In one corner: Magura "MT7". The brake manufacturer from Swabia is launching a brake for gravity use on the market for the first time. The new "MT7" is set to take over the heavy legacy of the "Gustav M". Can you still remember it? It revolutionised mountain biking in 1996 with unprecedented braking power. Over the years, it gained a legendary reputation. The only disadvantage of the brake monster: high weight and constant grinding noises. Magura's new braking miracle "MT7" has four brake pistons, just like the massive "Gustav M". However, they are now fitted with four individual pads. This has never been seen before. The advantage of the individual pads according to Magura: "Even more braking power!" The "MT7" is designed for enduro and downhill terrain. The Swabians give a 5-year guarantee on their stopper - that shows self-confidence!
In the other corner: "Guide RSC" from US component giant SRAM. The "RSC" is the top model of the new development. The abbreviation refers to the reach adjustment (Reach), transmission mechanism (Swing Link) and contact point adjustment (Contact). The Swing Link technology is particularly exciting. A gear ratio in the brake lever reduces the free travel. In other words, the gap between pad and disc can be larger, as the pads can be pulled quickly at first and then in a controlled manner against the disc. This should generate more braking force and at the same time prevent the annoying "on/off" effect in favour of better modulation. The manufacturer gives a 2-year guarantee on the "Guide RSC" and it covers a wide range of applications: from trail riding to freeriding.
The rules - This is how we score!
Rule number 1: testing is carried out both in the laboratory and in practice. Only the test stands in our laboratory are able to measure the exact differences in braking force and stability. Practice is important to check how well the stoppers handle. To do this, we blazed down bike park trails and plunged down a steep tarmac road in Bolzano. On these 700 metres of hell, our test riders often feared for their lives during brake tests as they fought against gravity using only the front brake.
Round 1 - Assembly: tricky or easy?
Both brakes are easy to fit. Both are flip-flop compatible, which means that the brake levers can be swapped as required. The SRAM "Guide RSC" comes with a clamp adapter for the shift levers as standard. With Magura's "MT 7" you have to buy the shifter adapters separately (€ 39.90). Points for the "Guide RSC".
Round 2 - The brake levers: Ergonomics is everything.
The levers of the "Guide RSC" look delicate and very ergonomic. They are reminiscent of our favourite levers from Shimano's "XT". They're a pleasure to reach for - great! A rotary knob on the lever changes the reach, a rotary wheel on the reservoir cranks the pads closer to the disc (free travel, pressure point). Both work very well and without tools. And what about the brake levers on the Magura "MT7"? Although you can manage without tools here too, the lever width adjustment is too small. The levers cannot be adjusted close enough to the handlebars - a real drawback for riders with small hands. The ergonomics of the long Magura levers also take some getting used to. In short: points for SRAM, so it's 2:0.
Round 3 - The practice: The main thing!
The "Guide RSC" grips powerfully and can be finely adjusted. Even riders weighing 85 kilos found this completely sufficient. Although the centreline brake discs deformed during long braking orgies, the discs ran smoothly again after a short cooling phase. A powerful piece, this "Guide"! Is there still room for improvement?
Yes! It's called the "MT7". The Magura bites with the brute power of a bulldog and is not fazed by anything. It doesn't care if the rider has a few extra pounds on their ribs. The modulation does not suffer from the braking power - respect! Because we attach particular importance to braking power, we award two points for this round. Now it's a tie, 2:2.
Round 4 - The lab test: The decision
The laboratory confirms our practical impressions: The "MT7" achieves top values on the braking force test bench. They even surpass the massive gravity stoppers such as Avid "Code" or Shimano's "Saint"! SRAM's "Guide RSC" can't keep up. During the tests, its centreline brake disc deforms quickly and flutters at temperatures as low as 250 degrees. This round also goes to Magura, so the final score is 2:3.
And the winner is... Magura "MT7"!
The bottom line: Its enormous bite and high stability give the Magura "MT7" the victory. With so much braking power, the stopper is guaranteed to find many fans among gravity bikers. We also liked the "Guide RSC". Its braking power is not quite as brute, but the lever ergonomics and adjustability are significantly better.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION MAGURA MT7 (test winner)
Info www.magura.com
details Four-piston brake with one-piece caliper, organic pads, mineral oil, pressure point and lever width adjustable without tools
Price / weight per brake from 259 euros / 447 grams
Size 140/160/180/203 mm
CONCLUSIONS: The "MT7" achieved top marks on the test bench for stability and braking performance. This even puts downhill stoppers such as Shimano "Saint" and Avid "Code" in their place. The "MT7" also impressed in the practical test. It is powerful, easy to modulate and showed no weaknesses even with a heavy rider. We deduct half a point for the moderate lever ergonomics and insufficient adjustability.
QUOTE Laurin Lehner (FREERIDE tester): "Wow, what a brake! The Magura 'MT7' impressed me from the very first test ride with its powerful bite. It provides enormous security, no matter how much the trail drops. Okay, the lever could be a little better in the hand and closer to the handlebars - but I have big hands and no problems with that."
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION SRAM GUIDE RSC
Info www.sram.com
details Four-piston brake with two-piece caliper, organic pads, DOT 5.1 fluid, pressure point and lever width adjustable without tools
Price / weight per brake from 221 euros/501 grams
Size 140/160/170/180/200 mm
CONCLUSION: We liked SRAM's latest "Guide RSC" brake. It delivers more braking power than its predecessor "Elixir Trail". In a duel with Magura's "MT7", however, it clearly loses out. In the extreme range, the centreline brake discs deformed. This results in a hefty point deduction. On the other hand, we can only praise the modulation. Excellent: the levers. They sit comfortably in the hand and can be adjusted quickly, easily and effectively. Top!
READ LABORATORY VALUES CORRECTLY:
The red hysteresis loop shows dry braking, the blue one wet braking. It occurs in an anti-clockwise direction. The steeper the graph (B) rises, the harder the brake decelerates. The area A provides information about the modulation capability. If the rising and falling lines are close together (short area A), the caliper reacts quickly when the brake lever is opened.
*FREERIDE RANKING: maximum 10 points | tested size: bold print
Laurin Lehner
Editor
