New from Magura: Louise and Gustav Elite bring a breath of fresh air to the brake line-up
Peter Nilges
· 18.06.2025
Gustav Elite
The Gustav Elite is a more affordable version of the top model Gustav Pro. Plastic levers and a slightly different material on the calliper reduce the production costs, but are not intended to reduce performance. As a result, the Gustav Elite costs just 200 euros per brake.
With the Gustav Elite, Magura presents a new high-performance disc brake for demanding enduro, gravity and SUV bike riders. The brake is characterised by extra-large brake callipers, 2.5 mm thick brake discs and new pads, which are designed to ensure maximum stability and control. The thicker brake discs are said to heat up much more slowly due to their greater mass and therefore remain in the optimum temperature range for longer. According to the manufacturer, the brakes can consistently offer their best performance in this sweet spot thanks to optimum friction values. Fading, i.e. the loss of braking power when overheating, should therefore be a thing of the past.
Improved brake feel and intuitive operation
When developing the Gustav Elite, Magura paid particular attention to the brake feel and intuitive operation. By enlarging the pistons to 12 mm in the brake lever and 19 mm in the brake calliper, the overall pressure level has been reduced. This results in a defined pressure point with very good modulation.
Design and ergonomics
Visually, the Gustav Elite is based on the Pro version, but with a more discreet design in plain black. The brake lever and clamp are made from Carbotecture. The one-piece Carbotecture clamp enables the direct mounting of shift or seat post levers on the underside using Magura Shiftmix IG. Despite the one-piece design, the clamp can be clipped onto the handlebars without removing the grip. The Carbotecture brake lever has a textured grip area with raised polygons, which should offer optimum grip and a good lever feel both with and without gloves.
Ease of maintenance and durability
When developing the Gustav Elite, Magura also focussed on long service intervals and easy maintenance. The extra-thick brake pads with 94 % more volume and the 2.5 mm thick brake discs with a 2.1 mm wear limit are designed to last a particularly long time. A large air gap between the pad and brake disc and a new bleeder valve are also designed to make many maintenance tasks easier.
Innovative connection technology
With the Magura Easy Link technology, the manufacturer is introducing a simple plug'n'play connection for the brake hose. This makes it possible to connect or disconnect the hose from the brake lever at any time and without special tools. This makes initial assembly and maintenance work much easier.
Availability and pricing
The Gustav Elite should be available on complete bikes from summer 2025. According to Magura, individual brakes will be available from specialist dealers from the beginning of 2026. With an expected RRP of around 200 euros, Magura is positioning the Gustav Elite as a premium product with an attractive price-performance ratio.
Technical specifications Gustav Elite:
- Brake caliper: One-piece forged, 4-piston, aluminium
- Bleeding: bleed screw on the brake calliper, valve can be retrofitted
- Brake lever: Carbotecture, EASY LINK cable connection
- ABS compatibility: Bosch eBike ABS ready
- Brake discs: Magura MDR-S 2.5 mm (optionally also compatible with 2.0 mm)
- Brake pads: Magura MDP 13 BLACK/GREY
- Brake hose: Magura Disctube 2.2 with swivelling hose connection
- Brake lever: Magura Gustav Elite, Carbotecture, T25 reach adjustment
- Clamp: Carbotecture, one-piece, Shiftmix IG
- Guarantee: 5-year tightness guarantee
- Weight: 328 g (100 cm brake hose, incl. clamp)
- Price: Expected to be approx. 200.00 euros (RRP)
Louise Elite
With the new Louise Elite, Magura is reviving the familiar name and bringing a newly developed entry-level brake onto the market for 100 euros. The Louise is reminiscent of an MT5 four-piston caliper, but is produced differently and has optimised quad rings. The caliper consists of a plastic housing with a plastic lever.
Inspired by the classic of the 2000s, the new generation was developed from scratch - with the aim of making maximum braking power and modern technology accessible to the widest possible target group. The Louise Elite is aimed at demanding everyday riders as well as sporty (e-) mountain bikers and is positioned as a powerful and reliable 4-piston brake with an excellent price-performance ratio.
One-piece saddle
For high heat resistance and braking power, Magura relies on one-piece forged 4-piston brake callipers made of aluminium in combination with 2.0 mm thick brake discs. The rigid system uncompromisingly converts every ounce of manual force into deceleration. In addition, the one-piece calliper design is particularly resistant to leaks. Magura offers a 5-year leakproof guarantee on the brake lever and brake calliper.
Tool-free coupling and ABS
Special attention was paid to the integration of modern safety and maintenance features. The brake lever of the Louise Elite is fully compatible with Bosch eBike ABS systems (modes: Touring, Touring, Trail) and, with its increased oil flow volume, provides the ideal technical basis for precise ABS response behaviour.
For the first time in this price range, Magura is also using the new Easy Link technology for the Louise Elite - a tool-free, integrated brake hose connection that ensures faster and cleaner installation. As a plug'n play connection between the brake hose and brake lever, it also makes maintenance easier.
Parallels to the MT5 pliers
The brake calliper is based on the tried-and-tested MT5, but has been completely redesigned internally. New machining of the piston chambers and sealing areas ensures particularly constant and reliable piston retraction. This should minimise grinding noises - even after hundreds of kilometres. This is complemented by the revised friction ring design of the MDR-S 2.0 brake discs, which reduces potential noise development. In addition, the Louise Elite can be retrofitted with a bleed valve on the brake calliper for the first time compared to the MT5. This makes handling easier when servicing is required.
The design of the brake is deliberately kept simple and integrative and thanks to the compact, radial brake lever design, the Louise takes up very little space on the handlebars. This makes it easier to combine with accessories. The one-piece Carbotecture clamp supports the clean look and enables the direct mounting of shift or seat post levers on the underside using Magura Shiftmix IG. Despite the one-piece design, the clamp can be clipped onto the handlebars without removing the grip. In keeping with its compact design, the Louise Elite weighs just 250 g (100 cm brake hose, incl. clamp) and is therefore significantly lighter than its competitors.
Grippy lever and hard pressure point
The new Louise Elite should also impress in terms of ergonomics thanks to the Carbotecture brake lever. Whether with or without gloves: the elaborately crafted textured lever should guarantee an optimum lever feel in every situation. Magura has also optimised the inside of the brake lever to provide an intuitive and comfortable braking experience. A larger master piston has optimised the pressure point of the brake compared to the MT5.
Market launch:
The Louise Elite will be available on complete bikes from summer 2025. Individual brakes will be available from specialist dealers from 2026. Magura will be presenting the brake for the first time at Eurobike 2025 in Frankfurt. A versatile test fleet will be available for test rides.
Technical data:
- Brake caliper: One-piece forged, 4-piston, aluminium
- Bleeding: bleed screw on the brake calliper, valve can be retrofitted
- Brake lever: Carbotecture, EASY LINK cable connection
- ABS compatibility: Bosch eBike ABS ready
- Brake discs: Magura 2.0 mm brake discs (MDR-S 2.0, MDR-C, STORM HC, MDR-P)
- Brake pads:Magura MDP 9 GREEN
- Brake hose: Magura Disctube 2.2 with swivelling hose connection brake calliper
- Brake lever: Magura Louise Elite, Carbotecture, T25 reach adjustment
- Clamp: Carbotecture, one-piece, Shiftmix IG
- Weight: 250 g (100 cm brake hose, incl. clamp)
- Guarantee: 5-year tightness guarantee
- Price: Expected to be 100.00 euros (RRP)
Our first impression from the field:
We were able to get a first impression of the new Louise during the bike festival in Riva. Due to the slightly lower hydraulic transmission ratio compared to the Gustav, the pressure point is very hard and defined. You can feel very precisely when the pads are in contact with the disc. The Louise has good deceleration and is very easy to modulate.