitive to heat. Sram speaks of 30 per cent more fluid. DOT is still used as the brake fluid instead of mineral oil. Thanks to this optimisation, the new Sram Code is said to offer a good 15 percent more braking power than a Guide, with significantly greater stability.
Swing Link also for the code
In addition to the brake calliper, the lever has of course also been optimised. The top model Code RSC (R= Reach Adjust, S= Swing Link, C= Contact Adjust) is the first to utilise the Guide's Swing Link technology. The Swing Link changes the transmission ratio when the lever is operated. This is intended to reduce disc grinding and still achieve a high transmission ratio when the brake pads are in contact, resulting in high braking power. The cheaper Code R model will be available without Swing Link and only with lever width adjustment. Both Sram Code models should be characterised by perfect modulation and first-class lever ergonomics.
Weight of the new Sram Code
Both the Code RSC and the Code R should weigh 433 grams in the lightest configuration. Compared to the lightest Guide (Ultimate), the new Code weighs 170 grams more per brake.
