Sram
Brakes
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Sram brakes are available for every discipline of MTB, from cross country to the gravity-orientated downhill mountain biking. These brakes are known for their power, reliability and control throughout the ranges and come at various levels to suit different budgets.
Sram Maven
The Sram Maven is the newest and biggest edition to the line-up, and are aimed at gravity disciplines like Downhill and Enduro, as well as big hitting E-bikes. The focus here is not only power, but ease of use and reducing fatigue, therefore the Sram Maven brakes take 32% less force to create the same power as a Code brake, and overall can produce 50% more power. This stopping ability is provided by four huge pistons with diameters between 18 and 19.5mm in the caliper, and an increased master piston size in the lever to ensure the correct ratio is preserved. The range is tailored for various price points, with the top of the range Sram Maven Ultimate sitting at the top of the tree, featuring Titanium hardware for maximum, no-compromise performance.
Sram Code
Before the release of the Sram Maven brakes, the world's best gravity based riders turned to Sram Code RSC and Sram Code R for their stopping power. This is another four-pot based caliper that produce consistent braking performance over prolonged periods thanks to heat shielding integrated into the caliper itself. The Sram Code RSC featured tool-free adjustment, for easily making tweaks on the trails to both contact and reach adjustment. Sram's SwingLink technology offers smoother modulation, a technology that was later adopted in the the Sram Maven too. Although on paper the Sram Code RSC isn't as powerful as the Maven range, it is worth remembering that these brakes have topped the World Cup Downhill podium countless times in recent years, so they certainly retain their usefulness and have more than earned their seat at the table. Sram Code brake pads are available in different compounds to suit different conditions and riding styles, and can also be used with the Sram DB8 range.
Sram Level
Sram Level brakes are designed for cross country racing, and for those who look to save grams where they can. These are the lightest hydraulic disc brakes in the line-up, but are still capable of producing reliable stopping power for the technical descents that are now commonplace on the World Cup circuit. The top of the range Level Ultimate comes equipped with carbon fibre brake levers and Titanium hardware, but for those wanting the same power and performance on a budget, the Sram Level T offers an entry point to the range.
Sram DB8
The Sram DB8 brakes are built with simplicity in mind, and are designed to be a no-nonsense method of getting the job done. The Sram DB8 isn't the lightest on the market, but they provide reliable, controllable power, and require very little maintenance. The lever can be adjusted with tools, and the Sram DB8 brake pads are the same as the Sram Code brake pads, so they are very readily available and offer plenty of options.
From the Sram Maven, which offers unrivalled stopping power for downhill mountain bikes and burly e-MTBs, to the lightweight Sram Level brakes, there are loads of options to help you find the perfect match for your bike and riding style.