Disc Brake (Magura Marta?)
 

I am in the market looking for a new set of hydraulics disc brake for my XC rig.

I have own quite a few already:
Hayes HMX-1, Hayes Nine, Hayes El Camino
Avid BB5, BB7, Juicy 5, Juicy 7
Hope Mini, Hope Mono Mini, Hope M4
Shimano XTR BR-M975

I am looking for either the new Hope Mono Mini, Marta SL or Formula R1.

What I really want to try is Marta and Formula as I haven't tried those yet.
R1 is really expensive. I had Magura Rim brake before and they are really good.

I am not sure about the Marta. I know Magura makes good stuff but from a friend of mine, he said BB7 are better (altho he is using Marta SL himself). I also tried out my friend new S-Work Epic which comes with Marta SL and found it worst then my Hope Mini and Mono Mini. But some racers I know said Marta are great and they are light.

However, I am leaning over on a new set of Hope Mono Mini more but might consider Marta. R1 is really $ for now.

Any thoughts on Marta?

I have Marta SL's on my Stumpy and like them a lot. Getting to the point that I like them a lot took some work though. The calipers require shims to adjust spacing and prevent rotor rub but I gambled and put Avid CPS hardware on there so I could adjust with allen wrench. Just order the standard caliper adapter for the rotor sizes you have and use CPS hardware. I had to but a post mount caliper for the rear but it's been worth it.

Now that I've got them set I've found them to be a nice improvement over the Juicy 7's that are on my other bike. They're powerful but they're not grabby and they're very easy to modulate. The levers have a nice feel to them, feeling firm but not stiff or hard when I really grab some brake. They do make some noise when they're wet or cold, like most disk setups, but it's not as bad as my Avids and it usually clears up quickly. The only thing that I don't like is that they can be tricky to bleed properly. If you get them make sure you get a bleed kit and some extra mineral oil. Magura calls for their own product but I've used Shimano with the same results.

Cliff notes: Great brakes but can be difficult to service.

Mike

Thanks mcoomer for the suggestion.

I have heard stories about setting up these brakes is a pain. I had Magura HS33 Hydraulics rim brake and boy where they hard to setup and bleed. I ended up taking it down to a shop for the bleeding.

Shimming is ok as that is the same thing with my old Hope brakes. CPS is that the bracket you are referring to? I have Avids and I get that concept as it is very easy to adjust and center. That is because with that bracket, it changes everything to like post mount. But how does that work tho? I have 'IS' front and rear and if the Marta are 'IS' mount, then no adapter is require.

I did recall shimming my Hopes where quite a pain.

May I ask how are your Juicy 7? Mine are ok in terms on power but not perfect. I also makes quite a squeaking noise even in the dry. Not every loud like wet but still annoying. Since you talked about modulation, I want to ask that. Is it very stiff? I found the Avid Juicy have a very stiff feel on the lever. Is it the same issue with yours? I was thinking if bleeding the system will help but power is ok but I just don't like the stiff feel of my lever. When I tried the Marta, they are very soft, just like my Hopes and XTR. Btw, I mention I tried Hayes....well they are hopeless.

My 2008 Stumpjumper Pro has Magura Marta brakes on it. My previous bike had Avid BB7 brakes combined with their SpeedDial 7 levers. There is no comparison between these two brakes! The Martas are phenomenally better than the BB7s in terms of stopping power, feel, and modulation. Mine came installed on the bike and I haven't had to touch them yet, though it's only been a few months. BB7s seemed relatively finicky in terms of setup; I felt like I was constantly adjusting them to get the right balance between good lever feel without having the disc constantly rub the pads.

When I was looking for a new bike, I did extended demo rides on bikes with many different kinds of hydraulic disc brakes: Juicy 5, Juicy 7, Juicy Ultimate, Avid Elixir, Hayes Stroker Trail, and Shimano XT. I thought the Magura Marta was the best braking system of the bunch! Great power, excellent modulation, and a minimum amount of noise. The Avid hydros had good power and modulation, but they all seemed to make at least some amount of noise; the worst ones warbled so much you thought you were constantly being chased by a wild turkey! Hayes Stroker Trail brakes, fitted on a Giant Trance X2, were the most disappointing; lots of noise and poor modulation.

I put my old Marta SLs on my wife's bike and I have Martas on my trail/4x bike. I'm looking at selling the Martas and replacing them.

Things I like about the Martas - light weight, good power, good modulation

Things I don't like about the Martas - the 5 year no bleed thing is BS, they die in muddy/dirty conditions (they have stopped working on several occasions - had to borrow a friend's rear Formula brake for a 24 hour event last year), crappy lever feel, limited lever adjustment

When I used my buddy's Formula for the rest of the race, it felt infinitely better.

If you would like a great deal on Formulas', contact Larry at Mountain high cyclery. He had some sweet deals on OEM's going last week. At least they seemed very well priced to me.

Thanks for all the input.

sstorkel: I am sure the Marta are better then the BB7 in terms of modulation. You also have more control and can drag it where BB7 is either on or off. That is worst with Juicy 7. My Juicy 7 are pretty powerful (I haven't tried Marta yet) but again even tho they are hydraulics, its either brake ON at 100% or off. There is no modulation and the feel is stiff. It also makes a quite a lot of noise in the DRY! To get good performance out of BB7, you need good cables. It does help but cost quite a lot and should be change every season.
Hayes are awful! Worst thing ever.

never: I am sure the Marta is light weight and good modulation. Is it good power tho? I agree no bleed in 5 years is BS. I haven't heard much issue about muddy and dirty killing the brakes. Mud kills everything. I guess mud are trap and piston won't return? Only with Marta?
Are you saying Formula have crappy lever feel?

born2bahick: They only have Formula Mega. I am more into the K24 or R1 as I do XC only. R1 is really expensive which is like $600. But thanks for the suggestion.

The power is good...they are on my 4X bike and I have used it for DH shuttles as well. Never had an issue with not having enough brake power.

With mud and sand, the Martas die when others brakes I have had made it through fine in similar situations. The Martas really let me down at the 24 Hours race last year and it has happened several times since. It seems to be piston interference...and after cleaning, nothing changes.

The Formulas have AMAZING lever feel, probably the best brake I have ridden in terms of lever feel. I think the Martas have crappy lever feel and I don't like their limited lever adjustment.

Interesting...

I guess I will mostly get a set of K24. Lots of my friends say Marta are perfect but non of them have tried Formula. I have heard pretty good feedback on those.

Marta is cool but I don't think I will get SL. Carbon lever blade looks good but when you crash (it happens), it will snap.

Its either I get Hope Mono Minis or Formula K24. Which everyone I can find at better price I will get. I do like the Hope 2 pcs rotor tho.

He qouted me a price on some OEM K 24's/carbon levers for an incredible price just three weeks ago.

Do you recall the price and do you mind stating it?

I recently replaced my Hope mini monos for Formula K24's and I do feel a difference in power and modulation. I'm quite impressed with them and I even lost some weight, double bonus! I bought mine for $220/set without rotors.

I don't think it's right to post it here, I was ordering my wheels and talking about build kits with him. the matter of brakes came up, and he rattled of several OEM Formulas' that he could get from a third party.

Just got a set of K24 without rotors in white for $260. Looks like you got a sweet deal.

Was the $220 in white or silver? Because silver is cheaper (I don't know why)0

http:/http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...DSC00966-1.jpg
Thay are silver...you paid $40 more because white is the new black, LOL:)

Looks like you got bladed hose as well and mine don't :(
O well, lets see how my turns out. I am looking forward to try out the performance.
After I bought it, I notice there are some on eBay for better price.

Make sure you bed the pads in properly!:thumb: