Is this I wise thing to do when talking over brake performance, looks,modulation, or shall I spend my money on something else?

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Specialized Tarmac S-works SL4
http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/ac11 ... 11af34.jpg

I did not get chance to try the 2011 SRAM Red brakes because I got the 2012 SRAM Red brakes.

I had decided on the wider rim wheel set (HED C2 rims) and originally planned to use the eeBrakes because of a lot reviews stating that the 2011 SRAM Red brakes did not handle wide rim wheels. However, when I read the initial reviews stating that the new 2012 SRAM Red brakes had been designed to accommodate the wider rim wheels (such as the Zipp Firecrest wheels that SRAM now owns), I decided to give them a try.

Well, in a nutshell, the new 2012 SRAM Red brakes are awesome. Modulation for feathering the brakes are great. Power braking on aluminum walled rims is great with the provided Swisstop pads. I do not know about the aero properties but the weight at 250 grams is light enough. The whole package is good enough that I will not be switching to eeBrakes. The quick release will open up to about 27mm so the wider rimmed wheels can be removed with two simple twists.

Lastly, my mechanic said that the 2012 SRAM Red brakes is much, much better than the 2011 SRAM Red brakes in term of modulation and power.

I can not recommend whether you should upgrade from 2011 to 2012 brakes or not, but I would, especially if I was considering the wider rim wheels.

Mark

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2011 Cannondale Quick CX-1
2012 Lynskey Helix OS with SRAM Red
2013 Lynskey R330 with SRAM Red Quarq
2013 Parlee Z1 with DA 9070