Magura disc brake opinions
 

Just wondering what people thought of the Magura disc brakes in general. I've got an opportunity to get them (any of their current lineup) at cost so I figured that it might be worth looking into.

In general I think they make a pretty good set of brakes. I have some of the older Marta SL's that have been on my bike for a couple years. They've been problem free. I like the way they feel, modulation is good and ergonomically they're my favorites that I've tried (out of Elixers, Codes, SLX, XT, XTR, Marta, Louise, Juicy's and XX's). I don't feel like they're as powerful as a newer set of XT's that I had on another bike but pretty good in my experience.

What kind of riding do you do, where, on what bike? That will help determine what kind of brakes and rotors you should be using. What kind of brakes are you using now?

I'll go first, as an example:
I've used a set of Magura MT4 brakes and both the Storm and Storm SL rotors, with the performance pads which are organic. I've had them 3 years on two bikes, using 160/160 rotors on the first bike and now 180mm front 160 rear.

They have good power and excellent feel. I believe the new MT Next series has more power, and supposedly the same feel. What I like best about them is the lever action is consistent and immediate; if you pull a tiny bit, you get a tiny bit of braking. Some brakes have some creep where a small pull on the lever does nothing and then they engage a bit abruptly.

I ride mix of XC and trail, and I've done lift-service DH with these brakes in Colorado. No complaints about power or endurance. Of course -- this is on a 5" bike, so I'm not doing anything that would require massive brakes.



People do complain about the complexity of bleeding Magura brakes now and then. I have the service kit, but I've never had a need to bleed them. Also, the new Next series has a mix of two- and four-piston calipers. If it's an even number it has two pistons: MT2, 4, 6, 8. If it is odd, it has four pistons. MT3, 5, 7. The four-piston calipers are more powerful as you'd imagine and would be appropriate for all-mountain and gravity riding. I don't think I'd ever need them on my trails, with my bike.

They would be going on a 2013 Giant Trance X that currently has Shimano 505 brakes. The riding would be mainly xc/trail.

Ok. So you should get a two-piston model. I am happy with my MT4, so the MT4 Next is probably a safe bet.

For normal people, going beyond the MT6 Next isn't necessary, but if you get a really great discount and you can swing the MT8 Next, it would be hard to go wrong with the best brake Magura offers. :D

Sooooo... what did you decide and when are you getting them installed? :D