After twenty years in front of the same wallpaper, there comes a point when you can no longer really enjoy the decorative floral pattern. After the renovation, it's then quiet again for a long time. It's a different story with the bike parts. If you always want to be at the cutting edge of technology, you have to rebuild almost every year - the model cycles on the component market are short.
For 2004, the brake manufacturers have once again thoroughly renovated their programmes and are putting brakes on the dealers' shelves, some of which have been developed from scratch. The Swabian brake multinational Magura, for example, has completely overhauled its bestseller "Louise". The design has been given an injection of testosterone. It has become angular, the feminine curves have disappeared. There have also been technical changes. The annoying problem with the wandering pressure point should be solved once and for all. As with its sister "Marta", the "Louise" will no longer be bolted in future; the brake calliper is made from a single piece. Shimano and Hope are also doing away with their bolt-on calipers and will be building one-piece calipers in future. With the "Formula B4 Plus" cross-country brake, the consistent use of aluminium ensures that the bolt-on corset does not put too much pressure on the scales.
Avid presented its own hydraulic disc brake for the first time. The "Juicy Seven" boasts innovative details and unique features, but failed the stability test. With minor modifications, however, the "Juicy" could become a serious competitor for "Louise" and co.
The products in this test:
- CROSS-COUNTRY DISCS:
Formula B4 Plus, Hope Mini, Magura Marta SL, Shimano XTR
- ALL-ROUND BRAKES:
Avid Juicy Seven, Magura Louise, Magura Louise FR, Shimano XT
- FREERIDE ANCHORS:
Formula Extreme FR , Hayes HFX 9, Hope Mono M4, Shimano Saint
